Dual Core D510 & Nvidia Ion inside

Lenovo sent us the dual core version of their new Ideacentre Q150 nettop.  You can find our full unboxing pics after the break.  On first impression, this Q150 is about the same size and form factor as the Ideacentre Q100 we tested earlier – so it’s tiny!  The Q150 we got features the latest, powerful, Intel Atom D510 dual core 1.66ghz processor.  It also has a large 500gb hard drive, Nvidia Ion graphics (w/HDMI output) and 2gb of RAM.  So, despite it’s small size, we expect it to pack punch.

We’ll be testing this tiny little nettop over the next two weeks, so stay tuned to the blog to read our review.

There are two versions of the Lenovo Ideacentre Q150 available.  The one shown here is the dual core version, available for $349 at Amazon.  There is a also a budget conscious, single core option available for $220 (IdeaCentre Q150 Sing Core Atom D410).

Check out the full set of our unboxing pics after the break.

The Lenovo IdeaCentre Q150 features integrated 802.11b/g/n WiFi, 4 USB ports, mic and headphone jacks, S/PDIF audio, VGA output, and 5.1 channel audio. There’s an optional keyboard, mouse, and multimedia remote control with a trackball and keyboard.

The nettop measures just 6.8″ x 6″ x 0.8″ and weighs just 1.67 pounds.

Lenovo Ideacentre Q150 - $349.95

Lenovo introduced the Ideacentre Q150 back in March and we’ve been anticipating the availability of the dual core (Atom D510) and Ion 2 machine since then.  Now, two versions appear to be shipping from Buy.com through Amazon.  That makes sense, since last month’s official press release mentioned a June release.

There’s a cheaper 160gb, sing core (Atom D410) going for $217 and the full blown dual core Atom D510 version going for $349.95. Both are the very latest processors from Intel, combine with the recently announced Ion 2 graphics chipset.  We’re curious to see if the Lenovo Multimedia Remote and Keyboard (that we just reviewed) will be included with both models as well, or if it’s just pictured for show?

Check out the full specs after the break, or just check it out directly at Amazon.

Lenovo IdeaCentre Q150 Specs

• Intel Atom D510 processor (dual core, 1.66GHz)
• Next generation Nvidia ION + Intel GMA 3150 graphics
• Up to 2GB DDR2 RAM
• 160 / 250 / 320 / 500GB HDD
• 5.1 channel audio via S/PDIF out
• 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, 100MB LAN
• 4x USB 2.0, LAN, audio jacks, S/PDIF, HDMI, VGA
• VESA wall mount
• Windows 7 Home Premium
• Keyboard and mouse (optional)
• Remote with trackball mouse (optional)
• 1.67 pounds / 0.76 kg weight
• 20 x 172 x 153 mm in size

Following on from the IdeaCentre Q100 and Q110 nettops, Lenovo has launched a new iteration called the IdeaCentre Q150.  This latest nettop from Lenovo updates to the latest next generation ION platform (Ion 2) and uses a dual core Atom D510 processor.  There are a few changes to the outside casing, but on the whole, the same look & feel is kept.

We took a look at the Q100 last year and were generally impressed with the little nettop, although a little underwhelmed on the performance front.  Hopefully the Ion 2 and Dual core Atom D510 should solve that issue.  We look forward to getting our hands on the Q150 for some hands on tests.

The Lenovo IdeaCentre Q150 will go on sale at the end of next month (June) with pricing starting at $249.

Skip past the break to see the full specs.

Lenovo IdeaCentre Q150 Specs

• Intel Atom D510 processor (dual core, 1.66GHz) OR D410 processor (single core, 1.66GHz)
• Nvidia ION + Intel GMA 3150 graphics
• Up to 2GB DDR2 RAM
• 160 / 250 / 320 / 500GB HDD
• 5.1 channel audio via S/PDIF out
• 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, 100MB LAN
• 4x USB 2.0, LAN, audio jacks, S/PDIF, HDMI, VGA
• VESA wall mount
• Windows 7 Home Premium
• Keyboard and mouse (optional)
• Remote with trackball mouse (optional)
• 1.67 pounds / 0.76 kg weight
• 20 x 172 x 153 mm in size

Unboxing the Lenovo IdeaCentre Q100

We first reported on Lenovo’s IdeaCentre Q100 and Q110 nettops back in August, and now we have one from Lenovo to put through its paces.  This Q100 is powered by a single core 1.6ghz Atom 230 processor paired with 1gb of RAM and a 160gb hard drive and comes in at $299 from Lenovo.  Unlike its more powerful Nvidia Ion powered brother (the IdeaCentre Q110) the Q100 has graphics powered by SiS Mirage S3.  The form factor of the IdeaCentre Q series is ultra-slim, only a little larger than a double CD case.

