The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are finally arriving to eager consumers tomorrow, and before their official retail release, Google has shed light on some of the phones’ security features, showing how the company took extra steps to build devices that protect users and their sensitive data.
Smartphones have become a big part of our daily lives, filled with personal photos, apps for education and entertainment, and even sensitive data like passwords, health information, and more. Because of this, Google outfitted the Pixel 7 series with its next-generation Tensor G2 processor and a custom Titan M2 security chip that offers layers of hardware protection to keep your data safe. The security that the chips offer is great for everyday use, but they’re also powerful enough to be used in business applications.
Google is confident in its Titan M2 security chip — so much so that the company had it certified under Common Criteria PP0084, a security standard that is used for ID and SIM cards, EMV-equipped bank cards, and other applications. In order to gain this certification, Google had its hardware tested by a third party, in which it received certification against CC PP0084 with AVA_VAN.5, the highest level of vulnerability assessment. This was a pretty painful process, as the company states that it took more than three years to achieve this certification.
The firm also made advancements in how it processes data with its Protected Computing initiative revealed during Google I/O in May, which it applied to the Pixel 7 devices. Even though Google does offer a lot of security through its hardware and software advancements, the company understands that it’s also important to give users the freedom of choice when it comes to the security experience by offering different options when it comes to user safety.
In addition to the above, Google takes things a step further by offering an extra layer of security by providing its own Virtual Private Network (VPN) service through Google One. The service encrypts network traffic and masks the user’s original IP address. This feature will come standard for Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro owners later this year without any extra costs, giving users another option to protect themselves when browsing the web using cellular data, personal Wi-Fi, or public hotspots. The service will be offered to users as long as the phones receive security updates.
The Pixel 7 Pro is Google's top-of-the-line flagship of the year, featuring the second-gen Tensor SoC, a 120Hz LTPO display, a telephoto sensor, and a bigger battery.
Of course, we can’t forget about Android 13, which will also provide multiple layers of protection of its own on top of what we have already discussed. While the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are quite secure, they will eventually get even better, especially with Feature Drops, monthly security updates, and yearly OS upgrades. For its latest devices, Google has promised at least five years of security updates and at least three years of OS updates. If you are curious about either handset, you can now pre-order them with excellent incentives or wait for the retail release on October 13.
Thanks to partnerships with Acer, Asus, and Lenovo, Google is introducing a new breed of Chromebooks that puts cloud gaming first. Coming this month in October are three new Chromebook models from these OEMs with features like RGB keyboards and high refresh rate screens. Prices on the devices start as low as $399 and can reach as high as $799. You’ll be able to find them at many popular retailers like Walmart, and BestBuy, and enjoy cloud streaming services like Amazon Luna, Xbox Cloud Gaming, as well as Nvidia GeForce Now.
The three Chromebooks that Google introduced today include the Acer Chromebook 516 GE, Ideapad Gaming Chromebook from Lenovo, and the ASUS Chromebook Vibe CX55 Flip. Note that the Acer Chromebook 516 GE is a traditional laptop as well as the Ideapad Gaming Chromebook from Lenovo. Acer’s Chromebook Vibe CX55 Flip is a 2-in-1 convertible. We have the details on all these models for you right here.
Acer Chromebook 516 GE
The Acer Chromebook 516 GE will be coming later this month for relatively affordable prices starting at $649.99. As a Chromebook that’s all about gaming, there are a few unique things about this machine that sets it apart from the other Chromebooks in the Acer lineup. The first is the 16-inch IPS 120 Hz and 16:10 aspect ratio screen, which is tuned to 2560 x 1600 resolution and can have over 100% SRGB color gamut. The second is the keyboard, which is an RGB keyboard with anti-ghosting technology (you can select from one of seven colors or a 4-zone color option.) The third is the two upward-firing and two downward-firing speakers, which are powered by advanced DTS audio. And finally is the CPU under the hood. This Chromebook has the latest and greatest 12th-generation Intel processors under the hood, powered by up to an Intel Core i7-1260P CPU.
