Whether you want a powerful desktop computer that looks as minimalist as possible, or just something you can use to write documents, there’s a tiny PC for everyone. Lenovo’s ThinkCentre series of computers are perfect for the workplace, but the latest ThinkCentre neo Ultra might be one non-business users could be interested in.
Lenovo has just launched the ThinkCentre neo Ultramini PCat CES 2024, its inaugural ultra-small form factor desktop boasting robust AI capabilities (and a design that looks a lot like aMac Studio). The company says that this is tailored for small and medium-sized businesses who need AI hardware without substantial investments, but the hardware is interesting enough to catch the attention of both regular buyers and businesses.
The desktop is equipped with an Intel Core i9 processor on the Intel vPro Enterprise platform, as well as an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 GPU. Lenovo is highlighting the AI capabilities of this desktop, but the computer doesn’t come with Intel’s new Core Ultra processors with built-in AI hardware, so instead, this has an easily upgradable independent NPU card. We also get up to 64GB of DDR5 RAM, and to ensure optimal performance with as little overheating as possible, the ultra-small form factor features a triple thermal fan design for efficient cooling.
That’s a lot of hardware in a 3.6L case, especially considering some PCsin this form factor are doing the bare minimum spec-wise with basic CPUs and integrated graphics. Among other things, the ThinkCentre neo Ultra boasts Wi-Fi 7 for high-speed connectivity, up to 8 display ports for multitasking, and easily upgradable memory and storage options.
Other announcements in the ThinkCentre range include the neo 50a 27 Gen 5 and ThinkCentre neo 50a 24 Gen 5. These are sleek all-in-one (AIO) computers, powered by up to Intel Core i7 processors and 32GB of DDR5 RAM. The computers include a 99% sRGB, TÜV Rheinland certified display boasting a 100Hz refresh rate, as well as features such as Display Sharing, facilitating easy collaboration, while Lenovo Smart Storage turns internal storage into a private cloud for seamless file access.
The Lenovo ThinkCentre neo Ultra isn’t cheap at $1,499, and you should expect to be able to buy it from Q2 onwards. That’s close to the highest-end configuration for theM2 Mac Mini, which gets you an M2 Pro chip, 16GB unified memory, and 512GB storage for $1,299. The AIO PCs, on the other hand, are much closer, with the 50a 27 Gen 5 costing $899 and the 50a 24 Gen 5 costing $799. Both will be landing on store shelves within the next two months.
