Lenovo ThinkCentre M75q Tiny 1lt Desktop: Ryzen 5 Pro 4650GE, 16GB DDR4, 512GB PCIe SSD, Win10Pro @ $534 + F/S

Quote from CompulsiveBuyer : You asked for a comparable notebook, I provided one. You replied with "Seriously? I take it you've never worked professionally in any kind of IT service/management. Similarly equipped, to me, doesn't just mean a roughly comparable CPU, similar RAM and similar HD/SSD." What were you expecting when you asked for a comparable notebook? One that is shaped in the form of a desktop? That's the part I'm confused about. If the notebook form-factor is a disqualifying attribute for the use case you're now focusing on then why even ask about a comparable notebook? Were you just expecting I wouldn't be able to find one? The notebook I listed can run two monitors. If you want to run more then a notebook with TB3 could be considered, such as this one with two TB4 ports. Since you're talking about IT departments, many have volume/corporate W10PRO licenses.

I see these computers all over the place at work, they're extremely compact (more so than a notebook), some are used to display upcoming appointments, patient queues, patient lists, bus shuttle schedule, essential information but nothing power hungry. I also see the smaller form factor computers, but that's where there is more space.

Someone did mention these can be placed (hidden) behind a monitor or TV. But I mainly think it's because of the size. These are excellent in a hospital ER setting where space is already critical.

Quote from Suryasis : Dude, you're now just trying to force your feelings on top of everything. And "I used to run an IT Farm" to justify everything is not gonna cut here.

I was asked if I've ever worked in a professional IT department and I answered that I had. I didn't volunteer the information, so I'm perplexed why you believe I'm using that information to justify anything in my reply.

Quote from Suryasis : You really never worked on a professional software Farm where literally every Desktops are either these Tiny series or the SFF series and not only Lenovo but Dell, Asus all make these kind of Mini PCs for Business. They are not idiots to produce those devices in bulk if there are no use cases according to you. Now regarding your suggestion about using a Consumer Laptop on Business has several drawbacks which you should be knowing from your IT Farm running experience. You won't get any premium Business Support for your farm if you start buying consumer Laptops. This is a huge thing for an IT Farm to operate smoothly. Normally companies buy these PCs in bulk and they get a lot more discount compared to a Consumer product. Most people in professional Farms (Farms don't mean they are IT farm), use a big screen, normally 22" to 24" monitors and don't work on a puny 15.6" or 14" screen. Most of them are also not techy enough to connect the laptop via display port or HDMI port after coming to office, especially in multi-monitor setup, that can be very challenging for an average user without computer knowledge. In that case, now the company has to invest in Docking stations for Plug-&-Play solution which will increase overall cost. It is not a single device purchase but purchase for the whole department using your Laptops. Your idea of using Thunderbolt 3 dock also falls into this category because that then needs to be purchased for the whole department, increasing purchase cost + maintenance cost. In your question of space saving, a Laptop in your desk + 1 Display Port connected to your monitor + 1 Power Adapter for your Monitor + 1 Power Adapter for your Laptop, how does that look space saving to you? Now regarding these kind of mini-PCs, they normally come with compatible Monitors from the same brand, where the whole Desktop can be mounted at the back of the monitor with a single power connector, no additional display connector and just does not take any space. Lenovo ThinkVision monitors can be used with these ThickCentre Tiny PCs. There are special industrial needs where these devices need to be connected with Legacy devices, like Mainframe, Powerplan machinery interfaces, Terminals which use Serial ports. You can configure these devices with similar kind of ports while making your purchase or even buy an add-on card to configure them later for those use cases.

I've worked in corporate IT environments where there was a large mix of devices, including desktops, workstations, and notebooks. There are obviously companies who buy them otherwise they wouldn't be made.

I'm even sure why this got steered to an IT discussion in the first place. Are there really many corporate IT managers sourcing their purchases on slickdeals? I asked about why users would purchase this small desktop vs a notebook on a consumer-oriented deal-finder site, expecting to see replies from other consumers like myself. Would I go on an IT forum and ask about a consumer-targeted laptop?

