Lenovo H520s

Bottom Line

The Lenovo H520s delivers better than average performance and value in a small chassis. Despite limited room for expansion, it's a good choice for small businesses or families without dedicated 3D gamers.

Performance

Very capable when configured for your needs. The Lenovo H520s is among the recommended computers in one independent test. With its i3 Intel Sandy Bridge processor, 4 MB of memory, integrated graphics, and a 1 TB hard drive, it's a more than competent everyday performer for home and small business needs

However, for heavier multimedia tasks, experts recommend a step-up version with an i5 or i7 Intel Ivy Bridge processor (*Est. $530 and up). Memory can also be upgraded to a maximum 8MB and storage can be doubled.

On the down side, heavy-duty gaming is just not in the cards – at least not in the video cards offered by the maker. Gamers will have to spring for a discrete graphics card small enough to fit in one of the half-length slots. They may also need a bigger power supply.

Design

Small and unobtrusive but there's a drawback. Less than half as large as conventional towers, the Lenovo H520s has a clean, uncluttered appeal. It looks good just about anywhere. But the compact size entails a big compromise: expansion space is limited, and the motherboard only offers two half-length, low profile slots. So while you can think about adding your choice of a discrete graphics card, Blu-ray Disc player/writer, TV Tuner and a bigger power supply, you won't have internal space to house them all.

The good news is this desktop has ample connectivity. The latest configurations add two USB 3.0 ports to the computer's complement of six USB 2.0 ports; you'll also find HDMI and VGA outputs as well. Both wired (Gigabit Ethernet) and wireless (802.11b/g/n) networking are built in. The Lenovo H520s is also equipped with a DVD burner, and a keyboard and mouse are bundled in the box. Most reviewers find the keyboard comfortable to use but are less impressed with the mouse.

Support and Reliability

No hiccups. The Lenovo H520s comes with a one-year warranty and 24/7 phone support. That's not bad but it's nothing special compared to the three-year warranty (on-site service included) that comes with the company's ThinkCentre desktops. Lenovo has a good reliability record but if you want additional protection, you can (for a small fee) opt for an extended warranty.

Value

Good value if you can live with limited internal expansion. The Lenovo H520s isn't cutting edge, but if you don't need to add multiple features, it's a good deal for what you get.