The Lenovo ThinkStation P360 Extremely is a extremely compact workstation that mixes the portability of enormous workstation laptops with Desktop-level efficiency. The target market is professionals working within the discipline, capturing or creating knowledge on-site, or working in a cell studio the place it’s attainable to drive probably massive screens however the place engineers are nonetheless anticipated to journey with the pc.
Specs Overview
Our particular overview unit got here with the next configuration: twelfth gen Intel Core i9-12900 (8P + 8E cores), NVIDIA RTX A2000 GPU, 1x 1TB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 4×4, 32GB SO-DIMM DDR5-4000 RAM. At current, it prices $2833 at B&H Photograph, and you may browse completely different configurations at Lenovo.com.
In its configurator, Lenovo has many CPU choices, going all the way in which all the way down to the twelfth Gen Intel Core i3, and GPUs going all the way in which as much as the NVIDIA RTX A5000 cell GPU, so there’s a configuration for everybody, and costs begin at $1200 for the bottom configurations.
Because it’s a workstation, it’s attainable to put in as much as 128GB of RAM (ECC or not, easy accessibility), and the SODIMM slots are fairly accessible. Storage-wise, it’s attainable to put in two M.2 SSD drives (2x 4TB max, RAID 0/1 attainable) and one 2.5″ SATA drive (1TB) for a complete of three storage gadgets.
There are a few PCIe enlargement slots, in case you need to add extra playing cards (examine in the event that they match): one PCIe 4.0 x 16 and one PCIe 3.0 x 4.
Industrial design
The compact nature of the ThinkStation P360 Extremely and its efficiency “per Lbs” or “per Quantity” is the principle attraction right here. As we talked about within the introduction, the best buyer is likely to be touring with this pc, and it’s nice as a result of it could actually simply slot in a backpack or a small pelican case.
The pc has handed 10 MIL-STD-810H navy transport exams, which most desktops are by no means subjected to. I’ve had conditions the place heavy desktop parts like CPU heatsinks obtained broken throughout delivery as a result of they don’t seem to be designed for transportation shocks after meeting.
That mentioned, we’ve additionally heard about many potential customers who like the thought of constructing a neat workplace and would use this pc to switch a robust laptop computer because it has higher upgradability and may drive extra shows.
The ThinkStation P360 Extremely is likely to be extra inexpensive than a workstation laptop computer with an analogous function set and pace (just like the ThinkPad P15). Should you’re going to make use of a laptop computer as a set workstation, this may very well be a compelling argument.
As an ultra-compact desktop pc, the P360 Extremely incorporates a large benefit over specific laptops relating to cooling. As such, it could actually use highly effective parts such because the 125W TDP Intel Core i9-12900 CPU.
However like its laptop computer counterparts, it does use many cell parts, equivalent to laptop computer DDR5 RAM, GPU chips, and many others. A full-on desktop would come on high in sheer efficiency and cooling however could be much less moveable. Even SFF PCs are noticeably larger, however they’ll use off-the-shelf GPUs and parts, which isn’t at all times the case for this pc.
It’s attainable to open the pc and entry the internals with none instruments, because of an ingenious lever that unlocks the outer shell from the principle chassis. Extra particulars on this official video that exhibits it properly:
Ports
One vital benefit of a desktop pc is the variety of ports, and the ThinkStation P360 Extremely doesn’t disappoint right here. My solely grievance is the shortage of HDMI ports. Within the entrance, you might have the next ports:
| 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Sort-A |
| 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Thunderbolt 4 Sort-C |
| 1x Audio Combo Jack |
And within the rear:
| 4x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Sort-A |
| 3x DisplayPort (built-in GPU) |
| 4x mini-DisplayPort (discrete GPU) |
| 1x 2.5GbE |
| 1x 1GbE |
There’s additionally built-in WIFI entry, and the pc comes with an antenna that you simply screw into the again. I’d have most popular a built-in antenna within the chassis, however it’s okay. The wired possibility is there if you need most networking efficiency and decrease latency.
Massive PSU
It’s truthful to say that the exterior PSU is likely one of the explanation why the ThinkStation P360 Extremely is so compact in comparison with a mid-size tower with an built-in PSU. The 300W PSU is fairly massive and heavy. Its measurement is just like high-wattage gaming laptops, so there’s nothing new right here, and you could deliver it wherever you go.
