The Lenovo ThinkCentre M920q is a popular mini PC that falls into the “TinyMiniMicro” category — a class of ultra-compact desktop computers with a volume of around 1 liter.This comparative analysis brings together findings from professional reviews and customer feedback to offer a well-rounded picture of the device.
Overview and Value for Money
Professional Reviews: The M920q is a next-generation “Tiny” PC that offers great value, particularly considering its components: Intel Core i5-8500T CPU, 16GB RAM, 256GB NVMe SSD, and a Windows 10 Pro license (which alone adds significant value). Compared to previous models like the M900 Tiny, it represents a clear upgrade. While it can't quite match brand-new systems, reviews suggest it's still a great deal.
Customer Reviews: Most customers praise the price-to-performance ratio, frequently noting that it “delivers great computing power for the price” or calling it “a fantastic device for little money.” For refurbished models, the lower cost is often the main selling point, even if there are minor cosmetic imperfections.
Performance and Usability
Professional Reviews: The tested configuration (Intel Core i5-8500T 6-core CPU, also available with i3 or i7 options) is considered powerful, especially for office tasks and general everyday use. The 16GB of RAM is sufficient, though reviewers recommend upgrading to 32GB with an additional SODIMM module. The NVMe SSD ensures fast boot and data access. The system is expandable up to 64GB of RAM, and the PCIe slot can support add-ons like a 4-port NIC or Thunderbolt 3 card.
Customer Reviews: Most users are satisfied with the performance, mentioning fast operation, quick startup thanks to the SSD, and suitability for both home and office use. Some say it's fast enough for software development, amateur photo editing, browsing, and watching movies. Descriptions like “turbo speed” and “super fast” are common. Some even use it for gaming and report good results.
From personal experience, I can confirm it’s ideal for home use. Its gaming capability is limited due to the integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630, making it best suited for older games. However, it is possible to install a more modern GPU with some modifications, as demonstrated in various YouTube tutorials. I also ran Geekbench 6:
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Windows 10: Single-core 1147, Multi-core 4306
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Linux Mint 22.1: Single-core 1269, Multi-core 5000
Linux support is excellent. I’d recommend this over a Raspberry Pi for home server tasks—it offers far better performance at a similar cost.
Design and Appearance
Professional Reviews: The M920q continues the compact 1-liter design of the ThinkCentre Tiny series. Reviews highlight the high build quality and improved serviceability compared to the M900 Tiny. The tool-less design (for 2.5" drives and M.2 SSDs) is a major plus, especially when managing multiple units.
Customer Reviews: Opinions on appearance vary with refurbished models. While many accept minor wear and scratches, some users complain about heavy cosmetic damage. Phrases like “completely scratched” or “damaged” appear in some reviews. However, the compact size is often praised for easy storage. The case is generally described as “sturdy” and “practical.”
My own experience was entirely positive. I bought mine on eBay from a company that leases them to institutions like banks and hospitals, then resells them after contracts end. My unit arrived in excellent condition, with no visible wear. Based on this, I recommend buying from a reputable source—if a machine looks rough on the outside, it might not be in great shape inside either. Upon unboxing, I was struck by its solid, durable build, which is reflected in its weight, rugged design, and military-grade certification.
Ports and Connectivity
Professional Reviews: The front panel features two USB 3.1 Gen1 ports (one Type-A, one Type-C), plus headset and mic jacks. The back offers DisplayPort and HDMI, four USB 3 Type-A ports (two Gen1, two Gen2), and a 1GbE network port (Intel i219 NIC with vPro). The inclusion of USB 3.1 Gen2 (10Gbps) is a welcome upgrade. The Wi-Fi antenna slot is often empty, so if wireless is required, users should either buy an add-on card and antenna or look for preconfigured models.
Customer Reviews: Connectivity generally meets expectations. Some users mention issues like non-functioning HDMI adapters or missing accessories (e.g., keyboard, mouse, or power cable), increasing setup costs. One reviewer noted the connector cable wasn’t included. However, some expectations may be unrealistic, as accessories are not always bundled with refurbished units.
Expandability and Maintenance
Professional Reviews: The M920q scores high for expandability and maintenance. Its tool-less internal design simplifies upgrading RAM, SSDs, or hard drives. The 2.5" drive tray and M.2 SSD slot are easily accessible.
Customer Reviews: Some customers reported finding loose internal components, suggesting inconsistent quality control during refurbishment. This sometimes required users to reseat parts themselves. While some found setup easy, others experienced software installation issues (e.g., with Microsoft Office). Personally, I encountered no issues installing either Windows or Linux Mint.
Noise and Cooling
Professional Reviews: The upper part of the chassis is dedicated to CPU cooling, which enables effective heat dissipation and stable operation.
Customer Reviews: Quiet operation is frequently praised. Many users say it’s “almost silent” or “very fast and quiet.” However, a few report that the fan can become loud under heavy load, comparing it to a “jet engine.”
From personal use, I’ve found that the fan gets very loud under heavy load, particularly in Windows. During a Geekbench run on Windows, the fan was extremely noisy. On Linux Mint, however, the same test caused only a brief burst of fan noise for 1–2 seconds. Interestingly, Linux delivered higher benchmark scores, likely due to better driver support. If used in a high-load environment, expect some noise. But for average office tasks, it remains practically silent.
Summary
Professional tests and user experiences agree: the Lenovo ThinkCentre M920q Mini PC is a compact, capable, and versatile machine, especially well-suited for office and home use. Its strong performance, low noise, and high expandability make it a great value—particularly in refurbished condition.
That said, refurbished units can vary in cosmetic condition and quality control, with some reports of scratches, missing components, or assembly issues.
Before buying:
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Carefully check the seller and warranty.
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Be aware that refurbished units may have minor cosmetic flaws or require setup tweaks.
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If Wi-Fi is a must, choose a unit that includes it or be prepared for extra costs.
Verdict:If purchased from a reliable source, and with the right expectations, the Lenovo ThinkCentre M920q is an excellent choice for everyday computing needs.
