- Strong CPU Performance For Size
- Small Hard Drive Size
- No DVD Burner
- Graphics Can't Be Upgraded
- Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Dual Core Processor
- 1GB PC2-5300 DDR2 Memory
- 80GB 7200rpm SATA Hard Drive
- 24x CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive
- Intel GMA 3000 Integrated Graphics
- Intel HDA Audio With Stereo Speakers
- Gigabit Ethernet
- Eight USB 2.0 Ports
- 10.9" x 3.5" x 10.6"
- Windows XP Professional, WinDVD, Symantec Security Client
2/26/07 – With Ultra Small Form Factor in the name of the Think Centre M55, one would think that it was an incredibly small system. Mini PCs from the likes of Apple, Shuttle and WinBook are all very small. In order to reach such small dimensions though, they rely heavily on notebook components. Lenovo's system isn't as small as these other Mini PCs, but Lenovo has used a few desktop components as well.
Rather than using the mobile processor, Lenovo has chosen to use the desktop Intel Core 2 Duo processor lineup. This gives it stronger performance than many of the other Mini PC systems but on par with larger cubes. A full gigabyte of memory allows it to run smoothly in pretty much all applications with the Windows XP Professional operating system.
Storage mixes both desktop and mobile parts. The full desktop sized hard drive provides fast performance, but a very meager 80GB of storage space. This may be fine for corporate desktop systems but consumers can quickly eat up this space. The optical drive uses a slim style notebook drive to conserve on the space, but it also limits its performance. Lenovo chose to use a CD-RW/DVD combo drive rather than a full fledge DVD burner that once again is geared more towards companies than consumers.
Like most Mini PCs, the ThinkCentre M55 ultra small form factor doesn't really have the space for any sort of dedicated graphics card. Instead it relies on the integrated Intel GMA 3000 graphics that are sufficient for most things, but don't expect any 3D performance for things like games.
In the end, the ThinkCentre M55 still remains a business computer system and not one that consumers should really consider for the home.
