Photo: Lenovo
Lenovo's ThinkCentre Neo Ultra was hailed as the best Apple Mac Studio alternative when it launched in January 2024. Now, the company has unveiled a more affordable, graphics-centric version exclusively for the Chinese market: the Yoga Portal.
While the ThinkCentre Neo Ultra boasts a top-tier Core i9-14900 processor and RTX graphics, the Yoga Portal opts for a slightly less powerful Core i7-14700 CPU but packs a punch with a full desktop GeForce RTX 4070 GPU. This strategic shift positions the Yoga Portal as a compelling choice for users prioritizing graphics performance, such as content creators and gamers.
Despite the different processors, both mini PCs share a compact design, robust cooling system, and extensive port selection. The Yoga Portal's standout feature, however, is its impressive graphics power, delivered by a desktop-grade GPU. However, users should be aware that upgrading this GPU may be difficult due to the custom cooling solution. The Yoga Portal also has 32GB of DDR5 RAM and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD (both upgradable), as well as a dedicated M.2 slot for an independent NPU card.
Priced at RMB 17,999 (approximately CA$3,452), the Yoga Portal offers significant cost savings compared to the similarly specced ThinkCentre Neo Ultra, which carries a price tag of roughly US$4,164 (~CA$5,719).