Lenovo is a well-known brand in the world of professional business computing. They make phenomenal computers of all shapes, sizes, budgets, and performance. The ThinkStation P3 Ultra targets design, engineering, and video editing professionals who need high-powered machines capable of some serious computing power.
The ThinkStation P3 Ultra is on the higher end of Lenovo Workstations, and can be spec'd up to a 14th Gen i9, Windows 11 Pro for Business, NVIDIA RTX A5500, up to 128 GB RAM, up to 4TB of storage, and even an M.2 RAID. This can be a pretty hefty computer with a pretty hefty price tag. But how does it compare to the best workstations we've reviewed? We put the ThinkStation P3 Ultra to the test.
Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Ultra: Price and Availability
Since there are so many upgrades available to the ThinkStation P3 Ultra, there are even more possible price tags thanks to the different possible combinations of these upgrades. However, what is easy to state is that the starting price for all base features is $934.45 at the time of writing this article, and the price, of course, climbs from there. The highest-end model can reach nearly $5,000. Compared to similar PCs, there is some competitive pricing for some of the features.
The Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Ultra is available in multiple regions, such as the US and the UK. For more information on whether this computer is available for you, the best place to start looking is on Lenovo's website. However, it is available on multiple other retailers as well.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Ultra: Unboxing and First Impressions
Unboxing the Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Ultra was about like unboxing any other Lenovo computer. The box is simple and contains the workstation, a power cable, an adapter for Wi-Fi, and setup guides. Right away, I could tell this machine meant power, partly due to the abundance of DisplayPorts in the back and partially because it looked beefy, like every square millimeter of space packed with power on the inside. The compact nature was immediately noticeable, yet it does not feel compact when using it; instead, it feels quite expansive, powerful, and like a supercar at the start of an open highway.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Ultra: Design and Build Quality
As expected for a high-end workstation, the Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Ultra has excellent build quality. It seems durable -- though I don't feel any desire to push this to the limit due to the cost of this machine -- it feels like it cools pretty easily, the machine is relatively quiet even when under heavy loads, and it has easy to access ports, without any being hidden, or in dumb spots, as some compact units choose to do to save space. However, one thing that I did notice that I did not love was the absence of Thunderbolt ports at the back of the unit. There are two in the front, which is helpful, especially for large file transfers, but none in the back.
As someone who loves and gets to utilize some of the best Thunderbolt Docks on the market, I am pretty bummed none of mine will reach full potential unless the Thunderbolt cable is plugged into the front of the unit. Additionally, if I had a Thunderbolt or even a USB-C display I wanted to use, I would have to also run a DisplayPort cable up to my monitor of choice. But, especially with the newest Apple Computers releasing Thunderbolt 5, having the Thunderbolt 4 ports on the front of the machine will help with data transfer, and that's probably why they are there in the first place.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Ultra: In use
Specs
CPU: Intel 13th-gen Core (up to i9) or Xeon GPU: NVIDIA RTX A2000 to A5000 options RAM: Up to 64GB DDR5 ECC memory Storage: Up to 4TB SSD Ports: USB-C, USB-A, Ethernet, HDMI, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt OS: Windows 11 Pro
The Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Ultra is not the computer you would get to run a few Chrome (or any other browser) Tabs. It's different from one you would use for essential business or admin work. This is the kind of machine you get when you have advanced 3D rendering jobs, CAD projects, or even video editing that need to be done. During my testing, I pushed the RAM and GPU by exporting four lines of 4k footage through DaVinci Resolve, and it sliced through it like butter. I also used this to finish some CAD projects I had started for some 3D printing projects I am working on (for more, see our round-up of the best 3D printers). I found the workstation was able to render incredibly fast, and it sliced the .stl so I could send it to my 3D printer super quick, too.
I will be the first to admit I am a heavy and intense computer user, but at the same time, I am nowhere near the most powerful user there is. I wouldn't need this kind of power in my day-to-day, but it is very nice to have. This powerhouse would be helpful for professional video editors, those who use CAD for 3D renderings, and even some intense coders or programmers.
For the raw power that this computer can output, even when under heavy load, it remains pretty quiet. And, when it's not maxing out its cores, it's pretty quiet and could sit out on your desk without needing to be tucked away due to loud fans.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Ultra: Final verdict
Overall, The ThinkStation P3 Ultra from Lenovo is an excellent choice for those who prioritize power and want a compact form factor. Granted, there are some limitations in ports when it comes to Thunderbolt placement and lack of HDMI, but even with that being the case, this computer is still highly versatile and incredibly powerful for those who need a powerful compact desktop.
