HP ZBook X G1i mobile workstation review

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HP has a long history of creating powerful portable workstations that offer superior performance, long battery life, and reliable ports.

The ZBook X G1i not only continues this tradition, but is also positioned as the most mobile ZBook ever, while still delivering strong performance and great battery life.

(Image credit: Colleen Probst // Future)

Considering how powerful this machine is, I'm still shocked at how light it is. Granted, it's a 16-inch device, so it's not something you'd want to carry around in a backpack or shoulder strap, but for a workstation, it's still pretty portable. As I always do, I left the charger in the box and used UGREEN or Anker power supplies or one of several docking stations I have installed at various workstations.

The next thing I do is log into my Windows account and allow sync to run and log into my respective accounts. I love using Windows Hello with fingerprint and facial recognition for easier and more secure login. Once I took care of that, I made the necessary updates and minimized my desktop to fewer apps, creating a clean workspace.

The HP ZBook X G1i is a very sleek and professional looking laptop. It fits perfectly into the business-level design language without being boring. It has a sleek silver finish, is easy to throw in your backpack, and has enough ports to keep you powered throughout the day. This portable laptop features a full-size HDMI port, an RJ45 Ethernet port, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a USB-C port, a headphone jack, a USB-A port, and an optional Nano SIM card and/or smart card reader.

All this in a portable workstation is wild. To top it all off, there is a full-size numeric keypad. While this isn't unheard of on 16-inch laptops, it's definitely not so standard that it's not worth mentioning. For those who spend all day typing numbers, a numeric keypad can significantly reduce that time and make it faster and easier.

Speaking of the keyboard, the standard QWERTY side is comfortable for typing; It has good key travel and resistance and doesn't feel like I'm working too hard. This is a keyboard that you can type on all day without discomfort or desire to change, unless you are a keyboard fanatic or a mechanical keyboard lover.

HP ZBook X G1i: design and build quality

The overall design of the ZBook X G1i is clean. This is a professional business. He fits the image of a business professional with a laptop that can handle anything. You don't need something that flashes RGB, but you also need a machine powerful enough to handle your huge workload. I understand.

The HP ZBook X G1i has this too. With powerful components under the hood, this laptop still looks discreet enough that you can take it to the meeting room or coffee shop without looking like a gamer while still getting some serious work done.

Another important thing I look for when choosing workstation laptops is port selection. The computer can be incredibly powerful, but if you always need to be connected to a dongle, this is worth noting, especially for a computer that purports to be a workstation. A workstation is not just a term for a laptop, but a separate level or class of laptop.

The workstation passes this test with flying colors. Offering not only a large number of ports, but also good distribution and distribution, helping to improve the experience rather than just distributing ports where they fit.

HP ZBook X G1i: in use

Characteristics

as verified

CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7
GPU: Intel Arc Pro 140T (32 GB) / NVIDIA RTX Pro 2000 Blackwell
Memory: 64 GB
Storage: 2 TB
Display: 2560×1600, 120 Hz DreamColor (500 nits)
Ports: 2 Thunderbolt4 (USB-C), 1 USB-C 20Gbps, 1 USB-A, 1 HDMI 2.1, 1 RJ-45, 1 Audio Jack
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, 5G
Battery: 62Wh
Weight: £3.19

In my daily use of this machine, I have not encountered any issues or problems. It excels at basic productivity tasks, administrative tasks, and retrieving information from DBeaver or other database tools. This is fantastic with VSCode or other coding apps.

best laptop for video editing for creative professionals, but I would classify it as one of best laptops for photo editing and general content creation.

I used this computer as my primary machine for a full workday, and then switched it on and off as a secondary machine for several weeks. During this time, I barely felt the ZBook X G1i even take a deep breath. It's a great machine for AI work, front-end and back-end development, and even full-stack development and coding.

It's great for project managers who need to QA software features and test everything before going into production, and it's also great for 3D modeling, CAD, and related work. And all this in a portable 16-inch laptop with one of the most beautiful and elegant logos on the market.

The HP ZBook X G1i is a great choice for this type of work. Also, to add a little more to an otherwise great package, HP is offering a 5G antenna along with Wi-Fi 7. This means you can get the best connection available while you're nearby and in buildings that have Wi-Fi.

When you're on the go or don't want to trust spotty airport Wi-Fi, you can connect to a 5G cellular connection instead of taking out your travel router or connecting to a VPN to keep your information safe. Or perhaps you're someone who isn't worried about spotty Wi-Fi, but rather a lack of connection when working remotely. This is where the 5G option comes into its own, allowing you to connect whenever you want, even if it's by the pool, between laps, or at the resort.

HP ZBook X G1i: final verdict

The HP ZBook X G1i continues the great legacy of HP ZBook machines. It's a powerful blend of portable power station and simple computing machine, while maintaining a professional style.

Honestly, it's perfect for people like me. Project managers, side hustlers, system architects, hybrid professionals—people who have a hand in everything, all the time.

This isn't the machine I'd choose for my powerful application servers, but if you want a machine with workstation power in a form factor you're not afraid to take with you, the HP ZBook X G1i is an option worth considering.