As an IT enthusiast, I’ve long been (and still are!) a fan of the #RaspberryPi mini computers. My main Pi already runs multiple services like #PiHole, #Navidrome and #Jellyfin – which often pushes it near its limits. Well, recently I found myself wanting to add even more services to my local network. Unfortunately, my NAS can’t host Docker containers, so expanding compute power became necessary.
I had been considering purchasing a new Raspberry Pi for this purpose. However, the idea of outfitting it with the necessary accessories – SD card, Case, power supply, and maybe an external SSD that would also require a powered USB hub – made me rethink my plan. — I stumbled upon a refurbished offer for a “Lenovo ThinkCentre M910q” mini PC running Windows 10, priced at roughly 100€. This was about the cost I had already expected for the RaspberryPi including “accessoires”!
Pros and Cons of the Lenovo Mini PC
On the pro side, the Lenovo ThinkCentre is far more powerful than any Raspberry Pi. It would generate less cable clutter and offers far more expandability, allowing up to 32GB or even 64GB of RAM and additional disk options!
On the con side, I was unsure about how easy it would be to install Linux on it. Even though after consulting various soures on the web, I had concenrs. Another concern was whether it could be energy efficient enough to run 24/7, and if I could tweak its power consumption effectively. Same here: the web gave some good perspectives but I also found people not getting it to run on low consumption. And of course: which Linux distribution would be the best fir for my needs!
After weighing these considerations (a.k.a overthinking!), I decided to invest the money and just give it a try!
Installing Ubuntu Server 24 LTS
TL;DR: The installation process was fairly straightforward!
I booted the device to confirm it was working. Then I created a bootable USB stick with Ubuntu Server 24 LTS, disabled Secure Boot in the BIOS and booted from the USB drive. And waited …
At first, I rebooted too early (due to impatience), but the second attempt was successful. Ubuntu installed really smoothly, and I was ready to go!
Measuring Power Efficiency
With a minimal, idle Linux installation running, I measured its power consumption and was pleasantly surprised to see an impressive 1.6 Watts. Ways less than I had hoped! Of course, I will keep an eye on it when some services are running but the idle consumption convinced me that I made a good choice!
I made sure SSH was enabled, disconnected the monitor and began configuring the machine as my new server.
Do it!
With Windows 10 nearing its end of life, now might be an excellent opportunity to hunt for great deals on mini PCs like the Lenovo ThinkCentres. They offer a powerful, expandable, and energy-efficient alternative to Raspberry Pi devices – especially if you need a bit more power or aim at extendability.