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HP ZBook Firefly review

HP ZBook Firefly: Lightweight Mobile Workstation for Creatives on the Go

Harry Stewart
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Crammed full of cutting-edge hardware, the HP ZBook Firefly is a sleek, ultra-portable workstation made for creatives on the go. A lightweight frame and near-eternal battery life offer effortless mobility, while top-end hardware delivers smooth performance across various design-driven apps.
We’re outlining why this premium, high-performance workstation is a hit among creatives, including the specs and benefits.
Then, to help pinpoint the perfect model for you, we’ll provide an HP ZBook Firefly review of the four best options in the UK Store.

Introducing the HP ZBook FireFly

introducing zbook firefly mobile workstation
The HP ZBook FireFly is a series of premium portable workstations popular among fast-paced creatives. While it’s designed and priced for those who require premium specs, the series offers excellent value for professionals seeking portability without sacrificing performance.
The most prevalent ZBook FireFly consumers are creatives, from graphic designers to 3D modellers and content creators. Nonetheless, its top-end hardware, lightweight frame, and boardroom-friendly design make the ZBook FireFly a viable option for any business user on the move.
Graphics come courtesy of a dedicated NVIDIA® GPU, which offers ample juice for editing media and rendering animations. And with cybercrime on the rise in Britain, the ZBook Firefly puts security first by including an HP Wolf Pro subscription.

HP ZBook Firefly performance: What specs to expect

Like other laptop series, the HP ZBook Firefly retails in various models, each with distinct hardware specifications catering to unique user requirements. On the whole, however, you can expect to find the following hardware under the hood:
  • Processor: Intel® Core™ i7 1255U (12th Generation)
  • RAM: 16GB to 32GB
  • Storage: 512GB to 1TB solid-state drive (SSD)
  • GPU: NVIDIA RTX™ A500 (4GB) or NVIDIA T550 (4GB)
  • Display: WQXGA (Wide Quad Extended Graphics Array) 2560 x 1600 pixels or WUXGA (Wide Ultra Extended Graphics Array) 1920 x 1200 pixels
As for portability? Expect an HP ZBook Firefly to weigh 1.47 kg for a 14-inch model or 1.8 kg for a spacious 16-incher. That makes the nimble little Firefly lighter than most similar-sized laptops and only marginally heavier than top-end ultra-book series like the HP Spectre.
The HP ZBook Firefly comes with a long-life 3-cell, 51 Wh Li-ion polymer battery, which grants up to 13 hours of use on a single charge.
Note: these aforementioned hardware specs are only intended as a guide, especially as the technology is constantly evolving. Always double-check the specifications of your preferred model before making a purchase.

The benefits of HP ZBook Firefly for creatives

benefits of zbook firefly for creatives
So what makes this zippy, slender series such a smash hit among creatives? A combination of things. Here’s a short list of the key HP ZBook Firefly benefits for creatives.

Portability

Whether you’re bouncing between client meetings or clocking hours at the café, the ZBook Firefly is light enough to whisk around town. Many content creators and visual designers find switching workplaces can ramp up creativity, and the ZBook Firefly makes mobility a breeze.

Battery life

Not only is the ZBook Firefly a cinch to carry, but the series also offers near-eternal battery life to power through demanding work days. Boasting up to 13 hours of juice, you won’t have to seek out a power socket anytime soon; and when you do, HP Fast Charge lets you regain around 50% in just 30 minutes.

Performance

Time is money. This oft-repeated adage holds especially true for freelance creatives on an output-based payment platform. Thanks to its powerful processor and bountiful RAM, the ZBook Firefly can avoid performance bottlenecks and speed up your workflows.

Graphics

Try as they might, a professional editor/animator can’t make do with an integrated GPU. The ZBook Firefly comes with a dedicated NVIDIA graphics card to rapidly render large workflows. And for the avid gamer, a dedicated GPU lets you indulge in your favourite hobby once the workday is done.

Storage

As they regularly work with enormous files, creatives like editors and animators have massive storage requirements. The HP ZBook Firefly ships with a roomy 512GB or 1TB SSD, so you’ll get plenty of spare space to store your gigantic asset libraries.

Display

Complete with an ultra-wide WUXGA/WQXGA display, the HP ZBook Firefly affords abundant on-screen real estate. That lets creatives like graphic designers and illustrators boost productivity by running simultaneous apps side-by-side. These crisp, high-resolution screens also display smooth imagery with precise colour representation, a significant advantage in any visual design field.

HP Wolf Pro Security

From data leaks to phishing, cybercrime is an ever-persistent threat. The ZBook Firefly offers next-level protection with a pre-packaged subscription to HP Wolf Pro Security. This comprehensive endpoint security system safeguards your laptop against a broad range of threats.

