ThinkStation Design: Pure Power
We just added high performance workstations to the Lenovo Think branded stable. The ThinkStation S10 and D10 workstations are designed to offer Lenovo’s highest performance and reliability for professionals in the most demanding data and graphics intensive environments. Here are some of the feeds and speeds:
The workstations are built on the upcoming Quad-Core Intel® Xeon® processor 5400 series and Intel® Core™2 Extreme processors, the first processors based on new 45-nanometer technology that nearly doubles the density of transistors on the chips for new levels of energy-efficient performance.
The dual processor ThinkStation D10 workstation will offer the fastest Quad-Core Inte®l Xeon® processor 5400 series, while the single processor ThinkStation S10 workstation will offer the latest Intel® Core 2 processors including the Intel® Core™ 2 Extreme processor QX9650 along with the latest graphics solutions from NVIDIA. They also come equipped with dual Gigabit Ethernet and multiple slots, bays and USB ports for expandability.
From a design perspective we wanted to make a statement of pure power. Forget fake power bulges, blue under-carriage lights, “aerodynamic” wings, flame paint jobs and other such design gimmicks. These computers were designed to look like the perfect companion to your Humvee.
The front surface is highly perforated using a efficient hexagonal pattern for maximum intake volume, you can thank the bee for this innovation. The air volume required to cool a high performance engine like this is extensive. Even though the front surface is nearly transparent, Lenovo’s unique thermal design doesn’t compromise performance or acoustics. The acoustic measures are the same as a standard Lenovo desktop PC.
The design also incorporates some nice usability features. We built in the most robust top handle ever for moving the workstation, as well as a side cover latch for easy access to the system. The handle easily removes so the machines can be rack mounted if you prefer. The front mounted ports include illuminated icons to help users find them when working in low light conditions.
Beyond the high-performance focus, we also designed the workstations with the environment in mind by offering models complying with the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star® 4.0 requirements to help users manage energy usage and costs. The workstations feature 80 percent efficient power supplies. Additionally, they contain more than 50 percent recycled plastics content. Black plastic is the easiest color to recycle.
David Hill
Lenovo Meet the Modder Dean Liou
Lenovo Meet the modder- Chris Blarsky Dairy 2
Lenovo Meet the modder- Chris Blarsky Dairy 1
Lenovo H320 desktop
November 7th, 2007 2:19 pm
The 5 1/4″ drive bays look out of place, almost an eyesore.
November 7th, 2007 2:42 pm
So is IBM getting out of the workstation business as well?
November 8th, 2007 2:03 am
I’m not sure this ThinkStation really comes across as pure power. I get hung up on the nice perforated front and then the plain ugly bays and usb ports. I have an Apple Powermac G5 (now the Mac Pro) and it strikes me as a beast full of power when looking at it. (I also have a Thinkpad T42.) Now I realize you do not want to copy it, but can we not hide the drive doors? integrate the usb ports into the design better by perforating the plastic that holds them while still keeping costs down? I like the ability to remove the handle! But the top corners are much too squared giving the impression that all the design was in the bottom of the ThinkStation, and when the handle is gone its going to look like something is missing. Are there any aesthetically pleasing grooves in the top and bottom for stacking these? Since these are for power and efficiency, has Lenovo looked at using the modular designed power supplies for easy access inside for changing drives, RAM, etc. plus more air flow. But in the end these are only my ideas and love seeing the new products from you guys! – jb
November 8th, 2007 6:59 am
The handle can be removed? Fantastic, it is an absolute eyesore, I love the boxy design as always but I see no reason why a handle cannot be integrated into a flush top than simply bolted on like an afterthought.
Other than the handle, I can live with all the other design features, i’d like more symmetry and I think the curve at the bottom is unnescesary but these are not major.
Regarding aspects like hiding the drive bays – don’t even consider it, as a workstation, covering bays and ports etc is simply form over function and has no place on a system like this. What I would like to see if externally removable HDD bays on these similar to what Intellistations had.
November 8th, 2007 11:45 am
We intentionally avoided covering any of the ports or drives with doors. Years ago my team designed the first IBM workstations and we used doors to simplify the appearance. Although it instantly “fixed” a lot of pure aesthetic issues, it made using the machine annoying. Nearly every computer we saw in the field had the door unceremoniously tossed in the trash. I even had one at home that I must admit was quickly rendered doorless by my sons. This class of machine seems best when the design balance of power is weighted to function. Utilitarian design can also be very appealing. Think Humvee H1, which in my opinion is a beautiful design, not sports car.
