For the past several months, I've been debating about what to do for the next iteration of my Hyper-V network. I rely on it heavily for my writing, course-ware development, and training. For awhile now I've been traveling with a Yoga 2 Pro which runs a few virtual machines, and a Gigabyte Brix unit with 16GB of RAM and an i7 CPU for everything else. Because of the two units I also tend to travel with a small 4 port switch plus all the necessary power supplies and cabling. Even though the Yoga 2 is really light, by the time I pack everything up, as they say, "not so much."
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I also have realized that there are a few more virtual machines I'd like to add to my running network which meant I needed to expand my Hyper-V setup. I was torn between building a mini-ITX solution with this motherboard which could have supported up to 128GB of RAM. I thought that if I needed to travel with it, a mini-ITX wouldn't be that much of a burden.
Or, I could stick with a laptop. I knew that Lenovo was coming out with a new line of ThinkPad workstations. So I kept waiting. And waiting. The ThinkPad P50 and the ThinkPad P70 promised to be beasts. At least the specs I wanted. For my purposes, what was most tantalizing was the ability to get a Xeon CPU in a laptop that would support up to 64GB of RAM. Yeah, the unit would be a bit bigger than what I had now at 5.6 lbs but if I maxed out the memory (and why wouldn't you!), I would only have to deal with a single item at conferences and classes. So I did.
I put in an order for a P50 (the P70 is a 17" version which was bigger than I really needed). Even though Lenovo, like most vendors, offers plenty of upgrades, I opted to keep this unit as base as possible. I did get the Xeon CPU and upgraded to Windows 10 Pro (even though I eventually plan to run Windows Server 2016 on it). I also opted for a 2 year warranty with accidental damage to hedge my bets. Not that I'm expecting any issues but I travel and things happen. I decided to do my own memory and drive upgrades so save a little money. Right now I've invested about $2100 including tax. I think the memory will be about another $400. I have a spare drive I'm hoping will work in the P50.
My plan is to set it up as a Hyper-V server in my test domain. When I need to go to a conference, I'll replicate the VMs I need and go. The schedule is tight, but I'm hoping to bring it with me to Techmentor so if you will be in Las Vegas and want a P50 tour, be sure to find me. If nothing else, it should be joining me at the PowerShell Summit.
I'll be posting pictures, impressions and notes on upgrades as they happen. Much more to come.
I have been carrying these ‘Portable Data Center Configurations (PDCC)’ for years now. First starting with my Dell M6500 with 8 core, 32 GB , 2 TB system to my current Lenovo W530, 8 core, 32GB, 2 TB system. All running Server Class Windows OS (2K8 – 2K12R2).
Like you, I have a lot of VM’s I need to use for my daily work. On average 10 running at the same time, including AD/CS/DNS/FS, Exchange, SharePoint, Lync, SQL and other vendors products.
I have used 8 Core, 32GB, multi-drive systems running server class OS for years now. I could never see myself going back. But that still mean carrying to system. One for the heavy lifting an one for all day use. The PDCC’s battery life is well you know. I am still aghast as to why Lenovo did not go with their bridged battery system in this model as they have with a few of there others, that would have been a sweeter spot for these n long haul plane flights. Oh well.
I too just did the P70 order back in late January 2016. It still has not shown up yet. I am told it will arrive by 22 Feb. I really wanted the touch / pen model (I do a lot of electronic white boarding) of this thing but it disappeared as an offering but shows again up on there website as of today.
Argh!!!! 8^(
When I ordered the screen showed 5 – 7 days, then suddenly I got hit with the 3 – 5 weeks delay. I too fully maxed out the system, but mine came in at $3400+.
This is because, I choose to go with the Intel Xeon E3-1505M v5 Processor (8MB Cache, up to 3.70GHz) another +$315 64GB RAM another +$540 ) plus a couple of other items / modifications. I scaled back to the cheaper 500GB 7200 hard drive (because I have SSD’s – and Lenovo’s cost for a SSD inclusion is $200-$300 more than any other vendor). The above cost is not including the ThinkVision portable Touch + Pen monitor I had to get elsewhere with it (because of the whole no touch / pen selection at the time) and like you, the plan to move my 2 1 TB SSD from my current Lenovo W530 with 32GB RAM to the P70, But I also purchased a internal Samsung 2 TB drive for this system as well.
So, base P70 + 64GB RAM, 4TB SSD space, external 3TB (ISO media, backup and the like), Intel Xeon E3-1505M v5 Processor, smartcard, color sensor, presenter mouse, extra power supply + the Think Vision Wireless Touch / Pen monitor put me at the around $3700 for this rig.
Oh yeah, and will be running W2K16.
I still have my Dell M6500 (at the time just as expensive), and the Lenovo W530 PDCC’s but they will become backups or hyper-visor systems to mess more with other vendor hyper-visors / products, i.e. ESXi. more Linux variants, etc… Or may just sell one of them to recover some of this cost.
I only buy new PC’s in 5+ years intervals and only if there is something special about them. The 64GB options is what I have been wanting for a long while. 128 would have been even better, because of memory hungry servers (SQL, Oracle, Exchange, Lync, SP, etc…)
Looking forward to comparing experience notes.
Even though I am a big Lenovo fan, and I don’t begrudge an opportunity for a company to make money, I had to make some compromises with regards to upgrades. Even by vendor standards some of the upgrade costs are definitely on the high side. Excited about getting my hands on some hot hardware.
Ditto on the new hotness…
(channeling my inner Will Smith – MIB)
But just jumped on their site just shortly ago and saw they had the touch version back and a price drop from when I first order mine in Jan.
Checked my config with the touch added and it came in a good bit lower than my original purchase price without the touch monitor.
So, I called their sales team, explained my scenario and the adjusted my purchase price. So, that was really nice of them and saves me a several hundred $$ and the return kerfuffle in the process.
I was about to cancel and reorder with the touch since it was cheaper, but then you get hit with restocking fees, etc.
So, the spend (via a 3rd party since they don’t sell them any longer) on the Lenovo Think Vision wireless portable monitor is still the extra $300, but trying to do a return and re-purchase is just not what I wanted to do, and was also informed my system will be here on Friday vs then end of the month.
So, 2nd Xmas 2015 or early Xmas 2016. Either way, time to put thing thru its paces once it arrives.
Keep us posted on your experience with yours and PoSH Adventures with it. 8^)
I’m glad to hear the sales side was easy to work with.