IT Pro Verdict
A useful machine in a small form factor, but the Q190 is perhaps better suited to be a media entertainment hub rather than a full-blown work machine.
Pros
- +
Tiny form factor; Reasonable build quality; Breathtakingly cheap; Low power consumption
Cons
- -
Lack of power; Little versatility; Few business features
Small form factor systems are popular in cramped offices because of the tiny footprint, efficiency and low-cost, but the IdeaCentre Q190 pushes the boundaries. The Q190 is just 22mm wide and starts at 250 inc VAT - with Windows 8 operating system included.
Tiny by design
The IdeaCentre has vital statistics of 192 x 155 x 22mm, so it'll fit into the slimmest of nooks and crannies. It weighs just 700g too. That's less than most laptops as well as plenty of Windows 8 business tablets, and it means this PC can be slung into a bag with little fuss as well as fitting into the smallest of spaces on the most craped of desks.
To keep the costs down, Lenovo used plastic instead of aluminium or steel. This means the build quality isn't great, with glossy plastic giving way under pressure from the finger and looks susceptible to scratches and scuffs. Ports and sockets are found at the front and rear of the machine, with two USB 3 sockets, four USB 2 ports, an HDMI output and six-in-one card reader all provided, with front-facing ports hidden behind a plastic flap.
The IdeaCentre has one major party piece the attachable DVD writer. It's the same size as the PC itself, and attached to the system using a small USB bridge that connects to the rear of the machine. It's a clever addition and makes this system even smaller. We can see why Lenovo has chosen to go down this route optical drives are less use now than ever.
We've asked Lenovo if it's planning to offer any other descrete accessories we'd like to see a port replicator or an external GPU able to be mixed and matched but,it's got no plans to do so.