Quote from CompulsiveBuyer : You asked for a comparable notebook, I provided one. You replied with "Seriously? I take it you've never worked professionally in any kind of IT service/management. Similarly equipped, to me, doesn't just mean a roughly comparable CPU, similar RAM and similar HD/SSD." What were you expecting when you asked for a comparable notebook? One that is shaped in the form of a desktop? That's the part I'm confused about. If the notebook form-factor is a disqualifying attribute for the use case you're now focusing on then why even ask about a comparable notebook? Were you just expecting I wouldn't be able to find one?

I didn't ask for a comparable notebook. Go back and reread. If you could find a comparable notebook, I think it would answer your question. If I have legacy devices, or I'm attaching it to the back of my monitor, or I'm in service where I need it small and out of the way, or I need VGA or maybe all of those or some I haven't listed or just some of those, a notebook just doesn't make sense. Not that anyone asked (I stated I assumed you didn't, as if you did you'd already know the answer). If you truly worked "professionally in any kind of IT service/management" you'd know that a one size fits all notebook doesn't always cut it.

Quote from CompulsiveBuyer : The notebook I listed can run two monitors. If you want to run more then a notebook with TB3 could be considered, such as this one with two TB4 ports. Since you're talking about IT departments, many have volume/corporate W10PRO licenses.

You're just confusing yourself now. So it can run two monitors, this Lenovo can run three. This Lenovo also has I/O not found on most current notebooks/laptops, or at least ones at this price point. Some IT departments have volume/corporate Windows pro licenses. Some have Enterprise too. Some have access to notebooks already for mobility concerns. Some need SFF PCs to be tucked out of the way and not mobile.

You're focused on a few stats, thinking what you might want is what everyone must want. Again, my first point was "depends on use case..."

Quote from CompulsiveBuyer : Seems like a good deal for a well-respected model. But can someone explain why this type of computer is preferable over a similarly-performing/equipped notebook available at a similar price?

i have one in my kitchen hooked up to a 30" monitor for leisure browsing while dining. yes, i'm a lonely non-cat gentleman.

I use these tiny box machines connected to my TVs. Gives me a lot of flexibility to use my tv as a computer screen and also primarily to use as a HTPC. I considered many laptops but it would have been a hassle for me to open the lid to turn on when I needed to turn on the computer.

I'm also using a intel nuc for my wfh setup. It works just fine and takes up minimal desk space. It sits under two monitors, right in the middle for me to turn on when I need it. Just need it to log in to my virtual pc on my work server.

This is a tempting deal. Been contemplating a Mac mini purchase for my use but this is now a viable option.

Quote from CompulsiveBuyer : I was asked if I've ever worked in a professional IT department and I answered that I had. I didn't volunteer the information, so I'm perplexed why you believe I'm using that information to justify anything in my reply. I've worked in corporate IT environments where there was a large mix of devices, including desktops, workstations, and notebooks. There are obviously companies who buy them otherwise they wouldn't be made. I'm even sure why this got steered to an IT discussion in the first place. Are there really many corporate IT managers sourcing their purchases on slickdeals? I asked about why users would purchase this small desktop vs a notebook on a consumer-oriented deal-finder site, expecting to see replies from other consumers like myself. Would I go on an IT forum and ask about a consumer-targeted laptop?

