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 series aims to combine workstation-level performance with business features, and the 14-inch ZBook G1i epitomizes the form factor. It's hefty, pricey, and loaded with high-end hardware designed to blaze through professional workflows in a non-descript, "all-business" profile.  

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I used the ZBook 8 G1i as my main driver for a week and came to appreciate its raw horsepower, but with the influx of thin-and-light laptops on the market, one can't help but compare it to laptops that are almost half as light, with marathon batteries to boot (and comparable performance). 

Still, the ZBook 8 G1i doubles down on its predictably corporate design by delivering exactly what you'd expect from a laptop like this: power, durability, and reliability, with a handful of configurations, including niche hardware options. 

Predictable performance

Available in both 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 model features data transfer speeds of up to 5600 MT/s and scales up to the Intel Core Ultra 9 285H -- Intel's highest-performance chip family, with more CPU cores, faster clock speeds, and better thermals than the energy-efficient U or P series. 

Combined with up to 2TB of PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMeTM SSD, you've got a performance powerhouse that's capable of tackling professional workflows, data processing, and multitasking (and prices exceeding $3,000 on the high end). For more approachable configurations, prices hover around and below $2,000 -- prime business workstation territory. 

Kyle Kucharski/ZDNET

In the office, the ZBook 8 Gl1 is fast and efficient, but all that hardware does get warm. Everyday usage of more demanding tasks like file transfers or large installs tended to generate a fair amount of heat, especially on the left side of the device, where the battery connection is. That said, nothing ever exceeded concerning levels, and the thermals put in the work. 

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

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There's an option for discrete graphics with the Nvidia RTX 500 Ada Generation Laptop GPU, a choice you don't see too often (actually, the first time I've tested a laptop with one) that performs on paper similarly to the GeForce GTX 1000 series.

HP cites this GPU as designed for AI workflows, but the 4GB of GDDR6 video memory -- while enough for mainstream CAD or 3D modeling workflows -- is notably not enough to earn the "Copilot+ PC" moniker.

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For most users, that's just fine, aligning with the laptop's more traditional business workstation identity rather than a forward-thinking machine geared to run the latest AI models. Along those lines, this is no gaming PC, as the aforementioned thermals, limited 4GB of VRAM, and corporate-minded display don't translate to a very flashy entertainment device.

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

Some critiques

Kyle Kucharski/ZDNET

I found battery life to be middling, with some effort needed on the user end to best optimize longevity. In the office, I typically got to 20% around 2 or 3 p.m. in the afternoon, with the remaining few hours of the workday cutting it a little too close to zero, depending on workload. 

The 140W power adapter that comes with the ZBook 8 G1i charges fast (up to 50% in 30 minutes), but again, heat generation becomes a concern when plugged in, making it palpably warm and kicking on the fans (which aren't exactly whisper-quiet). 

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HP includes an extensive suite of security features from its Wolf Pro Security Edition, including HP Sure Admin, DriveLock, and Tamper Lock -- all attractive features for IT teams. But it also results in a steady stream of bloatware, popups, notifications, and offers from HP's extensive array of services that the user has to navigate. 

In that sense, this is a laptop best positioned for the business consumer, as it's priced well above accessible consumer rates. Even the model with the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, 32GB of RAM, and Nvidia RTX 500 Ada GPU is listed at $3,149 -- a tough sell when the latest base-model MacBook Pro M5 is on sale for $1,700. 

ZDNET's buying advice

The HP ZBook 8 G1i is a powerful workstation available in a host of configurations, geared for business teams that need powerful workstations for traditional, non-AI-powered workflows. It is decidedly not a trendy, thin-and-light laptop with a marathon battery, but rather a corporate device that adheres to a tried-and-true performance model. 

Starting at 3.19 pounds and 0.7 inches thick, it's a substantial laptop that wouldn't exactly go unnoticed in a bag, but the host of ports, support for Wi-Fi 7, and long list of security management features make it at home in the office and secured on a desktop, powering a dual-monitor setup.