The only role I think something like this this case would suit would be as a kiosk with a display in the place of the window. Even that would be a bit risky since the profile looks vaguely like an old AIO with a CRT and is rather chunky vs the current slap a laptops guts onto the back of the LCD and call it a day style.
Why don't they actually just innovate? Just make something practical. Why do we have to turn to the DIY community to get practical options in ITX. Sure they've finally shifted to SFX PSU's, but Lian Li doesn't couple that with a graphics card slot. Really?
I've always been interested in ITX form cases. This one has interesting looks but functionality seems questionable. I'm not sure why that space behind the motherboard was used to suck air through the rest of the case. It wouldn't seem to be a very efficient way of drawing air through as the motherboard is in the way. They could have used a fan near the bottom of the motherboard area and push air through from the bottom of the case with a filter so dust doesn't gather near the top vent holes.
I wish they would have made something like this but with the motherboard laying flat instead of up against the back. And then put the fan on top. I don't understand why anyone would want their connections to show at the top of a case.
I actually kind of like it. Clean (frontal) lines and a different look than most other cases out there.
If I had one I would wall mount it in my office, with the base of the case mounted to the wall. Will probably never happen though b/c I cannot see myself giving up my laptop + dock scenario anytime soon.
Since not many other commenters seem to like this case, any suggestions for other 'different' cases that are popular/better?
Not bad at all, but get rid of that 140mm tumour at the back, simply add a filtered 120mm to the right hand side as an intake. Then it would have decent thermals, and a cleaner look.
A for originality. D- for everything else. It's ugly, it's impractically sized, the side panel ports don't make sense,it doesn't look like it will be particularly quiet or have good airflow and it's expensive.
Why anyone would buy this over a Fractal Node 304 or Bitfenix Prodigy is beyond me.
You can probably run it without the rear fan - from the few pics in this article, I still can't make out what it is actually doing. I like the adventurous styling, with some dust filters on the inside it should work quite well. What I'm missing is a slot in optical drive in the base. That would turn it into a funky HTPC. Without, it's really just a small LAN-party portable machine, which isn't bad, just limited. And with the components quite that "in your face" you really do have to take care with the aesthetics of your selection. I prefer a sleep looking closed case instead. This one is for the modders.
My question is whether that power supply slot is SFX only or if it is an ATX-sized slot but with only a 125mm depth. Nexus has had a couple of compact ATX PSUs (NX-5000 Rev 3 - 530W & NX-6000 Rev 3 - 630W) available for a few years that are only 125mm deep. They aren't modular, so a person might have issues tucking all of the cables away, but they should fit if the only real restriction is the depth. Visiting the Nexus website, I only see the newly revised NX-5000 - 550W model now, but it still has the 125mm depth.
Wow, I guess I'm the only one here who thinks it looks interesting. I'm not sure that I would pick one up for $150, but at least it's unique for today's cases.
I could see that window getting dusty/dirty on the inside though and end up looking bad. Taking off screws to clean it is bad design.
One hell of an ugly case. Lian Li cases are highly overrated cases. Both expensive and uninspiring. I get that they're using aluminum components, but that's beside the point. The reason of going ITX is because of its smaller form factor. However, in this, Lian Li wasted lots of valuable ITX space. The glass window is only good if you're going to show off what's inside (say: if you're going water cooling or how elegant you can cable groom -- if you can have the lights inside to show it)... otherwise, if it's just a glass and 'go figure the rest', it's a waste! And we're not anymore living in an era where transparent iMacs and PowerMacs are trending. Simply ugly. There are way better looking and cheaper casings than this.
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DanNeely - Tuesday, May 14, 2013 - link
The only role I think something like this this case would suit would be as a kiosk with a display in the place of the window. Even that would be a bit risky since the profile looks vaguely like an old AIO with a CRT and is rather chunky vs the current slap a laptops guts onto the back of the LCD and call it a day style.SilentRunning - Tuesday, May 14, 2013 - link
Put a lcd in it and we have the return of the Macintosh. It seriously looks like they are paying homage to the original Macintosh.EnzoFX - Tuesday, May 14, 2013 - link
Why don't they actually just innovate? Just make something practical. Why do we have to turn to the DIY community to get practical options in ITX. Sure they've finally shifted to SFX PSU's, but Lian Li doesn't couple that with a graphics card slot. Really?bebimbap - Tuesday, May 14, 2013 - link
I've always been interested in ITX form cases.This one has interesting looks but functionality seems questionable.
