You don’t have to grope your way through the interior of a big tower to disconnect cables, etc. It cleverly opens up like a clamshell without using any tools and because it’s a small case, the components are immediately accessible. The M90p was just about perfect in this regard, so we have little issue with the M91p recycling its design.
The optical mouse has a generic, inoffensive symmetrical shape suitable for both lefties and righties.Īn important aspect to consider when choosing an office PC is how convenient the machine is to service. The keyboard included has a standard layout with soft, springy keys. Powering the system is a bulky 150W, 19.5V AC adapter with a class V efficiency rating (87% between 49W and 250W). Rear ports: AC power, DisplayPort, VGA, 6 x USB 2.0, RJ45 (Intel gigabit ethernet), audio. It’s also superior to most laptop/tablet speakers we’ve encountered. The sound quality is a little tinny and it crackles at high volume levels, but overall it’s an adequate substitute for cheap desktop speakers. There are two intake vents with the larger one being home to a built-in speaker. There are small rubber feet on the bottom and side so the M91p can stand vertically to save floor/desk space. As the case is fairly compact there is room for only a single optical drive and hard disk, and one low profile PCI expansion card.Įxposed at the front of the case is a standard size DVD burner, a pair of USB 2.0 ports, mic and line-out jacks, and a large concave power button. The Lenovo ThinkCentre M91p’s shell is the same as the M90p, measuring 27.5 x 23.8 x 7.9 cm or 10.8 x 9.4 x 3.1 inches (L x W x H) and weighing 4.2 kg (9.2 lb). Noticeably absent from the specifications are features like eSATA and USB 3.0, surprising as the latter is standard on most Sandy Bridge boards. It’s also a highly coveted chip that is not available in retail channels. The i5-2500S in particular is a big step up, capable of hitting 3.7 GHz with Turbo Boost (the i5-2400S can only reach 3.3 GHz). The base model of the M91p has an i5-2400S processor, 2GB of RAM, and a 250GB hard drive, so our sample’s configuration is a substantial upgraded. Note: Component upgrades over the base configuration in bold. There’s an internal speaker as well so all you need to get it running is a display. Like most proper pre-built PCs, the machine ships with a simple mouse and keyboard. Small desktops are typically powered by internal FlexATX units which aren’t as efficient, generate noise, and take up valuable space inside the chassis. The motherboard is also based on the Q67 chipset which supports advanced security and management features like Intel’s vPro and AMT (Active Management Technology) as it’s important to be able to lock things down on a business PC.Īs the M91p is equipped with a 65W processor and lacks discrete graphics, the provided external 150W AC adapter is sufficient to run the entire system. Energy efficiency is a big selling point for corporate PCs as even a small power savings can be significant if there are a high number of systems in operation. As the M90p used dual core Clarkdale CPUs, the M91p is more powerful but doesn’t increase the energy footprint. Not only does the USFF M91p utilize Sandy Bridge processors, they belong to Intel’s "S" line, low power quad core chips with a TDP of just 65W. The hardware inside is also impressive, not compromising on performance despite the diminutive size. It takes up less than one square foot of space when placed horizontally and is only about three inches thick. While its appearance is mind-numbingly dull compared to the many sleek home computers marketed to regular consumers, its dimensions are appealing to all. Like most PCs built for commercial use, it has a boxy no-nonsense shape with a matte black finish, giving off the impression that absolutely no fun is on the agenda. If the USFF version of the M91p looks familiar, it’s probably because they’ve recycled the case from last generation’s model, the M90p (the even older M58p also had a similar chassis). The ultra-small form factor ThinkCentre M91p box. To suit specific needs it actually comes in three different forms, a traditional bulky microATX tower, a slimmer low profile case, and an even tinier ultra-small form factor enclosure. For the white collar masses who find themselves chained to desks and cubicles for much of the day, there is the ThinkCentre series, with the M91p being the current flagship model. Their ThinkPad line is particularly famous for its Spartan qualities that appealed to both business and home users alike. Through the years Lenovo (formerly IBM) has developed a reputation for rock solid personal computer systems. Lenovo ThinkCentre M91p Ultra-small Desktop PC Utilizing an Intel “S” low power processor and a 150W external AC power adapter, it’s also incredibly energy efficient. The USFF version of Lenovo’s ThinkCentre M91p packs a significant punch in a small package.