For years, the all-in-one (AiO) PC has fought a battle for respect. Often viewed as a compromise—less powerful than a traditional desktop tower, less portable than a laptop, and less upgradeable than either—it has carved out a niche for those who prioritize a clean, cable-free aesthetic above all else. Apple’s iMac has long reigned as the undisputed king of this minimalist kingdom, leaving Windows-based competitors to often feel like uninspired imitators. But with the Yoga AiO 27, Lenovo isn’t just imitating; it’s innovating. This machine doesn’t just ask you to accept the compromises of the AiO form factor; it presents a compelling argument for why its unique blend of features might be the smartest choice for your home or office. It’s a powerful computer, a gorgeous high-refresh-rate monitor, and a connectivity hub, all wrapped in a sophisticated package that feels both premium and purposeful.

A Masterclass in Understated Design

Unboxing the Yoga AiO 27 is an experience in itself. Gone are the days of utilitarian, plastic-clad office machines. This AiO feels like it was conceived in a design studio, not an engineering lab. The first thing you notice is the “Luna Grey” finish, a soft, metallic hue that effortlessly blends into any modern decor. It doesn’t scream for attention; it earns it with a quiet confidence. While it has the cool, premium look of machined aluminum, the chassis is crafted from a more forward-thinking material: 30% ocean-bound plastic. It’s a commendable nod to sustainability that doesn’t sacrifice an ounce of build quality. The entire unit feels solid and immaculately assembled, a testament to Lenovo’s experience in crafting high-end Yoga laptops, a design DNA that is clearly visible here.

The Art of Ergonomics

A beautiful machine is worthless if it forces you to hunch over your desk. Thankfully, Lenovo has poured significant thought into the Yoga AiO 27’s ergonomics. The entire unit rests on a surprisingly compact, circular base, which provides a stable foundation while freeing up valuable desk real estate. The stand is a marvel of engineering. It allows for a smooth 70mm of vertical lift, letting you position the screen at the perfect eye level. The movement is weighted just right, allowing for one-handed adjustments without the whole unit threatening to topple over.

But the flexibility doesn’t stop there. The screen can tilt up 10 degrees and down 5, which, while not a massive range, is sufficient for eliminating glare. The real magic lies in its rotation. The entire stand can pivot a full 90 degrees in either direction on its base, and the screen itself offers an additional 45 degrees of swivel on the arm. This incredible range of motion makes it trivially easy to share your screen with a colleague across the desk or pivot it for a better viewing angle from another part of the room. It’s this thoughtful articulation that elevates the Yoga AiO 27 from a static piece of tech to a dynamic and interactive part of your workspace.

The Screen Is the Star of the Show

If the design is the opening act, the 27-inch display is undoubtedly the main event. Lenovo has resisted the temptation to chase the 4K dragon, instead opting for a razor-sharp QHD (2560 x 1440) resolution that represents the sweet spot for this screen size. Text is crisp, images are detailed, and it doesn’t demand the graphical horsepower (and associated cost) that a full 4K panel would. But the resolution is only part of the story. The real game-changer here is the 120Hz refresh rate.

While high refresh rates are typically marketed to gamers, their benefit in day-to-day productivity is profound. The jump from a standard 60Hz to 120Hz is one of those quality-of-life upgrades you don’t know you need until you experience it. Simply moving your cursor across the screen is a smoother, more responsive experience. Scrolling through long documents or websites feels liquid-smooth, with none of the jittery motion common on lesser displays. It reduces eye strain and makes every interaction with the computer feel more immediate and polished.

Color performance is equally impressive. With 99% sRGB coverage (and our tests showing it can even exceed that at 116.5%), it’s a vibrant and accurate canvas for everything from photo editing to movie streaming. The colors pop without being oversaturated, and the 400 nits of brightness are more than enough to combat glare in a well-lit room. While its DCI-P3 coverage of 82.6% means it won’t be the first choice for professional video colorists, it’s a fantastic all-around display that will delight the vast majority of users.

The Swiss Army Knife of Your Desk

Connectivity and versatility are where the Yoga AiO 27 truly separates itself from the pack. It’s not just an all-in-one; it’s a command center. This philosophy is most evident in its brilliant inclusion of both HDMI-in and HDMI-out ports. This single feature transforms the entire value proposition of the machine.

The Secret Weapon: HDMI-In

Imagine this: your work-from-home day on the Yoga AiO 27 ends. Instead of cluttering your desk with a second monitor for your personal gaming laptop or connecting your work-issued laptop to a separate screen, you simply press a switch on the side of the Yoga. The PC’s internal components go to sleep, and the gorgeous 27-inch, 120Hz QHD display becomes a high-quality external monitor. You can plug in a MacBook, a Dell laptop, a PlayStation 5, or a Nintendo Switch. This feature is a masterstroke, solving the biggest long-term problem with AiOs: obsolescence. Even years from now, when the internal processor may feel a step behind, this machine will live on as a phenomenal standalone display, ensuring your investment continues to pay dividends.

A Port for Every Purpose

Beyond the transformative HDMI ports, the Yoga AiO 27 is generously equipped. The rear of the stand houses the “set it and forget it” ports: an Ethernet jack for stable connectivity, two USB-A ports, a USB-C port, and the power input. More conveniently, the side of the stand offers easy-access ports for daily use: another USB-A (10Gbps), a USB-C (10Gbps), and a combination headphone/microphone jack. This thoughtful distribution means you’re never fumbling around the back of the monitor to plug in a flash drive or a pair of headphones. The package is rounded out with a matching wireless keyboard and mouse. While functional and aesthetically pleasing, power users will likely want to upgrade. The mouse, in particular, is quite basic, lacking side buttons, but they are perfectly serviceable for getting started right out of the box.

