.Maleficus.
04-20-2008, 09:41 AM
http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/jdbnsn/Front%20Page%20files/lanboxlite.png
Just about all PC modders know the name Thermaltake, a premier manufacturer of power supplies, cooling systems and PC cases. The hallmarks of Thermaltake products are ease of use, flexibility and killer good looks. The Thermaltake Lanbox Lite doesn’t disappoint in any of those areas. This case features a sleek piano-black finish, extremely well thought out design and enough eye candy to please even the most discriminating modder.
Features
The Thermaltake Lanbox Lite sports with some very impressive features:
Support for M-ATX and Mini-ITX
1 front 90mm blue LED fan and 2 rear 60mm fans
Fully modular chassis
Full ATX power supply support
2 front USB 2.0 ports, 1 front Firewire port and front audio connectors
Quite an impressive list for a compact case. Thermaltake is leaving nothing to chnce in this design.
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l257/andypwnsall/DSC00001-7.jpg
First Impressions
On the whole, Thermaltake doesn’t settle for anything less than Cadillac quality. Even the shipping carton is nicer than most. The full color illustrations on the carton show the Lanbox Lite in all its fully lit glory, and lists the specs, while EPS pads inside provide a soft cushion for the long journey to my (or your) house. Upon opening the box, I was surprised to see the care that Thermaltake took to keep my Lanbox Lite looking nice. Besides the usual Styrofoam to hold it in place, the case was enclosed in a fitted cloth cover. Can’t have that beautiful black paint job scratching, can we?
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l257/andypwnsall/DSC00002-7.jpg
Exterior
Mirror mirror on the wall, what’s the fairest case of all? That would be the Lanbox Lite, of course! The paint finish is so high gloss it reflects like a freshly waxed Lamborghini. It boasts sleek stainless steel power and reset buttons and high quality stainless steel feet. On the side you’ll find 2 USB 2.0 ports, 2 front audio ports (headphones and microphone) and one Firewire port. They are easily accessible and are located in an area that doesn’t take away from the overall look. The Lanbox Lite also comes equipped with two clear side panels, one on each side. The front has a cover over the one 3.5” bay and two covers over the two 5.25” bays. There is also a semi-mesh bottom on the front that allows airflow from the front 80mm blue LED fan. This is a small form factor case, meaning it’s designed to be compact and out-of-the-way. The Lanbox Lite is great in that respect; it’s small enough to be a HTPC, but also big enough to fit a mean lanparty rig. You could easily fit a compact water cooling kit in here as well. An obvious choice would be the Thermaltake Big Water, but a Swiftech compact kit would work and fit just as well.
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l257/andypwnsall/DSC00003-7.jpg
Interior/Design
The Lanbox Lite uses an almost completely modular design. Nearly every component of the case can be removed for easier component installation. The back of the case slides out in removable-motherboard tray fashion and the top panel is removable. This opens the case for further disassembly, where the hard drive bays and optical drive bays can be removed. The layout is excellent and the case is very easy to use. The only problem with the design is the dual windows (yeah, I know, pretty sad excuse for a flaw…); they don’t allow hiding of wires anywhere! Whip out those scissors guys, you’ll be cutting the excess wire in this case. The overall design allows for great airflow through the case for all of your extreme-cooling needs. But, above all, the case is easy to use. After a few tight screws are removed and tucked neatly away, the Lanbox Lite functions like a well-oiled machine. The interlocking modular “components” allow for excellent security of your expensive hardware, and the added mounting screws insure that no part will move, even a millimeter. Everything slides into place like a 3D puzzle (but without the headaches) and still manages to be attractive. Beauty and brains… it’s madness!
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l257/andypwnsall/DSC00004-6.jpg
Pros
Well, what isn’t a pro when it comes to the Lanbox Lite? It’s the biggest small form factor case you’ll find, it’s sleek and sexy, it’s so easy to use a caveman could use it, it has every feature a larger, more expensive case has (and then some) and it bears the Thermaltake name. What more could you want? How about the fact that it fits Mini-ITX motherboards? There aren’t many cases that do that, and even fewer with this kind of craftsmanship, aesthetic appeal and features.
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l257/andypwnsall/DSC00005-2.jpg
Cons
Honestly, there aren’t many. The lack of wire-hiding ability will put off some people and the tendency for it to be mistaken as a microwave makes it something you don’t want in a kitchen; but overall, this is a phenomenal case. Easily one of the nicest cases I’ve ever owned and I’ll be hard-pressed to find one much nicer.
Final Thoughts
It’s sleek, it’s sexy, it’s big, and it’s small. Big and small at the same time? Certainly – big enough to house serious hardware but small enough to not waste space in your computer room. The Lanbox Lite is the biggest SFF case you’ll ever find, it has the nicest features out of any SFF case you’ll ever find, and it is DEFINITELY the sexiest SFF case you’ll ever find. The paint’s mirror finish will blow your mind, the whisper-silent fans will cool your computer to the most extreme temperatures, and the overall operation and appeal of the case make it a winner in any book. The review is done. You know what you must do.
