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(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )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.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )Lenovo ThinkStation PGX: Unboxing and First ImpressionsThe 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.
The ThinkStation PGX appears to be similar in size to a standard mini PC; for continued comparison and reference, it’s about the size of a Mac mini. All the ports are on the back; since this isn’t meant to be a desktop replacement in any way, there is no need for any ports for the user to interact with after setup.
If you are the type of person who has to ensure the reliability and dependability of AI-powered machines, such as ensuring drivers are up to date, then having a dedicated machine may be just what you need to stay sane.
Lenovo ThinkStation PGX: Design & Build QualityThe Lenovo ThinkStation PGX is fairly compact, and it’s short enough to fit under desk shelves if you want it to stay on your desk, or tuck it away in a media closet or office space. Good flexibility here for that.
No matter where you choose to put it, the result is pretty much the same. It’s not meant to be looked at, bothered with, flash with colors and lights, nor really even be bothered with once it is set up.
Design-wise, as I say, this feels minimalist and styled to look sleek and professional wherever it is used. There are no forward-facing ports, but that is of course due to the intended use case. On the back there are USB-C ports, no USB-A ports, an HDMI port, a network port, and then two expansion ports that will allow for two of these units to link together to distribute the workload you’ve created across multiple PGX’s.
Beyond the ability to link multiple together, the expandability and customization kind of stops there, so if you are the type of person who is currently using a custom tower setup for their LLMs, then this is going to feel a bit too controlled. If you are okay with the change-up from the Wild West of computer parts to something that is a bit more controlled, you will swap customization for reliability.
Lenovo ThinkStation PGX: In use(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )The Lenovo ThinkStation PGX is best when used as a dedicated device for running tasks against your local LLM. The 128GB memory and the Grace Blackwell GB10 help make even complex scenarios feel snappy, much more than most people’s laptops can; that’s for sure. For those in this space, the struggle of maxing out your available GPU is a known constraint. But now with your own personal device, you won’t have to wait on anyone else or book time, or anything else of the sort.
In my experience with AI tooling, speed is a major factor. Trying to ship features with AI usually comes with the expectation of speed. Now, with your own tooling and hardware, you can get prototypes, demos, and research done without waiting.
Off the top of my head, the tools that would benefit from this the most would be things such as: running local inference on larger models, prototyping across several different models, perhaps different versions of an app, a tool, or a workflow, even other ways of teaching or tooling that require quick turnaround time to try things out and you don't want to waste time or credits.
One thing worth noting is that while this does have a ton of operational memory, storing this kind of information to run these large models will take up a lot of space. If you need more than the allotted storage, or if you don't want to pay for internal storage, you can add external storage options to host the datasets you will be using for this.
In short, utilizing something like this as a service-kind-of-model, where you tunnel in and do what you need to do and keep your day-to-day machine light, means that you could run around with a more lightweight laptop or a more practical day-to-day laptop and then utilize this machine when you need it instead of carrying this beefy machine all day long every day. That may not be the best for everything else that you do in your day-to-day work.
Lenovo ThinkStation PGX: Final verdict(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )The Lenovo ThinkStation PGX is an incredibly powerful machine; however, it is probably not the machine for you unless you are in a very niche workspace. For those that this applies to, this is a fantastic tool to add to your arsenal, with more specialized capabilities and easier setup than a Mac mini. It is also more limiting than a Mac mini in some other ways.
You shouldn't buy this if you want a small desktop that can do some powerful things. If you do need a machine dedicated to running LLMs or open claw, then absolutely you should consider the Lenovo ThinkStation PGX, because in that world, this thing is a king.
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I've always had a soft spot for the office furniture put out by Ergonofis - the company seems to blend clean, modern styles with good functionality. So, my hopes were high for the Equation.
This is a well-designed and practical office chair, suitable for both office and home office settings. And I really like just how simple this was to put together.
After 170 days testing, I found it a comfortable sit. However, the unique weight activation prevents it from charting in our best office chair guide - I got used to it, but I understand many won't like it.
Having said that, there's no denying this is one of the more attractive offerings in the chair arena, reminding me of a more office-ready version of the Branch Verve.
Ergonofis Equation: Price and availability(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )The Equation by Ergonofis is priced at $995 direct from the Ergonofis website.
Now, as I say, I've had this chair in my fleet of seats for almost six months. During that time, I have seen this chair sell out more often than not.
And that's true now. At the time of review, it's completely sold out. However, there is a “notify me when available” banner on the website.
To my mind, that this office chair keeps selling out tells you a lot about the quality here.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )Ergonofis Equation: Unboxing and First ImpressionsI assemble a lot of chairs, so when I get one like this that is super simple assembly, I am very thankful. It took a total of four screws and only about 3 steps.
I found the base with casters already installed, which was super nice; then I added the piston, the base, screwed on the back, and called it a day. Again, that kind of assembly is wild and so appreciated.
The materials themselves feel minimal, yet not cheap. They feel quality, not luxury, and all around, something that, at the end of the day, I actually appreciate.
Ergonofis Equation: Design & Build QualityI care a lot about how chairs look. I see enough to have strong opinions. This chair looks very sharp. The two-tone look, the light marble colorways, and even the unique seat material all make up a very elegant-looking chair. Something that would work perfectly with a light desk and a walnut desktop.
It’s that kind of vibe: clean, minimalist, simple, yet elegant. The seat itself feels like a soft woven textile, not a mesh seat that feels like it’s trapped everything from the last 12 years inside. But rather it feels comfortable and cool while still breathable.
