Lenovo IdeaCentre A600 All-in-One Desktop unleashed

Lenovo's just announced their newest desktop - the IdeaCentre A600 - for all to wonder at. This puppy's got a 21.5-inch (1920x1080) HD panel with a 16:9 aspect ratio, and the PC packs a choice of Intel Core 2 Duo CPUs, optional ATI Radeon graphics, 4GB of DDR3 RAM, and an up to 1TB hard drive. Optional to the system is a remote control which can also be used as a game controller, a VOIP handset to make and receive calls, and as an air mouse -- that's a lot of functions! The A600 is expected to roll out in March with a starting price of $999. Check out the full press release after the break.

"Thin is In" for Consumer PC Design as Lenovo Debuts All-in-One Desktop and 16-inch Laptop
Marks One Year Anniversary with New Collection of Trend-Setting Entertainment-Focused PCs

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC – January 5, 2009: Lenovo today announced the latest additions to its Idea brand of personal computers for consumers. The new PCs push the envelope in the pursuit of thinner and more stylish designs, and combine these attributes with unique features like facial recognition and high-definition entertainment technologies to give consumers a computing experience like no other. There are four new IdeaPad laptops – the IdeaPad Y650, the thinnest and lightest 16-inch laptop in its class1, the Y550 and Y430 laptops with a similar family design to the Y650, and the thinnest all-in-one desktop PC, the IdeaCentre A600. With the explosive growth of social networking, Lenovo also continues to enhance its IdeaPad S10 netbook with new instant on capability, facial recognition and easy access to Lenovo's social networking community.

"With the launch of our global consumer Idea brand a year ago, we've shown the world that PC technology can be powerful and beautiful," said Liu Jun, senior vice president and president, Consumer Business Group, Lenovo. "This year, we will keep pushing the limits of good design, balancing form and function, as you'll see exhibited in our super-thin, 16-inch laptop and all-in-one desktop. This unique blend of design and engineering sets us apart from competitors and gives consumers a new kind of entertainment and computing experience."

IdeaCentre A600 All-in-One Desktop
Lenovo brings consumers the next generation of desktop computing with the IdeaCentre A600 – Lenovo's first all-in-one desktop. The new, sleek IdeaCentre A600 all-in-one features a 21.5-inch frameless screen, and provides discerning space-conscious and style-conscious users a modern design that measures only one inch at its slimmest point, making it the slimmest all-in-one in the industry2.

For the entertainment enthusiast, the all-in-one offers a true Hi-Def experience featuring a 16:9 aspect ratio screen for cinema-like viewing and support for 1920x1080 full HD resolution delivering outstanding image quality. The integrated speaker system includes a bass sub-woofer and Dolby® Home Theatre™ audio certification, while the optional Blu-ray player completes the home cinema experience. Users can also take advantage of a digital TV tuner for watching and recording their favorite TV programs. Users can opt to include the Microsoft Vista Media Center for easy recording of TV programs and interactive navigation between videos, music and TV programs.

For gaming enthusiasts, Lenovo developed the first-of-its-kind 4-in-1 optional remote controller. It is the first to bring PC users the ability to play games using the remote control's 'motion drive' feature, which controls on-screen objects according to the movement of the remote.

Unlike competitor's remotes, the Lenovo 4-in-1 remote controller can also be used as a VOIP handset3 to make and receive phone calls over the Internet, similar to a typical cordless telephone. The remote also serves as a media center/TV remote, and with Microsoft Vista Media Center users can use the controller to operate DVDs, movies and TV. Additionally, the remote also functions as an "air mouse" so it can be used to operate the cursor on the screen, eliminating the inconvenience of using a wired mouse.

At the core of the all-in-one is a powerful desktop computer with choices of Intel® Core™2 Duo processors, optional ATI Radeon™ graphics card technology with DirectX10 support, up to 4GB of fast DDR3 memory for improved multitasking, and up to 1TB (1000GB) of hard drive space for storing hundreds of videos, music and other documents. Equipped with the latest high-performance mobile processor technology, the all-in-one runs whisper-quiet even when performing intensive tasks.

The IdeaCentre A600 all-in-one offers several connectivity options including high-speed WiFi, a 6-in-1 media card reader, side-mounted USB and FireWire ports with additional USB ports on the rear of the panel. The all-in-one also features VeriFace™ facial recognition technology which allows users to use his/her facial image as the logon password.

Pricing and Availability4
The new IdeaPad Y650, Y550, Y450 laptops and S10 netbook will be available beginning in March. Manufacturer suggested retail pricing (MSRP) for models starts at $1,199 for the IdeaPad Y650, $829 for the IdeaPad Y550 and Y450, and $349 for the IdeaPad S10 netbook. The IdeaCentre A600 all-in-one desktop will be available beginning in April with MSRP for models starting at $999.

