From the way the hinges appear, it looks like the base can sit flush with the monitor? If so, is there some kind of mount on the bottom of the base so you can wall mount it?
It seems the hinges are so you can move the display down at a steep angle and use the 10point multi touch screen or that's how it looks like it's meant to be on the lenovo website
... Yet Lenovo leave those problems in. I mean really, I didn't even know there were 27" 1080p IPS panels, but if there are, they must be destined for low end TVs only. I'd much rather see a 24" 1920x1200 panel. As you said, why not a Geforce 650M? Dodgy Realtek networking aside, what the hell are they doing putting a 5400 RPM HDD in ANYTHING these days? Especially in a high cost machine.
Considering that this is not a standard case, I don't see why 15mm vs 9.5mm is an issue. Cost might be, but probably not height. Also, I don't see 750GB as "quite a drop", the people I know who would use an AIO don't use a lot of data on their PCs, they have no big movie collections, and their photos/music/data is easily stored in 320GB drives. :)
I agree with Dustin, why would any sane designer add the HDMI-ports to the side while only adding a single USB-port easily accessible. What's most likely to be added to the HDMI-input? I would say a gaming console - something we don't move around very often. What's most likely being connected to the HDMI-out? A second screen of course. Something we definitely don't move around very often.. USB-sticks, external hard-drives, cell phones, cameras etc - those are the things that we may add or remove many times a day. And often connecting many at the same time.
Same with the hard drive - the added cost of adding a small SSD could be as little as $75 but could mean a world of difference performance-wise. I'm all for keeping a conventional HDD as well for added storage. If needed - increase the size of the base a few cm.
I don't have any issues with the resolution, a lot of people with less than perfect eye-sight find 1920*1080 on a 27" screen just fine.
Something else I wish they would have added is mic in/out on the front *as well* as to the back. Perfect for hooking up a headset while still being able to have proper speakers connected to the back.
This AIO is definitely interesting. I like the looks of it. I think the hardware of AIOs should always be in the base instead of behind the display. The port location is strange but not a deal breaker. But they should have included an SSD of at least 128GB, maybe in turn cap the HDD at 500/750GB to offset cost. And that Geforce 630 is just insulting. If you go with an Intel CPU, give us a midway decent GPU as well. Or give us the option to go with AMD Trinity. I hope you can get some AIOs with Trinity to review (if there even are some).
On another note: 3k+ contrast on an IPS? Holy cow, I've only seen that kind of static contrast on *VA panels. IPS topped out at 1.5k for the best panels I've seen.
If I'm a gamer, a 630M isn't going to be adequate. If I use this computer professionally, the mediocre screen isn't going to be adequate. If I'm a casual user, I probably do all my computing solely off my laptop.
I don't understand who would want an all-in-one standalone that can't play games and doesn't have an amazing display.
The 27" iMac starts at just 250$ more. You get a better screen, better graphics card and better hard disk.
I feel cheated by Apple enough as it is, but this is Lenovo offering a worse bang for the buck. The 250$ upmark will be almost negated if you sell this thing within 3 years, as Lenovos hold their value far worse.
I don't like the course the IT industry is taking, with everything being either cheap and flimsy or high quality and Apple-priced. Apple has insane profit margins, there must be manufacturers willing to offer the same quality for less money.
Add the windows license on top and you're at least 350$ more. That coupled with the inability to install windows without that shoddy bios emulation bootcamp does. In essence, not a good deal.
Both the iMac and the Lenovo come with an OS - why would I add a Windows licence to the iMac? I'd reckon most people buying AIOs couldn't care less what OS they run.
If you put it that way you're correct. People completely OS agnostic could get the imac for 250$ more. But I could also say that the same OS agnostic crowd could top 250$ more over the imac and get something better like the HP Z1.
Wow...You obviously don't own an Imac. The "Shoddy" bios emulation you speak of runs windows perfectly, Ubuntu, linux mint, BSD etc..; It also boots from usb drives and external usb and firewire.
