I suppose that in the implementation of IoT projects, we have two options for our servers, On Premise (Local Installation) or On Cloud (Hosted on the Internet), both have their advantages and disadvantages, but today we will talk about Local applications for our projects.
For our local projects, I suppose that we implemented the world-renowned Raspberry Pi, to host our IoT applications and store our data, I think I have tested them for more than 10 years, since the beginning of PDAControl, the advantage of its low cost and being a gateway to Linux operating systems is very interesting for supervision and in cases control of our projects.
Although on this occasion I present a substitute for the Raspberry Pi, Beaglebone, Orange Pi or any other board or mini computer.
As I mentioned in previous chapters, I’ve done some IoT projects for industrial supervision. Since the process required data collection, a Raspberry Pi didn’t generate the necessary reliability, as we wanted something more robust. So, we used the Lenovo ThinkCentre M73, used at a very good price, and clearly thoroughly inspected.
I currently have one that hosts my local applications; it’s been on 24/7 for 4 years.
Comparison Table between Lenovo ThinkCentre M73 & Raspberry Pi 4B
| Features | Lenovo ThinkCentre M73 | Raspberry Pi 4B (4GB/8GB RAM) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i5-4590T (4 cores, 4 threads, 2.0 GHz) | Broadcom BCM2711 (4 cores Cortex-A72, 1.5 GHz) |
| RAM | 8 GB DDR3 (expandable) | 4 GB or 8 GB LPDDR4 (not expandable) |
| Storage | 500 GB HDD/SSD (SATA, easy upgrade) | MicroSD (slow) or SSD via USB 3.0 |
| GPU | Intel HD Graphics 4600 | VideoCore VI (limited) |
| Connectivity | Gigabit Ethernet, WiFi, Bluetooth | Gigabit Ethernet, WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Ports | USB 3.0, HDMI, VGA, DisplayPort | 2x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0, 2x Micro-HDMI |
| Power Consumption | ~30W – 50W (depending on load) | ~5W – 10W |
| Price (2024) | ~$100 – $200 (used) | ~$60 – $80 (new, without accessories) |
| Supported Systems | Ubuntu Server, Docker, Windows, x86 Virtualization | Raspberry Pi OS (ARM), Ubuntu Server ARM |
| Raw Performance | Much higher (CPU x86, efficient multitasking) | Limited by ARM architecture |
| Robustness/Reliability | High (enterprise design, active cooling) | Medium (risk of heat throttling) |
| Use in IoT/Servers | Ideal for medium/high loads (VMs, databases) | Good for lightweight IoT prototypes |
Advantages of the Lenovo ThinkCentre M73
- Much Better Performance:
- The Intel i5-4590T (4 cores) outperforms the Pi 4B’s Cortex-A72, especially for InfluxDB (time-series data) or ThingBoard (IoT data processing).
- Supports hardware virtualization (VT-x), ideal for Docker or running VMs.
- Superior Storage and RAM:
- 500 GB HDD/SSD (SATA) vs. MicroSD (prone to corruption) or USB-attached SSD (slower).
- 8 GB RAM (upgradable) vs. fixed 4/8 GB on the Pi (shared with GPU).
- Connectivity & Expandability:
- Native USB 3.0 ports (better for local servers).
- Stable Gigabit Ethernet (Pi’s Ethernet shares bandwidth with USB).
- Server-Grade Reliability:
- Built for 24/7 enterprise use.
- Active cooling (no throttling, unlike the Pi, which needs heatsinks).
Advantages of the Raspberry Pi 4B
- Low Power (5W): Perfect for remote/battery-powered IoT projects.
- Compact Size: Single-board design, highly portable.
- GPIO & HAT Support: Direct sensor/actuator integration for IoT prototyping.
Review
Conclusion
- The Lenovo ThinkCentre M73 is far superior for local servers and demanding IoT applications (databases, multi-service deployments, virtualization).
- The Raspberry Pi 4B is useful for simple IoT prototypes, low-power, or I would say very basic things or testing, but there are many risks involved in having the operating system on a microSD card. I should clarify that modern versions have improved a lot. In my experience with the Pi, I always thought about a power outage that would damage the operating system. It can also happen with Lenovo devices, but they give me more confidence.
For robustness and performance, a used Lenovo M73 offers better value at a similar price to a Pi 4B (including SSD/cooling accessories).
My ThinkCentre came with Windows, I clearly recommend installing Ubuntu Server, in my case without a desktop, to save resources and access all via remote ssh.
