Business laptops often lack excitement, but high-end workstation notebooks can offer a compelling mix of power and features for tech enthusiasts. The HP ZBook Ultra G1a stands out as an example. While its appearance is understated, key specifications reveal its potential: an AMD Strix Halo APU, substantial RAM, an OLED display, and a good selection of high-speed ports, including Thunderbolt 4, which is uncommon on AMD-powered systems.
AMD’s high-end Ryzen AI Max chips are known for delivering strong performance, as seen in devices like the Asus ROG Flow Z13 and Framework Desktop. The ZBook Ultra G1a brings the powerful Strix Halo APU with its excellent integrated graphics into a portable 14-inch laptop form factor, a unique offering currently. This configuration promises robust performance, good battery life, and graphics capabilities comparable to mid-range gaming laptops, all within a professional-looking device. It presents a viable Windows or Linux alternative to a MacBook Pro, though at a significant cost.
The HP ZBook Ultra G1a begins at approximately $2,100, featuring a six-core AMD Ryzen AI Max Pro 380 processor, 16GB of shared memory, and a standard IPS display. The reviewed model is a high-end configuration with a 16-core Ryzen AI Max Plus Pro 395, a 2880 x 1800 resolution 120Hz OLED touchscreen, 2TB of storage, and an impressive 128GB of shared memory, priced at nearly $4,700. This configuration is often discounted by $1,000 or more, making it a more accessible, albeit still expensive, MacBook Pro alternative. Such a large amount of shared memory is primarily beneficial for intensive local AI inference and data processing tasks, which most users may not require. However, given the current memory shortage, it could be considered a future-proofing measure.
Component report card
- Screen: A
- Webcam: B
- Keyboard: B
- Trackpad: B
- Port selection: B
- Speakers: B
In contrast to some more affordable HP laptops that compromise on features like speaker quality, the ZBook Ultra G1a delivers a strong overall experience. Its OLED display offers vibrant colors and excellent contrast. The keyboard provides satisfying tactility and deep key travel, while the mechanical trackpad is smooth and responsive. The 5-megapixel webcam performs well in various lighting conditions, and the speakers produce a rich, enjoyable sound. Minor criticisms include the 400-nit screen, which could benefit from a bit more brightness, and the four-speaker audio system, which isn’t quite as full as those found in current MacBook Pros. Additionally, the placement of the Page Up and Page Down keys can lead to accidental presses. While these are not major issues, at the ZBook’s price point, improvements in these areas would be welcome.
A primary justification for the ZBook Ultra’s cost is its high-end Strix Halo APU. This powerful chip has primarily appeared in devices costing over $2,000 and specialized gaming handhelds, though more accessible variants are expected in more affordable gaming laptops later this year.
The ZBook’s flagship 395 chip delivers rapid performance for diverse workloads and sufficient battery life for an eight-hour workday involving numerous Chrome tabs and web applications (with power-saving settings enabled). While using Adobe Lightroom Classic, battery consumption was high, but even with Strix Halo operating at reduced power off the charger, the ZBook maintained smooth performance. Intensive tasks, such as batch editing 47-megapixel RAW images, including AI denoise and automated masking, were completed efficiently without significant delays.
An understated workhorse of a laptop, for an opulent price.
During typical operation, the ZBook remains cool and quiet. Under heavy loads, a slight warmth may be felt in the center, accompanied by a tolerable fan noise that is easily masked by audio from music, videos, or games at a normal listening level.
While not primarily a gaming laptop, similar to a MacBook Pro, its substantial shared memory and graphics cores are optimized for workstation tasks. Nevertheless, this device is capable of gaming. During an evening of playing Battlefield 6 with friends, with Discord and Chrome running concurrently, the laptop consistently achieved 70 to 80fps at 1920 x 1200 resolution with Medium settings and FSR on Balanced mode, occasionally exceeding 100fps. At its native 2880 x 1800 resolution, it delivered a respectable 50fps, suitable for single-player experiences.