Im writing this on an imac running Windows 7 x64 right now. How is it shoddy when it runs for days without crashing ?
The idea itself is actually pretty nifty; a nice big 27" touch screen with Windows 8 sounds pretty cool.
This isn't a machine to play games on, it's a machine you'd put in the kitchen or the kids room, so the graphics really doesn't have to be that fast. You can upgrade the graphics card to a GT630 2 GB from a GT630M 1 GB on the website, along with getting an SSD boot drive at the high end.
That being said, I agree with some of the points above; a faster hard drive and a repositioning of the ports would be fairly cheap to implement and the graphics card options are pretty limited. This is one of those products that I feel would be great in a lobby somewhere, or combined with an in-home entertainment solution. For example having something like this in your kitchen linked up to the lighting in your house, or to the temperature control, or to music devices placed throughout the house etc..
I like the looks of this and finally an IPS panel. While I'd love to have an option for higher resolution, it would be fine with me for a dorm or single room apartment.
I'd love to see some price reducing options: * Ditch the extra GPU hardware. As many don't game at all. For seniors and many more it is a waste of money and energy. * Offer i5 dual core processor. There is plenty of people that don't need a quad core for reading e-mail and watching the picures/videos of the grand kids. (Just make sure it is HD4000, so the graphics are not degrading too much).
Other improvement suggestions: * Put headphone plugs in front * Put USB in front two at least for keyboard + mouse or side (more of them) * Improved Wifi with 2x2 or 3x3 streams(most home users are fine with Realtek NIC for wired) * make the core PC upgradable, so that it can be replaced and the monitor re-used * faster/better hard drives SSD options
I don't really see the point of this Imac clone; If they are gonna do it at least give people a COMPELLING reason to buy like dual 7xxx gpus or something. Buyers who wanted a mac but want better gaming performance could go for this. Till then it's a so so knock off.
Lenovo so mediocre nowadays. Thinkpads with 900p TN screens, or 768p IPS screens, switch from good keyboard to mediocre keyboard. It's like getting worse to worse every year. Imagine an X330 with 13.3" 1200p IPS, old keyboard, ivy bridge, hmmm.
Nice design on this AIO, but should be 1440p IPS, SSD ( so cheap ), Intel WiFi, somewhat poor GPU, proper USB placements, and some more smaller quirks.
Yeah, When IBM owned them, the A seiesThinkpad was awesome. When Lenovo bought them, I decided I wasn't going to buy a laptop ever as those were the only ones I liked.
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33 Comments
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Kibbles - Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - link
From the way the hinges appear, it looks like the base can sit flush with the monitor? If so, is there some kind of mount on the bottom of the base so you can wall mount it?SunLord - Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - link
It seems the hinges are so you can move the display down at a steep angle and use the 10point multi touch screen or that's how it looks like it's meant to be on the lenovo websitepiroroadkill - Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - link
... Yet Lenovo leave those problems in.I mean really, I didn't even know there were 27" 1080p IPS panels, but if there are, they must be destined for low end TVs only. I'd much rather see a 24" 1920x1200 panel.
As you said, why not a Geforce 650M?
Dodgy Realtek networking aside, what the hell are they doing putting a 5400 RPM HDD in ANYTHING these days?
Especially in a high cost machine.
Snotling - Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - link
Yeah, penny pinching @ho!es. 7200RPM drives cost almost nothing more, that's just screwing with the uneducated buyer.The display's low resolution for its size also gets a +1
I couldn't care less about the G630M, those machines are not in any way designed for gamers anyway.
