IT Pro Verdict
It’s a solid if modest business PC that will sate the needs of most offices, its environmental credentials give it a boost over the competition – if that’s what you’re after – and it’s got an extremely generous warranty. Bear in mind, though, that similarly specified machines can be had for virtually half the price if you shop around.
Sheffield-based VeryPC has carved itself a profitable niche in the British PC market by offering bespoke business computers with an environmental bent. The latest revision of its Broadleaf range of models aims to continue this tradition.
The new BLD5430-B-80S sees changes from previous Broadleaf systems. It's wider, shorter and longer, and now looks more like a TV set-top box than a small form factor PC although VeryPC has been careful to retain its hallmark matte black finish, curved edges and distinctive "Made in Sheffield" branding.
One thing that hasn't changed are the green credentials and ethical approach to manufacturing. VeryPC has offset the carbon used to produce the Broadleaf, its packaging is recyclable and there are no potentially toxic materials used in its construction.
On the inside, the choice of Intel Core i3-2120 processor makes for extremely efficient operation and VeryPC has made some tweaks of its own to further optimise energy consumption.
Most of these are made in the BIOS. The system's fan and temperature settings have been tweaked for more efficient operation, the wake-on-LAN option has been disabled so that power isn't consumed when the PC isn't being actively used and the sleep states have been optimised.
The Broadleaf's metal wrap-around case can be slid off in one smooth motion once a couple of screws on the back panel are removed, leaving many of the internal components easily accessible.
Three of the four DIMM sockets are vacant and will accept an additional 28GB of DDR3 RAM, and two SATA ports are available for storage expansion. The three PC Express and one PCI expansion slots are all vacant, too though the Broadleaf's case can only accept half-height cards.