Navigating the Configuration Maze

Here’s where things get a bit complicated. The performance and features of your Yoga AiO 27 depend heavily on where in the world you buy it. It’s a perplexing global puzzle that potential buyers need to solve before clicking “add to cart.”

In the United States, the choices are relatively straightforward but limited. Buyers can typically choose between an Intel Core Ultra 5 or a more powerful Core Ultra 7 processor, both paired with 16GB of RAM and either a 512GB or 1TB SSD. These configurations are potent enough for any productivity task you can throw at them, but they rely solely on Intel’s integrated Arc graphics.

Cross the pond to the United Kingdom, and the options expand significantly. UK customers can configure their machine with up to a beastly Intel Core Ultra 9 processor and are locked into a generous 32GB of RAM, making it a true multitasking powerhouse.

But the real envy comes from Down Under. In Australia, the Yoga AiO 27 is available in a configuration that transforms it from a productivity workhorse into a legitimate creative and gaming machine. The top-tier Australian model not only boasts the Core Ultra 9 CPU and 32GB of RAM but also includes a discrete NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 graphics card. This addition fundamentally changes the character of the AiO, enabling it to handle demanding 3D rendering, high-resolution video editing, and modern AAA gaming at respectable settings. It’s a baffling regional exclusive that will leave many potential buyers in the US and Europe wishing they had the same option.

Powering Through the Daily Grind (and a Little Beyond)

Regardless of the regional configuration, the core performance of the Yoga AiO 27 is stellar for its intended audience. The Intel Core Ultra processors are zippy and efficient, easily juggling a dozen Chrome tabs, a sprawling Excel sheet, a PowerPoint presentation, and a Slack chat without breaking a sweat. It boots in seconds, applications launch instantly, and the entire Windows 11 experience feels incredibly fluid, aided by that 120Hz display.

For the Casual Creator

For hobbyist photographers and graphic designers, the Yoga AiO 27 is a willing partner. It chewed through a 50-layer Photoshop file without any noticeable lag, and RAW photo adjustments in Lightroom were smooth and responsive. The color-accurate screen provides a trustworthy canvas for your creative work. However, those working with serious video editing or 3D modeling will feel the limitations of the integrated graphics (outside of the Australian model). Rendering a 10-minute 4K video is possible, but you might want to go make a coffee. Or two.

The Gaming Question

For most of the world, gaming on the Yoga AiO 27 is a light-duty affair. The integrated Intel Arc graphics are a significant step up from older integrated solutions and can comfortably handle indie titles, esports games like Valorant or League of Legends on lower settings, and older AAA titles. But if you’re hoping to play the latest Cyberpunk 2077 expansion at high settings, you’ll be disappointed. This is where the Australian-exclusive RTX 4050 model truly shines, turning the AiO into a capable 1080p/1440p gaming rig.

The Necessary Compromises

No machine is perfect, and the Yoga AiO 27 makes two notable concessions in its quest for sleek, integrated design.

An Upgrade You Can’t Make

The first and most significant compromise is the soldered RAM. This means the memory you choose at the time of purchase is the memory you’re stuck with for the life of the computer’s internal components. While the standard 16GB is ample for today’s needs, and the 32GB option in some regions is fantastic, this lack of future-proofing may give pause to users who like to keep their machines running for five years or more. It’s a direct trade-off for the machine’s slim profile, but a painful one for the tinkerers among us.

The Sound of ‘Good Enough’

The second compromise is the audio. The machine boasts a four-speaker setup (two 3W tweeters and two 5W woofers) with Dolby Atmos support, which sounds impressive on paper. In practice, the sound is just… fine. It gets plenty loud and is perfectly clear for video calls and YouTube videos. However, it has a distinctly mid-range-heavy sound profile that lacks the deep bass and sparkling high-end clarity you’d want for immersive movie watching or critical music listening. It’s a definitive step up from any laptop’s tinny speakers, but it won’t be replacing a dedicated soundbar or even a decent pair of bookshelf speakers anytime soon.

The Verdict: Is the Yoga AiO 27 Your Next Desk Centerpiece?

After extensive use, the Lenovo Yoga AiO 27 reveals itself to be more than just another pretty face in the crowded AiO market. It is a thoughtfully designed, remarkably flexible machine that excels at its core mission: to be an elegant, powerful, and uncluttered hub for work and entertainment. Its performance is more than sufficient for the vast majority of users, its ergonomics are superb, and its 120Hz QHD display is an absolute joy to use every single day.

The soldered RAM is a genuine drawback, and the audio is merely adequate. The confusing regional configurations are also an unnecessary frustration. Yet, these issues are overshadowed by its killer feature: the ability to transform into a standalone monitor. This single piece of ingenuity gives the Yoga AiO 27 a longevity and value that few of its competitors can match. It’s an investment in a great PC for today and a fantastic monitor for all your devices tomorrow. For anyone looking to create a powerful, minimalist, and supremely versatile desk setup, the Lenovo Yoga AiO 27 isn’t just a good choice; it’s one of the best you can make.

Source: https://www.techradar.com