Lenovo IdeaCentre A310

Online Only: Lenovo IdeaCentre A310 update brings Core i3, i5 processors
by Sim Cheng Kai

08:00 PM Sep 07, 2010

If the Pixar lamp had a computing cousin, it would be the Lenovo IdeaCentre A310 - a compact desktop PC that packs its processor chips and TV tuner into a chic all-in-one (AIO) display unit.

Aesthetically, the A310 looks no different from its predecessor, the A300. It sports a 21.5-inch, 18.5mm-thin full-HD LED display (1,920x1,080) with a black bezel front, stereo speakers, an integrated webcam and a backlit touch panel for adjusting display settings, mounted onto a ceramic white swivel base with four USB 2.0 ports, HDMI input and output, a 5-in-1 card reader slot, and other jacks. Control options include a white Bluetooth keyboard and mouse combo, as well as a wireless remote. Connectivity options include Ethernet and 802.11b/g/n.

But it's what's inside that counts - your choice of Core i3 (330M, 350M, or 370M) or i5 (430M or 450M) processors, which Lenovo Worldwide Competitive Analyst Matt Kohut says deliver a 30% to 40% performance increase in day-to-day computing tasks over the A300's Core 2 Duo processors. The A310 also has an Intel HD integrated graphics processor and customisation options for memory and storage that go up to 8GB and 500GB respectively. Kohut added that the A310 touts faster boot times compared to its predecessor.

Though the A310 lacks an optical drive, Kohut believes it will still appeal to consumers looking to set up a digital living room, due to its built-in hybrid analog/digital TV tuner, HDMI support, and the new Intel processors' improved Blu-ray and HD video playback capabilities.

The A310 runs Windows 7 Home Premium and includes software like YouCam - a webcam application with facial tracking that lets users have fun with cartoon graphics - and Lenovo Rescue System, which makes data back-up and recovery simple with a one-touch (hit the F2 key) menu.

The A310 will hit retail stores in Singapore from end-October. Local pricing will be announced later.

Lenovo ThinkPad X100E 11.6-Inch Netbook (Black)



http://www.todayonline.com/Tech/EDC100907-0000185/Online-Only--Lenovo-IdeaCentre-A310-update-brings-Core-i3,-i5-processors