That mentioned, there’s no query this kind issue is far more suited to transportation than different desktop workstation designs, because it simply matches right into a backpack. For instance, the MSI GE76 Raider 12U high-performance gaming laptop computer is about 25% smaller than the Thinkstation P360 Extremely in whole quantity however weighs 61% extra.
Laptops have an built-in show and a battery, so it’s not an apples-to-apples comparability. Nonetheless, the ThinkStation P360 Extremely is constructed for mobility use instances the place screens will likely be accessible on-site.
Additionally word that the TS P360 Extremely weight ranges from 3.96 lbs to 7.94 lbs relying on the chosen configuration, add-ons, and many others. This distinction will be seen within the official product knowledge sheet and the detailed specs.
Efficiency
Since efficiency/measurement or efficiency/weight is a powerful promoting level, let’s run some key benchmarks to see the place this laptop computer is positioned.
Now we have the twelfth gen Intel Core i9-12900 CPU possibility (max. is the i9-12900K), however our GPU (the cell RTX A2000) is way from the quickest one you may get on this pc (as much as RTX A5000), so maintain that in thoughts as a result of it’s attainable to tweak the worth/pace ratio. The extra inexpensive NVIDIA T400 GPU can be accessible.
For reference, the RTX A2000 graphics efficiency is between the RTX 3050 and 3060, whereas the RTX A5000 is roughly equal to the RTX 3080. We’re referring to the cell model of those chips since that’s what Lenovo makes use of within the ThinkStation P360 Extremely.
From a CPU perspective, our unit performs properly in benchmarks like Cinebench R23 and Geekbench 5. The MSI GE76 Raider 12U comparability exhibits what to anticipate for those who improve our i9-12900 to the i9-12900HK, as discovered within the MSI pc.
On the similar time, the TS P360 Extremely CPU efficiency “per Lbs” is even higher than laptops, because of its compact design, devoid of show and battery. You may be carrying critical CPU energy in your backpack or carry-on.
For graphics purposes which can be GPU-reliant purposes, the PCMark 10 Inventive benchmark is fascinating to have a look at. They are typically a mixture of CPU and GPU workloads, principally CPU.
For pure 3D efficiency, we are able to observe the cell RTX A2000 performing under the RTX 3060 (Idea D5) and considerably slower than the RTX 3080 (MSI GE76). On the similar time, it possesses all of the options present in that technology of GPUs, together with the flexibility to run the newest AI workloads in right now’s imaging and video purposes.
The ThinkStation can drive as much as 8 screens through 4 built-in mini-DP on the discrete GPU and three full-size DP ports plus the USB-C connector linked to the built-in graphics unit. Additionally it is vital to keep in mind that, in contrast to laptops, there isn’t any passthrough between discrete and built-in graphics models. Due to this fact, it’s best to plan on having your main show related to the discrete GPU through mini-DP.
The ThinkStation P360 Extremely’s SSD efficiency is superb and on par with different workstations and Inventive-oriented computer systems. The first distinction with high-end laptops is you could pack as much as 9TB of storage throughout two M.2 and one 2.5″ drive.
Conclusion
The Lenovo ThinkStation P360 Extremely provides an awesome answer with immense configuration flexibility for professionals and engineers who want a extremely cell workstation. Rich fanatics may additionally characterize a small market however see this as an enterprise product.
The desktop nature of the chassis offers it vital thermal cooling and extra enlargement choices than comparably moveable laptops. This pc design is extra enticing and almost at all times extra performant and cost-efficient than competing SFF workstations such because the HP Z2 G9 Small Type Issue Workstation or the Dell Precision Compact Type Issue.
The workstation parts, such because the NVIDIA RTX A-Collection or T-Collection graphics models, additionally include ISV-certified software program that could be a must-have for some workflows.
Enterprises will admire the same old Lenovo security measures and administration instruments, which consumer-minded fanatics typically overlook. Issues like Premier Assist, Unintended Injury Safety, and Guarantee Extensions are potential sway elements for IT departments.
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