I reviewed the Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Tiny workstation and it's basically a Mac mini for everyone who doesn't want to buy Apple

Nobody that I know likes clutter. That could be in their house, in their office, in their vehicle, or on their desk. My workspace is one of the few things I have autonomous control over, meaning I can keep it exactly how I want it (and not have it messed with by my kids, co-workers, etc.) I usually run a laptop, but when I get the opportunity to run desktop units, I prefer them to be the smaller platform size because then I can hide them somewhere in my workstation rather than have a giant tower on, under, or around my desk.

The Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Tiny is a mini PC workstation that can be tucked away and hidden out of sight, making for an incredibly smooth workspace. On top of the size benefit, the P3 Tiny is also a decently powerful machine, making it a potential secret powerhouse for some.

One of the secrets of a small machine in the business world is for workstations you don't want to see, for example, digital signage, front desks, doctors' offices, classroom digital setups, projectors, and so on. They're great if used the right way, and if they are powerful enough. And this one might be one of the best mini PC workstations for that.

Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Tiny: Unboxing & first impressions

Lenovo is one of those brands with consistent unboxing for their gear. Granted, they are not recognized worldwide for their unboxing experience, like Apple, but they have a decent unboxing experience every time. Nothing will be misplaced, damaged, or in weird boxes in boxes; it just makes sense.

I noticed right away that there is a VESA mount included, making it super easy to do exactly what I would do with this computer and mount it away. For a lot of mini PCs, the goal is to keep it tucked away out of sight as much as possible.

Right off the bat, I want to compare this TechRadar's top mini computer, the Mac mini. Compared to the older generations, anything before the M4, it's comparable. It has a more squared-off shape, but it's similar in size. Now, if you compare it to the new M4 Mac mini, the P3 Tiny does not look so tiny, but compared to the vast majority of desktop PCs, this computer holds to its name consistently.

Outside of just sizing, the ThinkStation P3 Tiny has great ports overall and is relatively robust for its size. The port layout lends itself to easy access, and it's great to see that Lenovo has included both HDMI and DisplayPort on the back. Sadly, there is no Thunderbolt or USB4 support, but the more I think about it, the less it is necessary for a business computer like this to have those high-speed transfers, so maybe that's not a massive loss.

Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Tiny: Design & build quality

The Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Tiny meets MIL-STD-810H durability standards in a small little frame with great ports and an included Vesa bracket to toss on the back of a display. The tool's free access for easy upgrades and maintenance sets this computer apart from sealed computers like the Mac mini. The P3 Tiny has a modular design, allowing for component upgrades and customization to fit each user's needs.

Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Tiny: In use

My team and I tested this machine for the last few weeks and were impressed. It handled benchmarking software like UL Procyon and others without an issue, it can support up to six displays with the proper discrete GPU configuration, it can be VESA mounted behind a display, it has great ports, and it can run Windows 11 Pro allowing for super easy native remote desktop (if not, Google Chrome Remote Desktop, Teamviewer, or others) making this an excellent computer for AVL systems, tucking the laptop away and running a large display for signage, projectors, customer interfaces, and so on. This machine can run up to six displays with discrete GPU configurations.

All around, this machine is impressive for its size. Consider the ThinkStation P3 Tiny for a front desk setup, a doctor's office, a display system, a minimalist workstation, and many more. This computer can get 90% of jobs done well, without much frustration or issue.

Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Tiny: Final verdict

The Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Tiny is an impressive compact workstation with enough power, ports, and performance to shine in most scenarios. It's excellent for those who need to save on space while maximizing their output (both workload and visual). If you're looking for a computer that can tuck away and be out of sight or help expand what you can see with up to six outputs, consider the Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Tiny for your next purchase.

For more high-powered PCs, we've rounded up the best workstations and the best mobile workstations.