Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO i (27" Intel)

Fast 13th Gen Intel power in a package that costs too much and sounds too mediocre. Buy a laptop and a monitor instead.

The speed surprised us, honestly. Owners keep saying "fast and efficient" and the 13th Gen Intel chips back that up. But here's the catch: our percentile data shows this thing landing in the bottom third for build quality and sound. For a machine marketed on its Harman-enhanced audio and cinema experience, a 28th percentile sound score is a real letdown. The 27-inch display is nice, but the audio story doesn't match the marketing.

Our database keeps throwing earbuds at this thing, which is hilarious but not helpful. The real comparison is against other all-in-ones and laptops. Against a similarly priced MacBook Air or a solid Windows laptop plus external monitor, the IdeaCentre AIO i loses on portability, build quality, and audio. The Technics EAH-AZ100 and Sony WF-1000XM6 showing up as competitors is a data quirk, but it does highlight that this desktop's audio chops are being measured against dedicated audio gear and coming up short.

At $1,685 USD, this is a tough sell. You're paying all-in-one tax for a machine that doesn't excel at the things all-in-ones are supposed to be good at. The affordability score is dead last in our database, which means you're getting very little bang for your buck here. If you need a desktop, build a small form factor PC and grab a decent monitor. You'll save money and get better sound.

The Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO i is a weird one. It's a 27-inch all-in-one desktop that our database keeps comparing to wireless earbuds, which tells you something about how niche this thing is. The one thing to know: it's a solid, fast everyday PC wrapped in a package that feels a bit lost in 2024. You're getting 13th Gen Intel Core power and a big screen, but you're also paying a premium for the all-in-one form factor when a laptop plus monitor might serve you better.

If you're looking for a portable setup, great audio, or good value, this isn't it. Go get a solid Windows laptop and a decent monitor instead. You'll get better build quality, better sound, and you'll save money. If you need a desktop specifically, a small form factor build will outperform this all-in-one for less cash.

Skip it unless you're absolutely married to the all-in-one form factor and find one on deep discount. The performance is there, but the build quality, sound, and value just don't justify the price. You can do better with a laptop and monitor combo, or a small desktop build. This feels like a product searching for a reason to exist.