Lian Li F1: The Desk As the Computer
by Joshua Buss on August 7, 2005 7:35 AM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
Assembly
To keep the length of this article from getting out of control, we’ve made a smaller, downloadable photo-narration of the complete assembly of the desk for those interested. Click here to download the zip. We’ve also condensed this assembly process down to a brief summary, however.Essentially, the assembly of the desk boils down to three stages: attaching the legs, attaching the other parts of the main desk unit, and then once turned right side up again, the additional units such as the side desk and printer stand can be tacked on. Here’s a shot right after the legs are attached. Note that if we had done it all over again, we would have attached more pieces to the main top before turning it over, but we did not actually have a copy of assembly instructions included with our unit, since it is a preview model.
After attaching the additional parts to the main top, such as the backing plate and case holder, we connected the side desk and printer stand. Everything fits together extremely solidly, and the provided screwdriver will certainly be used here for many years to come.
Speaking of the supplied screwdriver though, the entire collection of supplied tools is pretty decent, but the very long-necked Allen key and screwdriver definitely stand out from the rest as tools that will be particularly useful even after the assembly is finished. Also included in the downloadable image pack is this shot of all the supplied tools and fastening hardware.
After putting the entire desk together, we wondered if it was possible to also attach the side desk to the other side, just like the printer stand. It sure is, but while we were doing so, we noticed something far more interesting in our opinion.
Everything is reversible!
Yes, you read right… from the multimedia port to the case holder unit itself, the entire desk can be flipped left-to-right. This is probably the single most useful aspect of this desk, as it will allow people to configure it exactly how it will fit their needs best. Unfortunately, we cannot comment for sure on whether or not the F2 models allow for this too, but we see no reason why they would not. Just to be sure, as soon as we had finished assembly, we took the thing practically back to the beginning and reconfigured it.
This is also our best shot of the entire desk with all supplied accessories attached that we managed to get.
52 Comments
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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...