Dell OptiPlex 7000 Micro review

Dell OptiPlex 7000 Micro test

The Dell OptiPlex 7000 Micro is an extremely compact desktop PC, designed for office work and environments where every inch of space counts. With state-of-the-art Intel 12th-generation "Alder Lake" series processors, support for up to 64GB of RAM and the ability to mount two Gen4 NVMe drives, it can handle everyday tasks perfectly, despite its small size. It can easily be placed behind a monitor or under a desk, making it ideal for offices or retail outlets, among others.

Specifications and capabilities

The OptiPlex 7000 Micro is the smallest office computer in Dell's portfolio. It was created for places where there is no room for classic desktop units. The small casing hides modern components based on Intel Core processors from the "Alder Lake" family, available in versions with a base TDP of 35 or 65 watts.

Although the device does not fall into the category of the most powerful computers (such as models with 125-watt processors), it will successfully cope with most everyday office tasks. The highest available configuration includes a 16-core Intel Core i9-12900 processor, which runs at a base frequency of 2.4 GHz and can reach up to 5.1 GHz in Turbo mode. By comparison, its low-energy version, the Core i9-12900T, offers a base clocking of 1.4 GHz and Turbo up to 4.9 GHz.

Depending on the processor version, the computer supports DDR4 (for 35-watt models) or DDR5 (for 65-watt versions) RAM, with a maximum capacity of 64 GB. Regardless of the configuration, it is also possible to mount two high-speed SSDs in the PCIe Gen4 standard.

It's also worth noting that many OptiPlex 7000 Micro configurations support Intel vPro technology, dedicated to enterprise environments. In particular, a vPro Enterprise version - the most advanced variant of this platform - is available, offering remote management features and extensive security mechanisms not available on consumer PCs.

Dell OptiPlex 7000 Micro - compact, but not without limitations

Although the Dell OptiPlex 7000 Micro stands out for its compactness and efficiency in everyday work, it is not suitable for every application. For example, it won't do well as a platform for running a VMWare environment - Intel's built-in network card is not on the list of officially supported ones, and on top of that, Intel Alder Lake processors with Performance and Efficient cores (found in Core i7 and i9 models, among others) can cause additional compatibility problems. Interestingly, configurations with Core i5 processors do not have these energy-efficient cores, making them less problematic in this regard.

Another compromise due to the size of the device is the lack of a dedicated graphics card. All versions of this model rely solely on Intel's integrated graphics chips. If you want a desktop with separate graphics in an equally compact form factor, the Dell Precision 3460 Small Form Factor model is worth considering.

Construction and design - truly "micro"

The term "Micro" is not an overstatement here - this computer is surprisingly small, almost the size of a cardboard box from an external drive. The dimensions of the unit are just 18.3 × 3.6 × 17.8 cm, and the weight is about 950 grams. It can work both vertically and horizontally. Dell offers a number of mounting options for it, including a VESA mount that allows it to be attached behind a monitor, a desk bracket or even a special all-in-one stand with a mount for a monitor and computer.

Due to its size, the computer does not have an internal power supply - it uses an external power supply in a form factor similar to those known from laptops. Fortunately, you can buy a dedicated bracket that allows you to hide the power supply away from your desk.

Connectors - front and back

On the front panel you'll find a USB-A 3.2 Gen2 (10 Gbps) port, a high-speed USB-C 3.2 Gen2x2 (20 Gbps) port, two audio jacks (input/output and a universal headphone/microphone jack), as well as a power button and a drive activity LED. Although USB-C does not support Thunderbolt 4, it offers sufficient bandwidth for most office applications. A memory card reader is sadly lacking.

On the back of the 65-watt processor version, you'll find three USB-A 3.2 Gen2 ports, three DisplayPort outputs and an Ethernet connector. At the top there is a power cable clip, and on the right side there is an antenna for the Wi-Fi card (if installed). The computer also features a Kensington security slot, a padlock holder and a case-opening sensor.

In our configuration, the computer has an additional HDMI 2.0b port, which can be interchangeably replaced with a serial, PS/2, VGA, DisplayPort or another USB-C port. In this configuration, the device supports up to four 4K@60 Hz monitors and even a single 5K display, as long as you use DisplayPort or USB-C with image transfer. Variants with a 35-watt processor have one less DisplayPort output, but offer an additional USB-A port in return (four in total).

Ease of servicing and interior

Access to the inside of the unit is very easy - just remove one screw and slide off the top panel. The CPU cooling fan can be removed without tools, making maintenance easy. Underneath it is an aluminum heatsink and two slots for So-DIMM type RAM.

The other side of the chassis houses two M.2 2280 slots for NVMe Gen4 drives and an additional M.2 2230 slot - in our unit, an Intel AX211 Wi-Fi card was installed there. The only missing element worth seeing here is the heatsink for the SSDs. The "M.2 module" visible on the left is an additional HDMI port.

Dell OptiPlex 7000 Micro - performance in a compact chassis

The tested configuration of the Dell OptiPlex 7000 Micro was equipped with the following components: - Intel Core i7-12700 processor (12 cores / 20 threads, 2.1 GHz base, up to 4.9 GHz in turbo mode, 65 W TDP) with Intel vPro Enterprise support - Intel UHD Graphics 770 integrated graphics card - Windows 11 Pro operating system - 16 GB of DDR5-4800 RAM (in dual channel mode - 2x 8 GB) - 512 GB NVMe Gen4 SSD - 180 W external power supply

The price of this configuration was $1404 at the time of its release (when purchased directly from Dell). Currently, you can purchase it for a fraction of that price because it's less than 3,000 PLN This kit performs very well in typical office tasks. The maximum available configuration includes a 16-core Core i9-12900 processor, 64 GB of RAM and a 2 TB SSD (with the possibility of adding a second one). Note, however, that no version offers a dedicated graphics card.

In the market, the HP Elite Mini 600 G9 and Lenovo ThinkCentre M80q are direct competitors to this model. Both computers have very similar dimensions and specifications - they also support the Intel vPro Enterprise platform and offer similar flexibility in terms of connectors and expansion. Interestingly, HP and Lenovo allow the installation of a 2.5-inch drive, something the Dell model lacked. On the other hand, Dell is the only one of the three to officially support Linux.