Dell vs. Lenovo micros - Fight!

[HCHTech]

Misleading headline - Lenovo wins hands down.

I have a client that insists for no defendable reason that all of their setups be identical. They are currently using Dell Optiplex 70x0 micros, with dual 27" Dell Ultrasharps, and I just installed one yesterday. Nice setup, but when you compare it to the same solution using Lenovo's Tiny-in-One stuff, it is SO MUCH more cumbersome & messy.

Lenovo has the Specific Tiny-in-one monitor made for this purpose, which has a physical connection to the little computer that slides into the mounting slot. This lets the power button for that monitor function as the power button for the computer, which saves a connection. This monitor also comes with built-in speakers and webcam, which saves an additional 2 connections. It also automatically lights up the USB ports on the monitor itself, saving 1 connection. The computer itself has 6 total USB-A connections, 4 on the back and 2 on the front, plus a USB-C connection on the front - 7 total connections for peripherals. In this setup, we're using wired keyboard & mouse, so we used a total of 4 connections (Keyboard, mouse, printer & one to light up the USB ports on the 2nd monitor. This leaves 3 unused USB ports on the computer itself and the USB ports built into the monitors as well (3 each). 9 available USB ports for future expansion. The computer also has built-in wifi - not typically needed, but a plus.

The Dell setup for this makes you buy regular monitors, and a separate replacement stand for one of them that has mounting hardware for the computer. The latest version doesn't have a slot the computer slides into, but instead four keyhole slots that the computer hangs by, once you screw in the specialty screws onto the side of the computer. It's not a tight fit, so it wobbles and just feels cheaply done and not secure.

Because the monitors don't have built-in webcams or speakers, you have to buy those separately and connect them with individual USB cables to the computer. The computer itself has 4 USB-A connections on the back and 2 on the front. No USB-C. 6 total connections for peripherals. In our setup, we used 2 for keyboard and mouse, one to light up the USB ports on the 1st monitor and one to light up the ports on the 2nd monitor, 1 for the printer, 1 for the webcam and 1 for the speaker bar. That's a total of 7 connections - the speaker goes into one of the monitor USB ports, so that means all 6 of the computer ports are taken. The monitors have 3 USB-A ports and a USB-C port. That's 6 total USB-A (minus 1 for the speakerbar) = 5 available, plus 2 USB-C available. 7 total USB ports available for future expansion.

Lastly, I couldn't get daisy-chaining working for the 2nd monitor using Displayport, so had to fall back to HDMI since the computer only had one DP connection. The HDMI connection for this computer is limited to 1920x1080, so I have one monitor at 2560x1440 and one at 1920x1080. Not fatal, just a disappointment. Finally, no built-in wifi on the Dell units.

So in the end, it's working, but way too many cables for my taste and it just feels cheaper, despite being more expensive than the Lenovo option. I'll definitely be sticking with the Lenovo solution for my recommended setups.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

I've done/installed/etc Dell, HP, and Lenovo...and yeah the Lenovo "Tiny" setup wins hands down for me too. We really don't do HP computers anymore, and one of our guys just uses their servers. And one of our guys is an all Dell guy.

 

[mmerry]

There are some cases where you cannot use Lenovo. My day job has DoD requirements limiting what we can use. Lenovo would be off the list.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

There are some cases where you cannot use Lenovo. My day job has DoD requirements limiting what we can use. Lenovo would be off the list.

There was a very brief period back in 2005 when "the change" happened...but it never got put down on paper.
I am not aware of any official "list of do not use Lenovo". We have CMMC clients.

Long Reddit thread about the mis-understandings here...as recent as a year in conversation.

https://www.reddit.com/r/CMMC/comments/1ae1c7s/hardware_requirments

I've seen chatter about Supermicro servers, HP servers...all possibly having "chips" on their system boards that phoned home. But then as the investigation goes on, it was found that they were...from..alternate supply chains, possibly parts got swapped by bad actors.

Long story short, even though some Lenovo computers are made in Mexico, Brazil, Hungary, or India, or...as most of their ThinkCentre desktops and servers and other rack products sold in the US.....made in North Carolina...yes much of their components may come from China. But then..same with Dell or HP. Even any "brand" of computer that claims to be "assembled in the USA"...many components are still "from China".

In 2007 (after the 2005 problem from the supply chain)...Lenovo worked hard to gain our US Gov't trust. With a very transparent "supply chain security program"..and "trusted device setup" components.

US Government | Lenovo Tech Today US

Agencies need dependable solutions that balance transformational new ideas against traditional priorities. Lenovo’s broad product portfolio, deep expertise, and relentless focus on innovation that matters make us the ideal technology partner for this important work.

techtoday.lenovo.com

I've yet to see an official actual document that clearly states...do not use Lenovo. I've only seen a few telecomm and camera companies from China banned..like Huawei, and ZTE, Hikvision.

