All Specs
Versus other compact desktops we ve seen of late, Lenovo s IdeaCentre Mini 5i (starts at $509.99; $629.99 as tested) is smaller and more stylish, while also a step up in performance. This little Lenovo is a true mini PC that s nearly the same size as the Apple Mac mini and much smaller than Windows mini-towers like the Acer Aspire TC-895-UA91 or the HP Slim Desktop. It lacks the brushed-aluminum luxury of the Mac mini, but the IdeaCentre Mini 5i adds a dash of style to its plastic chassis with a fabric top panel that will help the system blend in with modern offices or homes. Inside, our test system offers an Intel Core i5 CPU and an ample 12GB of RAM along with not one, but two, storage drives. Keeping these components cool inside such tight quarters, however, requires a cooling fan that s constantly audible.