Lenovo ThinkStation PGX review: I may have just found the best mini workstation for OpenClaw, and it’s not a Mac mini
by https://www.techradar.com/uk/author/collin-probst · TechRadarTechRadar Verdict
If you're one of the thousands that are currently drowning in building AI models locally, the ThinkStation PGX might just be one of the best options I've seen on the market. It's got the form factor of a Mac mini that everybody seems to love, but with a fantastic software stack, the reliability and business prowess of Lenovo, and fantastic power. Though note that this is not a productivity workstation replacement. It's really just an AI-specific device, so choose wisely.
Pros
- +Fantastic power in a tiny formfactor
- +Lenovo-backed
- +128GB memory for heavy LLM use
Cons
- -Expensive
- -One-Trick-Pony
- -Only 1TB Starting storage
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I don't know about you, but any time I spend on LinkedIn, I am then immediately drowned by AI talk by those who are replacing entire companies with AI and how quickly people can build AI. All of that building requires a device that has insane power, or, to quote Aladdin, "ultimate cosmic power." That is what it seems like we are reaching for these days with the amount of computing power we are demanding from our devices.
Depending on what you are doing, having a dedicated LLM device could be the thing that makes or breaks your profit margins or also helps you actually get work done without burning through all of your tokens in one week. The Lenovo ThinkStation PGX is designed to run an LLM locally on a machine so that you can test anything that you need to test in an AI workspace without having to run it through the cloud. This will allow for things like script testing, feature testing, model testing, etc.
Further, this is also the kind of machine that you could use as an always-on device that would be fantastic for OpenClaw or Claudbot. As I mentioned briefly above, many people rely on the Mac mini for this.
However, if you're already in the professional work space or if you prefer Windows or if you trust Lenovo already, or alternatively maybe you don't need a full desktop as well, this is a phenomenal option for those workloads, and it likely destined for inclusion in our best mini PC guide for those that need a dedicated compact AI-ready workstation.
Lenovo ThinkStation PGX: Price and availability
The ThinkStation PGX is available across Lenovo's regional websites, including in the US where prices start at $5,079 and in the UK, priced from £5,200.
The base model comes with 1 TB storage. However, if you want to upgrade to other storage components or buy through other retailers, the price may vary. My quick research has shown that the price of this unit can easily vary between $4,800 and $5,400 depending on your configuration.
Lenovo ThinkStation PGX: Unboxing and First Impressions
The PGX makes a strong case for those who want an mini AI Workstation. There are so many people in that realm of work these days that having dedicated devices that specialize in extracting every ounce of power from components to support power-hungry software is a good thing. However, it’s not for everyone. While there is a basic desktop, it feels more like a NAS rendering than that of a true computer.
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