After testing this HP laptop, I get why its 'boring' design is adored by business users

pros and cons

Pros

• Powerful hardware
• Sturdy build
• Good keyboard and trackpad

Cons

• Middling battery
• Expensive
• Thick and heavy
• Runs hot

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HP's ZBook bid aims to harvester workstation-level show with concern features, and the 14-inch ZBook G1i epitomizes the signifier factor. It's hefty, pricey, and loaded with high-end hardware designed to blaze done nonrecreational workflows successful a non-descript, "all-business" profile.  

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I utilized the ZBook 8 G1i arsenic my main operator for a week and came to admit its earthy horsepower, but with the influx of thin-and-light laptops connected the market, 1 can't assistance but comparison it to laptops that are astir fractional arsenic light, with marathon batteries to footwear (and comparable performance). 

Still, the ZBook 8 G1i doubles down connected its predictably firm plan by delivering precisely what you'd expect from a laptop similar this: power, durability, and reliability, with a fistful of configurations, including niche hardware options. 

Predictable performance

Available successful some 14- and 16-inch models, I tested the 14-inch ZBook 8 Gl1 with an Intel Core Ultra 7 255H processor and 64 GB of DDR5-5600 RAM. This exemplary features information transportation speeds of up to 5600 MT/s and scales up to the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H -- Intel's highest-performance spot family, with much CPU cores, faster timepiece speeds, and amended thermals than the energy-efficient U oregon P series. 

Combined with up to 2TB of PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMeTM SSD, you've got a show powerhouse that's susceptible of tackling nonrecreational workflows, information processing, and multitasking (and prices exceeding $3,000 connected the precocious end). For much approachable configurations, prices hover astir and beneath $2,000 -- premier concern workstation territory. 

Kyle Kucharski/ZDNET

In the office, the ZBook 8 Gl1 is accelerated and efficient, but each that hardware does get warm. Everyday usage of much demanding tasks similar record transfers oregon ample installs tended to make a just magnitude of heat, particularly connected the near broadside of the device, wherever the artillery transportation is. That said, thing ever exceeded concerning levels, and the thermals enactment successful the work. 

As a mobile workstation, the ZBook 8 G1i has a bully keyboard and trackpad that facilitate all-day use. Keys are snappy and textured, and the touchpad is responsive and appropriately placed. The buttoned-up acquisition continues with the 2560 x 1600 (WQXGA) display, which runs up to 120Hz refresh, but isn't thing particularly fancy. 

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There's an enactment for discrete graphics with the Nvidia RTX 500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU, a prime you don't spot excessively often (actually, the archetypal clip I've tested a laptop with one) that performs connected insubstantial likewise to the GeForce GTX 1000 series.

HP cites this GPU arsenic designed for AI workflows, but the 4GB of GDDR6 video representation -- portion capable for mainstream CAD oregon 3D modeling workflows -- is notably not capable to gain the "Copilot+ PC" moniker.

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For astir users, that's conscionable fine, aligning with the laptop's much accepted concern workstation individuality alternatively than a forward-thinking instrumentality geared to tally the latest AI models. Along those lines, this is nary gaming PC, arsenic the aforementioned thermals, constricted 4GB of VRAM, and corporate-minded show don't construe to a precise flashy amusement device.

Lastly, I/O is expectedly bully for a business-minded workstation, with 3 USB-C ports (two of which diagnostic Thunderbolt 4 support), an HDMI port, an ethernet jack, a Kensington fastener slot, and a USB-A larboard for bully measure. 

Some critiques

Kyle Kucharski/ZDNET

I recovered artillery beingness to beryllium middling, with immoderate effort needed connected the idiosyncratic extremity to champion optimize longevity. In the office, I typically got to 20% astir 2 oregon 3 p.m. successful the afternoon, with the remaining fewer hours of the workday cutting it a small excessively adjacent to zero, depending connected workload. 

The 140W powerfulness adapter that comes with the ZBook 8 G1i charges accelerated (up to 50% successful 30 minutes), but again, vigor procreation becomes a interest erstwhile plugged in, making it palpably lukewarm and kicking connected the fans (which aren't precisely whisper-quiet). 

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HP includes an extended suite of information features from its Wolf Pro Security Edition, including HP Sure Admin, DriveLock, and Tamper Lock -- each charismatic features for IT teams. But it besides results successful a dependable watercourse of bloatware, popups, notifications, and offers from HP's extended array of services that the idiosyncratic has to navigate. 

In that sense, this is simply a laptop champion positioned for the concern consumer, arsenic it's priced good supra accessible user rates. Even the exemplary with the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 32GB of RAM, and Nvidia RTX 500 Ada GPU is listed astatine $3,149 -- a pugnacious merchantability erstwhile the latest base-model MacBook Pro M5 is connected merchantability for $1,700. 

ZDNET's buying advice

The HP ZBook 8 G1i is simply a almighty workstation disposable successful a big of configurations, geared for concern teams that request almighty workstations for traditional, non-AI-powered workflows. It is decidedly not a trendy, thin-and-light laptop with a marathon battery, but alternatively a firm instrumentality that adheres to a tried-and-true show model. 

Starting astatine 3.19 pounds and 0.7 inches thick, it's a important laptop that wouldn't precisely spell unnoticed successful a bag, but the big of ports, enactment for Wi-Fi 7, and agelong database of information absorption features marque it astatine location successful the bureau and secured connected a desktop, powering a dual-monitor setup.