Ports on the Acer Chromebook 516GE include an RJ45 2.5Gbps Ethernet LAN port, dual USB Type-C, USB Type-A, and HDMI. Wi-Fi 6E is supported, as well as Bluetooth 5.2 Battery is rated at 9 hours. There’s also a Full HD webcam onboard supporting temporal noise reduction, with dual microphones.
The $650 model we mentioned comes with an Intel Core i5-1240P processor, 8GB of dual-channel LPDDR4X SDRAM, and 256GB PCIe Gen 3 storage. It’ll be up for purchase at Best Buy.
Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook
The Lenovo is also a 16-inch laptop and it has some similarities with the Acer model above. Under the hood, the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook comes with up to a 12th generation Intel Core i5-1235U processor and no discrete GPU, along with 8GB of RAM and up to a 512GB PCIe SSD for storage. That allows this to be a pretty cheap machine while still letting you play AAA games through the cloud streaming services. There’s also a pretty big 71Whr battery that should get you up to 11 hours of battery life.
Lenovo did invest in other aspects of the gaming experience, though. The 16-inch display comes in a very sharp resolution of 2560 x 1600, and it has a 120Hz refresh rate. Most streaming services don’t yet support 120Hz, but Nvidia GeForce Now does. The laptop does support Wi-Fi 6E for faster connections with lower latency, though there’s no Ethernet port on this laptop. You do get a solid selection of ports, though, with two USB-C ports, two USB Type-A, a microSD card slot, and a headphone jack.
And of course, it wouldn’t be a gaming laptop without some superfluous RGB lighting, so the keyboard comes with a four-zone backlight for some extra flair. The keyboard itself is also pretty good, with 1.5mm of key travel and anti-ghosting to ensure keys respond correctly when you need them to. Plus, Lenovo is packing a nearly full-size keyboard here, with a number pad on the right side.
Asus Chromebook Vibe CX55 Flip
The Asus Chromebook Vibe CX55 Flip is unique since it’s a 2-in-1 Chromebook that’s designed for cloud gaming. It has some of the same specs as the other two Chromebooks we’ve mentioned so far on our list but might be better for some people for portability and playing on the go..
Interestingly enough, the Asus Chromebook Vibe CX55 Flip has one of the highest refresh rate screens of the new cloud gaming Chromebook bunch. It packs a 144Hz high refresh rate display, though the screen only maxes out at FHD 1920 x 1080 resolution.
Other design elements of the Asus Chromebook Vibe CX55 Flip include the orange WASD keys on the keyboard and anti-ghosting technology. There is no RGB lighting, however, but the keyboard is backlit and the palm rest is finished in a velvet obsidian texture. There’s also the Asus ErgoLift hinge which helps with using the keyboard in a comfortable typing position. As for the speakers, they’re turned by Harman/Kardon. Asus says it’s using an aluminum-alloy metal lid and an all-black design on the interior to match the gaming look and feel.
Note that the Asus Chromebook Vibe CX55 Flip doesn’t pack 12th-generation Intel processors like the other two devices we mentioned. Rather, it has options for the 11th generation Intel Core i7-11g5G7, Intel Core i5-1135G7, or Intel Core i3-1115G4. Memory starts at 8GB and can be pushed to 16GB, and the SSD can be pushed to either 128GB or 512GB.
What’s included and what’s new in ChromeOS for Cloud Gaming
Other than the new hardware, Google also partnered with Nvidia, Xbox, and Amazon Luna to bring their cloud gaming services over to these devices. Nvidia’s GeForce Now will be the best way to experience cloud gaming as it supports 1600p resolution and 120 frames per second. This can take full advantage of the 120Hz or higher high-resolution displays on these Chromebooks. Nvidia GeForce Now has access to popular titles like Fornite, Cyberpunk 2077, and more.
