HP Unwraps ZBook 3D Mobile Workstations

HP announced two new updates to its ZBook Mobile Workstation line at CES today. The PC maker’s new ZBook 14 G2 and ZBook 15u G2 are both workstation ultrabooks that support 3D graphics and undergo HP’s heavy testing process for enterprise devices.

The HP ZBook 14 G2 runs on Core i5 or i7 processors with 16GB of memory, as well as AMD FirePro 3D graphics. Storage space is even more important for workstations than consumer systems, so the ZBook includes 1.25TB, through a combination of hard drives and SSDs. Business laptops have been getting classier in recent years, and the ZBook 14 G2 sticks to the trend with a reasonably-stylish chassis and a slim design (for a mobile workstation, that is). It has a multi-touch screen, but non-touch models are also available.

The HP ZBook ultrabook workstation series has suport for 3D graphics thanks to AMD FirePro graphics.
HP ZBook 15u G2 and ZBook 14 G2

The HP ZBook 15u G2 is the 15.6-inch version of the HP’s ultrabook workstation and has many of the same components as the ZBook 14 G2, including Core i5/i7 processor and AMD FirePro graphics. It’s only slightly thicker than the 14-inch version (0.84 inches to the 14 G2’s 0.83 inches) and it has a backlit, spill-resistant keyboard as well. The ultrabook features support for mobile broadband, Wireless-AC, and Bluetooth connectivity. It also has a Gigabit LAN port, but keep in mind that, as an ultrabook, it doesn’t have room for an optical drive. It does, however, have an SD card reader.

The chassis of the HP ZBook workstation is much sleeker than you might expect from a workstation
HP ZBook 15u G2

Both workstation ultrabooks run Windows 8.1 64-bit or Windows 7 Pro. Ubuntu Linux and FreeDOS options are also available. Another interesting feature that both ultrabooks have is HP Sure Start, which is designed to heal the BIOS in the event it becomes corrupted. That’s not a bad tool to have when you’re on the road and don’t have time for yet another call to IT.