Lenovo Ideacentre B305 4031-1HU 21.5-Inch Desktop (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've been using computers since I was in the sixth grade. My first computer was a Sinclair ZX81. I've used various 8-bit computers, PCs and compatibles since the original 5150 PC, Unix-like systems of various flavors and even four different Amigas. I've had store-bought and home-built. In short: I'm not a computer illiterate.
I bought a Lenovo IdeaCentre B305-1HU in October. Athlon II X4 quad-core processor, 4 GB of memory, 1TB hard disk.
After about a month of use, the machine bluescreens. Upon reboot, the system doesn't return to Windows, but the Windows Repair system starts. Hard disk makes weird noises; computer seems to get worse. Over the next few days I find that the computer will work fine for about 90 minutes, and then bluescreen, and no amount of "fixing" will make it work right until it "cools off" again. I send it to Lenovo for a warranty repair between Christmas and New Years, and they could not make it fail. I suspect that the power supply brick (that I didn't send) may be the culprit. The re-image the computer back to its factory configuration and I get the computer back after about three weeks. Works fine when I unbox it, and it works for more than 90 minutes. Maybe it's not the power supply brick after all.
All is fine until about three weeks ago, when again it bluescreens. No amount of "cooling" make it work again. This time it's really hosed. At the request of the Lenovo on-line support guy in the Philippines, I tried the hidden restore partition to restore the computer to its factory configuration, and within ten minutes it's crashed again. They send out a second box, and it's been in their hands for eight days waiting for parts. The repair center is in Texas; I imagine the new motherboard (!) they need for it has to come on the slow boat from China.
Don't get me wrong: I like the computer. It's large display, space-saving design and relatively fast processor are nice. I'm getting used to the low-profile keyboard, and the wireless mouse is a big plus. I've not used the TV tuner, but it's a cool addition. I just wish it'd run for more than a month without breaking. As it stands, it's the least reliable computer I've ever had.
Edit on 3/25/2011: Last evening I received the computer back from the repair center in Texas, and the power supply was not returned to me. I called the 1-877-4LENOVO number, and told them the power supply brick was not returned. I was told that there was no record of the power supply being in the box. Their contract repair company, Wistron ([...]) needs to get its act together.
Edit on 5/19/2011: Well, the brick came (much more slowly than was promised), and the system has been flawless ever since. I suppose I just got a lemon the first time.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Lenovo Ideacentre B305 4031-1HU 21.5-Inch Desktop (Black)


COMPACT PERFORMANCE, CONCENTRATED FUN.

Fun is an all-in-one Touch Screen PC that packs a punch. Introducing the IdeaCentre B305 all-in-one with AMD Athlon™ II X4 Quad Core processor. The 21.5" widescreen Lenovo® IdeaCentre™ B305 with high contrast LED Panel Technology is powered by the AMD Athlon™ II X4 Quad-Core Processor, includes performance graphics, and has intelligent features like the Lenovo NaturalTouch Panel with responsive fingertip touch-screen capabilities.It also features the Lenovo High-Sense Webcam with YouCam software, so your friends can see you more clearly on video chats, or not at all if you create your own animated avatar. Plus, with Lenovo Enhanced Experience for Windows® 7, the IdeaCentre™ B305 delivers fast boot and shutdown, rich multimedia capabilities and easy system maintenance tools.

Lenovo IdeaCentre B305 Key Features
KEY SPECIFICATIONS

AMD Athlon X4 600E Quad Core processor
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
21.5" Full HD screen (1920x1080), 16:9 widescreen display
ATI Radeon™ HD5450 512MB graphics with DirectX® 11
4GB DDR3 memory, 1TB HDD storage
6-in-1 card reader, USB2.0 connectors for easy access
Integrated DVD drive
Integrated Wi-Fi
Intergrated stereo speakers
Integrated TV Tuner
LED Panel Technology with high contrast ratio
Lenovo NaturalTouch Panel – responsive fingertip multi-touch touch-screen technology
Lenovo IdeaTouch - a range of touch-optimized multimedia applications
Integrated Lenovo High-Sense Webcam for clearer video chats
YouCam - advanced webcam software for facial tracking and image effects
Lenovo Dynamic Brightness System – protects your eyes by automatically adjusting screen brightness based on ambient light conditions
OneKey Rescue System for quick and easy data recovery with antivirus protection

Lenovo Enhanced Experience for Windows 7 provides a faster, richer and easier way to use your PC

REST EASY

A BETTER WINDOWS 7 EXPERIENCE

OneKey Rescue System
Lenovo IdeaTouch
Lenovo Enhanced Experience for Windows 7

GET ENTERTAINED

Click here for more information about Lenovo Ideacentre B305 4031-1HU 21.5-Inch Desktop (Black)