If you’ve never used the services before, then you’ll get instant 3-month trial access to the Nvidia GeForce Now RTX 3080 tier with the purchase of one of these devices. Even a three-month trial to Amazon Luna + will be included. And, if you have Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, you can manually install an Xbox Cloud Gaming web app to access that library of titles. Google worked with Microsoft to enable that access, but Google also noted Nvidia GeForce now will be pre-installed for you if you buy one of these devices.
Under the hood of ChromeOS, Google has some optimizations for these cloud gaming Chromebooks. You’ll be able to find the games you want to play by tapping the Everything button on your keyboard and then searching for the game via the ChromeOS launcher. Only Nvidia GeForce Now and Google Play games are supported at launch, however. Many popular gaming accessories from Acer, Corsair, HyperX, Lenovo, and SteelSeries will also now work with ChromeOS. Google partnered with these accessory makers to ensure the accessories work properly via the Works with Chromebook Program.
Google’s own Stadia service will be shutting down, but those who still have access can still play through the Chrome browser on these devices until January 2023.
Amazon’s second Prime Day event of the year is live with great deals on various categories. But the eCommerce giant isn’t the only one hosting a sale event today and tomorrow. Samsung has also announced a competing TV & Mobile sale with amazing deals on its latest foldables, the iconic Frame TV, Neo QLED 8K TVs, and more.
If you’ve been holding off on your Galaxy Z Fold 4 or Galaxy Z Flip 4 purchase so far, now might be the best time to hit that buy button. That’s because Samsung is offering a free memory upgrade on both devices, which means that you can get the 512GB variant for the price of the 256GB model. In case you opt for the top-end 1TB variant of the Galaxy Z Fold 4 or the 512GB variant of the Galaxy Z Flip 4, the company will give you a flat $350 or $150 discount instead. But that’s not all.
For those with an old device to trade in, Samsung is also offering up to $1,000 enhanced trade-in credit for the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and up to $700 credit for the Galaxy Z Flip 4. These offers also apply to the Bespoke Galaxy Z Flip 4, and you can get an additional $100 off if you choose one of the recommended options (only available in 256GB unlocked). While Amazon is also offering discounts on Samsung’s latest foldables, the offers on Samsung’s website are slightly better if you go with the 512GB Galaxy Z Fold 4 or the 512GB Galaxy Z Flip 4.
You can claim these deals right away by clicking on the links provided above. Note that the offers only last until October 12, so make sure you grab them as soon as possible.
Will you purchase the Galaxy Z Fold 4 or the Galaxy Z Flip 4 during Samsung’s sale event? Which model will you go with and why? Let us know in the comments section below.
Apple’s new iPhones are officially here which means it’s time to pick up some new phones and some cool cases to go with them. Yes, it’s a shame to cover the beautiful colors and finish of the new iPhone 14 with a case, but we think it’s better to be safe than sorry. No matter how tough Apple says its new iPhones are, they’re still prone to scratches, dents, or even cracks when they get scuffed or dropped. We’ve managed to round up some of the best iPhone 14 cases on the market so you can keep your new phone protected at all times.
We’ve included multiple cases across different categories in this post to make it easier for you to find the right case that suits your needs. Let’s dive in!
The Spigen Ultra Hybrid is one of the best clear cases for the iPhone 14. This particular case uses air cushion technology for shock absorption and it's also compatible with MagSafe. Spigen also says that it's using an anti-yellowing technology to help it maintain a pristine clear look over time.
The i-Blason Ares is also one of the best clear cases you can buy for the iPhone 14. This particular case comes with a bumper that's available in a bunch of different colors. It also has a built-in screen protector for 360-degree protection.
The SUPCASE UB Pro is one of our favorite best heavy-duty rugged cases on the market. It comes with a built-in screen protector, a detachable swiveling belt clip, and a kickstand that makes it a very versatile case for the iPhone 14.