I'm not sure why that space behind the motherboard was used to suck air through the rest of the case. It wouldn't seem to be a very efficient way of drawing air through as the motherboard is in the way. They could have used a fan near the bottom of the motherboard area and push air through from the bottom of the case with a filter so dust doesn't gather near the top vent holes.
FATCamaro - Tuesday, May 14, 2013 - link
Stupid case is stupidDug - Tuesday, May 14, 2013 - link
I wish they would have made something like this but with the motherboard laying flat instead of up against the back. And then put the fan on top.I don't understand why anyone would want their connections to show at the top of a case.
coolhardware - Tuesday, May 14, 2013 - link
I actually kind of like it. Clean (frontal) lines and a different look than most other cases out there.If I had one I would wall mount it in my office, with the base of the case mounted to the wall. Will probably never happen though b/c I cannot see myself giving up my laptop + dock scenario anytime soon.
Since not many other commenters seem to like this case, any suggestions for other 'different' cases that are popular/better?
piroroadkill - Wednesday, May 15, 2013 - link
Not bad at all, but get rid of that 140mm tumour at the back, simply add a filtered 120mm to the right hand side as an intake. Then it would have decent thermals, and a cleaner look.meacupla - Wednesday, May 15, 2013 - link
A for originality. D- for everything else.It's ugly, it's impractically sized, the side panel ports don't make sense,it doesn't look like it will be particularly quiet or have good airflow and it's expensive.
Why anyone would buy this over a Fractal Node 304 or Bitfenix Prodigy is beyond me.
Rick83 - Wednesday, May 15, 2013 - link
You can probably run it without the rear fan - from the few pics in this article, I still can't make out what it is actually doing.I like the adventurous styling, with some dust filters on the inside it should work quite well. What I'm missing is a slot in optical drive in the base. That would turn it into a funky HTPC. Without, it's really just a small LAN-party portable machine, which isn't bad, just limited. And with the components quite that "in your face" you really do have to take care with the aesthetics of your selection. I prefer a sleep looking closed case instead. This one is for the modders.
IanCutress - Wednesday, May 15, 2013 - link
Apologies, I *did* post it with a gallery of Lian Li stock shots, it somehow disappeared. Readded :)Torashin - Wednesday, May 15, 2013 - link
Oh God! It's hideous!anonymous_user - Wednesday, May 15, 2013 - link
Does anyone else think it looks like a front-loading washer?DesertCat - Wednesday, May 15, 2013 - link
My question is whether that power supply slot is SFX only or if it is an ATX-sized slot but with only a 125mm depth. Nexus has had a couple of compact ATX PSUs (NX-5000 Rev 3 - 530W & NX-6000 Rev 3 - 630W) available for a few years that are only 125mm deep. They aren't modular, so a person might have issues tucking all of the cables away, but they should fit if the only real restriction is the depth. Visiting the Nexus website, I only see the newly revised NX-5000 - 550W model now, but it still has the 125mm depth.Xvi - Wednesday, May 15, 2013 - link
The Q28 was the first good ITX case they've done in a while, now they follow it up with this? Ugh..Lian-Li, more practical stuff, please. Your mATX lineup especially needs a refresh with some practical innovative thinking.
warezme - Wednesday, May 15, 2013 - link
Looks like my grandmas humidifier.NARC4457 - Thursday, May 16, 2013 - link
Wow, I guess I'm the only one here who thinks it looks interesting. I'm not sure that I would pick one up for $150, but at least it's unique for today's cases.I could see that window getting dusty/dirty on the inside though and end up looking bad. Taking off screws to clean it is bad design.
cyberguyz - Monday, May 27, 2013 - link
Sorry Lian Li, but that case is just plain fugly.edmoncu - Wednesday, July 3, 2013 - link
One hell of an ugly case. Lian Li cases are highly overrated cases. Both expensive and uninspiring. I get that they're using aluminum components, but that's beside the point. The reason of going ITX is because of its smaller form factor. However, in this, Lian Li wasted lots of valuable ITX space. The glass window is only good if you're going to show off what's inside (say: if you're going water cooling or how elegant you can cable groom -- if you can have the lights inside to show it)... otherwise, if it's just a glass and 'go figure the rest', it's a waste! And we're not anymore living in an era where transparent iMacs and PowerMacs are trending. Simply ugly. There are way better looking and cheaper casings than this.