The Exynos 1480 was a cool mid-range chip – literally, its sustained performance was great. But it was only ever used in one phone, Samsung’s own Galaxy A55, which is a bit of a shame. Here’s what comes next – the Exynos 1580, likely to be used in the upcoming Galaxy A56.
This chip is a major upgrade over its predecessor – it’s built on a new node, with ARMv9 CPU cores and double the GPU hardware. Specifically, the chip is fabbed on Samsung’s third-generation 4nm EUV FinFET process.
The CPU of the Exynos 1580 moves to a three-cluster design with one prime Cortex-A720 core (2.9GHz),...
Following a lengthy leak campaign, the Snapdragon 8 Elite is official as the latest flagship chipset poised to power the next generation of Android flagships. As you might have guessed, Qualcomm is going for a unified naming scheme with its ARM-based X Elite laptop chips.
Like the Snapdragon laptop chips, 8 Elite brings an Oryon CPU with a custom eight-core structure consisting of 2x prime cores clocked at 4.32 GHz and 6x performance units working at up to 3.53 GHz. That’s paired with an industry-leading 24MB L2 cache and support for 5,300MHz LPDDR5X RAM.
The new chip is fabbed on...
Following a lengthy leak campaign, the Snapdragon 8 Elite is official as the latest flagship chipset poised to power the next generation of Android flagships. As you might have guessed, Qualcomm is going for a unified naming scheme with its ARM-based X Elite laptop chips.
Like the Snapdragon laptop chips, 8 Elite brings an Oryon CPU with a custom eight-core structure consisting of 2x prime cores clocked at 4.32 GHz and 6x performance units working at up to 3.53 GHz. That’s paired with an industry-leading 24MB L2 cache and support for 5,300MHz LPDDR5X RAM.
The new chip is fabbed on...
The Xiaomi 14T offers the design language and beautiful display of a current ultra-premium smartphone in a more affordable package, giving users a simply stunning screen and reliable performance for around half the price of a typical flagship. The compromises, notably in the camera department, are clear, but the 14T's display, battery life, and performance show Xiaomi isn’t just skimping, but making considered choices to deliver excellence in key areas.
The gorgeous 6.67-inch AMOLED display is the star of the show here. Photo and video content looks amazing on this panel, which packs a punch in terms of both contrast and detail. The tall, high-resolution screen makes the lightweight 14T a reliable and portable gaming machine – I found it could sustain demanding games like Call Of Duty: Mobile and Race The Sun with no drops in performance and without overly depleting the battery.
In day-to-day use, performance is snappy across the OS, though the phone can stutter a touch when switching between apps. The impressively large 5000mAh battery keeps the 14T going all day with regular use, and easily into the next with lighter usage; I found it genuinely difficult to run the phone down to 0% over the course of a normal day.
A price tag like this necessarily implies compromises, and Xiaomi has made clear concessions in two areas. The telephoto and ultra-wide cameras, while nice to have, do not live up to the main camera’s standard. And the phone’s premium aesthetics don’t preclude concerns about durability – the front panel picked up a good amount of scratches in the course of normal use during my testing.
Overall, however, Xiaomi has produced a solid mid-range flagship with the 14T. This is a big, responsive, feature-rich phone, and a reminder that the gap between standard and premium smartphones is narrowing.
Xiaomi 14T review: Price and availability
Not available in the US
Starts at £549
The Xiaomi 14T starts at £549. As with most Xiaomi phones, it’s very unlikely that the 14T will be released in the US. It comes with 256GB or 512GB of storage and 12GB of RAM.
As a mid-range flagship, the Xiaomi 14T sits next to rivals like the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, which starts at £649, and the Google Pixel 8a, which starts at £499. The 14T’s starting price of £549 feels appropriate when you factor in the specs sheet and Xiaomi’s weaker brand recognition in Western markets.
Here's a Xiaomi 14T price guide for the UK and EU.
Xiaomi 14T review: Specs
Xiaomi 14T review: Design
(Image credit: Future / Jamie Richards)
All-aluminum chassis
Four-ring camera housing
Comes in four colors: Titan Gray, Titan Black, Titan Blue, and Lemon Green
The Xiaomi 14T has a blocky aluminum-alloy construction, with squared edges that round ever so slightly into the back panel. It’s lightweight, with just enough heft to allay any feelings of cheapness, and the rounded corners and matte finish on the rear panel make the 14T comfortable to hold in either landscape or portrait for extended periods of use.