Urban Armor Gear is known for its rugged smartphone cases, so we had to add its protective case for the iPhone 14 to this list. It's a relatively slim and lightweight shockproof and drop-proof case that's available in a bunch of different colors.
The Spigen Thin fit is perhaps one of the most popular cases on the market. This particular case doesn't add too much bulk to the device and it's available in a bunch of different colors too.
This particular TORRO case is made out of genuine leather and it comes with space to store your cards. It also doubles up as a kickstand case, which is a neat addition.
The Caseology Nano Pop is one of the most affordable cases in this collection. Despite its affordable price tag, this minimal-looking case comes in a bunch of different colors and offers a good amount of protection for your phone. It's also MagSafe compatible, meaning it'll work with all the MagSafe accessories.
CASETiFY, as you probably know, has some of the most stylish phone cases on the market and we think their iPhone 14 collection is simply remarkable. Not only do you get some of the best-designed cases, but you also get hundreds of different options to choose from. These cases also offer good protection and they're MagSafe compatible.
The ESR Metal Kickstand Case, as the name implies, is a simple-looking case that comes with a kickstand at the back. This kickstand case supports three standing modes with which you can find the perfect angle to set up your phone. You can get it in black or with a clear shell to show off the colors of your phone.
We’ve highlighted a lot of great cases in this post and we think there’s something for everyone to choose from. If we were to pick one though, then we’d go with the Spigen Ultra Hybrid case with which you can show off the colors of your phone. Those looking for a rugged case can consider checking out the SUPCASE UB Pro. It’s a fantastic case that offers 360-degree protection to your device. We’ve also added some other interesting options including options from CASETiFY ESR, and more. Let us know if we missed any of your favorite cases that you think deserves a spot in this collection. Also, be sure to take a look at our collection of the best chargers and accessories to see if you can grab something to further improve your overall experience.
Apple's new iPhone 14 is now up for grabs from various retailers and carriers like AT&T. The regular iPhone 14 may not be the most exciting iPhone this year, but it's the default and a reliable option for most users.
Apple’s new iPhone 14 may not be the most exciting iPhone on the market right now, but it’s a reliable phone that’ll set you up well for many years to come. It’s not as expensive as the Pro models but you can always get some good deals for it online to bring down the price further.
So which iPhone 14 case are you planning to buy? Let us know by dropping a line in the comments below.
If you’re looking to pick up a mid-range smartphone these days, there’s a decent chance it’ll have a MediaTek chipset. The company has been pumping out some top-tier chipsets across a whole of products (including, even, the high-end), and it’s not slowing down. The MediaTek Dimensity 1080 is now here, and it builds on the company’s Dimensity 920 released last year.
The MediaTek Dimensity 1080 is fabricated on TSMC’s N6 6nm manufacturing node and offers some key improvements over the Dimensity 920. It has an octa-core CPU, with two ARM Cortex-A78 cores clocked at up to 2.6GHz and six ARM Cortex-A55 cores clocked at up to 2GHz. The GPU is an Arm Mali G68. It also supports LPDDR5 memory and UFS 3.1 storage modules. Its Image Signal Processor (ISP) supports 4K HDR video encoding, quad-camera concurrency, and up to 200MP image capture with zero shutter lag.
“Continuing MediaTek’s legacy of optimizing power and performance, the Dimensity 1080 offers a full suite of advanced features that challenge expectations about what a 5G smartphone can do,” said CH Chen, Deputy General Manager of Wireless Communications Business Unit at MediaTek. “This new chipset is designed to further enhance many of the functions that made its predecessor great, including processing power, camera and video quality, and time to market for manufacturers.”
MediaTek says that smartphones powered by the 5G chipset will be available in Q4 of 2022. The company notes that the chipset shares some of the same hardware and software as the Dimensity 920 so that companies can accelerate their time to market with this chip. It seems that the biggest changes are a clock speed bump and some improvements to the ISP, though those are always welcome. No matter what though, this chipset will be a nice little bump in performance for mid-range smartphones that are launching later this year.
