Lenovo IdeaCentre A7 All-in-One Review: Starting to Get The Balance Right
by Dustin Sklavos on September 26, 2012 12:01 AM EST- Posted in
- Systems
- Intel
- Lenovo
- Ivy Bridge
- all-in-one
- NVIDIA
Conclusion: Everything's There, It Just Needs Touching Up
At its core, the Lenovo IdeaCentre A7 is a fairly strong all-in-one offering. I may sound like a broken record, but the sentiment is vital: by focusing on notebook-class hardware and putting it in the base, Lenovo was able to tighten up the thermals and keep noise from becoming a serious issue. The aluminum shell of the A7 is classy and the smart cooling system helps keep the whole thing from becoming too hot or too noisy.
What we have with the A7 is a baseline that needs some tweaking. The majority of my complaints about the software are going to get basically wiped away with Windows 8, so it doesn't merit too much discussion. Including a decent IPS display is appreciated, but the calibration from the factory is horrible and should've been corrected before the system shipped. That's an easy enough fix, too. On the hardware side, the GeForce GT 630M is tired and should probably be taken out behind the barn; an all-in-one shouldn't be caught dead running any GPU that isn't powered by GDDR5 unless it's an Intel IGP. Worse, electing not to use Optimus actually robs the IdeaCentre of features it could've enjoyed at virtually no cost. I'm also disappointed in Lenovo cheaping out on the networking hardware and the hard drive, especially for a system that starts at $1,450. For shame.
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That said, as much as I want to ding Lenovo on the price (and I always do on the notebook side), the IdeaCentre A7 is actually competitive on that front. 27" all-in-ones start at $1,299, so a starting price that's $150 above the curve for an IPS multitouch display and an aluminum shell is justifiable. You have to keep in mind that all-in-ones can't be compared strictly on hardware like desktops; noise and build quality are both factors. So while yes, you can visit NewEgg and grab a generic 27" AIO with slightly better specs for less, you risk getting a potentially noisier, less well-designed machine.
Ultimately the IdeaCentre A7 is a strong contender that gets a lot right. There are a few things I think they could do better, and it's not the homerun I was hoping for, but depending on your needs I feel like it's a reasonable choice and probably something I'd shortlist. The graphics hardware is in dire need of a generational upgrade, the hard disk can be slow, and the port placement is a bit bizarre, but everything else is basically there, and the price is at least competitive if not the mind-blowing deal we're hoping for. If you're shopping for an all-in-one, this wouldn't be a bad place to start.
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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.