The armrests are pretty mobile and connect to the back lower lumbar of the chair. Originally, I was concerned that this would make them weaker or squeakier than if they were connected by the chair's thighs. But, in all of my testing over the last several months, my team and I have yet to experience any issues, even pushing down on the armrests to stand up.
I did have concerns about something like dark denim transferring color onto this chair, but thankfully I have yet to experience this, and that concern continues to fade with every passing day.
Ergonofis Equation: In use(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )My team and I have used this chair for up to eight hours on end, and it has stayed comfortable the entire time. Altogether, we agree that we love the material on the seat; it's something we have never seen on other chairs.
We also love how adjustable the armrests are, so we can adjust them for whatever task we are doing. If we're sitting at a desk, it adjusts. If we are sitting in a circle during a meeting, it adjusts. If we want to adjust our desk to be a little higher for a different kind of work, like focused writing or drawing, we can do that. If we want to lower it down, we can do that. These armrests adjust with everything.
Furthermore, we can adjust the backrests to do the same. If we want the option to lean back a little more, we can, or sit up; we can do that and provide good comfort and stability for all-day work.
Ergonofis Equation: Final verdict(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )Whether this is the right office chair for you will depending on several factors. For anyone who likes the breathability of a pure mesh seat, this won't be ideal. Nor will it sit right with those who prefer models with a leg rest or more adjustable knobs for fine-tuning. And if you need to push up off the armrests to help yourself in and out of the chair every single day, I would consider something else.
But if you're the kind of person who likes this sheer white design, or the clean, modern stylings, it's an absolute no-brainer. For me, the Equation is the chair to choose when you want office furniture that's not afraid to stand out from the crowd a little more.
For more office furniture, we've tested the best standing desks.
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In a time when there are 18,000 different standing desk companies, and I'm getting a different standing desk sent to me every single week, it's good to see that there are still some that stick to the basics and don't upcharge for a brand name. Yes, I do think that in a capitalist economy we need some tried-and-true brand names, but it's good to still see some that are trying to create cheaper alternatives of quality gear without trying to rip people off.
Simple seems to be trying to do exactly that. While it may not be the best standing desk I've tested in absolute terms, there's a lot here I like. Considering the mid-range price (it costs $849), it feels like a high-quality product at a much cheaper price compared to some big-name brands out there.
Granted, yes, there are not as many features as some of the others, and there are reasons those other companies charge more. But Simple is the brand I would grab if I am looking for a more inexpensive option.
Simple Height Adjustable Desk: Price and availability(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)The Simple Height Adjustable Desk is available for $849 direct from Simple's official website here. It comes in a range of styles, including the walnut and charcoal colorway I have for this review.
Shipping, according to Simple, will take around 5 business days or less, but mine arrived in about 2 days. They also offer 30-day returns and a 5-year warranty.
The benefit of buying a quality desk in this price range is that you have more of your budget to spend on other things. You can grab a nice chair or accessories, perhaps some higher-end upgrades for a new laptop, etc. Regardless of your reasoning, I lean more towards the buy-once-cry-once model.
(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)Simple Height Adjustable Desk: Unboxing and First ImpressionsRight off the bat, I was genuinely surprised by this desk. I've tested far more than my fair share of desks. I feel like I'm building a new one every single week from different brands, and I honestly had to check back a couple times to see what brand this one was because it felt like one of the higher-quality desks as I was building it. It had some of the same materials and almost felt like it used some of the same suppliers for some of its components.
The build process was sturdy and rugged, and though this is a relatively budget-friendly desk in this world and comes from a brand that even calls itself Simple, this is still a quality desk with quality materials. I can honestly say I was very impressed with the feel of this desk.
Beyond its looks, this desk also functions very well, just as some higher-end desks do. The steel legs are rigid, provide a smooth lifting experience, and still look sharp.
Additionally, something I have begun to pay much more attention to with these desks I'm testing is how simple the assembly process is. Unlike some desks that take forever to build, this one took only minutes and feels as rock-solid as any that take longer.
Simple Height Adjustable Desk: In use(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)Day-to-day, this desk operates wonderfully. I've put this desk through tests for around 180 days now, extending my normal review period a bit longer to see if the desk’s quality continues to hold up. After this amount of time, I can say that there have been zero issues with the desk. So far, it has held its own quite nicely.
It has kept its shape and gone up and down smoothly every single time. There are no excessive marks, damage, or wear and tear on the desk. I still enjoy using it in my fleet of desks every single day. My team and I have this in one of our accessory setups, and it has performed flawlessly in that role, even as we have built it out with some gear over time. I've shifted back to Simple. It looks great in both scenarios.
One thing that I've grown to love in some desk companies is accessories such as built-in or mounted power on the desk frame, so you don't have to drill into the desk's wood. I wish that Simple had something like that, but then again, beggars can't be choosers at a price like this. You could just as easily grab your own power strip and mount it wherever you want.
Simple Height Adjustable Desk: Final verdict(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)Unless you two have an affinity or love for bougie standing desks, most people who need or want a standing desk don't actually need the best of the best. They want a desk that works. They want a desk that will do the basic up-and-down. That's really all they care about.
That's you. You should strongly consider the Simple brand of standing desks, specifically this one. It does it all: up and down. It's stable, it's reliable, and it looks great. No matter how built out you have it, it's made from quality materials at a fraction of the price of the big guys.
At the end of the day, all you really care about is having a desk that works too. You can get your work done, your gaming done, your reading done, or whatever else you choose to do at your desk.
Collin Probst // FutureCollin Probst // FutureCollin Probst // FutureCollin Probst // FutureCollin Probst // FutureCollin Probst // FutureCollin Probst // FutureCollin Probst // FutureFor more office furniture, we've tested the best office chairs.
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