NUC 8 Bean Canyon vs Lenovo ThinkCentre: Intel bet on docks, Lenovo keeps ports on the back

The NUC 8 Bean Canyon’s rear panel is sparse — one USB-A, one HDMI, Ethernet, and power — because Intel expects you to use the front Thunderbolt 3 port for a dock that handles everything else. Lenovo’s ThinkCentre puts most connectivity on the rear panel instead. Intel’s approach keeps the back clean but relies on you owning a dock.