Lenovo ThinkCentre vs Mac Mini: Difference and Comparison

Once there was a need to buy a laptop computer for work so that you could take it home from the office. To solve this problem, laptops were previously used. Batteries lost their capacity rather quickly from regular connection to the network, as a result, the expensive device lost its autonomy after 3-5 years.

It is quite difficult to buy a new laptop battery, which would not be worse than the one originally installed. That is why mini laptop models were created. In this review, find more details about these two models –  Lenovo ThinkCentre and Mac Mini.

Key Takeaways

1. Lenovo ThinkCentre is a Windows-based small form factor desktop computer, while Mac Mini is a compact computer running macOS.
2. ThinkCentre offers more configuration options and better upgradeability than the Mac Mini.
3. Mac Mini tends to have a higher starting price but is known for its sleek design and ecosystem integration with other Apple products.

Lenovo ThinkCentre vs Mac Mini

Lenovo ThinkCentre is known for its quality of using less space. It contains multiple USB ports from which different devices can be connected to it. A USB port for headphones is also available. Mac mini provides an 8-core graphics processor. It provides the best features for picture editing and video rendering.

For the ThinkCentre models, the manufacturer offers, in general, a typical office computer / thin client application, focusing mainly on saving space. You do not lose the opportunity to use such a computer as a stand-alone desktop, including for professional tasks under Windows 10 Pro.

It saves a lot of space even in a traditional desktop location, and there are a variety of options for usage, such as hanging behind the monitor or on the wall.

On the other hand, the Mac mini is the youngest member of the Mac family and the cheapest among Apple computers. The Mac mini lives up to its name and weighs only 1.3 kg. It is also not much larger than some iPhones. The height of the cover is also small – only 3.6 cm. Therefore, carrying this minicomputer in a backpack or purse will not be a problem.

Comparison Table

Parameters of Comparison	Lenovo ThinkCentre	Mac Mini
Processor	Intel Core i3-8145U	Intel Core i5-8257U
RAM	8GB	8GB
Network interfaces	Wi-Fi 802.11ac (Intel Wireless-AC 9560)	Wi-Fi 802.11a/g/n/ac (2.4/5 GHz)
Dimensions	9(D)×18(W)×2.5(H) cm	197×197×36 mm
Weight	1kg	1.3kg

What is Lenovo ThinkCentre?

The main feature of the Lenovo ThinkCentre case is its impressive compactness. And it seems that if it were not for the need to place a lot of interface connectors on the case, these computers could be even smaller. Such a 0.35-litre device can be hidden not only behind the monitor but practically anywhere, for which the set includes certain mountings (on the rack, on the wall, on the rail) – it is necessary to specify when ordering.

Thanks to the abundance of USB ports, you can connect almost any peripheral to the computer, especially if you start by connecting the docking station to the USB Type-C connector. Note: All USB ports on the chassis (and there are many: 3 in the front and 3 in the back – two Type-A and one Type-C) are USB 3.1 (USB 3.2 Gen2) standard and provide 10Gb/s data transfer rate. 

In addition to USB on the front, there’s a minijack for headphones or headset; on the back, there’s a power outlet, DisplayPort output, and a jack for an external power supply. The USB Type-C port can also be used to output images to a monitor (and to draw power from the monitor).

The ThinkCentre models have exactly the same case, but the top cover is a big radiator that almost doubles the height and weight of the device. Due to improved passive heat dissipation, the 11AH000QRU does without a fan inside.

What is Mac Mini?

The format of the compact computer is simple to the extreme: you need a display and controls. It is important to recall that this year, the developer introduced to the public at once three devices running on the latest M1 processor: the current device itself.  With a weight of only 1,” the dimensions are 197×197×36 mm.

In terms of choice of specifications – there are 2 of them available, which differ in the capacity of the file storage device (SSD): 256 and 512 GB. If we are talking about ordering directly from the official Apple website, then there is an opportunity to increase the SSD to 1 and even 2TB and RAM from 8GB to 16 GB. For some people, this increase in internal space can be decisive for large projects and more demanding “software”.

It is paired with an 8-core graphics processor on the same chip. Compared to the other models, Apple promises significantly better performance for video rendering, image editing, and even gaming.

Main Differences Between Lenovo ThinkCentre and Mac Mini

Lenovo ThinkCentre

1. The size of Lenovo ThinkCentre is comparable to an ordinary book while weighing just over one kilogram and being almost silent;
2. It can be set vertically, put horizontally, hang behind the monitor on a stand using VESA standard fasteners, and even on the wall, and if a little tricky, even under the ceiling. 
3. The most important ports are placed on the front panel: a headphone jack, a microphone jack, and two USB ports (one of them is USB 3.0 and designed for charging power-consuming devices such as smartphones, tablets, and power-supply banks).
4. Three more USB ports are located on the back;
5. There is a jack for a wired Ethernet network.

Mac Mini

1. It is cheaper than all Apple computers, yet more powerful than many of them.
2. The design is really strict and concise.
3. The LED indicator is always on when the computer is on.
4. It is very light – only 1.3 kg. 
5. Better performance for video rendering, image editing, and even gaming.