"Origen HTPC case, with 12.1” touchscreen and what looks like wood paneling" nope, more like a silver case in yellowish light. Would be a very cool mod though ;)

Well, if by power savings they mean "Enable and cause system operation problems and crashes with standard power saving modes and settings", then I agree. Making the system none functional would save power because I would just keep it off, 100% power savings.

Experience with both an Asus and Gigabyte board with these "features".

The Origen AE case is not wood finish... its brushed aluminum. See the website: http://www.origenae.com/en/htpc_s21t.htm

A very pricey case.