Apple’s iMac may still be the best
all-in-one out there, but the 27in A720 has a more powerful processor and an
even sleeker design that folds flat on itself. A nice first impression, but is
it a lasting one? We find out
The 27in panel that sits atop the A720 has
a 10-point multi-touch surface so you can manipulate objects and type with both
hands if you wish. It can be a little slow to react, but this is a problem with
Windows 7 rather than the A720. Later this month, an upgrade to Windows 8
should iron out any lag-related issues.
Lenovo
IdeaCentre A720
However you use the screen, the stand will
keep it fixed in position. What’s more, because the processor, motherboard and
hard drives are in the base, there’s plenty of weight down below to keep it
steady too. The screen itself is thin and light to move around.
The A720 is a joy, then, and affordable
too. But once the initial charm wears off you will notice a couple of faults.
The body work is colored plastic rather than aluminum, for example, and at
1920x1080 the resolution is really too low for a display this size. Films look
great via the built-in Blu-ray player, but desktop work and games look
noticeably stretched out and blotchy.
Films
look great via the built-in Blu-ray player
A touchscreen on a static PC isn’t
essential yet, but the beauty of the A720 is that it will fold back flat, so
that the screen is parallel to the desktop. The novelty of playing Air Hockey
may pale quickly, but as a tool for art or presentations it’s hard to think of
how it could be improved.
A
touchscreen on a static PC isn’t essential yet, but the beauty of the A720 is
that it will fold back flat, so that the screen is parallel to the desktop
The quad core processor and discrete
graphics give the Lenovo plenty of kick, and mean it’s capable of getting all
but the most demanding games up and running, too. The only downside is that
they do require a bit of cooling - the fan is always audible, sadly.
A date with a preview of Windows 8
Appy Talk
It may look like Windows 7, but in Win 8
the desktop is just another app. It can be run full screen or like any other
Metro app in a two-thirds-wide slice, with another app in a strip to the side.
Once you’re in the desktop, though, it behaves exactly as the Win 7 version
does 90% of the time.
It
may look like Windows 7, but in Win 8 the desktop is just another app.
Hot corners
Ah, now this is different. Use the mouse to
replicate touchscreen swipes and you’ll create ‘hot spots’. Hovering on the
right of the screen brings up the Charms menu, while hanging around in the
bottom left takes you to Start. We’re not sure it works that well - you can get
used to it, but it’s never as precise as a button.
Full-screen folly
Full-screen Metro apps are great for
slates, but not so hot on a large monitor. Simple apps get oddly supersized
here. Does the mail app really need to show messages in 40pt type? With icons
spaced out for touch, the mouse has to cover too much ground. More scaling
options would have been a nice addition.
Doubling up
Here’s the biggest problem with running the
Windows 8 beta on a normal PC - the default programs are Metro-based, so you
need two copies of each app: a Metro version and a ‘normal’ one. These apps
don’t sync, and make for a cluttered Start page - we hope they’ll be better
integrated in Win 8 proper.
Game on
Upgrade to the full version and you'll have
your very own Xbox console residing right within your PC. Tight integration
between the gaming console and the new OS will allow users to access a healthy
library of Xbox Live games. Just like the OS, they're made to run across a
variety of devices running the OS. Brilliant!
Verdict
Ratings: 4/5 stars
An innovative design and a respectable
performance. With a higher-res screen it could be the ultimate all-in-one
around
Apple iMac 27in
Price: From $1,699
Website: www.apple.com
Ratings: 5/5 stars
The 27in iMac is the ultimate home PC -
there’s no touchscreen control or Blu-ray drive, but with a Magic Trackpad and
OS X Mountain Lion gesture controls, you won’t need it. Also, there is no match
for its all-in-one aluminum design.
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Tech specs:
IdeaCentre A720
§ Price:
$2,069
§ Website:
www.lenovo.com
§ CPU:
Intel Ivy Bridge Core i7-3610QM
§ RAM:
8GB
§ Graphics:
2GB GeForce GT630M
§ Optical
drive: Slot-loading BD-ROM
§ Connectivity:
USB3.0 (x2), USB 2.0 (x2) Ethernet, SD, Memory Stick, MMC, HDMI, TV, Tuner
(optional), 3.5mm headphone, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
§ Storage:
1TB HDD (64GB SSD optional)
§ OS:
Windows 7
§ Screen:
Capacitive touch Full HD LED
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