Xiaomi calls the specific material used a “metallic aluminum alloy”, which comes in three colors: Titan Gray, Titan Black, and Titan Blue. Xiaomi also offers a variant of the 14T in Lemon Green: the company says this variant uses vegan leather made from 50% bio-based materials, including lemon fiber, with 100% recycled PET in its construction. The unit I tested was the standard Titan Blue model, but I commend Xiaomi for offering a more environmentally conscious option.
The 6.67-inch display and 20:9 aspect ratio from last year’s 13T and 13T Pro are unchanged – this remains an undeniably large phone. The Xiaomi 14T generally feels great to hold, but I can see reachability being an issue for those with smaller hands – you can enable a slightly fiddly gesture to access one-handed mode.
A volume rocker and textured power button are built into the right side of the phone, with a USB-C port and dual-SIM tray along the bottom. A speaker on the bottom edge and the earpiece cutout along the top bezel of the display form a stereo pair for audio, which is serviceable for videos but a bit tinny for music.
As with its predecessor, the Xiaomi 14T features a large camera bump. In contrast to the 13T’s futuristic black camera module, the 14T’s camera housing seems to be made of the same aluminum-alloy as the rest of the phone, and this gives the 14T a refreshingly industrial aesthetic.
The camera bump houses three cameras and a flash that gets its own lens-like ringed frame – initially, this seemed like an effort to make the device seem more premium than it actually is, but with time I’ve come to appreciate the visual symmetry this choice provides.
Design score: 4 / 5
Xiaomi 14T review: Display
(Image credit: Future / Jamie Richards)
6.67-inch AMOLED
144hz adaptive refresh rate
4,000 nits peak brightness
The 6.67-inch display on the Xiaomi 14T is its best feature and true selling point. It seems to be the same display as on the Xiaomi 13T Pro, but that’s no issue with a phone of this price: as we found in our 13T Pro review, this is a gorgeous AMOLED panel that is consistently bright, sharp, and contrasty in a range of environments. Videos, photos, games, and anything else you can put on this screen all look fantastic. The 20:9 aspect ratio means the punch-hole selfie camera sits right on the edge of 16:9 video content, a considerate piece of design.
With a resolution of 2712 x 1220 and an adaptive refresh rate of up to 144Hz, the 14T’s display is fluid and detailed. The display reaches a peak brightness of 4,000 nits, which is probably unnecessarily bright, but it means you certainly won’t have any issues using it outdoors.
The tall aspect ratio and high resolution make the Xiaomi 14T’s display great for gaming, too – that extra space on either side gives your thumbs a place to sit without obscuring much of the screen’s center. Web browsing, social media, and other day-to-day activities are smooth, with several color profiles and in-depth display settings allowing users to calibrate the look of the 14T’s display to their liking.
An under-display fingerprint scanner offers biometric security for unlocking the phone and creating passkeys.
One area where the display appears to fall down, unfortunately, is durability. I noticed a few clusters of scratches on the front panel in my week or so of regular use. These aren’t noticeable in the vast majority of situations, but it does leave me wondering how well the 14T will hold up over time.
Display score: 4 / 5
Xiaomi 14T review: Software
(Image credit: Future / Jamie Richards)
Android 14 with HyperOS
Google Gemini out of the box
The Xiaomi 14T ships with Android 14, styled as the company’s proprietary HyperOS user experience. It’s a responsive and uncomplicated implementation of Android that comes with some great customization options.
HyperOS is a slick Android wrapper that keeps the amount of extras to an acceptable level. Some of the inbuilt apps are compatible with Xiaomi’s account system but they’re far from essential – Xiaomi’s App Mall and Mi Browser sit alongside the Google Play Store and Chrome on the home page, and it's likely most users will head straight for Google’s platforms. The Xiaomi 14T also comes with Google Gemini pre-installed, accessible via a half-second press of the power button, though I didn’t find much use for these AI features during testing.
There is some pre-installed bloatware, which robs the 14T of some of its premium sheen, but for the most part these can be easily dispatched or consigned to the app drawer. As a deployment of Android 14, HyperOS is smooth and rich in customization features, and Xiaomi’s own animated wallpapers and overall aesthetic choices add a sense of flair and excitement to using the 14T.
Software score: 4 / 5
Xiaomi 14T review: Cameras
(Image credit: Future / Jamie Richards)
50MP main camera
50MP telephoto with 4x optical zoom
12MP ultra-wide
Xiaomi has put photography at the forefront of the marketing push for the 14T and 14T Pro, but I found the cameras to be a mixed bag. The main camera takes great photos – pleasantly colorful and decently detailed with especially great results in bright conditions – but zooming in with the telephoto camera or out with the ultra-wide lens produces results of varying quality.