 

[timeshifter]

Intriguing. I like how that all goes together and it sounds like putting together an equivalent Dell would be a mess. Care to share links or specific models of the Tiny PC and the related monitors you're using?

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

These are the current TinyPC models...."M Series Tiny"

https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/d/thinkcentre-m-series-tiny/?srsltid=AfmBOorpWi0WYleBtaNditBZrr6tr_etnJjbttS5TNsOx83BShve8IqO

M75q is AMD powered
M70q is Intel powered
M90q has some expansion slot options...

There are also "TinyStations"...the professional graphics models (CAD, etc).. They pick up where the M90q left off. I use a prior model at my office the TinyStation P350. nVidia Quadro graphics with 4x mini display ports to powered my 4 monitors.
Like the P3 Tiny

https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/p/workstations/thinkstation-p-series/thinkstation-p3-tiny-workstation/len102s0015

Lenovo makes some special monitors for the TinyPCs...they have a "garage" in the back that you slide the TinyPC into, to make it an "all in one computer". Has the power and HDMI ports that line right up with the back of the Tiny when you slide it in, so it powers, pulls graphics, peripherals. Far less cables used, nice 'n neat.
22, 24, and 27" models.

https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/dc/accessories-and-software/monitors?sortBy=bestSelling&visibleDatas=706%3ATiny-in-One&IPromoID=LEN301658

Lenovo also sells "matching" non-TIO monitors....to run as secondary monitors so you have matching screens side by side.

The TinyPC is also just fine by itself...sitting on the desktop...either horizontal, or they come with a little stand so it can sit on its side.
Very versatile computer, love 'em!

 

[HCHTech]

As @YeOldeStonecat noted, you can also use them by themselves. We use them whenever we need a dedicated box for something that doesn't require a standard setup. We run them headless in the network closet / server room in several client locations. We setup 5 of them on a shelf for an accountant customer this year, used for remote workers - they run Quickbooks, ProSeries & ProSystems. The whole setup takes barely more than a single square foot of space.

We also have a mechanics shop that has 3 of them mounted to the underside of the front counter. They didn't want them on the back of the monitors right there where the customers walk up. They are very versatile.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Yup, here is mine at my office desk...(P340)

 

[fincoder]

Lenovo's Tiny-in-One stuff

They're great, and I've installed some for my very small business clients. For these customers though, they can be a bit pricey. There isn't a whole lot of benefit over a commercial-grade All-In-One PC which can be cheaper.

 

[HCHTech]

There isn't a whole lot of benefit over a commercial-grade All-In-One PC which can be cheaper.

The benefit over a standard all-in-one is ease of repair and ease of upgrades, and that can be hard to communicate to smaller clients. When they won't bite on these, I go down to a separate monitor and desktop since I really hate standard all-in-ones and have no trouble telling folks why that is - haha.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

The benefit over a standard all-in-one is ease of repair and ease of upgrades, and that can be hard to communicate to smaller clients. When they won't bite on these, I go down to a separate monitor and desktop since I really hate standard all-in-ones and have no trouble telling folks why that is - haha.

Yup...huge advantages
*The tools to keep them updated as far as BIOS/driver/firmware from the vendor....like Dell Command, or Lenovo Vantage. They usually have support from most RMMs to plug into that, automate so much.
*Premier support, next day onsite or at least next day delivery of warranty parts, sometimes 4x hour if you want (like with servers). No spending HOURS or DAYS trying to get support from low grade overseas support like most "residential/consumer grade" computers
*Clean images with biz grade...less "bloat-trial-ware" to have to spend time cleaning up, or re-imaging.
*Better stability, more quality
*Ease of taking them apart if necessary, to swap parts. Standardized parts...long production batches, bigger batches of parts made for warranty replacements, much higher chance of getting parts down the line.

If clients don't have the budget for "brand new" biz grade, I'll push for "factory refurb" biz grade. Even for myself, I'll take a factory refurb biz grade computer over a brand spanking new consumer grade model any day of the week!!!

 

[fincoder]

Yup...huge advantages
*

Did you miss the words "commercial-grade" when I mentioned AIOs? All your points apply to them, even to a large extent the serviceability point.

The benefit over a standard all-in-one is ease of repair and ease of upgrades

The only benefit is the ability to replace the computer bit separately from the screen, and adding secondary storage, which is why I said there isn't a whole lot of benefit.

Micro-businesses keep their PCs longer before replacement, so the benefit of changing the PC in the Tiny-In-One monitor isn't much. For larger businesses I can absolutely see the benefit.