New entry-level Intel 12th Gen ‘Alder Lake’ mobile workstations target users of CAD and BIM applications
Lenovo has introduced two new thin and light mobile workstations built around Intel’s new Alder Lake processors. This includes the 14-inch ThinkPad P14s Gen 3 and the 16-inch ThinkPad P16s Gen 1.
Features include a choice of 16:10 aspect ratio displays, an optional Nvidia T550 GPU, FHD 1080p camera, and up to 48 GB of DDR4 memory and 2TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe storage.
Lenovo is also branching out in aesthetics. In addition to traditional black, the new machines are available in storm grey with an aluminium ‘A’ cover. There continues to be a big emphasis on reliability and durability. The ThinkPad 16s Gen 1, for example, passes 26 MIL-SPEC testing procedures.
Other features include, a wider touchpad, blue light reduction, X-Rite factory colour calibration, Intel Wi-Fi 6E and optional 4G.
The ThinkPad P14s Gen 3 and ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 come with a choice of 12th Gen ‘Alder Lake’ Intel Core i7 processors, up to 14 cores and up to 4.8 GHz. According to ThinkPad senior product manager Lane Jesseph, this marks Intel’s first foray into two different core types – power (P) cores and efficiency (E) cores – to give you power when you need it and battery sipping efficiency when you need that.
‘All-day’ battery options are available. On the ThinkPad P14 Gen 3, a 39.3Wh battery is for users who seek a device 0.23kg lighter than previous generation for easier mobility, and a 52.5Wh option for those wanting more battery life. On the ThinkPad P16 Gen 1, bigger battery options are available with 52.5Wh and 86Wh.
With NVIDIA T550 professional graphics with 4 GB VRAM both machines are ISV-certified. On paper, this makes them well matched to 3D CAD and BIM tools such as AutoCAD, Revit, Solidworks, and others, but they will likely fall short in more demanding 3D workflows like real time visualisation and VR.
With a 16:10 aspect ratio, the displays on the new machines are taller than the traditional 16:9. The ThinkPad P14s comes with a choice of three panels up to the WQUXGA (3,840 x 2,400) IPS Touch, 500nit, while the ThinkPad P16s peaks at the WQXGA (2,560 x 1,600) IPS, 400nit.
Both machines are notably thin and light. The ThinkPad P16s comes in at 20.5 – 21.1mm and starts at 1.73kg, while the ThinkPad P14s is 17.9mm and starts at 1.39kg.
The ThinkPad P16s Gen 1 and ThinkPad P14s Gen 3 will be available in April 2022. Prices start at €1,529
