HEAD-TO-HEAD COMPARISON

Dell OptiPlex 7010 Micro vs Lenovo ThinkCentre M720q Tiny

We compare the Dell OptiPlex 7010 Micro and Lenovo ThinkCentre M720q Tiny head-to-head on performance, features, value, and more. Here's which one wins.

Our Pick

Dell OptiPlex 7010 Micro

Scored 9/10 in our testing

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Best Overall

Dell OptiPlex 7010 Micro

Versatile home lab server for Proxmox and Docker

Overall:9/10Winner

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Best Budget

Lenovo ThinkCentre M720q Tiny

Ultra-affordable refurbished home lab node

Overall:7.8/10

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Score Breakdown

Dell OptiPlex 7010 Micro	Category	Lenovo ThinkCentre M720q Tiny
9/10 ✓	Performance	6/10
8/10 ✓	Features	6/10
9/10 ✓	Ease of Use	8/10
9/10	Value	✓ 10/10
9/10 ✓	Overall	7.8/10

Specs Comparison

Dell OptiPlex 7010 Micro	Spec	Lenovo ThinkCentre M720q Tiny
Intel Core i5-13500T	CPU	Intel Core i5-8500T
Up to 64GB DDR4	RAM	Up to 32GB DDR4
M.2 NVMe + 2.5" SATA	Storage	M.2 NVMe + 2.5" SATA
35W	TDP	25W

Dell OptiPlex 7010 Micro

Pros

+ Extremely low idle power draw around 8-12W
+ Rock-solid reliability with enterprise components
+ Compact form factor easy to cluster multiple units

Cons

− Limited to single NVMe slot
− No ECC memory support
− Integrated graphics only

Lenovo ThinkCentre M720q Tiny

Pros

+ Available refurbished for under $150
+ Extremely low power consumption
+ Proven reliability in enterprise deployments

Cons

− Older 8th-gen CPU limits heavy workloads
− Refurbished units vary in condition
− Limited USB-C connectivity

Our Verdict

Based on our scoring, the Dell OptiPlex 7010 Micro comes out on top with an overall score of 9/10. The OptiPlex Micro is the gold standard for home lab builds. Its tiny footprint, whisper-quiet operation, and enterprise-grade reliability make it perfect for 24/7 server duty.

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Read the full Best Home Lab Servers 2026 guide for complete reviews of all 3 products.

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