Lenovo has updated its Lenovo ThinkCentre Neo 50a all-in-one PC, equipping the 6th generation model with Intel Lunar Lake processors. The device is thus positioned as an affordable alternative to Apple’s iMac—even if some compromises have to be made when it comes to the display.
From Raptor Lake to Lunar Lake
Previously, Lenovo ThinkCentre Neo 50a Gen 5 relied on Intel Raptor Lake processors such as the Core i5-13420H and the Core i7-13620H, combined with up to 32 GB of RAM. The new 6th generation now switches to the more efficient Lunar Lake chips: options include the Core Ultra 5 226V and the Core Ultra 7 256V, both with 16 GB of soldered-on DDR5 RAM. It is not yet known whether Lenovo will also offer a variant with the more powerful Core Ultra 7 258V and 32 GB of RAM in the future.
Performance presents a mixed picture: In single-core applications, the Core Ultra 7 256V outperforms the previous Core i7-13620H and also features the more powerful Intel Arc 140V graphics unit. However, for multithreaded tasks such as video editing, the older Raptor Lake chip still has the edge. In terms of storage, the new all-in-one PC can be configured with up to 1 TB of PCIe 4.0 SSD storage.
Display: the biggest weak point compared to the iMac
The ThinkCentre Neo 50a Gen 6 is available with either a 24-inch or 27-inch display. In both cases, it features an IPS panel with Full HD resolution (1,920 × 1,080 pixels), 99 percent sRGB color gamut coverage, 250 nits peak brightness, and a 100 Hz refresh rate. Lenovo also offers a touchscreen version as an option. Compared to Apple’s iMac, which features a significantly sharper 4.5K Retina display with a much higher pixel density, the Lenovo’s screen falls noticeably short.
In terms of other features, the ThinkCentre Neo 50a Gen 6 stands out with a 5-MP webcam, two microphones, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.1. Connectivity options include a USB-C port with 10 Gbps, three USB-A ports (one of which also supports 10 Gbps), an HDMI 2.1 output, an HDMI 1.4 input, an Ethernet port, and an audio jack.
Pricing and Availability
Both sizes are now available in Germany and Austria:
- ThinkCentre Neo 50a Gen 6, 24-inch, 256 GB SSD: starting at 1,140 euros
- ThinkCentre Neo 50a Gen 6, 27-inch: starting at 1,160 euros
With these prices, Lenovo is significantly undercutting the starting price of the Apple iMac (starting at 1,799 euros).
