Wednesday, July 3rd 2024
Lenovo Announces ThinkCenter Neo Ultra Compact Desktop, its Mac Studio Competitor
Lenovo announced the ThinkCenter Neo Ultra, a compact high-performance desktop meant for power users and creative professionals. This desktop is larger than what would qualify as a mini-PC, with its 3.6 L volume, but is significantly smaller than a tower. Despite its compact size, it comes with a full-featured I/O. The desktop is powered by Intel's 14th Gen Core vPro "Raptor Lake Refresh" platform, and uses a custom form-factor desktop motherboard based on Intel Q670 chipset that supports various commercial desktop features under vPro. The processor and memory are socketed and hence user upgradeable.
Processor options range from the Core i5-14500 (6P+8E), going all the way up to the Core i9-14900 (8P+16E), including vPro and regular SKUs; and energy-efficient "T" SKUs. Memory options range from 16 GB (1x 16 GB) up to 64 GB (2x 32 GB) DDR5-4800. The sole graphics option is an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 desktop GPU, all four of its display connectors are directly wired out on the rear I/O. There are two M.2-2280 Gen 4 slots, storage options range from 1x 256 GB Gen 4, to 2x 1 TB Gen 4. Networking connectivity include 2.5 GbE and Wi-Fi 6E. USB ports include a 20 Gbps USB 3.2 Gen2x2 type-C on the front-panel, two 10 Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2, and four additional USB 3.2 type-A ports at the back. The case measures 195 mm x 191 mm x 108 mm, and depending on the configuration, can weigh around 3.5 kg.
Source:
VideoCardz
Processor options range from the Core i5-14500 (6P+8E), going all the way up to the Core i9-14900 (8P+16E), including vPro and regular SKUs; and energy-efficient "T" SKUs. Memory options range from 16 GB (1x 16 GB) up to 64 GB (2x 32 GB) DDR5-4800. The sole graphics option is an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 desktop GPU, all four of its display connectors are directly wired out on the rear I/O. There are two M.2-2280 Gen 4 slots, storage options range from 1x 256 GB Gen 4, to 2x 1 TB Gen 4. Networking connectivity include 2.5 GbE and Wi-Fi 6E. USB ports include a 20 Gbps USB 3.2 Gen2x2 type-C on the front-panel, two 10 Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2, and four additional USB 3.2 type-A ports at the back. The case measures 195 mm x 191 mm x 108 mm, and depending on the configuration, can weigh around 3.5 kg.
18 Comments on Lenovo Announces ThinkCenter Neo Ultra Compact Desktop, its Mac Studio Competitor
Even VideoCardz said Mac Studio...
Of course Windows also could have far better integration with phones and other electronics but it's made by Microsoft, the company that never understood basic things such as the difference between desktop and mobile UI.
The only conceivable reason is that Lenovo has deliberately handicapped this machine to avoid cannibalizing ThinkStation sales.
And, as others have pointed out, it only comes with gigabit Ethernet. At least 2.5 GbE is an option.
Just specced one out on their page i7-14700, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, RTX 4060 - $4800 lol what? Are they out of their minds? A small ITX desktop with these specs would only be like $1,200.
On paper it's interesting idea (can expand RAM/storage on you own without ludicrous Apple TAX on options), but it's seriously flawed on the I/O side and knowing Lenovo, straight out of factory installed system will be loaded with all kinds of malware, but then you can use your own drive(s) unlike AMS where everything is soldered together. 5/10 in current state.