As with last year’s model, Xiaomi partnered with Leica to develop the 14T’s camera module. The main 50MP wide camera produces vibrant, contrasty photos even in overcast conditions, but can struggle with finer details. The telephoto camera gives the 14T a 4x optical zoom and 20x digital zoom, controlled by an intuitive scroll wheel. Colors and contrast feel contiguous across the main and telephoto cameras.
However, taking photos at higher zoom levels seems to trigger an aggressive post-processing routine, which returns an overly smoothed and brightened image. The camera app’s settings don’t seem to have any options to curb this processing, meaning long-range photos are more limited in their detail than images taken at lower zoom levels and subsequently cropped in on. The ultra-wide camera is also just okay, offering a useful 0.6x magnification but producing a much warmer and less detailed picture.
The camera app is brimming with settings and options that give you a satisfying amount of control over the final image. Leica lends its name to two toggleable ‘styles', Leica Authentic and Leica Vibrant, which respectively produce a more grounded or more colorful image; I preferred the contrast and saturation of Leica Vibrant. There’s also a HDR option (on Auto by default), a range of tasteful filters, and a Pro mode stacked with controls. An impressive night mode delivers photos that feel both visible and realistic.
As for video, the 14T can record 1080p footage at 60fps or 4K at 30fps. Videos capture a lot of detail, but come out a little over-sharpened. There’s a Movie mode that applies a depth-of-field effect to people in the frame, similar to Apple’s Cinematic Mode, and a Director mode with a camcorder-style interface. I noticed the 14T getting a little warm when using the camera for an extended period of time, but not uncomfortably so.
Some of the 14T’s photography limitations are explained by its pricing, but even within this price range there are higher-resolution sensors and more reliable image processing pipelines. Still, the 14T is very much capable of producing great photos, and the control the software offers allows for some real creativity.
Cameras score: 3.5 / 5
Camera samples
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Xiaomi 14T review: Performance
(Image credit: Future / Jamie Richards)
MediaTek Dimensity 8300-Ultra chipset
GPU: Arm Mali-G615 MC6
12GB of RAM
In typical use, the Xiaomi 14T is snappy and responsive, handling web browsing, social media, and system apps with ease. The MediaTek Dimensity 8300-Ultra chipset that powers the 14T comprises an octa-core CPU and dual-core GPU, enabling the 14T to power through demanding games like Call of Duty Mobile and PUBG with ease.
In fact, it’s kind of surprising that Xiaomi has pushed the 14T as a camera phone when it’s clearly so good for gaming. This reliably strong performance works in tandem with the unit’s relative light weight and excellent display to offer a portable, powerful mobile gaming platform. This feels like the 14T’s secret power, and I’m confused as to why the company has made next to no noise about this aspect of the phone, instead focusing almost exclusively on photography.
The phone can get a bit warm during extended gaming sessions, but not unbearably so, and battery life takes a noticeable hit when driving multiple demanding apps. I did experience the occasional stutter when switching between apps, too. However, the 14T’s performance remains impressive overall, especially considering its price bracket.
Performance score: 4 / 5
Xiaomi 14T review: Battery
(Image credit: Future / Jamie Richards)
5,000mAh battery
All-day battery life
67W wired charging, no wireless charging
As seems to be the case for Xiaomi phones, the 14T can easily sustain a day of use on a single charge. It’s equipped with an impressively massive 5,000mAh lithium-polymer battery, and it shows. I actually struggled to drain the battery in the course of a normal day, and standby times are truly impressive.
The Xiaomi 14T supports 67W wired charging, which is certainly fast, but far from on a par with the 120W speeds the 14 Pro can handle. Somewhat annoyingly, the base 14T misses out on the 14T Pro’s 50W wireless charging upgrade, and in fact doesn’t support wireless charging at all. That’s not a huge concern given the fast wired charging speeds and reliably long battery life, but it’s a little disappointing nonetheless.
You get a USB-A to USB-C cable in the box, but not a wall plug. I tested the phone’s charging speed with a Huawei 40W power adapter and found it charged reasonably quickly. I’ll update this review when I’m able to test the 14T’s maximum charging speed.
Battery score: 3.5 / 5
Should you buy the Xiaomi 14T?
Buy if...
