Tag Archives: workstation

Increase Productivity for Production and Manufacturing Processes

This article is contributed by Varinderjit Singh, General Manager at Lenovo Malaysia

Production and manufacturing processes are becoming more complex and demanding as customers expect higher quality, lower cost, and faster delivery of products. To meet these challenges, manufacturers need to leverage the power of advanced technologies, such as high-performance computing (HPC), artificial intelligence (AI), and spatial computing. In this article, we will explore how a workstation can increase productivity for production and manufacturing processes by using spatial computing solutions, data science and client AI solutions, NVIDIA Omniverse, and remote workstation solutions. Examples of noteworthy workstation options include the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 G2, Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Tower and the Lenovo ThinkStation P620 Tower operating on Windows 11 Pro. Use Windows 11 Pro for Workstations to blaze through workloads with lag-free multitasking across your most demanding applications.

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Spatial Computing Solutions

Spatial computing is a technology that can digitize the spatial relationships between machines, people, objects, and environments, and enable and optimize their operations and interactions. Spatial computing can help manufacturers with product design, quality control, safety, and efficiency. For example, spatial computing can enable digital twins, which are virtual replicas of physical assets or processes that can be used for simulation, testing, and optimization. Spatial computing can also facilitate augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) applications, which can enhance the visualization and collaboration of design and engineering teams, as well as provide immersive training and guidance for workers. A workstation that can handle spatial computing tasks should have a powerful GPU, a large memory, and a high-resolution display. A possible choice is the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Mobile Workstation, which has an NVIDIA® RTX 5000 Ada graphics card, an Intel® Core™ i9-13950HX processor, and up to 192GB of memory.

Data Science and Client AI Solutions

Data science and client AI solutions can help manufacturers analyze and utilize the vast amounts of data generated by production and manufacturing processes, such as sensor data, quality data, customer data, and market data. Data science and client AI solutions can help manufacturers with demand forecasting, inventory management, process optimization, anomaly detection, predictive maintenance, and customer satisfaction. For example, data science and client AI solutions can help manufacturers create and fine-tune foundation models, which are large and versatile AI models that can perform multiple tasks, such as natural language processing, computer vision, speech recognition, and more. Data science and client AI solutions can also help manufacturers interact with and explore data through conversational interfaces, visualizations, and summarizations. A workstation that can handle data science and client AI tasks should have a fast and reliable processor, a large and expandable memory, and a flexible and scalable storage system. A possible choice is the Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Tower Workstation, which has a 13th Gen Intel® Core™ processor, up to 128GB of memory, and up to 32TB of storage.

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NVIDIA Omniverse

NVIDIA Omniverse is a platform that enables the creation and operation of complex, AI-enabled virtual environments, or digital twins, for factory and warehouse design. These virtual replicas facilitate real-time collaboration among teams and are the key to unleashing operational efficiencies with predictive analysis and process automation. NVIDIA Omniverse allows manufacturers to import and export data from various sources, such as CAD tools, simulation software, and IoT devices, and create realistic and interactive simulations of production and manufacturing scenarios. NVIDIA Omniverse also supports ray tracing, physics, and sound rendering, which can enhance the quality and realism of the virtual environments. A workstation that can handle NVIDIA Omniverse tasks should have a powerful graphics card, a high-performance CPU, and a large memory. A possible choice is the Lenovo ThinkStation P620 Tower Workstation, which has up to 64 cores CPU, a 10Gb Ethernet port, and plenty of storage capabilities.

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Remote Workstation Solutions

Remote workstation solutions can help manufacturers access their physical workstations from virtually anywhere with rich graphics acceleration via leading remote visualization tools. Remote workstation solutions can help manufacturers with remote design, engineering, and collaboration, as well as reduce the cost and maintenance of physical workstations. Remote workstation solutions can also provide security and compliance features, such as encryption, authentication, and auditing. A workstation that can handle remote workstation tasks should have a low-latency frame encode, accelerated desktop capture, headless graphics support, and leading pro-ISV certifications, like the majority of the Workstations from Lenovo. The Lenovo remote TGX solution is the best way to connect to your Workstation cluster from anywhere in the world.

