The Lenovo C315 ($849 list) is a touchscreen-equipped all-in-one desktop that displays widescreen video. It has an ATSC/HDTV tuner, dual-core power, plenty of RAM, large hard drive, and little bloatware. Unfortunately, the touchscreen only adds to the system's higher price, especially since it still isn't a "must-have" feature on desktops (yet). Add to this the lack of HDMI, Blu-ray, and eSATA, and the C315 ends up as a middling performer.

Design
The C315 looks like a bronzed version of the Lenovo C300 ($549 list, ) we saw late last year. It's got the same 20-inch widescreen monitor, but instead of basic black and white swirls on the speakers, the system is basic black with a bronze-metallic bezel. It's a fairly pedestrian design, especially when compared to systems like the Apple iMac 21.5-inch ($1,199 list, ) and Lenovo IdeaCentre A300 ($949 list, ). There's no under-chassis storage for the wired keyboard and the design would be a lot cleaner with a wireless keyboard and mouse.

The system's 20-inch widescreen display has a 1,600-by-900 resolution, with a 16:9 aspect ratio. This means it can display 1,280 by 720 (720p HD) video natively or upscaled to the system's native resolution. It also means that 1,920 by 1,080 (1080p HD) video must be scaled down on the 20-inch display. This video setting isn't too much of an inconvenience, but with a 21.5-inch or 23-inch display on another system, you could have all the pixels in their 1080p HD glory. I'd forgive the smaller resolution in a $499-$699 all-in-one, but for almost $900 you'd want the full 1080p HD experience. The system comes with a DVD burner, but the slightly more expensive MSI Wind Top AE2220 ($950 list, ) comes with both a larger 1080p HD display and a Blu-ray player. If the C315 had both of these, it could be worth the $849.

Features
The wired keyboard plugs into a PS2 port in the back of the system (PS2 is almost a relic for consumer systems these days), and the mouse plugs into one of the system's 6 USB 2.0 ports. There's a 4-pin FireWire connector for peripherals like older camcorders (you know, with tape), but the connector won't support 6-pin FireWire from an external hard drive without an extra power cable. There's no eSATA for faster external drives, so you're limited to USB 2.0 hard drives. Likewise, the system lacks a HDMI port, so you can't hook up an external monitor or connect the C315 to your laptop and use the desktop as an external display. While not a deal breaker, the lack of eSATA and HDMI simply add to the a growing list of features it should've had. Also HDMI not only allows you to hook up external sources like Blu-ray players or set-top boxes, but it extends the life of the system if you use it as an external monitor once the internal components become too slow.

The system is relatively free of bloatware. Office 60-day trial is a necessary evil, as is the 30-day trial to MacAfee Anti-virus. A full copy of Works and a 365-day subscription to McAfee would be more useful. Lenovo's Rescue System (backup and restore) and pre-installed software for the webcam and touch screen count as useful programs. With the included IR MCE remote and ATSC/HDTV tuner, the system is a decent replacement for both a TV and a DVR. Too bad the IR sensor is in an external IR USB receiver, adding to the list of things that need to be plugged in and clutter up your desk. Built-in IR receivers make much more sense for compact all-in-one PCs like this one.

Performance
The C315 has passable multimedia performance, thanks to its Athlon II X2 processor. The system completes the Windows Media Encoder test in a decent 1 minute 38 seconds. PhotoShop CS4 is a little more leisurely at 4:22. These are both better than the Atom-powered Lenovo C300, which took a lot longer (3:06 WME, 6:49 CS4). The Apple Mac mini (HDMI) ($699 list, ) is bit quicker at 1:02 WME, 3:16 CS4.

The C315 wasn't able to run our 3D tests, which isn't too surprising, since the system's ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4350 graphics are aimed more at video than 3D performance. Playing back 1080i over the air HDTV and 1080p online HD videos were smooth and stutter free. Any complaints you might have about video would likely be caused by a slow Internet connection or lamenting the missing Blu-ray player.

The C315 is best considered a basic second or third home PC. If you really like the all-in-one form factor, I'd recommend saving a few bucks and going with systems like the non-touch HP Pavilion All-in-One 200-5020 ($780 list, ), or paying more and going for the Apple iMac (more power) or MSI Wind Top (more features). The system's predecessor, the Editors' Choice-winning Lenovo C300, was a great buy at $549, but the configuration I reviewed doesn't seem to be available anymore (an updated version starts at $699). If you have the room and only $849 to spend, consider the Gateway DX4840-02e ($799.99 list, ). The Gateway DX4840-02e comes with a much bigger 23-inch monitor, Core i5 multimedia power, and a $50 cheaper price tag. The Lenovo C315 is an OK all-in-one system with multi-touch, but there are better options out there, with and without touch.

BENCHMARK TEST RESULTS
Check out the test scores for the Lenovo C315

COMPARISON TABLE
Compare the Lenovo C315 with several other desktops side by side.