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Any of you run a Lenovo Tiny M900 PC ?................

64.150.209.38
Posted on January 1, 2017 at 14:34:11
Cut-Throat
Audiophile

Posts: 18286
Location: Minneapolis - St.Paul Area
Joined: September 2, 2000
Contributor
  Since: May 16, 2021
 I have moved all of my storage to a NAS, which is working very well...

Now looking at my Tower PC and replace it with a Small Form Factor PC such as the Tiny M900 Lenovo.

Wondering if any of you have tried this PC and what your experiences have been.



 

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RE: Any of you run a Lenovo Tiny M900 PC ?................, posted on January 2, 2017 at 03:43:44
RadioWonder
Audiophile

Posts: 1236
Location: Arizona
Joined: March 16, 2003
 Just saw this informative video on YouTube...

I would be also interested...

 

RE: Any of you run a Lenovo Tiny M900 PC ?................, posted on January 2, 2017 at 10:31:45
AbeCollins
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 They've had a few generations of these 'tiny' M900 units for a while now. I'm wondering if there's a newer generation on the horizon.

In any case, I put together the Intel i5 configuration with 16GB RAM on their website and it came out to $710 with the base 500GB 7200rpm hard disk. You can add SSD but of course the price goes up. You also have to be careful to add Wifi and whatever display output type you want as they appear to be optional. You can choose VGA, Display Port, HDMI. I picked HDMI.



 

RE: Any of you run a Lenovo Tiny M900 PC ?................, posted on January 2, 2017 at 12:06:58
Cut-Throat
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Posts: 18286
Location: Minneapolis - St.Paul Area
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  Since: May 16, 2021

Yes, I have been playing with their configuration tool for a few days now. Originally, I had thought the same thing about the Display Port, HDMI, VGA etc..... But after some research, I believe that the standard configuration includes 2 DP ports and 3 USB ports on the rear of the unit.

The optional choice port choice on the Configurator is for having a 3rd DP port or an HDMI port or a VGA port. I have read some reviews on this unit and somewhere I read that it would support 3 monitors using DP port.

I also believe that the Wireless is standard..... And the Optional Choice in this case is for the Bluetooth.

The picture I have attached is what I believe to be a Standard Configuration. Which includes 2 DP ports and 4 USB Ports on the rear. It is a bit confusing. I am looking at the i7 Processor and a SS Drive, which comes in around $900 or so..




 

RE: Any of you run a Lenovo Tiny M900 PC ?................, posted on January 2, 2017 at 12:14:33
AbeCollins
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  Since: February 2, 2002
You might be right about the display options but I thought I checked a box for Wifi so I didn't think it was included. I may have missed Bluetooth as I don't recall seeing a check box option for it.

In any case you just have be certain of what is standard and what is optional.

I also saw that you can choose Windows 10, 10 Pro, or Windows 7 and the highest cost OS was Windows 7.



 

Mac Mini?, posted on January 2, 2017 at 12:15:34
Charlie8521
Audiophile

Posts: 914
Location: South East Michigan
Joined: October 2, 2004
 Why not just buy a Mac Mini. Good to go as it stands and I think they are at a similar price. Plus they always just run. I never have any issues with my two Mini's. Jury is out though if they are going to be updating it or discontinuing it.

 

RE: Any of you run a Lenovo Tiny M900 PC ?................, posted on January 2, 2017 at 12:29:33
Cut-Throat
Audiophile

Posts: 18286
Location: Minneapolis - St.Paul Area
Joined: September 2, 2000
Contributor
  Since: May 16, 2021
 Yes, it is a bit confusing and you may be right about the Wifi. I think you get Bluetooth when you opt for the Wireless. I would use the Bluetooth, but probably not the Wireless, as I'll always have Ethernet.

And I would definitely confirm the details via the Chat with the Sales Rep at order time......

Anyway, I do like the idea of no Hard Drives, Loud Power supplies and Noisy Fans in my Den.... Plus No Tower either.



 

RE: Mac Mini?, posted on January 2, 2017 at 12:36:24
Cut-Throat
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  Since: May 16, 2021
 Researched it, but for the reasons on this Apple Forum thread, I decided in favor of the Lenovo M900 Tiny.



 

RE: Mac Mini?, posted on January 2, 2017 at 13:29:00
AbeCollins
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Location: USA
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 This is the age old debate that comes up all the time. I say run what best suits your desires.

You'll find pluses and minuses mentioned in various forums for and against Mac Mini vs other tiny computers. Mac Mini in different iterations have been around for at least a decade now (since 2005 I think). Lenovo and others have caught on that people do appreciate tiny form factor computers.

However, by the time you pile on the PC options that come standard on Mac Mini, the myth that the Mini is more expensive is quickly debunked. I discovered this in configuring the Lenovo M900 (and others in the past).

I prefer Mac OS over Windows so that is my reason for running the Mac Mini as my music server. But Macs can also run Windows natively so there's that option if I ever have the desire.



 

Great thread, posted on January 3, 2017 at 10:56:24
Charlie8521
Audiophile

Posts: 914
Location: South East Michigan
Joined: October 2, 2004
 Cut-Throat, enjoyed reading the thread you referenced. I'm in no hurry so I'm still hoping Apple will upgrade the Mac Mini in 2017. The only thing that catches my interest is the Raspberry pi3, which I would have to figure out if it can do what I want, which is strictly audio streaming from internet sources like Spotify, Internet TV sources like ABC and CBS, Blue Tooth mouse & keyboard control, monitor.