Wrap up

A workstation can increase productivity for production and manufacturing processes by using various technologies, such as spatial computing, data science and client AI, NVIDIA Omniverse, and remote workstation solutions. These technologies can help manufacturers improve their design, engineering, simulation, production, and collaboration workflows, as well as reduce their costs, risks, and environmental impact. A workstation that can support these technologies should have a combination of hardware and software features, such as a powerful GPU, a fast CPU, large memory, flexible storage, and a reliable network. Lenovo offers a range of workstation solutions that can meet the needs of different production and manufacturing scenarios, such as the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Intel (16″) Mobile Workstation, the Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Tower Workstation, the Lenovo ThinkStation P620 Tower Workstation, and the TGX Remote Workstation.

Intel Launches Their Most Powerful Mobile Processors in the 12th Generation Core HX Processors

Intel Vision 2022 is here! Their keynote was two hours long, but it was not for nothing. They touched on plenty of things that they are working on in the background. Most of it has to do with their corporate businesses and corporate initiatives. One of it though has to do with mobile workstations and that is one we were interested in. They announced the new 12th Generation Core HX processors for workstations. In other words, they have released their most powerful mobile CPUs yet.

Intel already has their 12th generation Intel Core processors on the mobile platform before this. While they are largely of similar build and architecture, they are different products, this Core HX one and the ones before. As Intel puts it, the Core HX is made for professionals and creators.

At the top, the 12th generation Intel Core i9 with Core HX still packs up to 16 cores. Eight of the cores are efficiency cores while the rest are performance cores. In their forms, they are still the same 10nm processors with the new big-small architecture. The new Core HX processors also still support the same DDR5 at 4800MHz speeds where available.

12th Gen Intel Core HX Mobile Workstation Processors | Talking Tech | Intel Technology

Where the new Core HX differs to the outgoing 12th generation Intel Core processors is in its multi-threaded performance. Intel claims that the Core HX delivers 65% more multi-threaded performance compared to the regular Core processors. 65% is a significant amount and important when it comes to creative use. It means less rendering and processing time in video production, 3D rendering, and even animation purposes. The 12th generation Core HX processors, in this case, will see the most benefit in CAD, animation, and visual effect applications. How it will compare to team red is yet to be seen though.

Still, just because the Core HX processors are optimised to be workhorses in creative and professional applications, does not mean that Intel has forgotten their core strength. The Core HX processors are still powerful gaming processors at their hearts. Of course, if you are building a gaming rig, there are other Intel products that might suit you better, this one should be more of an all-rounder for those who needs the versatility.

With Core HX, Intel has introduced seven new processors in their 12th generation Core line-up. The seven new processors are spread out between the Core i5, Core i7, and Core i9 offerings. Because they are mobile processors, we will have to wait and see what Intel’s manufacturing partners can come up with later in the year with the Core HX solutions. For more information on Intel’s Core HX processors, you can visit their website.

Razer is Not Only a Gamer’s Tool, but also A Productivity Champion; Now it is with Razer Pro

When you think of the brand Razer, a few things might pop into your head. The first of many is the colour green, the signature green of the brand. You also might think of the three-headed snake logo that is associated with the peripherals manufacturer. Most of all, you think of gaming, since that is the brand’s entire portfolio. Not anymore though.

Razer realised something over the period of the pandemic, it seems. They developed some responsibility and somehow matured into a weird peripherals brand. Today, they announce their productivity line-up of peripherals.

Razer realised something while expanding their gaming peripherals empire and product offering. Over the pandemic, people who are stuck at home had to play at home, but they also had to work from home. That also means that the productivity peripherals market boomed. It also seems like workplaces are starting to realise that having a remote work structure could be more beneficial to them than having employees appear physically. That also means the work from home culture might be staying after all and demand for productivity peripherals will continue to rise.

Razer also realised that their position in the gaming peripherals industry gives them an edge in the general computing peripherals market. They know how to make great peripherals for the PC, in short. That is probably the reason why they introduced three brand new peripherals specifically for productivity.

Razer Pro Click Mini

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They call them the Razer Pro peripherals. First up is the humble mouse. They call it the Razer Pro Click Mini. While the naming is a little odd, or a little bit of a no-brainer to some, the device is not. In its white clad, it is a wireless mouse that is built to accompany you on your work trips. It is rated for up to 15 million clicks.

