Here is a side by side comparison between Dell XPS 8940 Desktop and Lenovo ThinkCentre M90a specs including price, processors, memory, graphics, storage, ports, and more.
1080p, with ThinkShutter (physical switch on/off).
Optional Windows Hello IR support.
Audio
Audio controller
Realtek ALC3861
External Ports
One headset port
One audio line-out port
One rear L/R-surround audio-out port
One center/subwoofer LFE surround audio-out port
High Definition (HD) Audio, Realtek® ALC233 codec
2 x 3W stereo speakers.
Dolby® Atmos® Speaker System.
Dual array microphone.
Misc
Dell XPS 8940 Desktop
Lenovo ThinkCentre M90a
Sensors
IR Camera
Security
Security Chip
Discrete TPM 2.0, TCG certified
Physical Locks
Kensington® Security Slot
Chassis Intrusion Switch
Chassis intrusion switch
No chassis intrusion switch
Fingerprint Reader
Touch style fingerprint reader on mouse
No fingerprint reader
Other Security
Optional ThinkShutter camera cover
BIOS Security
Administrator password
Power-on password
Hard disk password
Boot sequence control
Boot without keyboard and mouse
Self-healing BIOS
Smart USB protection (allows keyboard/mouse only, blocks all storage devices)
Individual USB port disablement
Warranty
1 Year Hardware Service with Onsite/In-Home Service After Remote Diagnosis
1-year depot service
1-year limited onsite service
3-year limited onsite service
No base warranty
Dell XPS 8940 Desktop vs. Lenovo ThinkCentre M90a
The Dell XPS 8940 Desktop and the Lenovo ThinkCentre M90a were released in the same year, 2020. The Dell XPS 8940 Desktop has a mini tower form factor that can fit a micro ATX and Mini ITX motherboard, a few hard disk drives, and a single full-height graphics card. The Lenovo ThinkCentre M90a has an all-in-one form factor that combines all components and a built-in monitor into one package.
Processor
The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is like the brains of your desktop computer. Its performance determines how fast and responsive your PC is. Generally, a processor with newer architecture, more CPU cores, higher TDP (measured in W), and faster clock speed (measured in GHz) tends to be more expensive and run faster than others with older architecture, fewer CPU cores, lower TDP, and lower clock speed.
For Dell XPS 8940 Desktop, you have options to configure it with a 65W 10th Generation Intel Comet Lake quad-core Intel Core i3-10100 up to a 65W 10-core Intel Core i9-10900 with a boost speed up to 5.20 GHz.
While Lenovo ThinkCentre M90a has configurations with a 58W 10th Generation Intel Comet Lake dual-core Intel Celeron G5900 up to a 65W 10-core Intel Core i9-10900 with a boost speed up to 5.20 GHz.
Memory
The Random Access Memory or RAM is the super-fast and temporary storage used to handle all active tasks, apps, and games that will go away when your PC turns off. The more memory your PC has, the better multitasking your PC can handle without having to reload data from slower permanent storage that includes the hard disk drive or solid-state drive.
Fortunately, both PC allows you to upgrade later if you are unsatisfied with the amount of memory on your PC. The Dell XPS 8940 Desktop has four RAM slots that support up to 128GB of 2933MHz dual-channel DDR4 memory. On the other hand, the Lenovo ThinkCentre M90a has two RAM slots that you can upgrade up to 64GB of 2933MHz dual-channel DDR4 memory.
Ports
Computer ports are the interface for connecting your PC to its peripheral devices or other PCs. The most common peripherals are keyboard, mouse, monitor, flash drive, speaker, and printer. Most of them use Universal Serial Bus (USB) as their connection to your computer. So the PC with more USB ports can connect to more peripherals at the same time.
There is a total number of 10 USB ports available on the Dell XPS 8940 Desktop, three more than the Lenovo ThinkCentre M90a that has only 7 USB ports. On top of the number of USB ports, the type and version of each USB port are also necessary for determining how fast it is.
The Dell XPS 8940 Desktop has nine USB Type-A ports and one USB Type-C port. It has two ports that support USB 2.0 (480 Mbps) and eight ports that support USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps).
For Lenovo ThinkCentre M90a, it has six USB Type-A ports and one USB Type-C port. The PC has five ports that support USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) and two ports that support USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps).