Apple revealed the iPhone 14 series during a press event last month. This year, the Cupertino firm started heavily distinguishing between regular and Pro models. Not only do the lower-end variants miss out on the Pro camera system, but they also have a different design and a dated chip. This keeps the new Always-On Display (AOD) and Dynamic Island exclusive to the Pro iPhones. So why would someone buy an iPhone 14? Well, there’s an all-new 6.7-inch Plus variant, an improved TrueDepth camera with autofocus, and more. Notably, there’s a new Crash Detection feature that alerts emergency services and contacts when your iPhone detects a severe car crash. Though, it seems that this feature is mistaking some roller coaster rides for vehicle crashes. Consequently, some 911 dispatch centers are receiving automated calls about nonexistent car crashes.
False iPhone Crash Detection triggers
Since the iPhone 14 went on sale, the 911 dispatch center near Kings Island amusement park has received at least six phones calls saying:
“The owner of this iPhone was in a severe car crash…”
As the embedded video reflects, some iPhone 14 units are calling 911 when their users ride roller coasters. The feature loops an audio clip mentioning that the user has been in a severe crash. Additionally, it shares the approximate latitude and longitude to help emergency services find you. That’t not to mention that it automatically texts your emergency contacts your coordinates and alerts them about this crash.
In theory, this behavior might seem funny to those reading articles about it. However, it certainly isn’t as fun when you’re on the receiving end of it. Getting a message about a loved one being in a severe car crash can put people through emotional turmoil. We certainly hope Apple finds a way to tweak the algorithm to avoid these false triggers.
Has your Apple device ever helped you in a critical situation? Let us know in the comments section below.
The Lenovo ThinkStation P360 Ultra is a new and unique form factor for Lenovo, being a workstation that’s about half the size of a typical small form factor (SFF) machine. It’s closer to something like HP’s Z2 Mini, but it can actually go a bit further in terms of performance. Despite its compact size, it’s packing up to 125W processors and powerful Nvidia graphics, and it’s designed to be easy to get inside it, so you can always upgrade things like the memory, storage, or CPU.
I’m a fan of this machine. The compact size makes it really easy to fit into a limited workspace like mine, but it still packs quite a lot of power and a solid supply of ports. If you need a machine for heavier workloads like video or 3D rendering without having it take up a lot of space on your desk, this is a good option, and it’s priced very competitively.
Lenovo ThinkStation P360 Ultra: Pricing and availability
The Lenovo ThinkStation P360 Ultra is available directly from Lenovo starting at $1,299 MSRP
Lenovo launched the ThinkStation P360 Ultra in June, and it came at a starting price of $1,299, which is very reasonable for this kind of machine. My configuration is significantly more advanced than the base model, and it’s priced at $2,833.95 at B&H Photo. Lenovo is almost always running some kind of sale on its website, though so you’re likely to find it for less than that. This specific configuration isn’t yet available on Lenovo’s website, but you can get a very similar configuration with double the RAM for a lower price than what’s available at B&H Photo.
As per usual with most workstations, you can buy it from Lenovo’s own website and other resellers that specialize in business-to-business sales.
