The Lian Li TU150 is a revisit of the compact, portable format they introduced with the TU100 and TU200 cases in 2012. Seven years later, how things have changed is apparent. The overall design has become so much more elaborate, while the mix of materials has become much better balanced as well. The focal point of the TU150 is the intricate, recessed handle in the top of the case which pops out with a gentle tug when needed, just to essentially disappear flush into the top of the case with a light push.

Once one gets past the awe of raising and lowering it a few times, the edgy design with its beautifully crated side glass panel really manages to make the TU150 look like a cool chassis, which is something the TU100 and TU200 could never be considered with their utilitarian designs.

Even so, the interior doesn't disappoint either. While Lian Li may have kept things rather simple, everything turned out well placed and extremely easy to assemble for a case of this size. On top of that, the TU150 allows for large air cooling to be used in combination with a long and thus potent GPU setup. This results in the ability to build a compact yet powerful gaming rig without the need to utilize liquid cooling. The only real compromise is the requirement to use an SFX or SFX-L power supply, but considering the healthy number of choices of that form factor, this is not nearly as big of an issue as it would have been a few years ago.

With all these positive vibes from the TU150, there are a few small but slightly annoying shortcomings. On one hand, Lian Li has done a great job of adding a fine dust filter in the front and allowing all intake areas excellent access to fresh air, yet the opening in the floor of the case doesn't feature that level of protection from dirt and grime. Another tiny cosmetic issue is the lack of an HDD activity LED, which in my humble opinion would not have disturbed the overall look of the chassis but could prove useful in plenty of real-world scenarios. Last but not least, some may miss the inclusion of at least a single fan right out of the box, especially as many other brands have gone the route of including retail-grade units for added value.

But don't get me wrong—overall, the Lian Li TU150 is a clean, beautiful-looking case. On top of that, it functions well, has that spiffy handle and plenty of cable routing and hiding possibilities, and allows for a balanced, potent build with very little compromise.