Meaker10 - Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - link
Its a 2.5 inch drive and 1tb 7200rpm drives dont exist in standard height. The next best is 750gb 7200rpm which is quite a drop.Death666Angel - Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - link
Considering that this is not a standard case, I don't see why 15mm vs 9.5mm is an issue. Cost might be, but probably not height. Also, I don't see 750GB as "quite a drop", the people I know who would use an AIO don't use a lot of data on their PCs, they have no big movie collections, and their photos/music/data is easily stored in 320GB drives. :)Meaker10 - Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - link
Its a numbers game and 15mm drives are noisy, power hungry and less reliable, also at that point you may as well go slim 3.5 inch.royalcrown - Saturday, September 29, 2012 - link
I have 1.5 tb on an external drive with my Imac.Calista - Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - link
I agree with Dustin, why would any sane designer add the HDMI-ports to the side while only adding a single USB-port easily accessible. What's most likely to be added to the HDMI-input? I would say a gaming console - something we don't move around very often. What's most likely being connected to the HDMI-out? A second screen of course. Something we definitely don't move around very often.. USB-sticks, external hard-drives, cell phones, cameras etc - those are the things that we may add or remove many times a day. And often connecting many at the same time.Same with the hard drive - the added cost of adding a small SSD could be as little as $75 but could mean a world of difference performance-wise. I'm all for keeping a conventional HDD as well for added storage. If needed - increase the size of the base a few cm.
I don't have any issues with the resolution, a lot of people with less than perfect eye-sight find 1920*1080 on a 27" screen just fine.
Something else I wish they would have added is mic in/out on the front *as well* as to the back. Perfect for hooking up a headset while still being able to have proper speakers connected to the back.
Calista - Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - link
Ok, a laptop could be connected to the HDMI-in as well. And if so a side placement make sense. But HDMI-out on the side...?Death666Angel - Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - link
This AIO is definitely interesting. I like the looks of it. I think the hardware of AIOs should always be in the base instead of behind the display. The port location is strange but not a deal breaker. But they should have included an SSD of at least 128GB, maybe in turn cap the HDD at 500/750GB to offset cost. And that Geforce 630 is just insulting. If you go with an Intel CPU, give us a midway decent GPU as well. Or give us the option to go with AMD Trinity. I hope you can get some AIOs with Trinity to review (if there even are some).On another note: 3k+ contrast on an IPS? Holy cow, I've only seen that kind of static contrast on *VA panels. IPS topped out at 1.5k for the best panels I've seen.
Orvtrebor - Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - link
At this price it does fall a little short, but overall it would work perfectly for most people.The hardware is more than good enough for the type of people who want small and silent low power rigs.
Gamers will never touch a rig like this, and casual gamers (non 3D type games) will be fine with this hardware.
piroroadkill - Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - link
With an SSD, sure, but nobody is happy paying $1500 for a machine and getting a 5400 rpm disk.Orvtrebor - Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - link
I completely agree on the storage front, like I said it falls short, but at 1500 you shouldn't have to add anything to it day 1 like an ssdjaydee - Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - link
An SSD, a real graphics card (with displayport for a 1440p 2nd screen). Could do without the touchscreen (is there really a demand for that?)tukkas - Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - link
the lenovo page lists broadcom, not realtek, as the network/wfi interface -- am i missing something?Network Card
Broadcom 11b/g/n Wi-Fi wireless
http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/we...
Dustin Sklavos - Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - link
The WiFi in the review unit comes up as Realtek.geniekid - Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - link
If I'm a gamer, a 630M isn't going to be adequate. If I use this computer professionally, the mediocre screen isn't going to be adequate. If I'm a casual user, I probably do all my computing solely off my laptop.I don't understand who would want an all-in-one standalone that can't play games and doesn't have an amazing display.
Sadheal - Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - link
I think you're wrong on the IPS panel.3000:1 contrast ratio + serious ghosting = VA panel (mostly MVA)
No IPS panel does 3000:1 contrast.
MVA panel are horrible ghosters.
By the way, 1,67 DeltaE is great (it's considered OK under 3).
tim851 - Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - link
The 27" iMac starts at just 250$ more. You get a better screen, better graphics card and better hard disk.I feel cheated by Apple enough as it is, but this is Lenovo offering a worse bang for the buck. The 250$ upmark will be almost negated if you sell this thing within 3 years, as Lenovos hold their value far worse.
