ThinkCentre Edge

Lenovo ThinkCentre Edge series

Industry	Computer hardware
Founded	May 2011 (2011-05)
Headquarters	Beijing , China
Products	Desktop computers (tower and all-in-one)

The ThinkCentre Edge series from Lenovo is designed specifically for small business environments and home office setups. It offers both tower and All-in-One (AIO) configurations, with the AIO models providing up to a 70% reduction in desk footprint compared to conventional tower desktops.

This lineup represents Lenovo's initial expansion of the 'Edge' branding beyond its ThinkPad products, launching with the Edge 91z AIO model in May 2011.

Design

Paul Scaini, who manages the ThinkCentre segment, highlighted a strong focus on aesthetic improvements throughout the design process. The Edge 91z showcases the Infinity Glass design, which serves as a signature element of this refinement.

The Edge AIO systems share serviceability and mounting capabilities with the ThinkCentre M Series AIOs. They are equipped with second-generation Intel Core i processors and feature Lenovo Enhanced Experience 2.0 technology to boost overall system responsiveness.

ThinkCentre Edge 73

• Equipped with up to a 4th generation Intel Core i7 processor
• Runs Windows 8 (64-bit), with an option to upgrade to Windows 10
• Storage options include up to 2 TB HDD or 128 GB SSD
• Supports memory capacity up to 16 GB

ThinkCentre Edge 72

• Offers up to 3rd generation Intel Core i7 or i3 processors
• Preloaded with Windows 7 (64-bit), upgradeable to Windows 10
• Storage choices up to 2 TB HDD or 128 GB SSD
• Maximum memory of 16 GB

2011

The original models introduced were:

• ThinkCentre Edge 91z (All-in-One)
• ThinkCentre Edge 91 (tower)
• ThinkCentre Edge 71z (All-in-One)
• ThinkCentre Edge 71 (tower)

ThinkCentre Edge 91z

PCMag recognized the ThinkCentre Edge 91z AIO as an affordable yet powerful desktop capable of rivaling Apple's iMac in creative studio environments. Measuring just 2.5 inches in thickness, its minimalist design features a smooth front panel and two detachable feet that create an open space beneath for keyboard storage—unlike the IdeaCentre B520, where this area is obstructed by a speaker bar.

The Edge 91z boasts a genuine 1080p HD display protected by a reflective glass front. While it offers an optional DVD writer, it lacks some connectivity options such as eSATA ports, USB 3.0, and HDMI-in. The preinstalled software suite includes Lenovo Rescue and Recovery along with utilities for managing the DVD burner and webcam, deliberately avoiding unnecessary bloatware.

In terms of performance, the Edge 91z stands close to the Apple iMac 21.5-inch (Thunderbolt) model: the iMac has a slight edge in three-dimensional and general computing tasks, whereas the Edge excels in multimedia processing benchmarks. Both systems feature similarly sized widescreens, AMD graphics cards, Intel Core processors, one terabyte of storage, and can serve as external displays for laptops.

Key specifications include:

• Processor: up to Intel Core i7-2600S (2.8 GHz base frequency, 8MB L3 cache)
• Chipset: Intel B65
• Display: 21.5-inch LED widescreen with a 16:9 aspect ratio
• Operating System: Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate editions
• Storage: Up to 1 TB SATA hard drive at 7,200 rpm; optional up to 80GB mSATA SSD
• Graphics options: Intel HD Graphics or AMD Radeon HD6650A
• Memory: Up to 8 GB PC3-10600 DDR3 at 1333 MHz
• Dimensions (Width x Depth x Height): 21.46 inches x 16.31 inches x 3.18 inches
• Weight: Approximately 8.5 kilograms
• Connectivity includes VGA port, microphone input, Gigabit Ethernet, Bluetooth, six USB ports, two SATA connectors, and a Kensington security lock slot

The device integrates ThinkVantage Technologies such as Rescue and Recovery, Power Manager, and System Update utilities, catering primarily to small and medium-sized enterprises seeking dependable all-in-one desktop solutions.

ThinkCentre Edge 91

Lenovo introduced the ThinkCentre Edge 91 on October 20, 2011. This compact tower desktop was engineered to deliver a premium computing experience within a small form factor.

Its primary features consist of:

• Processor: Intel Core i7-2400 options up to 3.4 GHz with 8MB cache
• Chipset: Intel B65
• Memory: Supports up to 16 GB DDR3 at 1333 MHz
• Storage: Choices include up to 1TB SATA drives spinning at 7,200 or 10,000 rpm, or a 160 GB SSD
• Graphics: Either integrated graphics or ATI Radeon HD5450/HD6450 discrete cards
• Operating Systems: Compatible with Windows 7 editions, DOS, and various Linux distributions such as Redhat, Novell, SUSE, and Ubuntu
• Audio: Built-in sound system

ThinkCentre Edge 71z

Also revealed on October 20, 2011, the ThinkCentre Edge 71z is a 20-inch all-in-one desktop tailored for small and medium-sized businesses. It features a sleek glossy black exterior. The system supports processors up to Intel Core i5 and offers storage options including a 1TB hard drive or a 160GB SSD. It also provides an optional DisplayPort and supports dual independent monitors.

This model incorporates Lenovo’s ThinkVantage Technologies such as Rescue and Recovery, Power Manager, and System Update utilities.

Key specifications include:

• Processor: Up to Intel Core i5-2500S running at 2.7 GHz
• Chipset: Intel H61
• RAM: Maximum of 8 GB DDR3 at 1333 MHz
• Storage: Up to a 1TB SATA hard drive at 7,200 rpm
• Graphics: ATI Onega integrated graphics or optional discrete graphics with 1 GB memory
• Operating Systems: Windows 7 variants, DOS, and Linux distributions including RedHat, Novell SUSE, and Ubuntu
• Audio: Integrated sound hardware

ThinkCentre Edge 71

The ThinkCentre Edge 71 was launched simultaneously with the Edge 91 and Edge 71z on October 20, 2011. This model is a small form factor tower desktop designed for business users.

Its specifications are as follows:

• Processor: Up to Intel Core i5-2390T at 2.7 GHz with a 3 MB cache
• Chipset: Intel H61
• Memory: Supports up to 8 GB DDR3 running at 1333 MHz
• Graphics: Options include Intel HD Graphics 2000 or ATI Radeon HD5450/HD6450 discrete cards
• Operating System: Supports up to Windows 7 Professional edition
• Audio: Integrated audio system