About Lenovo
Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) is dedicated to building exceptionally engineered personal computers. Lenovo's business model is built on innovation, operational efficiency and customer satisfaction as well as a focus on investment in emerging markets. Formed by Lenovo Group's acquisition of the former IBM Personal Computing Division, the company develops, manufactures and markets reliable, high-quality, secure and easy-to-use technology products and services worldwide. Lenovo has major research centers in Yamato, Japan; Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, China; and Raleigh, North Carolina. For more information see www.lenovo.com.

1Thinnest and lightest in the 16-inch laptop screen class, including offerings from Acer, Sony, HP and Lenovo.

2Compared with competitor existing all-in-ones from Apple, HP, Dell and Sony.

3VOIP functionality requires VOIP software which is freely available for download from a wide range of 3rd party vendors

4Prices do not include tax or shipping and are subject to change without notice. Reseller prices may vary. Price does not include all advertised features. All offers subject to availability. Lenovo reserves the right to alter product offerings and specifications at any time without notice.

[B3astofthe3ast @ Jan 5th 2009 12:07AM]

Very slick...

[B3astofthe3ast @ Jan 5th 2009 12:08AM]

Wait wait, it has a wanna-be wiimote too??!! Sold!!

[RoboDan @ Jan 5th 2009 1:13AM]

FINALLY - something stylish from Lenovo.

Don't get me wrong, I Love my ThinkPad and that it is wholly utilitarian in design, but I don't mind something pretty to look at - if it still incorporates ThinkPad quality and doesn't "Apple" itself into mediocrity.

I look forward to seeing it with my own eyes come April

[Giroro @ Jan 5th 2009 1:09AM]

"For gaming enthusiasts, Lenovo developed the first-of-its-kind 4-in-1 optional remote controller. It is the first to bring PC users the ability to play games using the remote control's 'motion drive' feature, which controls on-screen objects according to the movement of the remote."

too bad for lenovo, I guess they don't realize just how many people have sued Nintendo over the Wiimote.

[1234321 @ Jan 5th 2009 1:17AM]

wanna-be wiimote?
can you're wii remote make calls?

[ZSX @ Jan 5th 2009 3:36AM]

@ Giroro

The remote control is presumeably similar to the one by Gyration which uses a gyroscopic sensor to move the mouse, rather than the IR technology of the Wii, and predates it.

http://images.google.co.uk/images?q=gyration%20remote&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&sa=N&tab=wi

Not sure about the phone-in-the-remote function though. I guess if you lose the TV remote you could always call yourself and it would ring!

[chansthename @ Jan 5th 2009 8:04PM]

look at the specs, it says a maximum of 4gb ddr3. Now how do we get 4 gb DDR3 in tri-channel?

[sj.lee36bc @ Jan 5th 2009 12:08AM]

looks sexy

[Skemo @ Jan 5th 2009 12:10AM]

For the price, that's pretty awesome.

[Valter @ Jan 5th 2009 12:18AM]

That is without a doubt the best featured and best looking all-in-one that I've seen, Apple included... Love the desig and love the specs. I can't wait for this to be available, why only March???

[Daren @ Jan 5th 2009 12:17AM]

awesome design.
Someone finally one-upped apple.

[xmetalheadx @ Jan 5th 2009 1:54AM]

ha sure. That thing looks like its getting ready to get down on its knees and take it up the ars.
Lose the bottom 1/3 and you have a good design.

[CJ @ Jan 5th 2009 3:05AM]

Well, to be fair, when this does come out, Ars Technia are going to drop it to it's knees and review the hell out of it.

So I suppose you're right, in a not-too-bright kind of way.

[Lucretius @ Jan 5th 2009 12:19AM]

Honestly would be scared that it would tip over and crush the bones in my hands. That thing is imposing.

[raj @ Jan 5th 2009 12:24AM]

wow, at this price I may have to just get one. it needs a touchscreen like the touchsmart though that would be amazing.

1000 bucks? all I can say is wow.

[crisisofmanlions @ Jan 5th 2009 4:14PM]

could i plug my box into it?

[AJR @ Jan 5th 2009 12:36AM]

Sexy!

[AJR @ Jan 5th 2009 12:38AM]

And the price tag multiplies the sexiness times 10

[FILA @ Jan 5th 2009 12:46AM]

ah man this is nice, and it aint bad for a lonovo and a all in one, for a $1000, yea cheap. Not to happy about the screen size thou, i mean im on a 24 right now. looks bigger in the picture. but i love that keyboard, remote and mouse, i wonder if they sell them on site.

[FILA @ Jan 5th 2009 12:47AM]

its gotta be bluetooth thou,

[dark star @ Jan 5th 2009 1:01AM]

wow.
just wow!!!

[Pc_Madness @ Jan 5th 2009 12:50AM]

Thats so hot! Damnit, must find an excuse for buying this :\

[Dude @ Jan 5th 2009 12:56AM]

How come no one noticed that this thing is UGLY! I would NEVER want that weird beast on my desk!!! What's with the backward bottom thing, that runes it!!

