Lenovo ThinkCentre M720q Tiny: What It Is and What's Inside
The Lenovo ThinkCentre M720q Tiny is a 1-litre class mini desktop released in 2018, built around 8th and 9th generation Intel Core "Coffee Lake" processors and the Intel B360 chipset. Its key selling point is density: roughly 96% smaller than a conventional tower, yet capable of driving up to three displays and accepting up to 32 GB of DDR4 SO-DIMM memory across two slots. The chassis measures approximately 179 x 182.9 x 34.5 mm and weighs about 1.32 kg, with VESA 75/100 mm mounting support for behind-monitor installation.
Processor and Graphics Options
The M720q Tiny shipped with a range of 35W T-series CPUs, all with integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630. Typical configurations included:
| CPU | Cores/Threads | Base Clock | TDP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intel Core i3-8100T | 4/4 | 3.1 GHz | 35W |
| Intel Core i3-8300T | 4/4 | 3.2 GHz | 35W |
| Intel Core i3-9100T | 4/4 | 3.1 GHz | 35W |
| Intel Core i5-8400T | 6/6 | 1.7 GHz | 35W |
| Intel Core i5-8500T | 6/6 | 2.1 GHz | 35W |
| Intel Core i5-9400T | 6/6 | 1.8 GHz | 35W |
| Intel Core i5-9500T | 6/6 | 2.2 GHz | 35W |
| Intel Core i7-8700T | 6/12 | 2.4 GHz | 35W |
Integrated graphics support up to 4096 x 2304 at 60 Hz over DisplayPort. The platform also includes dTPM 2.0 for hardware-backed security.
Memory, Storage and Connectivity
Memory is DDR4-2666 SO-DIMM in two slots, with 32 GB as the practical ceiling in most documented configurations. Storage options combine one M.2 NVMe slot with one 2.5-inch SATA bay, so a fast boot drive plus a bulk data drive is possible. Networking is a single Gigabit Ethernet port based on the Intel i219 controller, with optional 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2 depending on the build. Ports include 4x USB 3.1, 2x USB 2.0, 1x USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 on the front, 1x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort 1.2 (a second DP is optional), plus headphone and microphone jacks. Power comes from a 65W external adapter using Lenovo's Slim Tip connector. Supported operating systems were Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 Home.
Typical Use Cases
Because of its small footprint, low 35W thermal envelope and expandable memory, the M720q Tiny found a following in office desktop deployments, home labs and light virtualisation. Common roles include point-of-sale and kiosk back-ends, digital signage players, thin-client style desk endpoints, and home servers running a handful of containers or virtual machines. Its triple-display support makes it useful for trading desks, control rooms and multi-monitor productivity setups.
Thinvent's Products Featuring This Technology
If you are looking for a current-generation equivalent to this class of compact, reliable machine, Thinvent's Industrial PC IPC3 family is a strong fit. The IPC3 pairs a 12th generation Intel Core i3-1215U processor (6 cores, up to 4.4 GHz, 10 MB cache) with 16 GB DDR4 RAM and a 1 TB SSD, and is offered with Windows 11 Pro, Windows 11 IoT Value, DOS or Thinux Embedded Linux. Configurations with quad DB9 serial ports are available for industrial and retail peripherals. Thinvent also manufactures mini PCs, thin clients and all-in-one PCs built for continuous operation in demanding environments.
