While we’ve tested many mini desktop PCs that have served up respectable performance, few have included a dedicated GeForce or Radeon graphics chip. Enter the Lenovo ThinkCentre Neo Ultra (starts at $1,869.99; $2,215 as tested), which breaks the mold by pairing a desktop-class Intel Core processor with an Nvidia GeForce RTX laptop GPU. (Our review unit featured the mobile RTX 4060; the latest ones ship with the Nvidia “Blackwell” RTX 5060.) Power users will value its support for up to seven displays and its generous memory and storage expansion. Still, unless discrete graphics is a must, the MSI Pro DP21 and Asus NUC 15 Pro+ provide more potent overall performance, VESA-mountable designs, and generally better value. Our most recent Editors' Choice award winners for mini desktops, meanwhile, are Apple's 2024 Mac mini and Geekom's A6 Mini.

Configurations: Desktop Power With Dedicated Graphics

During our review period, Lenovo was preparing an updated ThinkCentre Neo Ultra featuring Intel’s Core Ultra 2-series “Arrow Lake” processors and Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 5060 graphics. The unit reviewed here, available through CDW, packs a Core i7-14700 (20 cores, 28 threads, up to 5.4GHz turbo), a GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU, 32GB of DDR5-5200 memory, and a 512GB SSD. It ships with Windows 11 Pro, a basic USB keyboard and mouse, and a one-year warranty.

Our configuration sits well above the base model, which includes a Core i5-14500, 16GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD. Lenovo also sells higher-end variants with up to a Core i9-14900, 64GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. Regardless of other specs, these older configurations rely on the GeForce RTX 4060.

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

Lenovo notes that select ThinkCentre models may include a Kinara Ara-2 Neural Processing Unit (NPU), although these configurations appear scarce in the market. Some variants also feature a low-power Core T-series CPU, which enables an extra Flex I/O port on the rear panel.

The ThinkCentre commands a premium; our configuration costs nearly twice as much as the MSI Pro DP21, despite sharing the same CPU. However, it includes enterprise-grade features absent from more consumer-oriented models, such as Intel vPro Enterprise management tools and a more robust warranty. The dedicated GPU also contributes to the higher price. That said, since systems like this are typically purchased in bulk through business channels, direct pricing comparisons can be of limited relevance.

Design: Modern Looks, Practical Perks

Lenovo’s Luna Grey finish strikes a balance between modern and professional, with most of the exterior crafted from sturdy aluminum. The desktop was designed with sustainability in mind, with recycled materials used in both the metal and plastic components.

At 4.4 by 7.7 by 7.7 inches (HWD), the ThinkCentre Neo Ultra occupies about 260 cubic inches, or about one-tenth the volume of a standard mid-tower. While larger than the MSI Pro DP21 (2.2 by 8 by 8.2 inches) and especially the Asus NUC 15 Pro+ (2.1 by 4.4 by 4.6 inches), the ThinkCentre internally houses its 350-watt power supply. At the same time, both rivals rely on external, laptop-style adapters. Unfortunately, the ThinkCentre’s size rules out VESA mounting, so desk placement is your only option.

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

Port selection is generous. Up front, you’ll find two USB Type-A ports (10Gbps), a 20Gbps USB Type-C connection, a 3.5mm audio jack, and the power button. Wireless connectivity includes Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, with integrated antennas that keep the chassis free of external protrusions.

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

Around back, the system adds four more USB Type-A ports (two at 5Gbps, two at 10Gbps), a Gigabit Ethernet jack, and an impressive seven video outputs: two HDMI 2.1 and five DisplayPort connectors. That’s a standout feature in this class; for comparison, the MSI Pro DP21 contains just one HDMI and one DisplayPort. A Kensington-style lock slot on the left side adds a layer of physical security.

Upgrades are straightforward: twist off the rubber feet to access Philips-head screws on the bottom panel. Inside, you’ll find two M.2 Type-2280 slots for SSDs and two DDR5 SO-DIMM slots for laptop-style memory.

Performance Testing: Compact Speed, Plus a Dedicated GPU

The ThinkCentre Neo Ultra is uniquely positioned as a purpose-built mini PC equipped with a dedicated GPU, an uncommon feature in this category. With no direct peers tested to date, our comparison spans a range of mini PCs. Models featuring laptop-grade H-class processors include the Asus NUC 15 Pro+ ($1,199 as tested), the ECS Liva Z7 Plus ($800 as tested), and the Geekom A6 Mini ($499 as tested). The MSI Pro DP21 ($1,049.99) raises the bar with a desktop-class Core i7-14700, matching our ThinkCentre’s CPU. However, in 3D performance, the ThinkCentre is poised to lead decisively as the only system in the lineup with discrete graphics.

Productivity and Content Creation Tests

Our primary overall benchmark, UL's PCMark 10, tests a system in productivity apps ranging from web browsing to word processing and spreadsheet work. Its Full System Drive subtest measures a PC's storage throughput. Three more tests we rely on are CPU-centric or processor-intensive: Maxon's Cinebench 2024 uses that company's Cinema 4D engine to render a complex scene; Primate Labs' Geekbench 6.3 Pro simulates popular apps ranging from PDF rendering and speech recognition to machine learning; and we see how long it takes the video transcoder HandBrake 1.8 to convert a 12-minute clip from 4K to 1080p resolution. 

Finally, workstation maker Puget Systems' PugetBench for Creators rates a PC's image editing prowess with a variety of automated operations in Adobe Photoshop 25.

The ThinkCentre’s powerful hardware propelled it to the top of PCMark’s overall test and earned it a leading spot in the storage benchmark. However, it faltered in CPU-intense workloads, falling significantly behind the MSI in Cinebench, HandBrake, and Geekbench despite both systems using the same Core i7 CPU. This disparity suggests possible power or thermal throttling. Meanwhile, the Asus outpaced both machines, leveraging its newer Core Ultra 9 Series 2 chip for superior results. (Due to an issue with the benchmark itself, the ThinkCentre could not complete our Photoshop test, an unfortunate miss, but not a fault of the system itself.)

While the cooling fan remained unnoticed during everyday use, it became audible under load, filling the room with a persistent hum. I sometimes considered reaching for noise-cancelling headphones just to restore some peace.

Graphics Tests

We challenge all desktops' graphics with a quintet of animations or gaming simulations from UL's 3DMark test suite. The first two, Wild Life (1440p) and Wild Life Extreme (4K), use the Vulkan graphics API to measure GPU speeds. The next pair, Steel Nomad's regular and Light subtests, focuses on APIs more commonly used for game development, like Metal and DirectX 12, to assess gaming geometry and particle effects. We then turn to Solar Bay to measure ray tracing performance in a synthetic environment.

As expected, the ThinkCentre’s discrete GPU gave it a commanding lead over these integrated graphics rivals, often delivering scores more than four times higher. Though its chassis is larger than most, the performance gains more than justify the added bulk—provided a dedicated GPU improves your workflow.