Lenovo ThinkStation P360 Ultra: Specs
CPU
Intel Core i9-12900 vPro (16 cores, 24 threads, up to 5GHz, 30MB cache)
Graphics
Nvidia RTX A2000 (12GB GDDR6, 70W)
Memory
32GB (1 x 32GB) DDR5 4800MHz
Four DDR5 SODIMM slots, dual-channel capable
Storage
1TB NVMe PCIe 4 SSD
Two M.2 PCIe 4 slots, One 2.5-inch SATA HDD slot
Ports
Front
2 x Thunderbolt 4
1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A
3.5mm combo audio jack
Rear
4 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A
3 x DisplayPort 1.2
1 x 2.5Gb Ethernet
1 x 1Gb Ethernet
Wi-Fi antenna slot
GPU: 4 x Mini DisplayPort 1.4a
Connectivity
Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211 160Mhz
Bluetooth 5.1
Audio
Single speaker
Power supply
300W (external), 90% efficient
Dimensions
86 x 223 x 202 mm (3.4 x 8.7 x 7.9 in)
3.9 liter chassis
Weight
7.94lbs (3.6kg) for maximum configuration
Color
Black
OS
Windows 11 Pro
Price
$2833.95
Design: It’s perfect for small desks
The Lenovo ThinkStation P360 Ultra comes in a small four-liter chassis that fits in almost any desk
It has a pretty good selection of ports for something this size
Lenovo really touts the tiny design of this workstation as one of its biggest selling points, and frankly, it’s justified. At under four liters in volume, this is a really small machine, and even though I have a fairly small desk, it fits very well next to my two monitors. The company touts this as an industry-first form factor, but it’s not too far off from something like the HP Z2 Mini workstation in terms of size. Still, that doesn’t detract from this being a very compact machine.
Part of the reason for that is that the power supply is external, and it’s definitely on the larger side. It’s a 300W unit, so that’s to be expected. In addition to making the PC smaller, this also helps with cooling since it removes another source of heat from the chassis.
This is an all-black machine with just one or two red accents, which are very familiar if you’ve used any other Think device. On a ThinkPad, I generally find these accents a bit outdated, but they’re very minor here, and they fit well. The chassis also has rubber feet on two sides so you can use the PC vertically or horizontally without having the case scratch against the floor or wherever you keep it.
As for the ports, it’s got a pretty nice setup, too. On the front, there are two Thunderbolt 4 ports, along with one USB Type-A port and a 3.5mm combo headphone jack. Thunderbolt support might come in handy if you want to plug in an external GPU later down the line or you opted for a lower-tier model, and it can also be used for docking stations, or any accessories that use USB-C.
The back has a latch that lets you remove pretty much all the internals.
Most of the ports are on the back, and it’s a pretty expansive setup for this machine. You get two Ethernet ports (one with 2.5Gbps speeds, one with 1Gbps), four USB Type-A ports (all USB 3.2 Gen 2), a Wi-Fi antenna port (though Wi-Fi works without it), and three DisplayPort 1.2 ports to connect to a display. There are also four extra Mini DisplayPort 1.4a connectors on the GPU, which is generally what you’ll want to use. The GPU ports will depend on your configuration – the Nvidia T400 only has three of them.
The back also has a latch that lets you remove pretty much all the internals from the chassis without any tools. All of the components slide right out, and from there, you can tear away at the PC to install upgrades. You’ll notice that memory slots are pretty easily accessible, but most other components do require some tools. Still, everything is technically removable and replaceable, including the GPU and CPU.
One thing I find interesting about this machine is that actually has a built-in speaker. It’s just one, and obviously not meant to be a fantastic audio experience, but it’s there in case you’re setting this PC up with a monitor that doesn’t have speakers. I actually ended up preferring this to the speakers built into my cheap monitor, but that says more about the monitor than the computer.
I should also mention that Lenovo shipped this machine to me with a fairly basic USB mouse and keyboard. These get the job done, and the keyboard is actually pretty comfortable to type on. It has a full-size design and all the keys you’d expect without any unnecessary extras.
The mouse is also very basic, with left, right, and middle buttons. Some extra side buttons would be welcome, but you can’t ask for much more with bundled accessories.
Performance
Our review unit comes with an Intel Core i9-12900 and an Nvidia GeForce RTX A2000 GPU, but you can go higher
It supports up to 128GB of memory and has two M.2 SSD slots
Officially, the Lenovo ThinkStation P360 Ultra comes with up to an Intel Core i9-12900K, which is a very power-hungry 125W CPU for a machine of this size. Our configuration is a bit more tame, sticking with a 65W Core i9-12900, along with an Nvidia RTX A2000 desktop GPU with 70W of total power. If you want more power, the top tier configuration is an Nvidia RTX A5000 Laptop GPU, which has 115W of total power. Indeed, the power limitations on this machine are similar to what you might find on a powerful laptop, rather than a desktop.