Intel’s latest Panther Lake chips also feature strong integrated graphics for gaming and offer improved power efficiency. However, Strix Halo surpasses Panther Lake in multi-core performance and graphics, with the top-tier 395 variant performing comparably to a laptop RTX 4060 discrete GPU. AMD’s powerful mobile processors have also demonstrated excellent compatibility with Linux for users considering an alternative to Windows.
HP Zbook Ultra G1a / Ryzen AI Max Plus Pro 395 (Strix Halo) / 128GB / 2TB
Asus Zenbook Duo / Intel Core Ultra X9 388H (Panther Lake) / 32GB / 1TB
MacBook Pro 14 / Apple M5 / 16GB / 1TB
MacBook Pro 16 / Apple M4 Pro / 48GB / 2TB
Asus ROG Flow Z13/ AMD Ryzen AI Max Plus 395 (Strix Halo) / 32GB / 1TB
Framework Desktop / AMD Ryzen AI Max Plus 395 (Strix Halo) / 128GB / 1TB
Beyond Windows 11’s inherent notifications and promotional content, the ZBook includes HP’s Wolf Security, a suite intended for IT-managed corporate environments. For individual users not operating within such a managed system, these additional security layers can be intrusive. Examples include warnings about files from ‘untrusted locations’ and pop-up alerts when using non-HP USB-C chargers. While these features, along with bloatware like AI Companion and Support Assistant apps, can be disabled or uninstalled, they are a standard component of HP’s Z workstation series.
Investing in a fully-equipped ZBook Ultra G1a is primarily justified for specialized computing tasks such as local AI model processing, mathematical simulations, or 3D rendering. A more affordable configuration, often available for about $2,500, offers a 12-core CPU, a less powerful GPU, and 64GB of shared memory, resulting in a performance reduction.
Thunderbolt 4? On an AMD laptop?Heresy! (I like heresy.)
For users primarily focused on gaming, alternatives like the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 or the Razer Blade 16 are more suitable. At a price point similar to the reviewed ZBook Ultra, the Razer offers an RTX 5090 GPU, providing significantly superior gaming performance. The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14, equipped with an RTX 5060, delivers gaming performance comparable to the ZBook Ultra in a similar form factor, but at nearly $3,000 less. A notable drawback of these gaming laptops, when compared to the ZBook, is their considerably louder fan noise under heavy loads.
While a MacBook Pro is often considered a straightforward solution for various computing requirements, it is worth noting that for non-gaming tasks, an M4 Pro / M4 Max MacBook Pro can offer substantially greater performance, assuming macOS is acceptable. Within the Windows ecosystem, and focusing on integrated graphics, the Asus Zenbook Duo with Panther Lake, priced at $2,300 upon release, presents a more cost-effective option by comparison.
This keyboard is excellent.
Priced at $4,700, this machine is tailored for specialized workloads. It functions as a versatile, travel-friendly 14-inch laptop, but its high cost makes it a significant investment for a general-purpose device. The ZBook is notable as one of the first conventional laptops to feature Strix Halo, and its performance suggests promising potential for future models at more accessible price points.
2025 HP ZBook Ultra G1a specs (as reviewed)
- Display: 14-inch (2880 x 1800) 120Hz OLED touchscreen
- CPU: AMD Ryzen AI Max Plus Pro 395 (Strix Halo)
- RAM: 128GB LPDDR5x memory, shared with the GPU
- Storage: 2TB PCIe 4.0 M.2 NVMe SSD
- Webcam: 5-megapixel with IR and privacy shutter
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
- Ports: 2x Thunderbolt 4 / USB-C (up to 40Gbps with Power Delivery and DisplayPort), 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, HDMI 2.1, 3.5mm combo audio jack
- Biometrics: Windows Hello facial recognition, power button with fingerprint reader
- Weight: 3.46 pounds / 1.57kg
- Dimensions: 12.18 x 8.37 x 0.7 inches / 309.37 x 212.60 x 17.78mm
- Battery: 74.5Whr
- Price: $4,689
