Light Review: Lenovo ThinkSmart Hub 500 (i5, 8GB, 128GB) — A Handy Conference Workhorse
I recently had the chance to use a Lenovo ThinkSmart Hub 500 (Intel Core i5 7th gen, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) and thought I'd share a short, practical impression for anyone curious about these specialty meeting-room devices.
First impressions & build quality
The device feels extremely well finished and premium — the kind of solid build you notice immediately when handling dedicated enterprise hardware.
What it is and what's inside
The Hub 500 is essentially a compact all-in-one conference PC designed to run meeting-room software and control online meetings. Internally it's like a small desktop: CPU, RAM, SSD, Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth modules are present and upgradable, so you're not stuck with fixed, non-serviceable parts.
Display, audio and interaction
- The built-in 11.6" touchscreen is sharp and responsive, allowing comfortable use without an external mouse or keyboard.
- The main display rotates 360°, and audio is designed for room use: integrated speakers with wide coverage plus dual microphones to capture voices around the room.
Connectivity that matters
- Unique to this class of device is an HDMI-in (with capture capability) — plug a laptop directly into the Hub to share its screen in meetings without installing extra apps or complex setup.
- It also includes HDMI-out for connecting to a TV, multiple USB ports, Ethernet, Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth — everything you need for a small/medium meeting room.
Practical value & suggested uses
Although the Hub 500 is an older model, at a low price point (around a few million VND when available used) it remains very useful for common tasks: running Teams/Zoom meetings, screen sharing, or repurposing as a POS/checkout terminal in cafés and shops where a neat, professional look matters.
Final thoughts
If you can get one cheaply, it's a great specialized device: robust build, plenty of meeting-oriented features (touchscreen, 360° audio/mic, HDMI-in capture), and flexible internals for upgrades. It's a practical, attractive option for businesses needing a tidy conference or POS solution.
Credit
Nguyễn Minh Nhật
P.S. The homestay admin is using one of these, so I reposted it 😆
