Used ThinkCentre vs N100 Mini PC
A used Lenovo ThinkCentre Tiny (or similar Dell Micro / HP Mini) can beat a new Intel N100 or N150 mini PC on cores per dollar. A new N100/N150 can beat the used box on warranty, cleaner BIOS, and, if the listing shows it, 2.5GbE. Do not assume the new box is quieter or lower-watt without a source. See mini PC power consumption.
When the used Tiny wins
- You want more than 4C/4T for several full VMs.
- The unit has SODIMM slots and you can take it to 32GB or 64GB.
- You can inspect photos for the exact CPU, RAM, and NVMe, not a “i5 lot.”
- You accept no or short seller warranty.
When the new N100/N150 wins
- You want a sealed, warrantied 16GB+ kit tonight.
- You care about a confirmed 2.5GbE port on the title — many older Tinys are 1GbE only.
- You do not want to hunt for a matching 19 V brick or a blown CMOS battery.
N100 vs N150 itself is a small gap. Details: Intel N100 vs N150 mini PC. Live new-kit picks: best budget mini PCs for home labs in 2026.
Inspect before you buy used
- CPU generation and core count in the listing, not just “ThinkCentre M920q.”
- RAM type and whether it is SODIMM or soldered.
- Storage: NVMe vs SATA, and whether the drive is included.
- Power brick included and the correct wattage.
- Fan noise reports and dust. Office Tinys often ran 24/7 already.
If you still want a new 16GB N-series node, start with the Mini S13 listing only after you re-read the recycled ASIN title: Beelink Mini S13 16GB on Amazon (tag=technolo0d77f-20). Confirm Mini S13, 16GB, and dual 2.5GbE on that page.
Proxmox note
Both paths work as a first hypervisor. The used Tiny often has more CPU headroom. The new N150 is simpler to standardize. Hardware checklist: cheap mini PCs for a Proxmox homelab.