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ThinkSmart vs ThinkCentre: Smarter Workplaces

By: Barnaby

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August 28, 2025

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Key Difference Between ThinkSmart and ThinkCentre?

ThinkSmart is the Lenovo’s smart collaboration portfolio, built for hybrid work and modern offices. These devices (like ThinkSmart Hub or ThinkSmart View) streamline video conferencing, offer AI-enhanced audio/video, and integrate with Microsoft Teams or Zoom. Perfect for shared meeting rooms and enterprise collaboration. ThinkCentre is Lenovo’s line of business desktops, available in towers, small form factor (SFF), and tiny models. They’re designed for everyday productivity, enterprise security, and flexible deployment across offices.

Feature Comparison Table

Feature

ThinkSmart (Smart Collaboration)

ThinkCentre (Business Desktop)

Target Audience

Teams, hybrid workers, enterprise meeting rooms

Office staff, SMBs, corporate IT deployments

Core Purpose

Video conferencing, collaboration, smart rooms

General office computing, productivity apps

OS / Platform

Microsoft Teams Rooms, Zoom, Windows IoT

Windows 11 Pro, Linux options

Hardware Design

Touch displays, hubs, smart speakers/mics

Towers, SFF, Tiny desktops

Performance

Optimised for conferencing and AI-driven AV

Ranges from entry-level to high-end CPUs

Security & Management

Cloud integration, device management tools

Business-class security, TPM, BIOS control

Price Range (UK)

~£1,200–£3,000 (depending on device)

~£500–£1,500 (depending on config)

1. Collaboration & Communication

  • ThinkSmart: Designed to make meetings smarter. With touch interfaces, built-in AI noise suppression, and integration with Teams/Zoom, it turns any room into a connected workspace.
  • ThinkCentre: Handles communication via installed apps, but it’s not dedicated hardware for conferencing.

If you need seamless collaboration and meeting tools, the ThinkSmart is the better choice for hybrid workplaces. However, if you value a traditional PC that handles office apps and calls, the ThinkCentre could be the right fit.

2. Everyday Productivity

  • ThinkSmart: Focused on one job which issmarter meetings. Great as a companion device but not intended as your main desktop.
  • ThinkCentre: Full-featured desktops for Word, Excel, browsing, coding, or running business apps all day long.

If you need a desktop to power through office workloads, the ThinkCentre is the better choice. However, if you value dedicated smart meeting tools alongside your PCs, the ThinkSmart could be the right fit.

3. Price & Value

  • ThinkSmart: Premium collaboration devices, priced higher due to built-in conferencing tech.
  • ThinkCentre: Wide range of price points, more affordable for equipping entire offices.

If you need high-tech collaboration hardware for enterprise meeting rooms, the ThinkSmart is the better choice. However, if you value cost-efficient desktop rollouts across teams, the ThinkCentre could be the right fit.

Pros & Cons

Device

Pros

Cons

ThinkSmart

Seamless collaboration

Teams/Zoom certified

AI-driven AV features

Sleek, modern design

Expensive

Limited to conferencing use

ThinkCentre

Reliable desktops

Strong value

Enterprise security

Wide form factor options

Not built for meetings

Lacks dedicated collaboration tools

Which One Should You Choose?

  • Choose ThinkSmart if your workplace needs advanced meeting solutions, hybrid collaboration, and smart AV integration.
  • Choose ThinkCentre if you need dependable, secure desktops to handle everyday office tasks and productivity apps.

Ready to modernise your office? Transform teamwork with Lenovo ThinkSmart collaboration devices or power your workforce with Lenovo ThinkCentre desktops. So, buy now and create a smarter workplace today.

 

FAQs

Q1: Is ThinkSmart a PC?
No, ThinkSmart is a smart collaboration device, not a full desktop PC.

Q2: Can a ThinkCentre replace a ThinkSmart in meetings?
Not directly because ThinkCentre is a business desktop, while ThinkSmart is built for conferencing.

Q3: Are ThinkSmart devices worth it for small businesses?
Yes, if you rely heavily on video conferencing. Otherwise, a ThinkCentre PC with webcam can be a cheaper option.

Q4: Which is more affordable, ThinkSmart or ThinkCentre?
ThinkCentre desktops are generally more budget friendly than ThinkSmart.

Summary

The Lenovo ThinkSmart is purpose-built for modern meeting rooms, offering collaboration tools, smart conferencing, and integrated Microsoft Teams or Zoom solutions. The Lenovo ThinkCentre is a traditional business desktop PC, designed for everyday office productivity with strong security and manageability. Choose ThinkSmart if you need smarter workplace collaboration. Choose ThinkCentre if you want reliable desktops for daily business tasks.

Read More:
Review: Lenovo ThinkSmart HUB 500 11.6in Touchscreen All in One PC Core i5
Lenovo ThinkCentre M920z All-in-One Desktop PC V/S Lenovo IdeaCentre 3 Best All-in-One PC
Lenovo ThinkCentre M90n-1 Nano Desktop PC Intel Core i7 - Review

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ThinkStation (Workstation)

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Target Users

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Office staff, SMBs, general business

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