Mobile Workstations

Mobile Workstations.

The name workstation says it all. Contrary to personal computers, workstations are built to perform at an enterprise level. In the good old days, these professional devices were as bulky as they were powerful, but the modern world of work demands agility and flexibility both in terms of its staff and its tools. Mobile workstations are the driving force behind the Modern Workplace—powerful and portable for professional productivity on the go.

Mobile workstations – Get the lowdown from Bechtle.

Discover our extensive portfolio of mobile workstations from renowned manufacturers including HP, Lenovo, Dell, Fujitsu and Acer.

Not sure which is the best device to go for? Your personal account manager is happy to answer all your questions about mobile workstations and accessories. Alternatively, our online consulting service is available Monday to Friday.

What is a mobile workstation?

A mobile workstation does exactly what it says on the tin. While standard notebooks are designed for personal use, mobile workstations are characterised by their superior performance. These high-performance devices are specifically built to meet the demands of professional users and are, therefore, ideal for all industries and professions working with resource-heavy software. CAD, 3D modelling, video editing and scientific simulations are a breeze with mobile workstations which, contrary to conventional fixed devices, can also be used to work from anywhere.

How much does a mobile workstation cost?

Prices range from between €1,000 and €6,000 depending on hardware, make, model, features and workload complexity.

• In the lower price segment, you can buy mobile workstation for between €1,000 and €1,500 and get a model offering basic performance, which may not be suitable for the most demanding applications.
• For between €1,500 and €3,000, you can get a mid-range model with better hardware and more computing power, which is ideal for the majority of professional applications.
  Typical application areas:
  • CAD
  • Image and video editing
  • Financial analyses
  • Web design
• With over €3,000 in your budget, you can find the most powerful devices with premium hardware. Prices can be several thousand euros more than the lower limit, but these are the high-end tools you need for sophisticated 3D rendering and simulations.
  Typical application areas:
  • VR and AR
  • CAD
  • Image and video editing
  • Design simulations and analyses
  • Rendering
  • 3D animations

 

What’s the difference between a mobile workstation and a notebook?

Compared to a standard consumer notebook, mobile workstations are considerably more powerful.

They offer greater computing power and also tend to come with more robust graphics cards than everyday notebooks, Plus, as they have been specifically designed for professional use, they are more durable. Not just in terms of their chassis, but also with respect to battery life. These features make mobile workstations a great choice for tough environments such asproduction facilities, building sites or architects’ offices.

Which processors do mobile workstations come with?

High-end processors are predominantly built into mobile workstations, but which is right for you depends on your specific needs and the work you want to do on your device.

Here is an overview of the the most common processors and their application areas:

Processor	Application
Intel Core i7 / AMD Ryzen 7 PRO	Simulations, image editing, CAD
Intel Core i9 / AMD Ryzen 9 PRO	3D modelling, video editing

 

Hybrid working with mobile workstations.

If you have employees working from home now and again who don’t want to have to forego the comfort of a monitor, mobile workstations are an excellent choice. When you invest in a docking station, you can transform your mobile device into a normal workstation in a snap. Peripherals such as mice, keyboards and scanners can be easily connected either wirelessly or via the dock.

For those employees who are working in the field, mobile workstations offer all the benefits of a notebook with integrated keyboards and touchpads saving you having to buy them separately and remembering to carry them with you like you do with a tablet. Mobile workstation batteries are designed to support complex compute processes without the need for an external power supply and also last longer than a standard battery—perfect for the mobile office! To ensure your device is securely stored for the next job, there is also a range of bags and trolleys available.

 

Factors to consider when buying a mobile workstation.

Mobile workstations are essential for all users tackling complex tasks, but as they represent a significant investment, it’s a good idea to carefully consider your options before making a purchase. To help you along the way, we’ve put together a list of the most important factors to think about:

Computing power and processors.

The processor is at the heart of your mobile workstation, so you need to make sure it’s the right one for you. When it comes to 3D modelling, CAD and video editing, powerful processors such as Intel Core i7/i9 and AMD Ryzen are highly recommended. Consider the number of CPU cores and clock rate, which will depend on the software you intend to use.

You should also pay attention to the CPU suffix. AMD U and Intel U / P CPUs are designed for low energy consumption and long battery lives, while AMD HS and Intel H / HX are better for fixed workstations and higher performance requirements.

Graphics performance.

Graphics performance is critical for professional applications and a discrete NVIDIA or AMD graphics card offers extra compute power and significantly accelerates tasks such as 3D rendering and video editing.

When thinking about your mobile workstation’s graphics performance, take into account the minimum requirements of the software you want to run. You can normally find information about this on the software manufacturer’s website.

RAM.

You need plenty of RAM to ensure seamless workflows. For professional applications, a minimum of 16 GB RAM is required. If, however, you work with more complex tools, you’ll need 32 GB or more.

Screen size and quality.

A high-quality display is absolutely fundamental. Choose a model with a high physical resolution (Full HD or higher) and colour accuracy that meets your needs. Screen size is a personal preference, but consider that the larger the screen, the higher the weight.

Portability and battery life.

As the name suggests, mobile workstations should be mobile. Think about the weight and battery life particularly if you are going to be regularly using it on the road.

Connectivity and scalability.

Make sure to check the number and type of ports to make sure you have what you need to connect peripherals.

Mobile workstations: Operating system and software compatibility.

Which is the best OS for your needs? Some specialist software only runs on specific platforms.

Price and budget.

Fix a budget and then research the options available for you. Understand that quality and performance often come at a high price, but investing in the right mobile workstation will pay off in the long term.

Customer support and warranties.

Find out what customer support and warranties the manufacturer offers. A good warranty will offer additional security and protection. When you purchase your mobile workstation from Bechtle, you can also buy extended warranties and services.

 

Mobile workstations from Bechtle.

Discover our extensive portfolio of mobile workstations from renowned manufacturers including HP, Lenovo, Dell, Fujitsu and Acer.

Not sure which is the best device to go for?  Your personal account manager is happy to answer all your questions about mobile workstations and accessories. Alternatively, our online consulting service is available Monday to Friday.

 

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