The new ThinkPad P52, according to Lenovo, 'sets the standard for mobile workstations by combining ThinkPad build-quality along with cutting-edge technology'. All the horsepower is designed to handle modern workloads like VR and AR content, 3D rendering, and video editing, all in a mobile solution. Lenovo adds an NVIDIA Quadro P3200 GPU along with Intel Hexa-core CPUs (even a Xeon option) delivering their first 15-inch VR-Ready Certified mobile workstation to market.

The chassis doesn’t look much different at all from previous ThinkPad,s with its black chassis and ‘for business’ styling. About the only changes are a marginally revised keyboard which still keeps the dedicated number pad along with a Wi-Fi status LED and the "ThinkShutter" (webcam cover), for an optional IR Camera that supporting Windows Hello.

In regards to ports, Lenovo has chosen to add another Thunderbolt 3 port, for a total of two, and eliminating a USB Type-A port and bottom docking connector. It can dock with the ThinkPad Thunderbolt Workstation dock instead. Other connectors include three USB 3.0 ports, HDMI (2.0) and mini-DisplayPort (1.4), mic/headphone combo jack, RJ45 for Gigabit Ethernet as well as SD and Smart Card readers. Wireless duties are handled by the Intel 9560 CNVi device supporting 802.11ac and maximum speeds to 1.74 Gbps along with Bluetooth 5.0. It also has WWAN options in a Fibocomm 4G LTE card.

The P52 includes a choice of two displays, the base 15.6-inch in 1920x1080 FHD panel with 300nits brightness and 72% NTSC color gamut or a 15.6-inch 3840x2160 (UHD) model with 400nits and 100% Adobe color gamut. Driving the panels is up to a NVIDIA Quadro P3200 which is a notable improvement over previous generations who maxed out at Quadro 2000 series GPUs. The Quadro 3200 is based on Pascal GPU architecture and comes with 6GB of GDDR5.

CPU choices are not listed in detail but they did state up to hex-core 8th Generation Intel Xeon and Core CPUs. I would expect to see something from the H-series processors here. A notable option here is with the RAM with the Lenovo P52 offering up to a whopping 128GB of non-ECC RAM or 64GB of ECC RAM. In order to hit 128 GB of non-ECC, Lenovo are likely using Samsung's recently announced 32 GB SO-DIMM modules we reported on recently. Storage is listed as up to 6TB and uses a combination of PCIe M.2 device and 2.5" HDDs to get there.

Lenovo P52 Mobile Workstation
  P52
Processor 8th Generation Intel Xeon and Core CPUs
Memory Up to 128GB DDR4 (non-ECC)
Up to 64GB DDR (ECC)
Video Graphics Up to NVIDIA Quadro P3200
Internal Storage Up to 6TB
Display Options 15.6" FHD, 300nits, 72% NTSC
15.6" UHD, 400nits, 100% Adobe RGB
Network WLAN - Intel 9560 - 802.11ac (1.73 Gbps)
Bluetooth 5.0
WWAN - Fibocomm 4G LTE
Digital Media Integrated 4-in-1 Card Reader
Keyboard Full-size with dedicated number pad
External Notebook
Ports
3 x USB 3.0 
2 x USB-C Thunderbolt 3 
 1 x HDMI (2.0)
1 x mDP (1.4)
1 x Mic/Headphone jack
1 x SD Card Reader
1 Smart Card Reader
RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet
Dimensions / Weight 14.86 x 9.93 x 0.96-inch
5.4 lbs+
Battery / Battery Life 90 Wh
170W AC adapter 
Price ???

Lenovo did not mention a price for the ThinkPad P52 mobile workstation but did say it would be available this month. 

Related Reading: 

Source: Lenovo

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  • casperes1996 - Friday, June 15, 2018 - link

    Those two display options are in so completely different ends of the spectrum it's almost funny. 72% NTSC? That's tiny colour space. 100% Adobe RGB - now that's pretty good.
  • The Chill Blueberry - Friday, June 15, 2018 - link

    The FHD screen is probably optimized towards CAD stuff while the UHD is more for rendering/production work. Even though you're always better to have a good stand-alone screen for production work, 15.6 inch isn't gonna cut it for professional work.
  • Inteli - Friday, June 15, 2018 - link

    My P51 has the FHD screen, and it's fine. I don't do work that requires such a high gamut. It doesn't look good, but it does the job. I'd rather have the extra battery life.
  • HStewart - Friday, June 15, 2018 - link

    I think battery life is overrated in laptops - yes for some like my XPS 13 2in1 it is nice - but high performance laptops like this one, my Think Pad 530 and my XPS 15 2in1 - it mostly treated like a desktop replacement. I went for 4k resolution on XPS 15 2in1 because it nice to have for when I do use the laptop screen - plus with font scaling in Windows 10 is nice to have the high resolution.
  • HStewart - Friday, June 15, 2018 - link

    Also do people seriously use there laptop for more 4 or 5 hours a day. Maybe in school that is reasonable. Don't get me wrong it still a nice thing to have but I would rather have performance when connected.
  • GreenReaper - Friday, June 15, 2018 - link

    For many a laptop like this is their base system, although it'd be a pain to lug everywhere.
    I think you would be able to get plenty of performance out of it.
  • Inteli - Friday, June 15, 2018 - link

    I don't use mine as a desktop replacement. My P51 is my laptop, and as such I expect it to have enough battery to act as one (because the power adapter is massive and heavy).

    With the FHD screen (and the 90 Wh battery), I can last a full day of classes without issue and have enough power to do more demanding work if I need to. I also have never wished for a higher resolution screen. 1080p at 15" is plenty high for me.
  • DanNeely - Friday, June 15, 2018 - link

    A basic screen for people who use external displays 99% of the time, and would rather put the $$$ to more ram/sdd/etc instead, and a high end one for people using the laptop screen directly most of the time.
  • GreenReaper - Friday, June 15, 2018 - link

    It's ~66% Adobe RGB - miles better than the ~39% my Thinkpad X120e has! A colorimeter and a copy of DisplayCAL can make these screens look great, even if they lack a complete gamut.
  • edzieba - Friday, June 15, 2018 - link

    72% NTSC is just 100% sRGB.

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