So, that’s all the technical stuff out of the way, click past the break to see what’s in the box and my first impressions.

IdeaCentre Q100 Box Contents (CD for scale)

The box for this nettop is suitably small, and not a lot is contained within.  We have the Q100, with a cd on top for scale.   A small-ish power brick, the Q100′s stand, and a pack of user manuals, warranty cards and software restore CD.  That’s it.  Short but sweet and you’ll need to supply your own keyboard, mouse and monitor cord.

Lenovo IdeaCentre ports and stand

My first impression  – this is a tiny nettop! It feels more like a slim external DVD drive – although the Q100 does not have an optical drive. The outside finish is a glossy piano black  which hopefully won’t get as greasy as its netbook counterparts. There’s a power button on the front, that doubles as a bright blue power LED and a small panel that flips open to reveal 2 usb ports.

IdeaCentre USB ports can get cramped

The back of the Q100, from the bottom up, has 3.5mm audio out, power input, 4 usb ports and a VGA out port.  As you can see, the  USB ports are spaced very close together, which can make plugging in your flash drive and wireless keyboard dongle challenging.

The Q100 connected to my 32" LCD

Up and running, I can really appreciate that this nettop is fanless – it’s completely silent.  Only the bright blue LED gives away that it’s running at all.  And that LED is bright!  If I continue to use this as a HTPC, my first mod would be a piece of black electrical tape over this LED.  Now, however, after being pleasantly surprised by its small size and lack of noise, comes my first real let down.  There’s no integrated Wifi.  Yes, I repeat, no WiFi included at all.  I couldn’t realyl believe it, so I checked the hardware specs in ‘My Computer’ and yes, only the Gigabit LAN card is listed.  So, for now, I’ll need to get back to you on this nettop’s performance until I can find a USB Wifi dongle.

Lenovo IdeaCentre Q110 Ion Nettop

Lenovo announced two new nettops today, the IdeaCentre Q100 and Q110.  On first impression, they appear to be quite sleek and slim and now that the official specs are out, we can confirm that.  Both the Q100 and Q110 nettops measure in at  6″ x 6.4″ x 0.7″ and both feature Intel Atom processors.  The Q110, however, will have graphics powered by Nvidia’s Ion chips, making it capable of HD video.  Odds are as well that the more powerful Q110 may also feature  a dual core Atom 330 processor while the lower spec’d Q100 will have the 1.6GHz Intel Atom 230 single core CPU.

Pricewise the Q100 is estimated to come in at $249 and the Q110 at $349.  At first glance these look quite good to us, but we’ll reserve final judgement until we get a chance to see one in action.

Full Lenovo press release after the break.

Lenovo Expands “Idea” Consumer PC Line with Its First Digital Home Products

Introduces World’s Thinnest Nettop PCs

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC – August 19, 2009: Lenovo today announced three new PC devices that deliver power, performance and style to the digital home experience. Lenovo’s first home theatre PC – the IdeaCentre Q700 – provides high definition 1080p playback and digital surround sound for a variety of multimedia formats displayed right on a user’s HDTV. Lenovo’s first home server – the IdeaCentre D400 – makes managing content across several PCs simple.

In addition, the IdeaCentre Q100 and Q110 nettops continue to push the envelope on thin and light design as the world’s thinnest nettops1 while extending the entertainment experience with support for HD video on the Q110. Lenovo also expanded its ultraportable line with the thin and light IdeaPad U450p for extra portability.

The News

The digital living room, with a PC as the centerpiece of the entertainment experience, continues to grow worldwide as more consumers create and consume content. Because consumers want a compact and easy-to-use solution to enjoy their multimedia, Lenovo designed two new product lines –the Q and D Series – to fit this digital life, in style

Due to explosive growth of multimedia content combined with a greater selection of varying types of PCs, consumers now are considering size, versatility, performance and price more than ever before when selecting PCs for their homes. Lenovo’s Q Series offers a range of PC products to complement the home theater experience and simplify the living room or study

With more people creating and consuming content than ever before and home networks and high speed Internet adoption continuing to increase, home servers like the D400, are becoming important tools to manage content created on several different PCs and devices

The Facts

· According to a June 2009 Forrester Research, Inc. report titled US Online Consumer Survey: Technology in the Home, 2008, “roughly two-thirds ofUS living rooms have a PC and an Internet connection along with the standard TVs, DVD players or DVRs. This presents an interesting opportunity for the consumption of video and music on PCs connected to entertainment devices, as consumers are interested in using these devices interchangeably for the consumption of digital content.”2

