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FINAL THOUGHTS
Systems with a single core Atom processor and cut-down graphics are suitable for only
basic computing. Fortunately, the modest thermal demands of such hardware
made it possible for Lenovo to jam it all into tiny chassis and cool
it without a fan. The Q100 is a very energy efficient desktop PC with
unrivaled size and acoustics. Shockingly, the sample we received also had an
almost complete lack of bloatware — the only pre-installed third party
software was a trial copy of Trend Micro Internet Security.
There are only two things we feel Lenovo should not have omitted. The first
is a VESA mount to hide the system behind a monitor. While you may wish to show
off this tiny machine, its sleekness is marred by the various wires that must
be plugged into the back. Making it and all those cables invisible by mounting it on the back of the mopnitor would be far preferable. We also wish the Q100 had a built-in WiFi radio so
you don't have to plug in yet another cable or a bulky, watts-sucking
USB WiFi adapter. Both of these features should be no-brainers for a mini system
like the Q100. Our only other complaint is the status LED — its ridiculously
large window amplifies the annoyance of the very bright blue LED tenfold.
It's particularly maddening when the system is asleep, as the LED blinks intermittently.
At the MSRP of $299, the Q100 is pricey, although it can already be found for less at other etailors. The Eee
Box 202 adds DVI, a memory card reader, wireless connectivity and a
VESA mount for roughly the same price. Perhaps the best deal in wee boxes is the $200
Acer AspireRevo AR1600-U910H. Though it lacks
WiFi, the AspireRevo is powered by the HD video capable ION LE graphics engine and ships with a complimentary
mouse and keyboard. Neither of these products come close to the Q100's dimensions,
though, nor its near silence.
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Lenovo IdeaCentre Q100
|
PROS
* Very small
* Almost completely silent
* Lack of bloatware |
CONS
* no VESA mount
* no WiFi
* crazy blue status LED
* slow CPU, poor GPU
* price |
Our thanks to Lenovo
for the Q100 sample.
* * *
Articles of Related Interest
Lenovo's
All-in-one: IdeaCentre A600
Gateway EC1803h: Netbook
or Ultra-portable?
Asus Eee PC Seashell 1005HA
netbook
Lenovo ThinkCentre M58p Eco USFF:
Green Corporate SFF PC
mCubed HFX Micro S13 system: Atom
330, Silenced
Asus Eee Box B202: An Atom-based
mini PC
* * *
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