Even with this combination, though, this is a powerful machine. Even though the GPU isn’t meant for gaming, I found it pretty suitable in my (admittedly limited) testing. My monitor is Full HD, so I tried to play some Gears 5 at Ultra settings and got a fairly consistent 60 frames per second, and the same goes for games like Doom Eternal and Halo Infinite, all running at their highest presets. I also tried Forza Horizon 5, which has an Extreme preset that’s a bit more demanding. The framerate in this setting was generally around 40fps in busier scenes, though it could get closer to 50fps. When I turned the graphics settings down to Ultra, I could get a consistent 60 frames per second.
CPU performance is right on par with bigger machines that have the same processor, like the Intel NUC 12 Extreme.
Of course, a more likely workload for this machine is video rendering, so I tried to export an 8K video using DaVinci Resolve. The video itself is 4 minutes and 2 seconds long, and the total render time was 6 minutes and 46 seconds. That’s pretty fast for this kind of workload, though it’s hard not to look over at Apple’s Mac Studio here. In our review of the Mac Studio, this same workload was done in just one minute and 22 seconds using DaVinci Resolve. Of course, that was on a machine that costs nearly $4,000, but you also have to consider how much smaller that PC is. Intel-based machines just can’t match the balance of power, performance, and thermals that Apple has with its custom silicon. That’s not Lenovo’s fault, but it’s something to consider.
Naturally, we have to look at benchmarks, too. I ran the usual set of benchmarks on the ThinkStation P360 Ultra, and it’s about what you’d expect for this hardware.
As you can see, CPU performance is right on par with bigger machines that have the same processor, like the Intel NUC 12 Extreme. Of course, it’s still far behind the Mac Studio with the M1 Ultra chip, but that’s no surprise at this point. Apple really changed the landscape for tiny, powerful machines. As for GPU performance, you can also tell it’s nowhere near the same level as top-tier PCs. In fact, even a GeForce RTX 2080 Ti still manages much better performance than the RTX A2000. This GPU has a much lower power budget than those cards, though, so that’s absolutely to be expected, too. Keep in mind, this whole system only has a 300W power supply.
My configuration of the Lenovo ThinkStation P360 Ultra also came with 32GB of RAM, and unfortunately, it’s on a single stick. The PC does support dual-channel memory, but I can’t benefit from it in this configuration. Testing the memory with MaxxMem2, it seems like speeds are about what you might expect for DDR5 RAM at 4800MHz, except for the write score, which was oddly low.
Meanwhile, the PCIe 4.0 SSD included in the package performs very well for the most part, though it’s not the fastest PCIe 4.0 around.
Particularly, some of the random read/write results seem noticeably lower than other PCs with PCIe 4.0 SSDs, which is a bit strange. I also had somewhat inconsistent results for random reads and writes.
Who should buy the Lenovo ThinkStation P360 Ultra?
The Lenovo ThinkStation P360 Ultra is obviously not a machine meant for everyone, but it does a good job of delivering what it promises. It has quite a bit of performance, and its smaller size doesn’t come with a lot of sacrifices, at least on the CPU side. It’s a great compact workstation that delivers strong performance for all kinds of tasks, even if it can’t quite match the power of bigger and more power-hungry machines.
You should buy the Lenovo ThinkStation P360 Ultra if:
You want a compact machine that can handle demanding workloads
You care about being able to upgrade and repair the PC easily
You shouldn’t buy the Lenovo ThinkStation P360 Ultra if you:
Are looking for the most powerful workstation
Want an extra-small device for more basic tasks
The Mac Studio fits your budget and workloads
A big hurdle if you want to buy this machine is going to be pricing, but that’s true of most workstations. This isn’t a cheap computer, but the performance and upgradeability you get are great, especially considering its size.
by me: 
