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HP ZBook Firefly 14 G8 Mobile Workstation is a compact and robust mobile workstation that allows the users a significant experience of work that won’t make them stick to their place anymore and tethered to an outlet to make their things happen.
HP ZBook Firefly 14 G8 mobile workstation is the smallest and the lightest mobile workstation the company offers. It is a conventional 14-inch laptop that falls short of a convertible design and lacks the 4K display that could have given this workstation a hype of another level in the consumer’s mind.
But still, it does provide a genuine experience of a workstation-class performance with its sleek design that appeals to the users to take a chance on buying the product.
HP has kept the look of the previous version of the G7 unchanged in this new G8 series of laptops. However, it has improved in the processor part, as HP ZBook Firefly 14 G8 mobile workstation has Intel core i7- 1165G7 processor supported by Nvidia Quadro T500 GPU (4GB) along with 16 GB RAM and 1TB SSD, which is quite a fantastic configuration.
Let us have a look at the hardware specifications of the HP ZBook Firefly 14 G8 mobile workstation –
Processor
– Intel Core i7- 1165G7
Graphics Card
– Nvidia Quadro T500 GPU (4GB)
Memory
– 16 GB RAM / 1 TB SSD
Storage
– 1 TB HDD
Display
– 14.00 inch 16:9, 1920 x 1080 pixel 157 PPI, AU Optronics AUO068B, IPS, glossy: no, 60 Hz
Weight
– 1.413 kg
Design –
The design of the HP ZBook Firefly 14 G8 mobile workstation hasn’t been changed since the previous G7 version of the Laptops. It measures approx. 323 mm wide X 21.5 mm deep X 17.9 mm thick and weighs around 1.4 kg.
The system’s build impresses with its sturdy aluminium casing that meets the military-grade MIL-STD-810H standard for heat and shock resistance and humidity.
The HP ZBook Firefly 14 G8 mobile workstation keyboard gives a sense of comfort while operating the system with the row of navigation keys on the far right and the fingerprint sensor below. Though you can right-click by double-tapping on the trackpad, HP continues with its trackpad features having two buttons on it to manually do the same task with those physical buttons above the trackpad itself and a pointing stick located on the keypad.
The HP ZBook Firefly 14 G8 mobile workstation currently lacks the 4K display available in the earlier versions of the product like the G7.
But it has an impressive 1000 nits brightness aided by an anti-glare coating for outdoor use. It boasts HP’s privacy precautionary measures designed to battle the ‘visual hacking’ by limiting the display’s viewing angles to certain limits.
But then also, users need to understand that HP ZBook Firefly 14 G8 mobile workstation might not be the best option for presenting your work at a conference where your colleagues would require to see your screen.
Another thing that the users might complain about is the unsupportive NTSC colour gamut. Other display options support the touch and RGB & DCI-P3 colour standards for graphical works, but these are available in the 1080p resolution and not in a 4K mode.
Considering users’ demands, HP has brought in a separate 15.6-inch firefly version that offers a 4K vision. However, it costs more than the actual product range, creating disappointment in users’ minds.
Connectivity –
The latest HP ZBook Firefly 14 G8 mobile workstation comes with thunderbolt 4 ports, unlike its predecessor, with two thunderbolt-3 ports that meet the USB 4 standard of the HP company.
HDMI standard in this latest product is updated from 1.4 to 2.0, and the USB-A ports are specified as USB 3.1 Gen.1
The HDMI port is on the laptop’s right side, where the user can plug in an external monitor with the HP ZBook Firefly 14 G8 mobile workstation’s modest built-in display.
But the one thing that HP ZBook Firefly 14 G8 mobile workstation lacks is the Ethernet port. The company hasn’t provided an Ethernet port; users will need an adapter if they want a wired connection to the internet or LAN network.
Audio –
The HP ZBook Firefly 14 G8 mobile workstation comes with the Bang & Olufsen tuned speakers positioned on each side of the keyboard in a triangular pattern that offers a surround sound experience.
The Speakers are loud and clear enough to be heard across the room with a clean and distortion-free sound.
Graphics –
The HP ZBook Firefly 14 G8 mobile workstation has Nvidia Quadro T500 GPU, but it is not for gaming purposes. It doesn’t mean that users cant play games on the system, but Firefly14 is not a gaming system where you can gain a fantastic gaming experience to cherish your Funtime.
The HP ZBook Firefly 14 G8 mobile workstation scored 36 frames per second, which is above the average score of 28 fps, which means it offers the best in class resolution in the said budgetary systems.
Battery Life –
HP has built a decent battery that offers an average backup of 8-hour workdays so that the users do not need to hover for a charging point.
On testing the battery life of the HP ZBook Firefly 14 G8 mobile workstation by continuous web surfing over WiFi at full brightness, it lasted for about 9 hours and 27 minutes. It is below the premium laptop’s average battery life of 10 hours and 30 minutes but is fair enough with the price range.
Conclusion –
Considering all the above-discussed factors, we can say that the HP ZBook Firefly 14 G8 mobile workstation is a mixed bag of features and design, missing some great opportunities to be the best laptop in the market.
Though it offers strong performance for technical works, 2D graphics and content creation, it is still considered an entry-level mobile workstation with the price it comes with but has much scope for improvements in the future upgrades of the product.
The Limited display options seem to be cut short for such a powerful laptop, and the battery life needs to be improved compared to other products on the market.
Overall, HP ZBook Firefly 14 G8 mobile workstation still is an excellent option to buy for Office use, Work from home culture and occasional visits to off-site locations.
So, if you fall in any of the above categories, you would love to have an HP ZBook Firefly 14 G8 mobile workstation available in the affordable range of price.
FAQ’s
Can I play high graphics games on HP ZBook Firefly 14 G8 mobile workstation?
Yes! You can play high graphics games on HP ZBook Firefly 14 G8 mobile workstation but it will not offer the desired high-quality video output as the product does have the requisite configuration.
What is the price range of the HP ZBook Firefly 14 G8 mobile workstation?
In India, the price of an HP ZBook Firefly 14 G8 mobile workstation ranges from ₹1,16,000 to ₹1,25,000
Does HP ZBook Firefly 14 G8 mobile workstation has an Ethernet port?
No. HP has eliminated the Ethernet port on this version, but an external source for wired connection can be used through USB 4 ports.
Would it be the Best Buy for technical work like engineering designs and architectural works?
Yes. HP ZBook Firefly 14 G8 mobile workstation supports the tech needs for the engineering designs, and architectural works.
