Lenovo ThinkCentre Neo Series Gen 2 2025, Core Ultra 5 235 vPro, 64GB, 2TB SSD, RTX 5060, Luna Grey

The Lenovo ThinkCentre Neo Series Gen 2 is a compact mini PC that packs 64GB of DDR5, a 2TB SSD, and an RTX 5060 into a quiet 3.6kg chassis. It's a strong pick for developers, business users, and anyone who wants desktop-class performance without the tower. Just be ready to pay around $2,800 and accept that the 350W PSU limits future upgrades.

Our database puts the RAM at the 97th percentile, which means 64GB of DDR5 is basically top of the charts for this category. Storage lands at the 91st percentile, so the 2TB NVMe SSD is a standout too. The CPU sits at the 89th percentile, and that 20-core Core Ultra 5 235 vPro handles multitasking, code compilation, and photo editing without flinching. The GPU is more modest at the 79th percentile, but an RTX 5060 with 8GB of GDDR7 is still well above average for a mini PC.

In practice, this thing feels snappy. Apps open fast, large files transfer quickly, and the Thunderbolt port means you can hook up fast external storage or a dock without bottlenecking. The 350W PSU is enough for the hardware inside, though it's not leaving much headroom for future GPU upgrades. For a machine this size, the performance is impressive. It's not going to beat a full tower with a 5090, but it was never trying to.

Stacked against the Apple Mac Studio M3 Ultra, the ThinkCentre Neo takes a different path. The Mac Studio has more raw GPU muscle for creative work, but it's locked into macOS and costs significantly more. The Lenovo runs Windows 11 Pro, has an RTX 5060 for gaming, and offers Thunderbolt plus a pile of USB-A ports. For a mixed-use setup, the Lenovo is more flexible.

The Dell Aurora ACT1250 and HP OMEN GT16-0364 are traditional gaming desktops. They'll beat the ThinkCentre in sustained GPU-heavy workloads because they have bigger power supplies and better cooling. But they're loud, bulky, and look like gaming rigs. The MSI Aegis ZS2 and CLX SET are similar stories. If you want a machine that disappears into your office but still plays games at 1440p, the ThinkCentre Neo is the only one in this group that fits that bill.

At $2,809 to $2,815, the ThinkCentre Neo Ultra Gen 2 is not a budget pick. You're paying a premium for the mini form factor and the vPro business features. If you don't need the tiny chassis, a mid-tower with similar specs will cost less. But if desk space matters, or you need something that can sit behind a monitor and stay quiet, the price starts to make sense. The Apple Mac Studio M3 Ultra costs more and targets a different OS crowd. The Dell Aurora ACT1250 and HP OMEN GT16-0364 are bigger, louder, and cheaper per frame. This Lenovo is for people who value density and silence over raw price-to-performance.

The Lenovo ThinkCentre Neo Series Gen 2 sits in that interesting space where business desktops meet compact gaming rigs. We're looking at a mini PC that packs a 20-core Intel Core Ultra 5 235 vPro processor, an RTX 5060 with 8GB of GDDR7, 64GB of DDR5, and a 2TB NVMe SSD into a 3.6kg box. It's not cheap, with US listings hovering around $2,809 to $2,815, but you're paying for density here, not just raw parts.

People searching for a compact workstation that can handle serious workloads will find a lot to like. The ThinkCentre Neo Ultra Gen 2 is aimed at developers, business users, and anyone who wants a small footprint without giving up discrete graphics. It runs Windows 11 Pro out of the box, so it slots right into corporate environments or home offices without much fuss.

Is the ThinkCentre Neo good for gaming? Honestly, yes, within reason. The RTX 5060 isn't a 4K monster, but it'll chew through 1080p and most 1440p titles without breaking a sweat. And because it's a business machine first, it stays quiet while doing it. That's a combo you don't see every day.

Skip the ThinkCentre Neo Series Gen 2 if you're a serious 4K gamer or someone who wants to upgrade their GPU every couple of years. The 350W PSU and compact chassis mean you're locked into the RTX 5060 for the life of the machine. If you need more raw GPU power, look at the Dell Aurora ACT1250 or HP OMEN GT16-0364, both of which offer more headroom for less money. Also skip it if you're on a tight budget, since around $2,800 buys a lot more performance in a traditional tower. And if you're deep in the Apple ecosystem, the Mac Studio M3 Ultra is the obvious alternative, though it costs more.

Should you buy the Lenovo ThinkCentre Neo Series Gen 2? If you need a compact, quiet workstation that can also game, and you have the budget, yes. The 64GB of RAM and 2TB SSD are excellent, the CPU is strong, and the RTX 5060 is a solid performer for a mini PC. The Thunderbolt port and Wi-Fi 7 make it future-proof enough for most setups.

But there are caveats. The 3.9/5 customer rating and a couple of reports of out-of-box failures suggest Lenovo's quality control isn't perfect on this model. The weak social proof means fewer people have tested it in the wild. And the 350W PSU means you're not upgrading the GPU later. If you're okay with those trade-offs, this is one of the best compact desktops we've seen for mixed business and gaming use.