Lenovo ThinkCentre M720Q, Core i5-8400T, 8GB, 256GB SSD, Black

The Lenovo ThinkCentre M720Q is a refurbished mini desktop that handles basic productivity and streaming in a tiny package. Its 2018-era Core i5, 8GB RAM, and 256GB SSD are fine for light use but rank near the bottom of our performance database. It's a decent budget pick for simple tasks, but anyone needing more speed or storage should look at newer mini PCs.

The Core i5-8400T is a low-power chip with a 1.7GHz base clock and six cores. It's fine for Word docs, spreadsheets, video calls, and having a dozen browser tabs open. But it's a 2018 processor, and our data puts it in the 22nd percentile for CPU performance among desktops. That means most machines we track run circles around it. The 8GB of DDR4 RAM is the bare minimum for Windows 11, and it ranks in the 9th percentile. You'll feel that if you try to multitask heavily or keep too many apps open at once.

The 256GB SSD is quick for boot times and app launches, but it's small. Storage ranks in the 13th percentile, so you'll likely need external drives or cloud storage before long. The Intel UHD Graphics 630 is integrated and lands in the 8th percentile for GPU performance. It can handle video playback and light photo editing, but gaming is essentially off the table. Our gaming score for this machine is 4.9 out of 100, which is about as low as it gets. This is not a gaming PC, and no amount of settings tweaking will change that.

Compared to the HP OmniDesk M02-0234 and Dell Tower Desktop ECT1250, the M720Q trades raw performance for size. Those tower desktops typically offer newer CPUs and more RAM for similar money, but they take up way more space. The M720Q is for people who prioritize a clean desk over upgrade potential.

Against the Minisforum DeskMini UM880 Plus and GMKtec Nucbox K8 Plus, the Lenovo looks dated. Those newer mini PCs pack much faster processors and better integrated graphics, often with more RAM and storage for not much more cash. The ASUS NUC 14 Pro is in another league entirely, with modern Intel silicon and far better connectivity. The M720Q's main edge is price and the fact that it's a ThinkCentre, which carries a reputation for durability. But in raw performance, it's outclassed by every competitor on this list.

At $335 USD or $399 CAD, the M720Q is cheap for a Windows 11 Pro machine with this form factor. But you're buying refurbished hardware from 2018, and the specs reflect that. For the same money, you can sometimes find newer mini PCs with faster processors and more RAM, though they may not include Windows 11 Pro or the same build quality. The value proposition hinges on what you need: if it's a reliable little box for basic tasks and you don't mind the age, it's a reasonable deal. If you want something that'll feel snappy in three years, you might want to spend a bit more elsewhere.

The Lenovo ThinkCentre M720Q is a refurbished mini desktop aimed at families, students, and anyone who needs a basic Windows machine without the bulk of a traditional tower. It sits in the budget end of the compact PC market, with listings around $335 USD or $399 CAD depending on where you shop. The pitch is simple: a tiny box that handles schoolwork, web browsing, and streaming without eating your desk or your wallet.

Inside you get an Intel Core i5-8400T, a 6-core chip from 2018, paired with 8GB of DDR4 RAM and a 256GB SSD. That's enough for everyday productivity, but it's not going to impress anyone who pushes their hardware. Windows 11 Pro comes pre-installed, which is a nice touch for a refurb at this price, and you get Wi-Fi and Bluetooth built in.

People searching for a cheap mini PC for home office use or a small desktop for students will find the M720Q checks a lot of boxes on paper. But our database tells a more nuanced story. This machine lands in the 70th percentile for reliability, which is solid, but its performance specs rank much lower. The CPU sits at the 22nd percentile, storage at 13th, RAM at 9th, and the integrated GPU at 8th. So it's dependable, but it's not fast by modern standards.

Skip the M720Q if you do any gaming, video editing, 3D modeling, or heavy multitasking. The integrated graphics and 8GB of RAM will frustrate you quickly. It's also a poor fit if you need lots of local storage, since 256GB disappears fast with Windows 11 and a few apps. If you want a machine that'll still feel responsive in a few years, look at newer mini PCs like the Minisforum DeskMini UM880 Plus or GMKtec Nucbox K8 Plus, which offer much better performance for not much more money. And if you need USB-C connectivity, this isn't the box for you.

Should you buy the Lenovo ThinkCentre M720Q? If you need a cheap, compact Windows machine for email, web browsing, streaming, and light schoolwork, it'll do the job. The reliability is decent for a refurb, and Windows 11 Pro is a genuine plus. But you need to go in with realistic expectations. This is a 2018-era PC with entry-level specs, and it shows in everything from boot times under heavy load to storage capacity.

If you can stretch your budget by $50 to $100, you'll find mini PCs with significantly better performance and more modern features. But if the price is firm and your needs are basic, the M720Q is a serviceable little workhorse. Just don't expect it to be anything more than that.