The Parts – The Top

The 1st generation Lian Li desk comes in four varieties. The longer versions (176 cm) are designated by the F1 name, and the normal length (154.5cm) versions are called the F2. The A models’ parts are hard-anodized in a brushed, silver finish, while the B models’ parts are also hard-anodized and brushed, but jet black in color. The unit that Lian Li sent us for review is the F1B, and included both possible accessories: the side desk and the file cabinet. After taking everything out of the five large, well packed cardboard boxes, we were left with quite an array of hardware.


Click to enlarge.

The masking tape visible in some pictures is just there to hold anything that could move around in place during shipment. We’ll start our look at the individual pieces that make up the F1 / F2 by looking at the main top piece, a one-piece unit with solid aluminum top and sides.


Click to enlarge.

Not too much to say about the top of the main piece, other than its immaculate finish. The only real feature here worth noting are the cord holders on the back at either end.

These are of a simple two-part design where the inside piece comes out to allow you to fit the large ends of various types of cords, but also rotates when back in place.

Turning the piece around looking at the underside is a bit more interesting.

Index The Parts - The Top (cont’d)
Comments Locked

52 Comments

View All Comments

  • uffda - Monday, August 8, 2005 - link

    You are very right. Ergonomically this desk is not terribly good. And a chair is critical to good arm/back support.
  • bldckstark - Monday, August 8, 2005 - link

    Yup, I bought a $500 Samsonite leather chair, and it is the most comfortable piece of furniture in my house. I spend more time in that chair than any other, so it should be the best you can afford. I had a cheapo chair for years, and all it did was hurt my neck and back. My desk is still the one I got for $125, 11 years ago, and it works fine with all my junk - lamp, scanner, tower, printer, speakers, joystick, keyboard, mouse, ZIP drive, card reader, headphones, and 2 19" CRT's. I couldn't tell for sure, but I didn't think this desk could house all of that.
  • Icehawk - Sunday, August 7, 2005 - link

    For $3k you can a LOT nicer workstations that are more ergonomic, and IMO, look a lot sweeter. Check out Herman-Miller and other companies like that...

    How come there aren't any pictures of the product completely assembled or in use?
  • Tamale - Sunday, August 7, 2005 - link

    mostly because of size constraints.

    the pictures at lian-li's site actually give the best idea how it looks completely assembled

    as for in-use, what would you have in mind? I can't think of anything that wouldn't have looked cheesy...
  • Houdani - Monday, August 8, 2005 - link

    A picture with the desk populated with a monitor, printer, keyboard, mouse, speakers, etc would go along ways towards expressing the size/scale/proportions of this desk. Maybe even wheel a chair up to it and call it good. No need to drop yourself in there to ham it up for the photo. :)
  • JoshuaBuss - Monday, February 16, 2009 - link

    here 'ya go:

    http://www.uic.edu/honors/jbuss2/cs527/setupBig.jp...">http://www.uic.edu/honors/jbuss2/cs527/setupBig.jp...
  • buttocks2k - Sunday, August 7, 2005 - link

    I enjoyed the article and thought it was well-written, but the price scares me away =D
  • rentaknight - Sunday, August 7, 2005 - link

    I also enjoyed the article and thought it was well-written and agree that that price is scary
  • Tamale - Sunday, August 7, 2005 - link

    I think most of you have the mindset that I did too at first.. but I don't think Lian Li was attempting to sell this to the masses.. I think it's aiming much moreso to target the people who are considering a solid oak desk for instance in the same basic price range.

    The biggest problem I foresee with this though is simple marketing.. how will Lian Li ever get this thing out to that market? The main people who know about the company are more like you and me and are generally too cost concious to even consider buying something that much...
  • karioskasra - Sunday, August 7, 2005 - link

    Personally, I've had a few computer desks and I keep enging up having to remove the side compartments and case holding so i can actually turn the entire frontal 90degrees without hitting my leg on something. I sat for a year facing NE because that was the only orientation that would fit =/

    My current setup is not too unlike the milk crates + door, except maybe a bit less ghetto

Log in

Don't have an account? Sign up now