Customisation

No two creatives are the same. The ZBook Firefly series comes in numerous unique models with distinct screen sizes, display types, and hardware specifications to cater for individual preferences. Whether you’re a pro graphic designer or a video editing guru, the ZBook Firefly is among the top HP laptops for creatives.

Connectivity

Creatives work with various peripherals, from extra monitors to external hard drives. The ZBook Firefly caters to this requirement through a broad range of ports, including USB Type-C, HDMI, and Thunderbolt.

The best HP ZBook Firefly in the HP UK Store

Does the HP ZBook Firefly sound like the right laptop for you? We’ve whipped up a shortlist of four petite yet potent mobile workstations for creatives that you can purchase today at the HP UK Store.

Best budget 16": HP ZBook Firefly G9

A smash hit among graphic designers and other visual arts pros, this 16-inch version of the HP ZBook Firefly G9 gives you stacks of grunt with a spacious screen. The sizeable WUXGA display lets you squeeze multiple apps in at once, which aids focus and enhances productivity.
zbook firefly g9
No need to fret about power. This affordable alternative has an Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, and an NVIDIA RTX A500 to crush your workflows.
  • Processor: Intel Core i7 1255U (12th Generation)
  • RAM: 16GB RAM
  • Storage: 512GB SSD
  • Display: 16", WUXGA (1920 x 1200), touch screen, 250 nits, 45% NTSC
  • GPU: NVIDIA RTX A500 (4GB)
  • Weight: Starting at 1.8 kg

Best premium 16": HP ZBook Firefly G9

Animators, video editors, and 3D modelling wizards might need extra storage and memory to handle demanding, data-intensive tasks. This premium 16-inch HP ZBook Firefly G9 model delivers the goods with a sizeable 1TB SSD and a whopping 32GB of RAM. You still get the same high-octane Intel Core i7 and NVIDIA RTX A500 (4GB) for silky smooth performance on your favourite apps.
zbook firefly g9
Not keen on snooping eyes staring at sensitive information on your screen? This model comes with HP Sure View, which transitions the PC into privacy mode and blocks out 95% of light when viewed from an angle - perfect for co-working spaces and cafés.
  • Processor: Intel Core i7 1255U (12th Generation)
  • RAM: 32GB RAM
  • Storage: 1TB SSD
  • Display: 16", WUXGA (1920 x 1200), 1000 nits, 100% sRGB
  • GPU: NVIDIA RTX A500 (4GB)
  • Weight: Starting at 1.8 kg

Best budget 14": HP ZBook Firefly G9

Illustrators, web developers, and other everyday creatives who value portability over screen size should invest in this 14-inch HP ZBook Firefly G9.
Weighing a poultry 1.4 kg, this feather-light device is comparable to many top-end ultrabooks. Yet it still packs a punch thanks to its Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, and NVIDIA T550 (4GB) GPU.
zbook firefly g9
For visual design types, the in-built touch screen functionality adds a nice, well, touch.
  • Processor: Intel Core i7 1255U (12th Generation)
  • RAM: 16GB RAM
  • Storage: 512GB SSD
  • Display: (14"), WUXGA (1920 x 1200), touch screen, 250 nits, 45% NTSC
  • GPU: NVIDIA T550 (4GB)
  • Weight: Starting at 1.47 kg

Best premium 14": HP ZBook Firefly G9

Creatives tackling arduous, memory-hogging processes should spend a few hundred pounds more on this beefed-up version of the HP ZBook Firefly G9. Like the premium 16-inch model above, this upgraded 14-inch unit nets extra RAM and storage for your 3D rendering or video editing endeavours.
zbook firefly g9
You also get an extra-crisp WQXGA display for next-level clarity and efficient widescreen workflows.
  • Processor: Intel Core i7 1255U (12th Generation)
  • RAM: 32GB RAM
  • Storage: 1TB SSD
  • Display: 14", WQXGA (2560 x 1600), 500 nits, 100% DCI-P3
  • GPU: NVIDIA T550 (4GB)
  • Weight: Starting at 1.47 kg

Summary

Striking the perfect balance between portability and power, the HP ZBook Firefly is a popular option among creative pros on the go.
Despite the lightweight design, its top-end specs give you plenty of processing power to handle demanding tasks. Meanwhile, a wide high-resolution display lets you squeeze multiple apps onto the screen for faster, more productive workflows.
With several variations to pick from, there’s an HP ZBook Firefly to cater for every creative. Have a think about what you need and revisit our four recommendations from the HP UK Store.

About the Author

Harry Stewart is a Tech Takes contributor covering everything from laptop reviews to how-to guides.

Disclosure: Our site may get a share of revenue from the sale of the products featured on this page.

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