Lenovo, one of the world's top consumer PC manufacturers, is a contender in the professional workstation market as well, and making gains every year. Earlier this year, Lenovo introduced a new family of workstations -- the P-Series -- which offers features that CAD users need to check out.
The ThinkStation P-300 Entry-Level Workstation
The hallmarks of the P-Series are flexibility, sleek design (both in terms of looks and functionality), easy maintenance without the use of tools, and an advanced cooling system like no other. The P-300 features 2-D and 3-D capabilities, as well as a single processor (the Xenon E3-1200 or the Core i7, i5, or i3), and up to 32 GB of DDR4 memory. As base-level workstations go, the P-300 is quiet, and with superior expansion capabilities, is slated to give its owners a long life of service. You can get tools and tips for optimizing your CAD workstation at Cadalyst.
ThinkStation P-500 Mainstream Workstation
The P-500 is designed with CAD, CAM, and BIM professionals in mind. It features an Intel Xeon processor, the buyer's choice of the E5-1600 V3 or the E5-2600 V3. It offers up to 256 GB of DDR4 memory, and up to 11 storage devices (eight internal, two external, and one M.2). The P-500 is one of the quietest workstations in its class, and offers one of the most innovative features of the P-Series: the tri-channel cooling system with air baffles. This cooling system is capable of directing cooling air to the components where it's needed, and directing the air out of the machine without encountering any of the other components.
The ThinkStation P-700 High-End Workstation
Designed for high-end CAE, graphic design, and animation, the P-700 features the buyer's choice of one or two CPUs, either the Intel Xeon E5-1600 V3 or the E5-2600 V3 processor. It offers up to 384 GB of DDR4 memory, and holds as many as 12 storage devices (eight internal, two external, and two M.2). Hallmarks of the P-700 include the ability to highly customize the machine according to the user's preferences and needs. It is verified to industry standards and certified to work on key ISV applications. The P-700 also supports Thunderbolt 2.
The ThinkStation P-900 Ultrahigh-End Workstation
Lenovo's crown jewel in the P-Series is the P-900, which is designed for CAE and design visualization professionals. It offers two Intel Xeon E5-2600 V3 processors, and up to 512 GB of DDR4. The P-900 accommodates up to 14 storage devices (eight internal, two external, and four M.2), and offers speed and performance that's hard to top. This machine is ideal for CAD, CAM, and CAE professionals who need a machine to grow with their business, as well as those who simply can't afford the downtime associated with a standard PC. The customizability and accessibility of the P-900 means the workstation can be configured and reconfigured at will, components changed out or replaced, and upgraded without needing specialized tools or even an extreme amount of hardware savvy.
For much more information about workstations for CAD and related applications, visit the new Workstation Resource Center on Cadalyst.com.