I don't like the course the IT industry is taking, with everything being either cheap and flimsy or high quality and Apple-priced. Apple has insane profit margins, there must be manufacturers willing to offer the same quality for less money.
ananduser - Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - link
Add the windows license on top and you're at least 350$ more. That coupled with the inability to install windows without that shoddy bios emulation bootcamp does. In essence, not a good deal.tim851 - Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - link
Both the iMac and the Lenovo come with an OS - why would I add a Windows licence to the iMac? I'd reckon most people buying AIOs couldn't care less what OS they run.ananduser - Thursday, September 27, 2012 - link
If you put it that way you're correct. People completely OS agnostic could get the imac for 250$ more. But I could also say that the same OS agnostic crowd could top 250$ more over the imac and get something better like the HP Z1.royalcrown - Friday, September 28, 2012 - link
Wow...You obviously don't own an Imac. The "Shoddy" bios emulation you speak of runs windows perfectly, Ubuntu, linux mint, BSD etc..; It also boots from usb drives and external usb and firewire.Im writing this on an imac running Windows 7 x64 right now. How is it shoddy when it runs for days without crashing ?
Juddog - Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - link
The idea itself is actually pretty nifty; a nice big 27" touch screen with Windows 8 sounds pretty cool.This isn't a machine to play games on, it's a machine you'd put in the kitchen or the kids room, so the graphics really doesn't have to be that fast. You can upgrade the graphics card to a GT630 2 GB from a GT630M 1 GB on the website, along with getting an SSD boot drive at the high end.
That being said, I agree with some of the points above; a faster hard drive and a repositioning of the ports would be fairly cheap to implement and the graphics card options are pretty limited. This is one of those products that I feel would be great in a lobby somewhere, or combined with an in-home entertainment solution. For example having something like this in your kitchen linked up to the lighting in your house, or to the temperature control, or to music devices placed throughout the house etc..
Conficio - Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - link
I like the looks of this and finally an IPS panel. While I'd love to have an option for higher resolution, it would be fine with me for a dorm or single room apartment.I'd love to see some price reducing options:
* Ditch the extra GPU hardware. As many don't game at all. For seniors and many more it is a waste of money and energy.
* Offer i5 dual core processor. There is plenty of people that don't need a quad core for reading e-mail and watching the picures/videos of the grand kids. (Just make sure it is HD4000, so the graphics are not degrading too much).
Other improvement suggestions:
* Put headphone plugs in front
* Put USB in front two at least for keyboard + mouse or side (more of them)
* Improved Wifi with 2x2 or 3x3 streams(most home users are fine with Realtek NIC for wired)
* make the core PC upgradable, so that it can be replaced and the monitor re-used
* faster/better hard drives SSD options
OBLAMA2009 - Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - link
$1500 is a lot for notebook performance and a low resolution monitorThe_Kristoffer - Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - link
When are you going to publish the rundown of Haswell? I've been waiting for, what feels like, forever!tukkas - Thursday, September 27, 2012 - link
Dustin, what is you preferred 27 inch aio at this point? lenovo, dell, hp? anything else?thank you
royalcrown - Friday, September 28, 2012 - link
I don't really see the point of this Imac clone; If they are gonna do it at least give people a COMPELLING reason to buy like dual 7xxx gpus or something. Buyers who wanted a mac but want better gaming performance could go for this. Till then it's a so so knock off.adriantrances - Friday, September 28, 2012 - link
Lenovo so mediocre nowadays. Thinkpads with 900p TN screens, or 768p IPS screens, switch from good keyboard to mediocre keyboard. It's like getting worse to worse every year. Imagine an X330 with 13.3" 1200p IPS, old keyboard, ivy bridge, hmmm.Nice design on this AIO, but should be 1440p IPS, SSD ( so cheap ), Intel WiFi, somewhat poor GPU, proper USB placements, and some more smaller quirks.
Juddog - Friday, September 28, 2012 - link
A 1440p IPS panel would shoot the price way up.royalcrown - Saturday, September 29, 2012 - link
Yeah, When IBM owned them, the A seiesThinkpad was awesome. When Lenovo bought them, I decided I wasn't going to buy a laptop ever as those were the only ones I liked.