A new all-in-one PC from Lenovo called the IdeaCentre AIO 5 is designed for people who work from home and want a sleek computer that won’t take up much desk space.
That’s fairly expensive for the features offered here, especially when compared to typical desktop Computers, but since it’s an all-in-one, you don’t need to buy a separate display.
Features
Wireless keyboard and mouse are also included with the Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 5, however they are quite basic. Although they are adequate, they aren’t the best we’ve tried. To begin with, they require regular AAA batteries instead of rechargeable built-in batteries.
Also, they are not already coupled with the Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 5. Instead, a USB port is wasted because you must first insert a USB dongle in order to use them.
It’s not the end of the world, but it just feels a little less polished and user-friendly when compared to the out of the box experience of an iMac, where the rechargeable keyboard and mouse are already charged and associated with the PC.
Performance
Performance-wise, things are a little more disappointing. The Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 5 has decent specs on paper—the model we tested has a 10th generation Intel processor, 16GB of RAM, and lots of storage space—but it begins to struggle when put to use for something more than routine daily tasks.
The Intel Core i7-10700T is an eight-core processor, but because it belongs to the ‘T’ family, it is a less potent model that is made to restrict performance when it is overloaded. They are therefore the best chips for office equipment since they can last longer and be more dependable, but they are also less useful for demanding users because the performance just cannot compare to non-T processors.
When we conducted our benchmarks on the Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 5, the CPU’s limits became clear as throttling and performance degradation set in. Because the Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 5 lacks dedicated graphics, it also relies on the integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 GPU, which is again mostly useful for office tasks. Heavy-duty image and video editing is essentially impossible. Our Photoshop benchmarks failed to perform as expected, and when using the program to edit photographs, it sometimes took a long to load and a few seconds to apply various effects.
The fans also turn on loudly when working on extremely demanding activities. As we were testing the Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 5, a few folks mentioned the fan noise. Even while it was silent during less demanding jobs, this may eventually become unpleasant.
Yet like we said, Windows 10 functions perfectly for everyday use. The JBL speakers sound fantastic, and the built-in webcam, which is so vital these days, is pretty nice with a decent level of detail. You can turn up the level without getting any distortion in the voice, movies, or music.
The Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 5 is a respectable all-in-one for use in an office setting or for anyone looking for a PC for home-based business. Although it features a nice webcam, great speakers, and a built-in wireless charger, the performance isn’t up to par for demanding work.
Design
The Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 5 is a small and handy all-in-one PC, like any excellent all-in-one computer should be. It implies that, unlike traditional desktop Computers, you won’t need to connect wires between the PC and the monitor because the components are incorporated into the base of the monitor.
In addition to being simpler to set up, this also makes it easier to move and takes up less room on a desk. Those shopping for a new Computer who work from home may find this to be of great use.
It’s a respectable design that seems to focus more on a polished appearance for an office than a chic aesthetic for a studio. The screen itself has a 1440p resolution, which is good but falls short of the new iMac’s 4.5K (4,480 x 2,520) Retina display.
That implies that there is less workspace than on panels with higher resolutions and that the screen isn’t as immediately stunning as some of its rivals. It also doesn’t appear as sharp when stretched over 27 inches as, say, a 4K screen would. As a result, this all-in-one won’t appeal to multitaskers or photo and video editors. The huge screen and straightforward design might, however, appeal to those searching for a daily PC for their home office.
Impressively thin bezels surround the screen, and a JBL soundbar is integrated into the bottom. Above the screen, it also has a pull-up webcam. This is a wonderful feature because it keeps the screen’s bezels thin and allows you a measure of privacy by blocking the webcam when you put it back down inside the bezel.
Putting resolution issues aside, the screen’s real design is excellent. We may have been tempted to argue that the Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 5’s screen makes the iMac seem antiquated if Apple hadn’t given the iMac a significant overhaul earlier this year. It is unquestionably true of older iMac models.
A substantial metal arm, which again has a pleasingly contemporary appearance, connects the screen to the base, which holds the majority of the computer itself. Below the screen are certain components, including two HDMI connectors, Ethernet, and USB ports. But the base has the power cord attached.
Speaking of the base, it appears quite underwhelming and unremarkable yet serves its purpose. We do appreciate that it includes an integrated wireless charger. It will begin charging compatible devices, such as a smartphone, when placed on the base’s top. It’s an excellent feature that we found to be actually helpful and that performed admirably when we placed a Samsung Note 9 on it.
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