You’re a mobile gamer
The Xiaomi 14T has all the components of a great gaming phone – its high-resolution display, long battery life and reliably fast performance make it ideal for modern titles.
You want a long and reliable battery life
With an immense capacity of 5,000mAh, the Xiaomi 14T confidently boasts all-day battery life. It’s something of a challenge to bring the battery from 100% down to 0% in the span of a normal day.
You want premium aesthetics
The Xiaomi 14T's visage is reminiscent of its more premium contemporaries – the aluminum-alloy construction and moderate curves make this phone both beautiful and ergonomic.
You want a cost-effective all-rounder
The Xiaomi 14T is a strong reminder that mid-range handsets are inching ever closer to pro standards, and while I wouldn’t call it cheap, it’s certainly more wallet-friendly than a premium flagship.
Don't buy if...
You need something rugged
The Xiaomi 14T may have a premium look, but it’s clearly not built to the same durability standards as some of its peers. The display, while beautiful, picks up scratches easily.
You want the very best cameras
The Xiaomi 14T’s 50MP main camera takes reliably great photos, but the 50MP telephoto and 12MP ultra-wide cameras leave something to be desired. It’s a shame, too, because the phone comes with a comprehensive array of camera settings and photography controls.
The latest phone in Samsung’s long-running line of cheaper FE flagships, the S24 FE features a 6.7-inch 120hz display and Samsung’s iconic triple camera system.
Taking one or two steps up the price ladder, we find Apple’s latest flagship. The iPhone 16 is a clear choice for photographers with its new Camera Control button.
Testing included: Everyday use: social media, web browsing, photography and video recording, gaming, calls and messages, music playback, and charging tests
My testing of the Xiaomi 14T included a number of specific usage tests as well as everyday use over the course of about one week. The model reviewed had 512GB of storage and 12GB of RAM in the Titan Blue color option.
I put the Xiaomi 14T through its paces with games like PUBG, Call of Duty: Mobile, and Race the Sun, streamed video with YouTube and music with Spotify, and scrolled through Instagram and Google Chrome. I went out to take photos with all three cameras in a variety of conditions. I then applied my knowledge of smartphone specs and journalistic training to assess the qualities and overall value proposition of the Xiaomi 14T.
For more on our smartphone testing process, check out our guide to how we test.
Mediatek is expected to release the Dimensity 9400 chipset next month. It will have the Immortalis-G925 graphics unit by Arm, which the Taiwanese company claims will be “the highest performing, most efficient GPU to date.”
Recent benchmarks confirmed this might be true regarding raw power. The GPU scored 134 fps in the GFX Aztec 1440p off-screen Vulkan benchmark, which is much higher than the 72 fps on the Apple A18 Pro and the 95 fps on last year's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
The Aztec test is part of the GFXBench suite, designed to simulate an intensive 3D game-like environment and push...
Mediatek is expected to release the Dimensity 9400 chipset next month. It will have the Immortalis-G925 graphics unit by Arm, which the Taiwanese company claims will be “the highest performing, most efficient GPU to date.”
Recent benchmarks confirmed this might be true regarding raw power. The GPU scored 134 fps in the GFX Aztec 1440p off-screen Vulkan benchmark, which is much higher than the 72 fps on the Apple A18 Pro and the 95 fps on last year's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
The Aztec test is part of the GFXBench suite, designed to simulate an intensive 3D game-like environment and push...
Sony has announced its most powerful game console yet, the PlayStation 5 Pro, which is an updated model of the PlayStation 5 that was announced back in 2020.
Like the PS4 Pro before it, the PS5 Pro is aimed entirely at improving the graphical fidelity of its games, with three key new improvements towards that goal.
The first of this is an upgraded GPU. While it's still based on the same architecture, the PS5 Pro GPU now features 67% more compute units and 28% faster memory. Sony claims that these changes provide 45% faster rendering of games compared to the PS5.
The other...
Qualcomm has fallen into a pattern – launch a Snapdragon chip, then introduce a faster “+” variant and a cheaper “s” variant. There was the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 in late 2023, then came the beefy 7+ Gen 3 in March and, well, now an “s” model is on the horizon. It’s not official yet, maybe that will happen during Qualcomm’s big event in October. For now, we have this leaked slide that was shared by Evan Blass.
Focusing on the details at the bottom, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 will have a 20% faster CPU, 40% faster GPU and 30% faster NPU, while offering a modest 12% improvement in power...