November 8th, 2007 8:02 pm
Its ugly as hell and i love it! congrats to Lenovo you did a good i fell in love with S10 right away!
November 12th, 2007 1:26 am
Have you seen the HP Blackbird 002.. Now that is a beatuful desktop.. Imagine that platform with workstation Graphics
November 12th, 2007 8:01 pm
I’m sorry but am I the only one who loves this thing? It looks like it intakes babies and exhausts loud death metal. Seriously hardcore PC. Way to go Lenovo. We all did the pretty thing once, I remember my first PC had a $250 coolermaster case that was delicious. I hated it because of the door and eventually got an Antec which I fell in love with because it was the definition of practical.
Let Lenovo be known as the company who designs thing to be practical and that in itself is what makes them so beautiful.
Now I can only hope they’re making something smaller than the X series. I can only dream.
November 12th, 2007 9:05 pm
David, I had put this question to you previously as well. Would you please let me know, who designed lenovo logo?, the one with italic fonts. I know Paul Rand designed IBM logo but have no clue who did the job on lenovo.
Thank you.
November 13th, 2007 6:14 am
Looks great. Sleek lines, no nonsense design. The handle design is fine, especially since it can be removed.
Could we see a view of the rear? A major design flaw I’ve noticed in other desktops is when they make the display jack not clearly viewable from the top. It makes hooking up monitors irritating.
November 13th, 2007 1:37 pm
Peter, you are correct that Paul Rand designed the IBM logo. He also designed the unique typographic signature for the ThinkPad nameplate. I do not know who designed the Lenovo logo.
November 14th, 2007 12:16 am
David, Thank you for getting back to me.
November 14th, 2007 5:15 am
I doubt the lenovo logo took much designing, pick a font, bold, italics – done!
November 14th, 2007 8:33 pm
I’m looking at setting up a workstation running Ubuntu Studio http://ubuntustudio.org/ and one of these looks like just the ticket! They kind of remind me of old soviet-era computers. I also agree with David that the old IBM towers with doors were pretty annoying, who wants to open a door to access their cd/dvd drive?
November 15th, 2007 12:25 pm
As a professional photographer who is constantly editing large images in Photoshop CS3, this is exactly what I need. The usability engineer in me loves the large handle and back-lit icons. Looks pretty cool, too. David, please pass along my congratulations to John and the rest of the design team.
November 17th, 2007 2:52 pm
oh my, i just seen the flickr photos – 10 USB ports? I think i’m in love now.
November 18th, 2007 5:06 pm
Fantastic Pure Design
November 23rd, 2007 2:42 pm
lenovo t60-when trying to hibernate getting an error – unable to support function.
November 24th, 2007 9:33 pm
How much longer before I can click “CUSTOMIZE’?
November 26th, 2007 10:10 am
James – ThinkStation will be available for purchase in January.
November 26th, 2007 6:34 pm
Well, it’s always a good idea if design also follows some function or better usability. From a first quick optical external view, those ThinkStations don’t look so much different than older initial IntelliStations. In other words, I don’t see so much overall radical changes here.
Another often unmentioned point when it comes to computers like workstations etc. is, if and how their inner design parts keep in sync with nowadays demanded technical aspects. Just to name some points here…
- if internal drives and all fans are assembled in an vibration less manner
- if fans with a bigger diameter have been used for reduced rotation speed and thus less operating noise
- if all inner parts can be probably assembled/disassembled without tools
- …and so on…
In short, I believe that an overall good design has to cover much more than just the exterior parts, especially when it is related to technology products like computers.
January 1st, 2008 12:27 pm
[...] in the year, there was the ThinkStation, the new line of personal workstations which reflect the growing diversity and depth of the [...]
February 26th, 2008 2:38 pm
I am typing this from my trusty Intellistation A Pro, and am thrilled to see the new Thinkstations are looking good. Could we see some shots of the inside please? Currently I have 4 SCSI drives and two optical drives filling up my case internally, and was wondering if the Thinkstation would accommodate the same with ease?
March 3rd, 2008 7:10 pm
Your website states the D10 available for purchase in February. It is now March and I can’t customize/buy it. When will the D10 really be available?
November 17th, 2009 12:58 pm
[...] can read more about the original ThinkStation design at Lenovo’s Design Matters blog or browse Lenovo’s information about the ThinkStation [...]