The ThinkCentre family is an affordable line of desktop PCs designed for business. The ThinkCentre family includes the A Series Tower & Small Form Factor (SFF) PCs, the M Series Tower, SFF and Ultra Small Form Factor (USFF) PCs and the A Series All-in-one PC. For this review we have a ThinkCentre a63 tower desktop PC with dual ThinkVision 22" L2250P monitors.

Features:

• Advanced Performance – The A63 comes equipped with choices of AMD’s latest 45nm processors to make multitasking easy across multiple applications while also using energy efficiently. Direct X10 integrated graphics support high-end 3-D applications needed for businesses in vertical industries such as engineering, graphic design and film production.

• Increased Productivity – Ideal for financial market analysts and entry engineers, the A63 supports dual independent displays for an expanded work area. It also supports up to a 500GB hard disk drive and up to 1333 MHz DDR3 memory. Eight USB ports make the desktop a flexible hub to access and store documents and multimedia files.

• Communication Tools – An optional high-resolution webcam and preloaded Skype application make the desktop an ideal voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) center. VoIP conferences can help save time and travel expenses by allowing users, especially small businesses, to participate in business meetings without leaving the office.

• Enhanced Security Tools – Using the Lenovo Hard Disk Drive Retention tool as part of Lenovo warranty services, users can now keep their hard drives after retiring their PCs to ensure sensitive business data remains with them. Users with a home office or those without a business server can purchase Lenovo’s Online Backup service for secure, encrypted and offsite storage for their data.

• Green, Easy to Use Technology – The ThinkCentre A63 is GREENGUARD certified, meaning it has been tested for up to 2,000 different chemical emissions. The A63 also features a simple design with an easy to reach power button on the top and a top handle for easy transport.

Monitor Features

22 in (559 mm) viewable image size
Native resolution of 1680 x 1050
Internal power with 21 watts / 28 watts power consumption (typical/maximum)
Light Booster technology: Reduces mercury content by 50% and power consumption by up to 50% over conventional monitors of the same size and resolution
ThinkVantage design
- Tilt and height adjustable stand for optimum viewing comfort
- Direct access button for automatic image setup and brightness allows quick and easy monitor setup
- Analog and DVI-D video signal connectors
- Supports High Definition Content Protection (HDCP)
- Compliance with ENERGY STAR 5.0 requirements
- Kensington Lock slot for security
- TCO Display 5.0 compliance
- Rated EPEAT Gold
- Offers attachment points for optional ThinkVision Soundbar (sold separately)
- Direct access for input selection allows easy movement between applications when attached to two systems simultaneously
- Matching design to ThinkPad, ThinkCentre, and ThinkStation systems
Analog and digital connectors allow attachment flexibility
Wide viewing angles enlarge the workspace for comfortable viewing
Dual input connectors allow attachment to two systems simultaneously
Certified for Microsoft Windows 7/Vista/XP
Meets 100 mm VESA standard for mounting
Detachable base for wall- or arm-mounting (sold separately)
Available in business black

Setup & Installation

The ThinkCentre a63 arrived in three boxes, two for the dual monitors and one for the tower and accessories. Even though we were previously spoiled by reviewing the A70z all-in-one, the a63 was still very easy to set up. Connect the basics, the keyboard/mouse, connect the dual monitors, and you are ready to go! The power button is on the top of the tower in a unique position, see below, making it easy to turn on if the computer is underneath the desk. After I turned it on, my first reaction was "wow! was this quiet", so this definitely is not a loud PC at all, great for an office environment. After a few steps to create a username and password, you're at the Windows desktop. This model came with Windows 7 Professional 32-bit edition. The Lenovo ThinkVantage utilities preinstalled are actually useful!

Design

The design of the Lenovo ThinkCentre a63 tower is quite attractive, I was surprised. The case is a business-like matte black and perfect for an office environment. If you are looking for a small form factor, check out the Lenovo a58. As I discussed earlier, the power button is on the top of the unit, for ease of reach, more "Ergonomic" I guess. The angled party also serves as a carrying-handle, should you need to move the unit. The unit has 6 USB ports (two on the front), 2 PS/2 ports (which surprised me), DVI, VGA, the standard three audio ports in the back, with an additional two in the front next to the USB ports. I was surprised since this is a business printer, there was not a LPT port since Lenovo included the PS/2 ports, but I suppose most printers nowadays are USB (except my HP laserjet 4000 workhorse). The DVD-RW drive is hidden nicely in the front in the first bay, and the second bay was empty - which preferably would have another CD drive. The case has two bolts in the back and can be easily opened by removing them and pressing down the "open" button on the side and sliding the side off.

The monitors have a very nice, attractive design, and maintain a slim profile on the desktop. The one negative factor I saw from the monitors is that there are no USB ports, something most Dell monitors (at least all mine) have had. 

Performance & Use

The ThinkCentre a63 tower came with Windows 7 Professional 32-bit edition preinstalled. This unit came with 2GB of RAM of DDR3 memory, with 4GB being the max. Refreshingly, there wasn't a ton of preinstalled applications and other trial software to wade through upon first use. The system booted to the desktop with a custom background and a ThinkCentre toolbar on the taskbar. It made getting started quite a bit easier without having to uninstall much unwanted trial software.  Overall, performance was very good, which is to be expected on a system with the specs this system came with - it handles Windows 7 Professional very well. I feel the AMD 760G chipset with the ATI 3000 integrated graphics can handle most business needs just fine, and at the price you cannot be it. The 250 GB drive (Serial ATA) also seemed to be more than enough for most business users! If I had my choice, I would have probably chosen some of the upgrades Lenovo has available, such as going with 4 GB of RAM, but the specs as reviewed the PC still performed very well.  As you can see below, besides the one subscore, the computer rates quite well!

Windows Experience Index: 3.9
Processor: 6.8
Memory: 5.5
Graphics: 3.9
Gaming Graphics: 5.2
Primary Hard Disk: 5.9

Final Comments

I was excited to try the Lenovo ThinkCentre a63 Tower PC, as I am normally a Dell guy when it comes to business PCs. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the system provided, even with 2 GB of RAM, it handled Windows 7 Professional very well, was quiet (it is quieter than my Dell Optiplex SFF 760 PC), and the unit was attractive all while having all the ports necessary to perform optimally. Combined with the dual Lenovo 22" L2250p monitors, the system is wonderful. One negative I can mention is while customizing on the Lenovo site, you have to add the PC in the cart separately, and go to a different product page to add the monitors. In addition, there are some but could be more customization of features on the site. Also, when I went to order some of the same items - including the monitors - the lead time was 9 days out, perhaps, due to popularity. Lenovo may preinstall some different software, including its own computer utilities, but I feel that any of the software they have preloaded is forthright and can be easily removed - nothing is hidden.  I recommend this Lenovo PC and monitors to any business user!