Lenovo Tiny-in-One: a new look at all-in-ones and nettops

    Hi Geektimes!

    Today we want to talk a little about our Think Center Tiny-in-One platform and several new products for it that we recently announced. Perhaps not everyone has heard about TIO, so at the same time in a nutshell we’ll explain what's what.

    Caution! Under the cut a lot of photos.

    The TIO platform is a modular solution designed primarily for corporate users. It consists of a 23-inch monitor (with a height adjustable foot and the ability to rotate it around the vertical axis) with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels, a slot equipped with a built-in slot, and a nettop installed in this slot.



    The platform has a second slot for installing an optional optical drive. The platform can work without a nettop installed in it like a regular monitor. Those. we have a universal flexible solution with the ability to upgrade the system at the lowest cost, and all the advantages of a monoblock.

    The computer is installed on top, and then with one simple movement of a special unit with three interface connectors is connected to the TIO platform.



    An optical drive is available as an option. By the way, both the drive and the nettop can be closed in the slots designed for them using Kensington lock, which can be useful to the TIO customer in some cases. The lock hole is located on the cover of the optical drive compartment: in this way, the ability to open the drive compartment is simultaneously blocked and the block with connectors for connecting the nettop to the platform is fixed.



    In addition, the platform can work without a nettop installed in it like a regular monitor.



    On the front side of the TIO, under the screen on the right, there are two USB 3.0 connectors.



    And on the right side there are two more USB 2.0. It’s convenient to connect a keyboard and mouse through them.



    The main advantage that the ThinkCentre Tiny-in-One platform gives the company is flexibility. It’s no secret that the monitor’s service life is noticeably longer than any electronic “stuffing”, especially when it comes to a regular office PC. This factor is one of the main arguments against the use of monoblocks in the corporate segment. The TIO platform eliminates the drawback: the monitor needs to be purchased only once, and then, if necessary, it remains only to replace the nettop or its internal components. Both mass and partial upgrades are much simpler due to the modular design. At the same time, all the advantages of the monoblock remain - the lack of wires and saving the workplace.

    This is convenient for system administrators: if a problem occurs with the computer and it cannot be resolved remotely, you just need to remove the lightweight and compact nettop from the slot on the back of the monitor. So that the employee does not sit idle while the problem is solved, you can connect a backup ThinkCentre Tiny to his monitor with a predefined set of necessary office programs.

    Well, about such obvious things as saving work space for an employee, universalizing cords and accessories, low power consumption of nettops, we don’t even talk. All this together are almost synonyms of the process of cutting costs that is so relevant now.

    All Tiny nettop models have one housing and the same connector layout, making them fully compatible with the TIO platform. To date, we have four modifications that cover the entire spectrum of customer needs from the most inexpensive to professional, productive, secure solutions with the ability to remotely administer. These are the Tiny M53, M73, M83 and M93p.

    Based on the tasks set for the employee of the company, the administrator just needs to select and install a suitable configuration in the nettop platform. The installation itself takes much less time than unpacking the device. In this case, no tools are required, even a simple screwdriver is not needed.

    Well, unless in the event that you want to disassemble the nettop itself directly and change something inside. We demonstrate this using the M73 as an example. This is how the computer looks from the outside.



    And here are all the connectors on his case. Three, as we wrote above, are needed to connect to the TIO: these are the power connector, Display Port and USB. There are still four left: two USB (i.e., there are 6 of them available to the user), VGA and Ethernet. Plus a thread for attaching an antenna, significantly improving the reception of Wi-Fi signal. On some nettop models it may not be - it depends on the configuration.



    Among the connectors, you can also see one screw. We turn it off, slide the lid to the side, and voila: all the "insides" are in full view.



    Then it’s a matter of technology. Unless after the previous photo, the question may arise about how to add RAM here. It is also very simple - two DDR3 connectors are hidden under the hard drive, which is held by two more exactly the same screws.



    We will not ship you with detailed specifications - they can be viewed on our website , but let's say that it is really more convenient to choose now. The range includes all Intel processors up to i7, there is the possibility of expanding DDR3 RAM up to 16 GB, you can use a HDD with 500 GB with SSHD or 1 TB of memory, or an SSD with a capacity of up to 256 GB.

    By the way, on the example of the same M73, you can see the nettop delivery package. It includes the computer itself, keyboard, mouse, stand, power supply and antenna. Of course, if the nettop does not work by itself, but when connected to the monitor, then you do not need to connect both devices to the mains at the same time, just one PSU from the monitor is enough.



    In Russia, the Lenovo ThinkCentre Tiny-in-One system will appear in distributors' warehouses from January 2015.


    Also popular now: