IdeaCentre B series
| Company type | Product line |
|---|---|
| Industry | Computer hardware |
| Founded | 2010 |
| Founder | Lenovo |
Area served | Home consumer segment |
| Products | All-in-one desktop computers |
The IdeaCentre B Series represents Lenovo's line of all-in-one desktop computers introduced in 2010, primarily aimed at the home consumer segment. The initial release in this series was the B500.
2012
In 2012, the IdeaCentre B lineup featured the B340 and B540 models.
B340
Launched shortly before CES 2012, the B340 came equipped with a 21.5-inch 1080p HD touchscreen tailored for multimedia applications. It was powered by Intel Core i processors and included NVIDIA GeForce 615M discrete graphics with 1 GB VRAM. Storage capacity reached up to 2 TB, complemented by up to 8 GB of RAM. A notable feature was OneKey TV, enabling television viewing without fully booting the system. Additionally, the display supported Blu-ray playback and 3D output capabilities.
B540
Serving as a larger alternative to the B340, the B540 boasted a 23-inch widescreen 1080p HD touchscreen with a frameless glass front. It maintained similar Intel processor options and storage configurations but upgraded to NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M graphics featuring up to 2 GB VRAM.
2011
The 2011 editions of the IdeaCentre B Series comprised the B510 and B520 models.
B510
The B510 offered processors up to the Intel Core i5-650 running at 3.2 GHz, along with an Intel H55 Express chipset. Memory support extended to 16 GB RAM, paired with a 1 TB hard drive spinning at 7200 RPM. Its display measured 23 inches with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels. Graphics were handled by ATI Radeon HD 5570 discrete hardware, while audio came from integrated stereo speakers supporting HD sound. A built-in 0.3-megapixel webcam was included, and wireless connectivity was provided through Bluetooth-enabled mouse and keyboard peripherals.
B520
Unveiled at CES in 2011 as the successor to the B500 from 2010, the B520 received acclaim from PC World for its appealing design among all-in-one PCs. It supported multitouch input and could be configured with Intel Core i7 processors. Graphics options included either integrated Intel HD 3000 or discrete NVIDIA GeForce GT 555M cards for enhanced three-dimensional performance. The system accommodated up to 16 GB of DDR3 RAM and offered storage choices ranging from a 2TB SATA hard drive to a 32 GB solid-state drive. The display was a 23-inch full HD panel capable of optional support for 3D Vision technology, while audio output featured built-in speakers delivering Dolby Surround Sound 5.0.
B320
The Lenovo IdeaCentre B320 incorporated a second-generation Intel Core i3 processor alongside a multitouch-enabled 21.5-inch Full HD screen. Audio enhancements were provided by SRS Premium Sound technology, complemented by various multimedia software designed to enrich user interaction.
2010
The initial IdeaCentre B Series desktops released in 2010 included models such as the B500, B300, B305, and B310.
B500
Introduced in 2010, the IdeaCentre B500 was an all-in-one desktop distinguished by its sharp angular styling. Its design featured an aluminum panel beneath the display and a Bluetooth keyboard finished with a brushed metal texture; however, some users reported wireless connectivity issues with this keyboard. The Hong Kong variant was equipped with an Intel Core 2 Quad Q8400S processor, whereas U.S. configurations offered either an Intel Pentium Dual Core E5400 or Core 2 Duo E7500 processor. System memory could be expanded up to 4 GB RAM, paired with a 500 GB hard drive operating at 7200 RPM. For graphics, NVIDIA GeForce GT240M discrete hardware enabled high-definition video playback but was not intended for intensive gaming applications.
B300
The B300, part of the 2010 IdeaCentre B Series all-in-one lineup, was designed with budget-conscious consumers in mind. While it bore a resemblance to the B500 model, the B300 was equipped with a smaller 20-inch display, in contrast to the 23-inch screen found on the B500. Its design featured a slender profile reminiscent of a photo frame, utilizing glossy black plastic and a plastic base, differing from the steel stand used on the A70z. Under the hood, it housed an Intel Core 2 Duo processor running at 3.03 GHz, ATI Radeon HD 5450 graphics, up to 4 GB of RAM, and a 640 GB hard disk. Connectivity options were comprehensive, including six USB ports, FireWire, Gigabit Ethernet, a multicard reader, and audio input/output jacks.
B305
The IdeaCentre B305, also launched in 2010, received varied feedback from reviewers. PC Pro complimented its slim design, likening it to the 21.5-inch Apple iMac, and noted its substantial 640 GB hard drive paired with Windows 7 operating system. However, criticisms included a display exhibiting a “cold grey cast” with dull color reproduction, weak 3-watt speakers that necessitated external audio devices, and the absence of a TV tuner and Media Center remote in the UK edition. PC Pro concluded that while it was appropriate for web browsing and office tasks, it fell short as a media center solution.
In contrast, PCMag provided a more favorable review, emphasizing features such as the AMD Athlon II X4 2.2 GHz processor, up to 4 GB RAM capacity, ATI Radeon HD 5450 discrete graphics card, multi-touch enabled 1080p HD display, integrated HDTV tuner, compact footprint, and wall-mounting capabilities. Drawbacks mentioned included a remote control that required an IR dongle to function, lack of Blu-ray drive and limited HDTV input options beyond the built-in tuner, as well as only offering a trial version of Microsoft Office 2007.
B310
Introduced in 2010, the IdeaCentre B310 came equipped with Intel Core i3 or i5 processors, supported up to 4 GB RAM, and featured a sizable 1 TB hard drive. It incorporated ATI Radeon HD 5450 discrete graphics alongside a 21.5-inch HD screen with a widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio and built-in stereo speakers. The B310 also boasted touchscreen capabilities enhanced by Lenovo software packages including touch-based games, PowerCinema media player, VeriGesture for gesture recognition, and AutoCollage for photo editing.