The W700 is one of those systems that seems to add up to more than the sum of its parts. Lenovo has done an excellent job of integrating the hardware and selecting the appropriate components to maximize performance. Using the 64-bit version of Passmark Performance Test V6.1, the W700 was able to post an impressive PassMark rating of 1399.5, which is on par with some high-end workstations we have tested in the past. The unit also scored a Windows Experience Index rating of 5.9.

Users will find the usability of the system excellent. Lenovo has integrated a touchpad, as well as a track point into the system for pointing duties, while an excellent full-size keyboard, accompanied by a numeric keypad rounds out the input options. Users will appreciate the abundance of ports and the ability to plug in multiple monitors and other devices. While the 17-inch screen may not measure up to the 24-inch giants used on some desks, the brightness and high resolution should serve most graphics professionals quite well.

When it comes to converting a workstation into a portable offering, Lenovo has done an excellent job with the W700. For those not needing workstation-like abilities, the W700 still offers curb appeal that will have everyone around the office going “ooh and ahh.” But that extravagance comes with a price and if your aim is to just impress, then the W700 is perhaps best at home on the CEO’s desk.