 

RE: Great thread, posted on January 3, 2017 at 12:37:48
Cut-Throat
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Location: Minneapolis - St.Paul Area
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  Since: May 16, 2021
 Yes, the RPi 3 can do all the things you want and it is cheap to boot.... I bought 5 of them and took 1 here to the Bahamas for the winter, so that I get my Spotify, Internet Radio and can plan my Music Library as well..... They are very easy to set up now with PiCorePlayer. Just follow the instructions on the below link.

You could buy a RPi 3 for around $35, A Digi+ Board from HifiBerry for Digitial Outputs for around $35 and a Case for another $10 to $15, and a Power Supply for another $10..... Less than $100......Very cheap in the Audio World....




 

RE: Mac Mini?, posted on January 4, 2017 at 00:11:35
Bob Stern
Audiophile

Posts: 391
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: August 28, 2001
 2012 was the last generation of the Mini that had a quad-core i7 configuration option. Perhaps you can find a used one on CraigsList.

 

How have you helped ?, posted on January 4, 2017 at 02:31:34
fmak
Audiophile

Posts: 13158
Location: Kent
Joined: June 1, 2002
 It seems that you have plenty of time to do a mock purchase, without feeding back any real experience of the product.

 

Mac Mini upgrade possibly coming in 2017, posted on January 4, 2017 at 09:01:31
Charlie8521
Audiophile

Posts: 914
Location: South East Michigan
Joined: October 2, 2004
 If interested, see Intel's announcement from CES in the URL link below. Hope it happens.

 

RE: Mac Mini upgrade possibly coming in 2017, posted on January 4, 2017 at 09:18:45
Cut-Throat
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Location: Minneapolis - St.Paul Area
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  Since: May 16, 2021
 If it comes out, and if it looks good, I'll buy one! ...... Computers are cheap (Especially when compared to hi-end Audio). So, I will probably buy a Lenovo M900 Tiny when I get back from the Bahamas too.



 

RE: Mac Mini upgrade possibly coming in 2017, posted on January 4, 2017 at 09:42:45
AbeCollins
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Location: USA
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  Since: February 2, 2002
I wouldn't mind a new iMac 21.5" for my desk but I'm holding out for the next update. In the mean time, my 2012 13" MacBook Pro attached to a 22" external monitor is performing perfectly as my daily driver.

The 2012 i7 Quad-Core Mac Mini is also performing flawlessly doing double duty as my office music server and NAS for my network streamer setup in the basement.

Thanks for posting article link.



 

Two observations, posted on January 5, 2017 at 07:02:00
fmak
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Posts: 13158
Location: Kent
Joined: June 1, 2002
 1. Look up the teardown on Google. There is a fan and it is not clear how noisy this will be with an i7.

2. Intel Grpahics is not the best if you wish to do hidef video. A destop with a good card will still be my own choice. Fanless miniumum 2GB DDR5 will just do for visuals.

If you just use it for audio, you can go for a fanless Intel like the Zotac Z boxes which are much cheaper and you can buy 2, with one as backup. You can have 16G if you must, and with all the Graphics interfaces.



 

RE: Two observations, posted on January 5, 2017 at 15:52:37
Cut-Throat
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Posts: 18286
Location: Minneapolis - St.Paul Area
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Contributor
  Since: May 16, 2021
 1.) I saw the tear down on Google..... The fan is supposed to be not that bad.
2.) Also, I am aware of the Graphics.... Not a Gamer, or have other pressing issues for graphics.

Zotac looks interesting, but their website is almost impossible to navigate. E,S,M.P,B,C,R Nano Series !! Wow! -- I tried to configure and pick out a system, but I am completely lost. -- Prices? Forget about it! Disk Storage type? ... Good luck finding it... A Fricken Quagmire! ---

thanks for your suggestion, but I can't configure a Zotac System.




 

RE: Two observations, posted on January 5, 2017 at 18:27:19
Doublej
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Posts: 678
Location: Boston
Joined: January 11, 2009
 Dell, Asus, and (I think) HP have micro PCs too if you are open to others.

Intel has the NUC which is a micro sized unit.

 

Amazon Zotac Z box, posted on January 6, 2017 at 00:10:10
fmak
Audiophile

Posts: 13158
Location: Kent
Joined: June 1, 2002
 https://www.amazon.com/ZOTAC-Quad-Core-Graphics-Barebones-ZBOX-CI323NANO-U/dp/B0179S50UU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1483689880&sr=8-1&keywords=zotac+z+box

this is a lower power version which I recently bought, with all display options and if I remember, 16G memory on 2 slots.

Scroll down and you see i5 versions that are more costly than the $145 one on display.

The Zotac site is fine for downloads only.

 

You are right - A Fricken Quagmire!, posted on January 6, 2017 at 15:24:18
Charlie8521
Audiophile

Posts: 914
Location: South East Michigan
Joined: October 2, 2004
 I was interested in looking at they had to offer, but I couldn't figure out what would meet my needs. So I gave up.

 

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