Lian Li F1: The Desk As the Computer
by Joshua Buss on August 7, 2005 7:35 AM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
The Parts – Extras
The other accessory available for either model is a side table, which is a great size for a laptop station, paperwork area, or even an eating place. One of the two leather pads can be placed on it and will cover it completely, or it could be left off if a laptop that normally gets hot is to be used there – it is in this scenario that the thermal properties of the solid piece of aluminum underneath would be of most use.The top and bottom sides of the side table have the same brushed finish as the rest of the pieces, and the thickness of the plate is right around a quarter of an inch.
At the top of the supporting leg of the table is a two-pronged hook for hanging any kind of carrying case or small luggage bag. Notice that, just like the other legs, this fifth one also has a matching number sticker to make assembly easy. However, this one is not angled at the top like the other four.
Getting back to the leather pads, they do wonders for the comfort of your arms, as they keep you from feeling the cold aluminum when you rest them on the desk. They are substantial pieces made of two leather surfaces stitched together around the edges with a stiff piece of metal in-between to help them stay put and last for a long time.
The printer stand is another nice accessory, also visible in that picture, which is plenty big enough for even most larger, all-in-one style machines. The paper tray underneath not only adds to the overall look, but also provides storage for even legal-sized paper. The “inbox”, as we have come to call it, is really more just for style, but if you happen to have loose papers on your desk, it helps to keep them in one place.
Something else that we have come to appreciate a lot is the compartmentalized front drawer, and the smooth action of the lock for both that and the file cabinet. The inside corners of the individual compartments are all rounded, preventing one from having problems getting small items out as well.
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islandtechengineers - Saturday, August 20, 2005 - link
the begining of a new era? so within the next 20 years instead of seeing old pc's on the street corners ( in which the waste management will not take) I'll see these creations. I, not downing it, but im still a fan of customized pc's. I love a great desk/chair, but its a little wierd to change the desk simply if you want to swap a case.mongo lloyd - Thursday, August 11, 2005 - link
Sorry Lian Li but this product is too late... ION Storm Dallas is no more.rjn17960 - Tuesday, August 9, 2005 - link
For all of you complaining about the price, just check out the link at the end of the review, right before the link to the comments:Find the lowest prices or Buy it from Monarch Computer Systems for $189.00
Way to go Monarch!
blackmetalegg - Monday, August 8, 2005 - link
Since when is stealing milk crates from supermarket considered legal??Zirconium - Monday, August 8, 2005 - link
Who said anything about legal?yacoub - Monday, August 8, 2005 - link
You know you're a computer geek when... 'd?yacoub - Monday, August 8, 2005 - link
You know you're a computer geek when... 'd?piasabird - Monday, August 8, 2005 - link
Who wants a cheap metal desk?I can just go buy a used desk and drill a round hole in the back for the cords.
This desk did not seem very inventive or revolutionary. I have seen some nice desks with glass tops that looked nicer than this. For $3,000 you expect an LCD to rise up out of the back of the desk or maybe a flush mounted LCD that is part of the desktop. Yah it looks fairly nice, but it is just so bland looking.
TheGee - Monday, August 8, 2005 - link
Like the idea of the distributed components to use the alluminium as heatsinks. How about a copper one for 5K? That would be great in the colder areas such as Alaska where using a pentium D would create a built in handwarmer for those 'minus' days!I don't like desks personally and I built a large unit on tha wall which has every thing behind doors except the box which is a pullout section underneath and the main screen area where the two screens are, I also took the trouble to create a large pullout that holds the intuos tablet to the right and the mouse pad to the left (made myself use mouse left handed from day 1) but still use mouse on right with 1P shooters. Doors were salvaged and CD racks were cheap and I refinished them. Also got room for phono deck to get all my old albums on to CD. Probably cost $200 and no problems where to fit it.
If the desk itself had some style about it it might be worth the money but as it looks like an anodised cladding sheet it's a bit much so I can't see CEO's takin' to it either.
UltraWide - Monday, August 8, 2005 - link
Well, first things first; the review itself is very good. Nothing to pick about the actual review or reviewer, both are top notch.Now, the reason why everyone is laughing at the price is because this desk has no real market IMHO. People that build-your-own are (almost)always looking for most-bang-for-the-buck. I mean who is going to get that Dell XPS for $3,000 when you can get a build--your-own that would be 2x faster right? Well, hence LianLi's problem. Their desk houses a case/system that is geared towards those who don't actually buy this kind of product.
From the opposite side I can somewhat understand the argument, but again it's self-contradicting. I used to build my own computers until about 3 years ago. Then, I started to work and didn't really have the time or energy to research and get best and greatest or keep up with the changes in CPUs , GPUs, etc. But, 1 thing did change and it was my income. Now I have more disposable income for "toys" and I just buy a Dell because it's easier, it may not be the fastest but it's reasonably fast, quiet and with decent service. So, now that I can afford more stuff and go out looking for a desk. I see it as furniture and try to match it to the rest of the furniture in the house, I see this LianLi F1 and decide to give it a try, wait... my Dell XPS (alienware, voodo, whatever you prefer) doesn't fit in there! So I just move on and never give it a second thought...