For individuals looking for a space-saving device that boosts energy efficiencies, Lenovo’s ThinkVision L193p 19” widescreen monitor, combined with Lenovo’s ThinkCentre A61e small form-factor desktop computer, may be the products to consider.
The Lenovo ThinkCentre A61e ultra small-form factor desktop computer weighs less than eight pounds and its dimensions measure 3.19” x 8.2” x 9.53,” which makes it easy to situate nearly anywhere on a desktop.
Lenovo’s ThinkVision L193p monitor also features a sturdy, ergonomic stand, which allows the widescreen monitor to save space by sitting neatly on top of the ThinkCentre A61e, without having to further compromise desktop space.
In addition to its small footprint, both products are also ideal for those who are environmentally conscious because each has achieved Gold certified status on the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT), an environmental standard and rating system. In order to be classified as EPEAT Gold standard, products must meet 23 of the required criteria set forth by EPEAT as well as meet at least 75 per cent of the 28 additional optional performance criteria, which include energy conservation, end-of life management and packaging.
What I liked most about the ThinkVision L193p flat-panel LCD monitor was that the design of its stand allowed the 19” screen to easily swivel from side to side, tilt up and down, as well as rotate from landscape to portrait viewing mode. Because of its generous screen size, viewing and having multiple windows open was easy. The monitor also features a 6.6mm bezel, which Lenovo maintains is ideal when lining up several displays in multiple monitor environments because there’s less visual distraction from screen to screen.
Aaron Hay, a research consultant with Info-Tech Research Group in London, Ont., notes that Lenovo’s L193p monitor combined with the A61e would do well in call centres, where space is of the essence.
There are also four USB ports located on the monitor, with two on the side and two underneath. With a native resolution of 1280 x 1024, I found the colours and images on the screen were vibrant and sharp. Because I’m not used to working with a monitor of this size, I found myself sitting farther back to make it easier on my eyes.
ThinkCentre A61e runs on either the AMD Sempron processor or AMD’s Athlon X2 dual-core processor, both of which Lenovo says draw low power. The computer also comes with a DVD-ROM drive, a hard disk drive of up to 160GB, up to 1GB of total memory and two USB ports located on the front with another four in the rear.
Energy-wise, Lenovo states that this energy-efficient desktop consumes less than half of the electricity than what another small form factor desktop normally would.
“The interest is high in mid-sized businesses now with energy efficient products,” Hay said. “Lenovo is currently the only vendor with Gold certified monitors on EPEAT but I think we’ll see that change very quickly as other companies will be striving towards achieving those same levels in their design cycles too.”
The L193p monitor starts at a price point of $299.99 and the ThinkCentre A61e starts at $549.00. Both are available now.