Many people are familiar with PCs and Macs as the primary operating systems. While these are great, sometimes users may seek alternatives, especially those in programming or those who want a more open-source operating system that can be customized to their needs. Linux is often used for servers, IT professionals, developers, and other devices that must be operational for long periods.
But can the Kubuntu Focus M2 Gen 5 compete against some of the best Linux laptops we've reviewed? We put it to the test.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Kubuntu Focus M2 Gen 5: Unboxing & first impressions
Unboxing the Kubuntu Focus M2 Gen 5 Linux Laptop made me appreciate the durability and reliability that Kubuntu offers. This laptop is solid. It's not a cheap-feeling plastic; it is solid and could take some rugged and demanding work. The box includes the computer, a powerful 280W or 330W power adapter (depending on the GPU configuration), and essential documentation.
The laptop chassis is made of aluminum alloy for its quality and durability. The QHD display is immediately impressive with its vibrant colors and sharp resolution. This is something that I was happily surprised with, as I was expecting a lower-quality screen for some reason. The keyboard and touchpad feel responsive and well-built, with the option of customizable backlighting.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Kubuntu Focus M2 Gen 5: Design & build quality
Specs
as tested
Processor: Intel i9-14900HX (24 cores, 32 threads, up to 5.8 GHz) GPU: Nvidia RTX 4060 RAM: Up to 96GB DDR5 5200 MHz Storage: 1000GB 7450MBps Samsung Ports: HDMI 2.0b, Mini DisplayPort, 2 x USB-C 3.2 (with Thunderbolt 4), 2 x USB-A 3.2, Headset Audio Jack, Mic + S/PDIF Audio Jack, 2.5 Gigabit RJ-45 Ethernet
The M2 Gen 5 boasts an all-metal design with a premium finish. It can be used heavily without showing much wear and tear. Among the other laptops I am testing, it feels like a Cyber Truck. It looks different from the streamlined, minimalist design language the "other guys" are going for.
However, the device is relatively slim and lightweight compared to many of the best mobile workstations out there, making it portable without compromising on power. It's not made to be a slim notebook design. It's supposed to be a powerhouse workstation.
The hinge mechanism feels robust, and the overall build quality is excellent. As I mentioned, I can be more careful with this, and I'm worried that the laptop will fold, bend, break, or be damaged. The ports are firm and can withstand a heavy workload of plugging and unplugging without getting loose. Lastly, the keyboard is comfortable to type on. I may not want to write for hours and hours on this machine, but as a workstation, its keyboard is relatively easy to use and comfortable enough to get the job done.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
Kubuntu Focus M2 Gen 5: In use
My first interactions with the Kubuntu Focus M2 Gen 5 were a bit problematic. I had issues with skipping, lag, and an overall slow UI. However, after some research and reaching out to Kubuntu, I realized this issue was due to a hybrid mode that I had allowed, which was helpful. Once I moved out of hybrid mode and into performance mode, I was gleefully surprised by how smoothly everything operated.
The performance across the board has been stellar. I've been able to knock out anything I've wanted to do with ease. As with all our tests for the best business laptops, my team and I tested this with light coding, 3D rendering, programming, and everyday business tasks.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
The laptop runs quietly under load. However, upon closing the computer, it usually does a quick fan burst to help cool and prepare for sleep. All around, the battery life is good. We got nearly 8 hours with moderate use, and thankfully, it charges with USB-C, just like everything else we have, so we could charge it up quickly with what charging bricks and stations we already have on hand.
Carrying this laptop around feels hefty, especially when working with super-thin laptops designed to be highly portable and light. What I was able to remind myself of, though quickly, is that Kubuntu is not trying to be the thinnest laptop on the market, designed to slip into a small bag or sling and not be seen; the goal of this laptop is to be a powerhouse, competing with other workstations, not thin laptops. With that in mind, this laptop is much more reasonably sized and scores better in overall footprint and weight.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)
The port offering on this laptop has been a huge pro, especially in the line of work people wanting this laptop would be in. There is no need for dongles, docks, or adapters, as this computer has nearly every port you need. Any ports that could run off the back of your computer and only be plugged in and not messed with, such as ethernet and HDMI, run off the back. The ports that would probably be messed with while working on something are all on the sides, making them easily accessible and easy to use. This workstation was designed for heavy-duty work and to do that work efficiently.
Kubuntu Focus M2 Gen 5: Final verdict
The Kubuntu Focus M2 Gen 5 is an exceptional machine for those who need an all-around great Linux Workstation. Its quality components, excellent build quality, and robust port offering make it a top choice for professionals despite its higher price tag.