The home server market is growing. IDC forecasts home server shipments to have a compound annual growth rate of more than 110 percent from 2007-2012 for both home and commercial customers worldwide3

Quote
“Lenovo will be a great addition to the category of home servers powered by Windows Home Server software,” said Eugene Saburi, general manager, Microsoft Solutions Marketing. “With the IdeaCentre D400 home server coinciding with the availability of Windows 7 on Lenovo laptops and netbooks, consumers will have an affordable solution that enables them to unleash the power of their home networks.”
“We created our latest IdeaCentre PCs to help consumers manage their personal and professional content with the performance they need and with a style that expresses their individuality,” said Dion Weisler, vice president, Business Operations, Lenovo. “Our super small nettops give consumers the portability of a laptop, making them a versatile and affordable part of the digital home experience.”
“The Lenovo Q110 with NVIDIA ION delivers knockout graphics capabilities for its diminutive size,” said Manoj Gujral, general manager, Desktop GPU Business, NVIDIA. “With its ION graphics processor, this tiny PC can do more than many full-size desktops, letting users enjoy full HD movies, play mainstream games, edit family videos and even quickly convert video to an MP3 player.”

The IdeaCentre Q700 – Multimedia Powerhouse for the Home
Lenovo’s DVD-like IdeaCentre home theater PC connects with multiple devices, including digital cameras, smartphones and more so consumers can watch videos in full HD resolution, view photos and listen to music all on their TV. They can also watch and record digital TV with the optional TV tuner and remote while seamlessly integrates multiple media sources into a single device.

Key Features Include:
Full High Definition: Supports 1920×1080 graphics and 7.1 digital surround sound
Fast Intel Core™2 Duo Processors: Provides silent and smooth video playback
Plenty of Storage: Stores up to 1 terabyte of content with eight USB ports and an eSATA port

Additional details for the IdeaCentre Q700 can be found on www.lenovo.com

IdeaCentre D400 – Simple Storage for Work and Play
Lenovo’s IdeaCentre D400 home server securely houses large amounts of data for professional and personal use, including videos, music and photos. Users can easily set up a home network to store and share files across different devices such as PCs and smartphones. They can also regularly back up PCs on the network to support a small office or home office.

Key Features Include:

Plenty of Storage: Supports up to eight terabytes of total storage
Expandable and Easy to Use: Mix and match different brands and capacities of hard drives and even add and remove them while the PC is running. Connect multiple external storage devices with five USB ports, including a front-mounted port with one-touch data copy function and an eSATA port for high-speed external data transfer
Dependable and Secure: Duplicate important data on multiple hard disk drives for backup and security
Access Anywhere: Remotely access files from anywhere with an Internet connection by connecting remotely to the hub via a secure web page4

Additional details for the D400 can be found on www.lenovo.com.

The Idea Centre Q100 and Q110 – Thinning Down the Desktop
The IdeaCentre Q100 and Q110 nettops complete the collection of new digital lifestyle devices and stand out with a stylish black patterned design. These tiny PCs measure 0.7 inches thin, making them the thinnest nettops yet1 at just the size of a small book. The nettops feature an Intel Atom processor, making them ideal for performing basic functions like web surfing, downloading content and producing Internet-based documents. The Q110 may be the smallest, most powerful nettop yet. Equipped with Nvidia ION graphics, the nettop supports HD video and can handle accelerated media conversion and other tasks consumers would expect from full size desktops.

Key Features

· Ultra Slim and Small – At only 6 x 6.3 x 0.7 inches thin, the size of this tiny desktop makes it perfect for tight spaces. The nettop can even be mounted on the back of a monitor.
· Energy Efficient- The Q100 runs on just 14 watts when idle and 40 watts at full operation
· Enhanced Multimedia: The Q100 supports VGA output, while the Q110 supports 1080p high definition video with DirectX 10 graphics for crisp and vibrant content and 3G games and also enables smooth playback with Nvidia CUDA technology

Additional details for the Q100 and Q110 can be found at www.lenovo.com.

The IdeaPad U450p Laptop – Thin and Light Pumps Up Screen Size
The IdeaPad U450p laptop is designed for those looking to balance mobility and performance with style and affordability. Following the introduction of theIdeaPad U350, the 14-inch U450p offers Intel consumer ultra low voltage processors, long battery life and a wide range of entertainment and productivity features.