Exterior – 10/10
Interior – 10/10
Features – 9/10
Overall – 10/10 -- Must buy!
Just about all PC modders know the name Thermaltake, a premier manufacturer of power supplies, cooling systems and PC cases. The hallmarks of Thermaltake products are ease of use, flexibility and killer good looks. The Thermaltake Lanbox Lite doesn’t disappoint in any of those areas. This case features a sleek piano-black finish, extremely well thought out design and enough eye candy to please even the most discriminating modder.
Features
The Thermaltake Lanbox Lite sports with some very impressive features:
Support for M-ATX and Mini-ITX
1 front 90mm blue LED fan and 2 rear 60mm fans
Fully modular chassis
Full ATX power supply support
2 front USB 2.0 ports, 1 front Firewire port and front audio connectors
Quite an impressive list for a compact case. Thermaltake is leaving nothing to chnce in this design.
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l257/andypwnsall/DSC00001-7.jpg
First Impressions
On the whole, Thermaltake doesn’t settle for anything less than Cadillac quality. Even the shipping carton is nicer than most. The full color illustrations on the carton show the Lanbox Lite in all its fully lit glory, and lists the specs, while EPS pads inside provide a soft cushion for the long journey to my (or your) house. Upon opening the box, I was surprised to see the care that Thermaltake took to keep my Lanbox Lite looking nice. Besides the usual Styrofoam to hold it in place, the case was enclosed in a fitted cloth cover. Can’t have that beautiful black paint job scratching, can we?
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l257/andypwnsall/DSC00002-7.jpg
Exterior
Mirror mirror on the wall, what’s the fairest case of all? That would be the Lanbox Lite, of course! The paint finish is so high gloss it reflects like a freshly waxed Lamborghini. It boasts sleek stainless steel power and reset buttons and high quality stainless steel feet. On the side you’ll find 2 USB 2.0 ports, 2 front audio ports (headphones and microphone) and one Firewire port. They are easily accessible and are located in an area that doesn’t take away from the overall look. The Lanbox Lite also comes equipped with two clear side panels, one on each side. The front has a cover over the one 3.5” bay and two covers over the two 5.25” bays. There is also a semi-mesh bottom on the front that allows airflow from the front 80mm blue LED fan. This is a small form factor case, meaning it’s designed to be compact and out-of-the-way. The Lanbox Lite is great in that respect; it’s small enough to be a HTPC, but also big enough to fit a mean lanparty rig. You could easily fit a compact water cooling kit in here as well. An obvious choice would be the Thermaltake Big Water, but a Swiftech compact kit would work and fit just as well.
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l257/andypwnsall/DSC00003-7.jpg
Interior/Design
The Lanbox Lite uses an almost completely modular design. Nearly every component of the case can be removed for easier component installation. The back of the case slides out in removable-motherboard tray fashion and the top panel is removable. This opens the case for further disassembly, where the hard drive bays and optical drive bays can be removed. The layout is excellent and the case is very easy to use. The only problem with the design is the dual windows (yeah, I know, pretty sad excuse for a flaw…); they don’t allow hiding of wires anywhere! Whip out those scissors guys, you’ll be cutting the excess wire in this case. The overall design allows for great airflow through the case for all of your extreme-cooling needs. But, above all, the case is easy to use. After a few tight screws are removed and tucked neatly away, the Lanbox Lite functions like a well-oiled machine. The interlocking modular “components” allow for excellent security of your expensive hardware, and the added mounting screws insure that no part will move, even a millimeter. Everything slides into place like a 3D puzzle (but without the headaches) and still manages to be attractive. Beauty and brains… it’s madness!
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l257/andypwnsall/DSC00004-6.jpg
Pros
Well, what isn’t a pro when it comes to the Lanbox Lite? It’s the biggest small form factor case you’ll find, it’s sleek and sexy, it’s so easy to use a caveman could use it, it has every feature a larger, more expensive case has (and then some) and it bears the Thermaltake name. What more could you want? How about the fact that it fits Mini-ITX motherboards? There aren’t many cases that do that, and even fewer with this kind of craftsmanship, aesthetic appeal and features.
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l257/andypwnsall/DSC00005-2.jpg
Cons
Honestly, there aren’t many. The lack of wire-hiding ability will put off some people and the tendency for it to be mistaken as a microwave makes it something you don’t want in a kitchen; but overall, this is a phenomenal case. Easily one of the nicest cases I’ve ever owned and I’ll be hard-pressed to find one much nicer.
Final Thoughts
It’s sleek, it’s sexy, it’s big, and it’s small. Big and small at the same time? Certainly – big enough to house serious hardware but small enough to not waste space in your computer room. The Lanbox Lite is the biggest SFF case you’ll ever find, it has the nicest features out of any SFF case you’ll ever find, and it is DEFINITELY the sexiest SFF case you’ll ever find. The paint’s mirror finish will blow your mind, the whisper-silent fans will cool your computer to the most extreme temperatures, and the overall operation and appeal of the case make it a winner in any book. The review is done. You know what you must do.
Exterior – 10/10
Interior – 10/10
Features – 9/10
Overall – 10/10 -- Must buy!