Lenovo PCs lead the way when it comes to value for money and offering the best possible specs. And Lenovo Core i5 PCs take the lead by blending the productivity with affordability and consistent performance. But Lenovo has taken it a step further by offering the same powerful hardware inside small nano desktop PCs. The ThinkCentre M90n is a shining example that excels in almost all areas of the field.
Lenovo ThinkCentre M90n is one of the budget Core i5 PCs. It has the right specs, high-speed processor, speedy RAM and offers an ample quantity of storage. If it is the size that you are looking for, the ThinkCentre M90n takes the spotlight away from mini Lenovo PCs. But this doesn’t mean that Lenovo has cut the corner to make the M90n Nano more skeletal.
The ThinkCentre M90n Nano Desktop PC, by all means, is a powerful computer that is ideal for offices and homes. It has enough firepower, covers less space, and can handle all your workload. In fact, you may not even notice it on the desk, as it has the appearance of an external drive.
In this Lenovo ThinkCentre review, we are going to evaluate its performance under pressure. We have reviewed the design, build and functionality of this nano desktop PC in detail.
Specs sheet – Packed with firepower
Processor: Intel Core i5-8265U (8th Gen.) Quad-Core / 1.6GHz Max. Turbo Speed 3.9GHz
RAM: 8GB Storage: 256GB SSD
Graphics: Intel UHD 620 Integrated
Weight: Around 1.1lbs (0.5kg)
Dimensions: 7.05 x 3.46 x 0.87 inches
Operating System: Windows 10 Pro (64-bit)
Lenovo ThinkCentre M90n: Design
As we mentioned earlier, the ThinkCentre M90n look like an elegant external storage drive. It is so small in size that you can easily hold it in one hand. It measures 7.05 x 3.46 x 0.87 inches only and is one of the smallest Lenovo PCs. Still, Lenovo has made sure that it delivers excellent performance and can resist against harsh environments.
Lenovo ThinkCentre M90n comes in the same business black colour that has become the identity of Lenovo business PCs. The top of the M90n nano PC is charcoal grey, whereas its sides are matte black. However, Lenovo has painted the bottom panel in red to add some creativity. So, you would notice a thin red line along the bottom on all sides.
Although its chassis is plastic-made, probably to keep the price low, we found the material sturdy and rigid. This is a robust casing that has no flex issues and to our surprise, has passed MIL-STD 810G durability tests as well. It can withstand drops, shocks, and humidity as well as dust and debris.
Protection against theft
Like other top-class Lenovo PCs, the ThinkCentre M90n comes with “Trusted Platform Module” (TPM) data encryption that safeguards your data. And since it is easy to grab and place in the pocket, Lenovo has added a Kensington security lock slot on it. This prevents any possible chance of pocketing this nano desktop PC at work or during commuting.
ThinkCentre M90n Connectivity – Aplenty
One might think of not getting enough ports on Lenovo ThinkCentre M90n nano desktop PC. The idea behind this though is simple, it is too small even by nano desktop PCs standard. Surprisingly, there are enough ports on this Lenovo nano desktop PC to connect it with the peripherals.
On the front side, there is a 3.5mm combo headphone/microphone jack, a DisplayPort video output, a Type-C USB port and two Type-A USB ports. On the rear side, there is another Type-C USB port along with another pair of Type-A USB ports. Additionally, there is an Ethernet jack and DisplayPort video output on the back.
This is more than enough port selection that one would expect on such a small desktop PC. The only drawback in terms of ports is that the ThinkCentre M90n does not have an HDMI output port. However, Lenovo has covered the issue as it provides DisplayPort to HDMI and USB-C to HDMI dongles. On the bright side, all the six ports on Lenovo ThinkCentre M90n nano are USB 3.1 Gen. 2.
Wireless connectivity
Unfortunately, there is a Wi-Fi antenna on the M90n nano desktop PC due to its small size. So, to get wireless connectivity, you have to get and attach the Wi-Fi antenna on its back. However, if you use the wired Ethernet connection to connect with the web, there is already an Ethernet port for you.
Performance – Excels with good numbers
There is no doubt that size is the major selling point of Lenovo ThinkCentre M90n. However, it does not disappoint the user when it comes to productivity and work efficiency. The M90n packs tremendous hardware inside as a nano desktop PC and offers an enormous amount of firepower.
Lenovo has armed the ThinkCentre M90n with the 8th generation i5-8265U processor which is paired with 256GB SSD storage and an 8GB memory. The CPU on it is a Quad-Core Intel i5 that could deliver a click speed range from 1.6GHz to 3.9GHz. Furthermore, the operating system installed on it is the Windows 10 Pro (64-bit) which offer additional business features to the professionals.
Speaking of performance, Lenovo has built this nano desktop PC keeping in mind the needs of professionals. And the specs on the M90n back this thought, making it a small powerhouse and a great workstation. We evaluate its performance by using it for office-centric tasks, such as web browsing, spreadsheeting, word processing, presentations, and videoconferencing.
Moreover, we tested it against the PCMark 10 benchmark to evaluate and compare its performance with other Core i5 PCs. Lenovo ThinkCentre M90n delivered a score of 3675 on this test which we found satisfactory. Considering the fact that the ideal score for Core i5 PCs is 4000 points, this is an exceptional performance from a nano desktop PC.
Final Verdict – worth the price
The ThinkCentre M90n is an excellent choice from the range of Lenovo PCs. If you are looking for a small desktop PC but don’t want to compromise on productivity, the M90n is an ideal pick among the Lenovo Core i5 PCs. You can also check out similar models from other top brands at Laptop Outlet.