Novel at its introduction in the early 00’s, the mobile workstation has evolved from the niche to the essential. Few today would question its value as a mainstay tool for CAD professionals away from their desks. But today its role continues to evolve, tracking the rapidly changing computing demands on businesses from architecture, engineering, and construction to manufacturing and design. Its unique utility is winning over new adopters, not only as a road-worthy complement to their trusted deskside office workstation but in some cases as their one-and-only primary CAD computing platform for home and office.
Exemplifying the growing and proven value of the modern mobile workstation is Fujitsu’s latest addition to its CELSIUS line of professional workstation solutions: the CELSIUS H5511. Combining hallmark workstation features like application-tuned performance, reliability and security in a slim, lightweight package, FUJITSU Workstation CELSIUS H5511 checks off all the boxes for CAD professionals looking for the ultimate road machine.
The Unique, Undeniable Appeal of the Modern Mobile Workstation
Mobile workstation volume has exploded in recent quarters, largely a result of the rush to work from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. The mobile workstation proved the ideal vehicle to manage that transition for CAD professionals across the globe. But other factors have also been at play contributing to the surge. Touting features like professional-tuned 3D graphics and ISV certification for a range of applications from SOLIDWORKS to Revit and 3ds max, the mobile workstation’s CAD computing superiority over vanilla consumer or commercial notebook PCs is no longer in question. That proven edge has not only spurred the majority of CAD professionals to opt for a mobile workstation to complement the trusted office deskside, advancements on the mobile platform even have some considering it as their one-and-only workstation.
The pandemic-triggered push to remote work fueled an explosion in mobile workstation market growth. Image source: Jon Peddie Research.
Among the breadth of mobile workstation models available today, two attributes have proven exceedingly popular across the spectrum of professional users: the 15” and thinner, lighter form factors. The 15” (really 15.6” but commonly referred to as 15”) has proven the ideal for most mobile workstation buyers — built around a display big enough to please the eyes, yet small enough to carry with ease. That Goldilocks balance has made 15” the dominant form factor in the market, accounting for roughly 3/4 of all mobile workstations sold (the rest are sub 15” and 17” models.) (Source: Jon Peddie Research). And, among 15” models, the weight and size advantage of the svelte Thin ‘n Light category is proving very attractive to both first-time and repeat mobile workstation buyers.
A CAD Workhorse Built for Today: FUJITSU Workstation CELSIUS H5511.
Exemplifying what a modern mobile workstation can achieve in both mobility and performance, Fujitsu’s CELSIUS H5511 sits smack dab in the 15” sweet spot of the market. The make-up of the CELSIUS H5511 clearly and deliberately reflects the evolving wants and needs of the consumer, most notably delivering on the balanced appeal of the 15” Thin ‘n Light platform. Among the thinnest available mobile workstations in the market, the 20.8 mm (approximately 0.8 inches) and 1.9 kg (starting at) weight make it ultra-portable.
The slim and lightweight CELSIUS H5511 mobile workstation from Fujitsu. Image source: Fujitsu.
Configurable across a wide range of custom-build options, the FUJITSU Workstation CELSIUS H5511 touts a foundation of proven, performance-oriented 11th Gen Intel® CoreTM vPro® processors. Multiple next-generation cores serve to boost performance for multi-thread capable workloads, from simulations for engineering and lighting to rendering and more, while high frequencies (to 4.8GHz boost) and improved IPC (Instructions per Cycle) mean no-compromise performance for still-critical, single-thread CAD workloads like parametric modeling.
A workstation makes its living as the engine driving visual computing workflows like CAD, so graphics performance and a high-fidelity image are a must. Generating the graphics is the capable NVIDIA’s T500 GPU, tuned specifically for professional workloads. And, where comprehensive color gamut support is non-negotiable, the CELSIUS H5511’s anti-glare (and exceptionally crisp 500 nit (brightness in cd/m2) FHD panel (500 nit panel available as an option) provides 100% sRGB color space coverage. Finally, topping off the ample computing and display platform is a maximum 64GB of DDR4-3200 memory and 4TB of high-performance M.2 PCIe NVMe storage.
Talk workstations, and performance metrics usually get top billing, but just as important are the other hallmarks that separate professional workstations from PCs: reliability and security. To protect not only your IP, but more so your client’s, are standard cutting-edge features like a fingerprint sensor and infrared face-recognition FHD webcam, both Windows Hello compatible. Add in the optional, vein signature PalmSecureTM technology from Fujitsu, the ultimate in forgery prevention, and you’ve got a comprehensive trio of quick, easy and secure login options. And in the unlikely event of a hardware failure, workstation-exclusive RAID storage support allows for redundancy to virtually eliminate the chance of lost or corrupt data.
Of course, all the aforementioned features would be of little value if your machine requires constant AC power or frequent recharging. The CELSIUS H5511’s all-day (10-hour) battery life with one hour quick charge capability (to 80%) has you covered.
Don’t Forget the Dock
Still tied to the home office, either temporarily or permanently? Or perhaps considering adoption of a mobile workstation as your new one-and-only workstation? Then you’ll want to pair that machine with a full-function dock. Taking maximum advantage of the CELSIUS H5511’s Thunderbolt 4/USB-C port, Fujitsu’s Thunderbolt 4 Port Replicator expands the display and I/O functionality to match the best of what a deskside can offer.
While the CELSIUS H5511’s high-fidelity display will satisfy on the road, most no longer find any single display enough when we’re back at the office. Today, two or three screens at the desk has become a must-have for professional use. In conjunction with a dock like Fujitsu’s Thunderbolt™ 4 Port Replicator, the CELSIUS H5511 can drive not one but three 4K displays on the desk, enough screen real estate to match some of the best desktop monitor environments around. Throw in two USB Type-C with Thunderbolt™ 4, two USB Type-C and three Type-A ports, and you’ve got the I/O more in line with the capabilities you rely on at the office.
Fujitsu’s Thunderbolt 4 Port Replicator opens the door to a full-featured, triple-monitor 4K desktop experience. Image source: Fujitsu.
The Mobile Workstation Has Earned its Position as the CAD Professional’s Mobile Computer of Choice
The fixed tower workstation is far from alone in today's market. With a proven notebook-style form factor and utility — yet maintaining the application-tuned performance and reliability CAD professionals demand — today’s mobile workstation has proven itself just as indispensable as its tried-and-true deskside sibling.
The transition to home offices and remote work mandated by the pandemic showcased the compelling benefits of a professional CAD machine that can travel, fueling a boom in mobile workstation sales, now on par with its venerable deskbound sibling. For any still unaware or unsold of the mobile workstation’s value, months of remote work most likely proved convincing. The mobile workstation proposition is clear: as the trusted deskside workstation has proven superior to a general-purpose PC, so the mobile workstation is over a vanilla consumer or corporate laptop PC.
Sitting squarely in the sweet spot of 15” display size and packaged in a svelte 20.8 mm thin chassis, the CELSIUS H5511 mobile workstation provides the ideal balance of performance and mobility while retaining workstation-caliber advantages in reliability and security. For the bulk of CAD professionals, the CELSIUS H5511 makes an ideal mobile complement to the trusted deskside workstation back at the office. And for an increasing number, its performance and capabilities — particularly when paired with a desktop dock —can even suffice as the one and only workstation.
Find out more about Fujitsu’s CELSIUS H5511 and the entire line of CELSIUS stationary and mobile workstations at www.fujitsu.com/CELSIUS.
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