Up next is the Antec DF-85, where the "DF" stands for Dark Fleet. I tried, but I couldn't think of anything really funny for what DF might really mean. Anyway, Antec is one of the premiere case manufacturers, and while many have practical and functional designs, some just aren't attractive. The DF-85 could pass for a relative of the GMC R-4 Bulldozer, as the color scheme is the same, and the front is also covered by an unusual pattern of lines and shapes that will restrict your use of the drive bays. The front panel looks almost skeletal, but Antec has that theme assigned to another case we'll see soon enough.



Below we see the X-Purity EXE case, which is representing all the cases with bubble lights, or some other type of cheesy lighting effect. Bubble lights might be cool in sleezy clubs, and I remember them as Christmas tree decorations back in the 1980s... but they have no place on a modern computer system.



Below we see the LIAN LI PC-777B, which was also known as their snail case. In the animal kingdom, the snail isn't one of the more attractive creatures, so a case that looks like one doesn't have much of a chance. LIAN LI builds cases of exceptional quality and are renowned for their workmanship, but that doesn't always translate into eye pleasing designs. Honorable mention to another LIAN LI case only disqualified due to its size is their PC-T1R Mini-ITX "case" fashioned to look like a spider.



Antec has the distinct honor of having two cases on the list! Well, two "products" on the list, as some may argue that the Antec Skeleton can hardly qualify as a case. From a quick glance it may seem like a new spin on a tech station, but it is too enclosed to make component access very convenient. It just isn't enclosed enough to be a case by the generally accepted definition of the word. The bulk of your components and cables will be on display and exposed to the elements (and animals, children, etc). While the Skeleton's frame may be only semi-ugly on its own, with a system inside of it the ugliness just increases as unruly wires and multi-colored PCBs interrupt the monochrome appearance.