Key Features
Thin and Light: Sporting a sleek, textured design, the U450p laptop is 0.9inches thin and weighs less than five pounds.5
Optimized for Entertainment: With a High-Definition 16:9 screen, an HDMI connector and fast DDR3 memory, the laptop provides an excellent entertainment experience. It also includes a DVD burner/player for anytime access to multimedia on a CD or DVD.
Packed with Smart Features: The laptop comes with a range of smart features designed to make computing more convenient and productive, including OneKey™ Rescue System for easy data and system recovery and VeriFace™ facial recognition technology.

Additional details for the U450p can be found on www.lenovo.com.
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Pricing and Availability6
The IdeaCentre Q700 home theatre PC and IdeaPad U450p laptop are available immediately through business partners and www.lenovo.com. The IdeaCentre D400 home server and Q100 and Q110 nettops will be available in mid-September.

The IdeaCentre D400 home server and Q700 home theatre PC start at approximately $499. The IdeaCentre Q100 and Q110 nettops start at approximately $249 and $349. The IdeaPad U450p laptop starts at approximately $799.

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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 formerIBM 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.

1Based on available market information as of August 19, 2009. Compared with nettops from Acer and Asus with ultra small form factor PCs under 1L.

2US Online Consumer Survey:Technology In The Home, 2008, Corina Matiesanu, Forrester Research Inc, 2009

3Worldwide and US Home Server 2008-2012 Forecast, Richard Shim. IDC. 2008.

4Must be connected to a separately purchased wireless router. WWAN/WiMAX Service Providers: Requires separate agreement with select third party service provider, and is subject to credit approval and applicable service agreement/terms, rate plan and coverage maps of the provider. Service is available in select metropolitan markets, not available in all areas. Service provider, not Lenovo, is solely responsible for service. Lenovo customers may be contacted after purchase to activate service. Special credit and tenure restrictions and additional charges may apply to international roaming. A network connection, third-party software, additional hardware, and/or subscription to a third-party service may be required for certain solutions/applications. Additional restrictions apply.
5U450p weighs 4.6 pounds with six cell battery.

6Prices do not include tax or shipping and are subject to change without notice and is tied to specific terms and conditions. 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

Unboxing the new Lenovo IdeaCentre C300 nettop

Lenovo sent us their new entry in the nettop ‘All-In-One’ market today – the IdeaCentre C300.  The C300 is a combination of a 20″ widescreen display coupled with a single or dual core Intel Atom 230 or 330 (dual core) processor.

There are three models in the C300 lineup, ranging from this $449 entry level model, up the $699 top of the line dual core version. Graphics are supplied by Intel’s integrated Media Accelerator in the first two models of the lineup, but the highest spec C300,  gets grahpics from ATI’s Mobility Radeon HD 4530 PCI Express card, packing 512mb of dedicated memory.   Hard drives range from 160gb in the entry level model up to 640gb and RAM comes is available from 1-4gb.

The full lineup and specs can be seen here at Lenovo, while the C300 is already selling for $449 here at Amazon (via TigerDirect).

Lenovo IdeaCentre C300 All-In-One nettop

We’ll have a full review of this new nettop later this week, but on first impression we’re impressed by the form factor of this nettop from Lenovo.  From the keyboard to the PC itself, Lenovo seems to have made an effort to keep the size and footprint of this nettop to a minimum.  Fit and finish seems good, but the high gloss piano black surface on the nettop and keyboard is already covered in fingerprints.  Setup was a breeze but we were surprised to see a PS/2 keyboard connector instead of USB, but that does free up a USB port otherwise used.

See the full set of unboxing pictures after the break, and don’t forget to check back later this week for our in-depth review.

Lenovo IdeaCentre C300 Unboxing

PS/2 Keyboard!, USB Mouse and 120w laptop sytle power adaptor

Lenovo IdeaCentre C300 Nettop

All-In-One design is slim and features a small footprint.

Standard array of input and output ports

IdeaCentre C300

Front View of the IdeaCentre C300

Lenovo IdeaCentre C300 unboxing and first look

IdeaCentre C300 Front indicator lights and graphics

Windows XP standard on entry-level, Vista on others

Powered by Intel Atom 230 single and Atom 330dual core processors

Lenovo IdeaCentre C300

Lenovo C100 All-In-One Nettop

The IdeaCentre C100 was on display  at the gdgt launch party last night  running Windows 7 and featured touch features.   It’s rumoured that this model will be available later this month, running Vista and sans touch features for just $400. The touch-enabled Windows 7 version should be available in October, possibly with a higher price tag.

Lenovo showed off an all-in-one nettop with a 20 inch display and a 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor.   The Lenovo IdeaCentre C100 will ship with 1 to 2GB of RAM, an 80GB to 160GB hard drive, and a DVD burner.  WiFi and a webcam are said to be optional, but to be honest, we’d be suprised if WiFi wasn’t included as standard.