[Giroro @ Jan 5th 2009 1:06AM]

Probably because they wee too busy pointing out how modern sexy it is.

Brushed aluminum is soooooooo 2006.

[Nas @ Jan 5th 2009 2:12AM]

...yeah.

I guess shiny black plastic is "soooo 2009..."

Holy shit i hope not. Aluminium > Plastic.

[Samboini @ Jan 5th 2009 5:06AM]

Well if it comes with runes, I'll get two! Thanks for the heads up, Dude.

[vvtopkar @ Jan 5th 2009 12:57AM]

Now that's a real all-in-one desktop!
I mean..... iMac ripoff?

[mac boy @ Jan 5th 2009 1:01AM]

well yes it is, but its damn nice

[Giroro @ Jan 5th 2009 1:05AM]

I refuse to buy it simply because I don't like how they spelled IdeaCentre.

[MacForever @ Jan 5th 2009 1:18AM]

seriously, 2006. buddy this computer is nothing! compared to the iMac!!!

[Chad @ Jan 5th 2009 9:40AM]

@liquidmark

"IBM didn't start making PC's until 1981"

BofC didn't say PCs. IBM has had "computers" since their inception in 1911. Granted they were mechanical punch card machines that computed data. (thus the name we call our computers today) I suspect what BofC is talking about is the IBM 3270 terminals that connect to the IBM mainframes.

[MacForever @ Jan 5th 2009 1:15AM]

iMac copy cat *cough* fail *cough*. but seriously what a direct copy cat, built in camera, all in 1 display FFS, why do ppl copy the best computer/music player (iPod) company in the world! jesus, i love macs and hate windows, so to see this is just pathetic.........seriously get an iMac, wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy more sleek-er, and stylish.

[Richard Lai @ Jan 5th 2009 1:37AM]

iEye copycat = double fail

[TheMagnificen7 @ Jan 5th 2009 1:37AM]

You make us look bad. This is a great piece of hardware. I own three Macs and I can see that. So shut the fuck up, go away and stop destroying the internet.

[finite_rings @ Jan 5th 2009 1:55AM]

"more sleek-er"??

this is madness!

[CJ @ Jan 5th 2009 3:07AM]

Yes, well, good luck with that.

Don't come running to us when you suffer massive internal damage when you try to use this as an iPod.

[Boards of Canada @ Jan 5th 2009 3:12AM]

especially when IBM had all in one computers way before Apple... we had a lot of these at one of my old job... just a screen with the computer behind.

[liquidmark @ Jan 5th 2009 4:26AM]

"especially when IBM had all in one computers way before Apple..."

Hunh?

No they didn't.

For starters, IBM didn't start making PC's until 1981 and they weren't all-in-ones. there was the IBM portable, but it came out in 1984, the same year the mac was released.

[Patriks7 @ Jan 5th 2009 7:13AM]

""more sleek-er"??

this is madness!"
This is APPLE!






uh.. SPARTA!!!!

[Wulile @ Jan 5th 2009 1:21AM]

I want that keyboard!!!

[bigcow05 @ Jan 5th 2009 1:50AM]

Could that be a secondary screen and trackpad on the keyboard? These products look like they have a major edge over the competition, especially given the price.

[nowayman @ Jan 5th 2009 1:57AM]

the keyboard's cool, thats abt it.

[Sy @ Jan 5th 2009 2:08AM]

Kudos Lenovo for a nicely packaged desktop. Design wise, it is probably the slickest all-in-on design yet ...on par or beyond Apple even.

[Will @ Jan 5th 2009 2:48AM]

Cue the "You're mad! Apple designs are way better than this rip off!" responses in 3....2....1....

[mirakutea @ Jan 5th 2009 2:52AM]

Since people might actually be able to afford the ripoffs..

[Boards of Canada @ Jan 5th 2009 3:15AM]

Well done for the ATI cards... All apple imac suffers from the defectives Nvidia 8000 serie cards. At least you know your motherboard will not fry in few months.

[Charles @ Jan 16th 2009 3:16AM]

I currently own a few 24 inch iMac, love Apple and thier products (most anyway), but this system right here is NIIIIIIICE. Not a single bad thing to say about this PC. Very good design from Lenovo

[Johan S @ Jan 5th 2009 3:52AM]

The ATI graphics are optional? What sorta of crappy graphics do you get for $999 then?

[Gnormie @ Jan 5th 2009 10:55AM]

Intel 4500 integrated probably, which isn't too bad unless if you only do basic stuff.

[liquidmark @ Jan 5th 2009 4:01AM]

Yeeeeeeeaaaaaaaahhhh

Let's see you say that after Macworld.

I'm betting that Apple will blow these guys out of the water before this thing is even released.

All in one computers are Apple's thing and the iMac is due for a update.