It is also one of the most versatile mice that you can find from Razer. It can connect to up to four devices. Three on Bluetooth, and one via 2.4Ghz dongle that also comes with the mouse. Razer’s HyperSpeed technology that comes with the 2.4Ghz dongle is derived from Razer’s gaming peripherals, which also means that you might even be able to game with the Razer Pro Click Mini. Then again it does look an awful lot like the Razer Atheris wireless mouse clad in white.

Razer Pro Type Ultra

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Like the Click Mini, Razer’s new Razer Pro keyboard is a wireless keyboard. It also connects to up to four devices, three on Bluetooth and one via a provided 2.4Ghz dongle. Like the Click Mini, the 2.4Ghz technology opens up the keyboard to Razer HyperSpeed technology for lag-free, near instant input, seamless experience. They also claimed that the keyboard has up to 200 hours in battery life and that you can use a single dongle for both the Click Mini and Type Ultra keyboard.

Like many other keyboards, you can obviously plug it into your PC and use it as a regular wired keyboard. Like many of Razer’s keyboards, it is a mechanical keyboard. It features a soft-touch coat on the keycaps though for more comfortable typing experiences. There is also a plush wrist rest that comes with it to ensure you have the best and most comfortable typing posture possible. It packs silent mechanical switches for you to work with. In that case you get the bets mechanical keyboard typing experience without making your whole office sound like it is full of angry keyboard warriors.

Razer Pro Glide XXL

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No desk set up is complete without a desk mat. Razer thought of that obviously and made the Razer Pro Glide XXL for the Razer Pro line-up. Its colour scheme not only matches both newly launched product, but also exudes class and elegance.

A desk mat is more than just aesthetics and protecting your desk and your peripherals. It also helps you in your productivity or even in intense gaming sessions. The Pro Glide XXL is designed to minimise fatigue typing on regular desk surfaces. The Pro Glide XXL absorbs most of the impacts you get on your fingers while typing. Who said gaming peripherals cannot be used for productivity?

Price and Availability

Razer’s Razer Pro Click Mini, Type Ultra, and Glide XXL products are now available via Razer’s authorised retailers and even Razer’s online store. You can get your hands on a Razer Pro Click Mini mouse for MYR 369, the Razer Pro Type Ultra keyboard combo at MYR 729, and the Razer Pro Glide XXL tablet mat for MYR 149. More information on the Razer Pro product line-up can be found on their website.

The Apple iMac Pro is No More

When we say no more in this case, it is not exactly true yet. There are still Apple iMac Pro devices still going around the market. But as per Apple, the only ones they are selling at this point is their base model with Intel’s 10-core Xeon CPU.

Apple’s iMac Pro is Apple’s iteration of what an all-in-one workstation should be. The iMac Pro is designed for heavy workloads and churn an impressive amount of compute power to do anything its users could think off. It was designed as well, to be as portable as possible so users can take it from one corner of the world to the other to get their work done on a reliable machine.

The latest iMac Pro comes with a 27-inch display that boasts 5K resolution with True Tone and option for nano-texture glass. While the base model is an Intel Xeon variant, you could opt for a 10-generation Intel Core i9 with up to 256GB* of RAM and up to 8TB of storage. If you really want to kit it out, you can even get a powerful AMD Radeon Pro 5700 XT GPU for all your heavy rendering, 10-Gigabit ethernet for fast networking in the office, an excellent 1080p webcam for better web conferencing experience (important today), even better speakers and microphones, and a lot more.

The base model of the iMac Pro will set you back US$ 4,999 (MYR 20,855**) and comes with said 10-core Intel Xeon W processor. You get 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage for that money. On top of that you get a Radeon Pro Vega 56 GPU.

Apple has announced that the current remaining batch of iMac Pro devices in the market are the last ones on sale. They have not confirmed if there are any replacement models for the iMac Pro or not. Sources say that you may not want to count on Apple replacing the iMac Pro at this time though. In that case, if you are looking for an Apple machine that could handle all your 3D modelling projects or CAD modelling, you might want to start looking at the Mac Pro.

*As per Apple Malaysia Website

**Official Apple Malaysia Pricing on Apple Website

Source: Engadget, Mac Rumors