Lenovo ThinkCentre A70z All-in-One Computer
There’s no question that I’m a notebook junkie. Due to weight, ease of moving them and other considerations, I prefer smaller sizes. I tend to work in various areas both in and outside the house, so the lighter the better.
There’s a big drawback in smaller notebooks, though, as anyone who uses them most of the time will attest. The smaller screens can be a hindrance.
Enter the Lenovo A70z. Although this is a computer made for business, I’ve found it a great desktop system for those who don’t want a tower taking up all that space..
First thing I noticed when I took it out of the box was the green packaging. No more bulky, unrecyclable Styrofoam to dispose of. The computer was wrapped in a large reusable bag – perfect for our weekly trips to the local farmers’ market. I have to compliment whoever thought of this. Not only is it a great advertising opportunity for Lenovo, but environment- friendly even if the bag is never used..
I was pleasantly surprised by the light weight of the all-in-one unit as well. That doesn’t mean flimsy by any stretch of the imagination. This is a solid unit, but the built-in handle makes it easy to carry and move around. The other thing that I noticed immediately is the lack of the big brick power pack on the Lenovo’s cord. .
I have a small desk in my living area that was the perfect place for this family-friendly computer. It doesn’t take up much room and doesn’t look out of place...
I decided to follow Judie’s idea that she posted on Gear Diary and use it as a large digital photo frame. I added a cordless keyboard and mouse so that they can be quickly stored in a drawer when we have guests. It’s the perfect way to show some of the spectacular pictures we’ve amassed while living in Hawaii. It’s allows them to look (or not) at their leisure..
My husband uses it to quickly check email or play a quick game. I use it for gaming occasionally as I can still keep track of what’s happening around me rather than being in my office. It’s close enough to the kitchen that I can follow a recipe without running all over the house. It’s also indispensable for working on some of the massive spreadsheets I work with, although a wider screen would be helpful here..
I’d also like to see a biometric log-on. Since this is a business machine, I was surprised that there wasn’t a fingerprint reader included. As anyone who leaves his desk frequently knows, it’s a pain to log on over and over each day..
I can picture this machine in almost any office, cubicle or reception area, It would also be a good computer for businesses that want to have a unit available for their customers use. Its lightweight and compact design make it a good choice for an off-site event or kiosk..
As with almost any pre-built computer, my biggest complaint revolves around the third-party demos and trials that want to load immediately at startup. These programs can bog down performance and make any computer feel like it’s struggling. Through business channels, there should always be an option to get the computer without any programs installed that aren’t approved. .
Pros .
Packaging friendly to the environment
No power brick
Uses less energy
Compact design .
Cons.
Lack of biometric log-on
Lack of wireless keyboard/mouse
19” monitor
Too many pre-installed programs.
How to buy
CDW or
PC Connection.
Specifications - Lenovo A70z All-in-One Desktop PC
• Sleek, modern and clean-lined design
• Requires about a third the space of a standard desktop
• Brilliant 19"W LCD display (16:10) is a joy to use
• Easy plug-and-play design for quick box-to-boot time
• VESA mount and three mounting options: stand, desk arm and wall (all optional and sold separately)
• Simple cable management for crowded work spaces
• Processor: 2.93 GHz Intel E7500 Core 2 Duo
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional
• RAM: 2GB (max 4GB)
• Display: 19 in (diagonal) Widescreen LCD, 1440 x 900, TFT active matrix
• Graphics: Intel GMA X4500
• Hard Drive: 320GB Serial ATA-300 7200 rpm
• DVD-Writer
• Webcam: 1.3 megapixel camera
• WiFi: 802.11b/g/n
• Ports: USB 6 ports, Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX/1000Base-T, Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, PCI
• Express Mini Card
• Dimensions & Weight: 2.9 in x 14 in x 18.6 in, 17.6 lbs
Included Software:
Adobe Flash Player, Adobe Reader, Lenovo Online Data Backup, Microsoft Office 2007 (60 days trial) , Norton Internet Security 2009 (30 days subscription) , Roxio Creator Business Edition, Roxio My DVD, Skype, ThinkVantage Power Manager, ThinkVantage Product Recovery, ThinkVantage System Update, ThinkVantage Toolbox
Disclaimer: HP and Ivy Worldwide have sent me an A70z for a long term review. I'm under no obligation to write positively about it or the contest. All opinions are my own.
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