That entirely depends upon the Consumers, isn't it? Me or you can't decide what they are planning to do and if that falls under "Normal Use cases" as per you. A very basic example, a Home Computer for generalized used by elderlies or all members of the family, especially in a small apartment or where the diskspace is small. Apart from that, a lot of people I know, use these kind of mini PCs for various projects, Linux builds, Emulations, Robotics etc. because they are mainly business centric PCs, normally they get better support, drivers, bug fixes and supports for different Operating systems for longer duration of time which make them ideal for those kind of projects.
There are other use cases even for using them as powerful work machines. I can give you my example. I do have a ThinkStation M330 Tiny which is the workstation version of ThinkCentre series and has option for an entry level dedicated GPU.
I needed an small device to be placed in my home for running 3D rendering and design applications, not very demanding but basic. So, I have purchased a P330 Tiny with basic Core i5-8400T, 8GB Ram, Quadro P620 2GB GPU (Supporting Nvidia Certified Drivers) and 500GB HDD at a dirt cheap price, suing my Corporate Perk Account, around $300. I simply updated the ram to 24GB, by adding a 16GB stick and was using and added an existing 1TB NVMe SSD. When needed an upgrade, I sold the CPU and the GPU and purchased a Core i9-9900T 8C/16T CPU from eBay at $140 and an Quadro T1000 4GB card at $200, from eBay. Now, is it the most powerful thing?..no. But for my work, it is perfectly fine without requiring a lot of space or a full desktop build. This is just an example but people do a lot of stuffs using these mini PCs which don't fall under normal use cases.

Quote from CompulsiveBuyer : I used to run a small IT dept for software engineering company. How does this small desktop preserve more desk space than a notebook, for example in clamshell mode if an external monitor is preferred? Your original reply asked for a comparable notebook - I provided one - and now you've pivoted to another point. If IT use/desktop space was your primary concern then why didn't you address it in your original reply and only ask about it after I provided a comparable notebook? Just wondering.

Then you shouldn't be linking a windows home machine to compare. The upgrade alone also costs money, so your price point isn't valid

https://psref.lenovo.com/product/thinkcentre/thinkcentre_m75q_gen_2?tab=spec [lenovo.com]

7.05 x 7.2 x 1.36 / 1.5 inches with rubber feet
2.76 lbs
Expansion Slots
One M.2 slot (for WLAN)
One M.2 slot (for SSD)
Audio Chip
High Definition (HD) Audio, Realtek® ALC222 codec
Speakers
Single speaker, 1.5W x1
Up to two drives, 1x 2.5" HDD + 1x M.2 SSD
• 2.5" HDD up to 1TB
• M.2 SSD up to 1TB

Please take ur fight somewhere else. Appreciate if we can keep the discussion in this thread related to the deal posted. I came here to see what others have to say about this tiny machine but had to scroll two pages seeing 2 adults fight over

Great deal!!! Just need some deals on Lenovo ThinkVision monitors.

Quote from CompulsiveBuyer : Seems like a good deal for a well-respected model. But can someone explain why this type of computer is preferable over a similarly-performing/equipped notebook available at a similar price?

Also good for home labbing vmware proxmox etc.

At this price with ram and ssd, it's cheaper than a NUC

All the available models seem to reference the serial and VGA ports as optional, specifically:

10. Optional VGA
12. Optional Serial Port

Checking the PSREF (https://psref.lenovo.com/syspool/...2_Spec.PDF) it shows there are punchouts that can be ordered with VGA and serial ports.

So does the model referenced in this deal include those ports?

One probably should not be buying this if one have to ask how to use this configuration properly.

Quote from CompulsiveBuyer : Seems like a good deal for a well-respected model. But can someone explain why this type of computer is preferable over a similarly-performing/equipped notebook available at a similar price?

I'm not too familiar with Ryzen chips, but as an owner of one of these PC's with an Intel chip (did tons of research), these mini PC's uses higher TDP wattage chips that can run at a higher sustained wattage without going into throttle mode. For an example, a laptop could be outfitted with a i5-4300U, whilst a mini PC could have the i5-4170T. People see "4170 is less than 4300" and automatically think the 4300U is better than the 4170T, when in reality, the 4170T is plenty more powerful than the low-wattage 4300U.

How are these for noise and electricity? I was going to use my gaming laptop as an always on laptop type of thing but the fans act up doing nothing and seems to draw quite a decent amount of power. Might want to swap to these for a home server use type of thing that I don't need to connect to a monitor for anything and just remote into