Lian Li F1: The Desk As the Computer
by Joshua Buss on August 7, 2005 7:35 AM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
Final Thoughts
Anyone who has ever used a computer long enough will surely attest to the difference that a nice desk makes. While someone with plenty to spend on an elite work center certainly has numerous options, most expensive wooden desks are not inspired or designed by true technology enthusiasts. We do not feel that it does this desk justice to try to evaluate whether or not it is worth the asking price by looking at it piece by piece because plenty of people out there will be perfectly happy with a forty-dollar plastic fold-up table for their desk. Instead, we feel as though this product fills a niche for the consumer who has already decided that they have a certain price range in mind or for the elitist who simply wants either "the best" or at least something totally new and different.A better question then emerges; would the F1 / F2 drive someone who is looking for a very nice desk (but perhaps around the $1,000 price point and not the $3,000 one) to consider spending three times as much for this type of product? This is a tough call. While the Lian Li desk certainly is one of the best of computer desks, it is also the only of its kind. Other manufacturers might see the release of this product as a chance to get into the same business as well, so it's very possible that the F1 / F2 will have competition in the future, and thus lowering the price - but for now, if someone is looking for a desk like this, they really do not have anything to compare it to.
What we can say about the latest from Lian Li is that it is very well designed, manufactured, and finished, and that it represents something completely unique - definately a product that is at the very top of its class. There just isn't much about the F1 that we reviewed that we didn't like, and the PC V1000 case is also one of the very best ATX cases available on the market today - a perfect combination. If you have the kind of dough to even consider something like this, it comes very highly recommended from us here at AnandTech.
Once more, there is a sub-article also available that illustrates the whole assembly process in greater detail for those seriously interested in this desk. The zip can be downloaded by clicking here.
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Tamale - Sunday, August 7, 2005 - link
I couldn't of said it better myself..I like to think of this more from the perspective of something like.. "google's CEO needs a new desk.. what should he get?" or.. "how much desk can a geek get for $3,000?"
like I mentioned in the review.. there are plenty of people who might consider a $3,000 solid cherry desk.. but might be much more interested in something like this instead.. it's just that you probably won't see people like that posting comments here anyway..
WileCoyote - Sunday, August 7, 2005 - link
This desk is ridiculous. I haven't seen a product this year that was a bigger waste of money.PeteRoy - Sunday, August 7, 2005 - link
http://www.xpcgear.com/lib/extremepcgear/3dgameman...">Video of this deskuffda - Monday, August 8, 2005 - link
Saw the vid...interesting...but he over-rated it. 100%? Hardly. But it is quite good.LocutusX - Sunday, August 7, 2005 - link
Ya know, I could probably hire a craftsman/carpenter to custom build me a computer table of *similar* design/quality for about $800-900. Materials not included.Locut0s - Sunday, August 7, 2005 - link
I too feel that it is an absurd price to pay but the end of the article reads:"
We do not feel that it does this desk justice to try to evaluate whether or not it is worth the asking price by looking at it piece by piece because plenty of people out there will be perfectly happy with a forty-dollar plastic fold-up table for their desk. Instead, we feel as though this product fills a niche for the consumer who has already decided that they have a certain price range in mind or for the elitist who simply wants either "the best" or at least something totally new and different.
"
So you don't have any reason to be "shocked" at the review.
Sabresiberian - Sunday, August 7, 2005 - link
I have 2 computers, this thing won't work for me :) I am building my own desk that will have room for 3 computers I can access with the mere pivot of my chair, plus some workspace. Is it huge? yes, but it'll work great, and all for maybe $300 in nice materials.Maybe the V1000 case for my 3rd computer, something I can mess with Linux on :)
Tamale - Sunday, August 7, 2005 - link
you know, with the side desk attachment I actually think it's a fairly nice workstation for two or even three computers.. especially if you have a KVM switch or virtual control over all computers with a single keyboard and mouse.. you can fit three good sized monitors AND a laptop on it fairly comfortably..Bonesdad - Sunday, August 7, 2005 - link
WOW, I can think of ALOT more useful things to do with 3K than buy a desk. I am still using my particleboard computer desk I got 9 years ago and it is in top shape. Cost me about $200. The most important thing to have is a good chair. I spent about $500 on my chair about 3 years ago.I can't imagine spending 3K on this...
ceefka - Monday, August 8, 2005 - link
Totally agree. Many people forget to buy a good chair.This desk is not even the latest state of the art in ergonomics. For 3K you'd expect them to consider ergonomics other than just have everything close at hand.