HP's ZBook 8 G1i 14-inch laptop, marketed as a portable workstation, disappoints with middling performance despite a significant discount from its original price. The device features solid specs but falls short in graphics and overall power compared to competitors. Priced now around $2,739, it struggles to justify its workstation label.
The HP ZBook 8 G1i aims to deliver high-end performance in a portable form, targeting tasks like video editing and CAD work. However, reviewers note that while it packs 64 GB of RAM and a 1-terabyte SSD, its Intel Core Ultra 7 265H processor sits in the middle of the Core Ultra Series 2 lineup, lacking the punch of higher-end options like an Ultra 9.
Design-wise, the laptop measures 27 mm thick and weighs 3.8 pounds, with a metallic gray chassis made from partially recycled aluminum and plastic. It sports wide bezels around a 2560 x 1600 non-touchscreen display and standard HP branding. Available also in a 16-inch version, it includes the Nvidia GeForce RTX 500 Ada Generation GPU, a nearly two-year-old component comparable to the older GeForce GTX 1000 series.
Battery life impresses at 9 hours and 21 minutes during full-screen YouTube playback, aided by a robust battery. Ports are comprehensive: a full-size HDMI, one USB-A, three USB-C (two with Thunderbolt 4), and Ethernet. It requires a 140-watt adapter via USB-C, with slower charging throttling performance by about 40 percent.
Performance benchmarks show solid results for general and business apps, akin to the Asus ProArt P16, but graphics lag behind, scoring half to a third of the ProArt's RTX 5090-powered output. It handles AI tasks better than integrated graphics machines but trails modern GPUs and does not qualify as a Copilot+ PC. Everyday use feels responsive, with a comfortable keyboard featuring half-height arrow keys and a well-defined trackpad, though audio is basic and the cooling fan noisy.
Originally over $4,000, a deep discount brought expectations of value at $1,609, but the reviewed configuration lists at $2,739—closer to rivals like the $4,000 Asus ProArt P16 or $3,500 MacBook Pro M4 Pro. This pricing, paired with unremarkable workstation capabilities, leaves the ZBook 8 G1i as a decent but unexciting option.
