The Lenovo ThinkStation P360 Extremely is a extremely compact workstation that mixes the portability of huge workstation laptops with Desktop-level efficiency. The audience is professionals working within the subject, capturing or creating information on-site, or working in a cell studio the place it’s potential to drive probably massive screens however the place engineers are nonetheless anticipated to journey with the pc.
Specs Overview
Our particular assessment 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 Picture, and you may browse totally different configurations at Lenovo.com.
In its configurator, Lenovo has many CPU choices, going all the best way all the way down to the twelfth Gen Intel Core i3, and GPUs going all the best way 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 potential to put in as much as 128GB of RAM (ECC or not, quick access), and the SODIMM slots are fairly accessible. Storage-wise, it’s potential to put in two M.2 SSD drives (2x 4TB max, RAID 0/1 potential) and one 2.5″ SATA drive (1TB) for a complete of three storage gadgets.
There are a few PCIe enlargement slots, in case you wish to add extra playing cards (verify 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 primary attraction right here. As we talked about within the introduction, the perfect buyer is perhaps touring with this laptop, and it’s nice as a result of it could possibly simply slot in a backpack or a small pelican case.
The pc has handed 10 MIL-STD-810H army transport assessments, which most desktops are by no means subjected to. I’ve had conditions the place heavy desktop elements like CPU heatsinks acquired broken throughout delivery as a result of they don’t seem to be designed for transportation shocks after meeting.
That stated, we’ve additionally heard about many potential customers who like the thought of constructing a neat workplace and would use this laptop to exchange a robust laptop computer because it has higher upgradability and may drive extra shows.
The ThinkStation P360 Extremely is perhaps extra reasonably priced than a workstation laptop computer with the same 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 could possibly be a compelling argument.
As an ultra-compact desktop laptop, the P360 Extremely incorporates a huge benefit over explicit laptops relating to cooling. As such, it could possibly use highly effective elements such because the 125W TDP Intel Core i9-12900 CPU.
However like its laptop computer counterparts, it does use many cell elements, comparable to laptop computer DDR5 RAM, GPU chips, and so forth. A full-on desktop would come on high in sheer efficiency and cooling however can be much less transportable. Even SFF PCs are noticeably greater, however they will use off-the-shelf GPUs and elements, which isn’t all the time the case for this laptop.
It’s potential to open the pc and entry the internals with none instruments, due to an ingenious lever that unlocks the outer shell from the primary chassis. Extra particulars on this official video that reveals it properly:
Ports
One vital benefit of a desktop laptop 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’ve gotten 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 just screw into the again. I might have most well-liked a built-in antenna within the chassis, but it surely’s okay. The wired choice is there if you need most networking efficiency and decrease latency.
Massive PSU
It’s truthful to say that the exterior PSU is among the 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 dimension is much like high-wattage gaming laptops, so there’s nothing new right here, and you have to carry it wherever you go.
That stated, there’s no query this manner issue is far more suited to transportation than different desktop workstation designs, because it simply suits 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 probably be obtainable on-site.
Additionally observe that the TS P360 Extremely weight ranges from 3.96 lbs to 7.94 lbs relying on the chosen configuration, add-ons, and so forth. This distinction could be seen within the official product information sheet and the detailed specs.
Efficiency
Since efficiency/dimension or efficiency/weight is a powerful promoting level, let’s run some key benchmarks to see the place this laptop computer is positioned.
We’ve got the twelfth gen Intel Core i9-12900 CPU choice (max. is the i9-12900K), however our GPU (the cell RTX A2000) is much from the quickest one you may get on this laptop (as much as RTX A5000), so hold that in thoughts as a result of it’s potential to tweak the worth/pace ratio. The extra reasonably priced NVIDIA T400 GPU can also be obtainable.
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 reveals what to anticipate in case you improve our i9-12900 to the i9-12900HK, as discovered within the MSI laptop.
On the identical time, the TS P360 Extremely CPU efficiency “per Lbs” is even higher than laptops, due to 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 take a look at. They are typically a mixture of CPU and GPU workloads, largely CPU.
For pure 3D efficiency, we will observe the cell RTX A2000 performing under the RTX 3060 (Idea D5) and considerably slower than the RTX 3080 (MSI GE76). On the identical 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 this moment’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. It is usually essential to do not forget that, not like laptops, there isn’t a passthrough between discrete and built-in graphics items. Subsequently, it’s best to plan on having your main show linked to the discrete GPU through mini-DP.
The ThinkStation P360 Extremely’s SSD efficiency is great and on par with different workstations and Inventive-oriented computer systems. The first distinction with high-end laptops is that you may pack as much as 9TB of storage throughout two M.2 and one 2.5″ drive.
Conclusion
The Lenovo ThinkStation P360 Extremely provides a terrific answer with immense configuration flexibility for professionals and engineers who want a extremely cell workstation. Rich fans might additionally signify a small market however see this as an enterprise product.
The desktop nature of the chassis provides it vital thermal cooling and extra enlargement choices than comparably transportable laptops. This laptop design is extra enticing and practically all the time extra performant and cost-efficient than competing SFF workstations such because the HP Z2 G9 Small Kind Issue Workstation or the Dell Precision Compact Kind Issue.
The workstation elements, such because the NVIDIA RTX A-Collection or T-Collection graphics items, additionally include ISV-certified software program that may be a must-have for some workflows.
Enterprises will recognize the same old Lenovo security measures and administration instruments, which consumer-minded fans typically overlook. Issues like Premier Assist, Unintentional Harm Safety, and Guarantee Extensions are potential sway elements for IT departments.
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