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NEW YORK—HP introduced four enterprise-ready ZBook mobile workstations here on Nov. 11, including an all-new HP ZBook Studio G3 machine that can be configured with available Intel Xeon quad-core processors and an optional 4K DreamColor display for high performance on the go.
The other machines are new third-generation models in the ZBook family—the ZBook 15, the ZBook 15u and the ZBook 17, which get updates in packaging, performance and capabilities for a wide variety of business users.
HP also unveiled several technical innovations aimed at the company’s desktop workstation products, including a new CPU cooler called the HP Z Cooler, which is quieter than traditional fan-based coolers, and new internal HP Z Turbo Drive Quad Pro storage cards that allow speedy expanded data storage in desktop machines.
The latest ZBooks are highlighted by the new HP ZBook Studio G3 model, which has a 15.6-inch Full HD display, a choice of Intel Core or Xeon quad-core processors, up to 32GB of ECC memory, dual 1TB HP Z Turbo Drive G2 storage systems, two Thunderbolt 3 connectors and an optional DreamColor 4K display. The ZBook Studio laptop starts at 4.4 pounds and is 0.71 inches thick. The machine also offers a choice of Nvidia Quadro M1000M 2GB GDDR5 or Intel HD graphics 530 capabilities. The HP ZBook Studio will start at $1,699 and be available in December.
“As the world’s first quad-core workstation Ultrabook, the ZBook Studio is a perfect combination of brains and beauty with the engineering toughness of a HP Z Workstation,” Jim Zafarana, vice president and general manager of HP workstations and thin clients, said in a statement. “The ZBook Studio endures 120,000 hours of testing and features numerous first-time workstation advancements, including Intel Xeon CPUs with ECC memory, Thunderbolt 3, Gen 2 Z Turbo Drives, HP Sure Start client security, and an 8 million color-critical pixel DreamColor 4k display.”
The third-generation HP ZBook mobile workstation models are thinner and lighter than their predecessors, starting with the HP ZBook 15u, which has a 15.6-inch diagonal display. The 15u, which can be configured with up to 32GB of memory, also includes AMD FirePro professional graphics with a 2GB frame buffer, HP Z Turbo Drive G2 storage up to 1.5TB and a Full HD touch-screen display. The HP ZBook 15u starts at $1,099 and will be available in January.
The HP ZBook 15 has a 15.6-inch display and can be equipped with an Intel Core or Xeon processor, 64GB of ECC memory, up to 3TB of HP Z Turbo Drive G2 storage, dual Thunderbolt 3 connectors and optional HP DreamColor 4K or Full HD touch-screen displays. The ZBook 15 is 27 percent thinner and 7 percent lighter than the model it replaces and lasts 27 percent longer on a battery charge, according to HP. Pricing has not yet been announced for the machine, which will be available in January.
The HP ZBook 17 has a 17.3-inch screen and can be configured with an Intel Core or Xeon processor, up to 64GB of ECC memory, up to 4GB of HP Z Turbo Drive G2 storage, dual Thunderbolt 3 connectors and optional HP DreamColor 4K or Full HD touch-screen displays. The ZBook 17 also features Nvidia graphics up to a M5000M Quadro GPU and a 67 percent increase in battery life compared to its predecessor. The new machine is 25 percent thinner and 11 percent lighter than its predecessor. Pricing has not yet been announced for the machine, which will be available in January.
HP Unveils 4 Enterprise-Ready ZBook Mobile Workstations
The graphics systems in the HP ZBook Studio, ZBook 15 and 17 have all been beefed up with the latest Nvidia Quadro Professional graphics, providing nearly two times the performance of previous-generation graphics, according to HP.
All of the new HP ZBook mobile workstations also conform to MIL-STD 810G specifications and testing to survive in tough workplace environments.
Lloyd S. Cohen, a workstation analyst with IDC, told eWEEK that the biggest news in HP’s announcements is the new availability of Intel Xeon processors in mobile workstations. “As of last month, there was no Xeon in a mobile workstation,” he said. “To me, that is a game-changer to a degree. How much it will impact the mobile market will have to be seen.”
The Xeon option is big because it allows enterprise workers who need a powerful machine to now consider getting a laptop for all of their work, he said. “Now that you have a Xeon, you can actually consider replacing your desktop machine with a mobile machine. That wasn’t such a reality until now.”
The other big news for business users is the new availability of up to 64GB of ECC memory in the ZBook 15 and 17 models, he said. “The fact that you can now support 64GB of memory is a good option for users,” said Cohen. “Especially in the oil and gas industries and CAD when you have major data requirements, to be able to run larger data sets is important for many users.”
HP’s new desktop workstation products, the HP Z Cooler and the internal HP Z Turbo Drive Quad Pro storage cards, are priced at $120 for the cooler and $1,376 for the Turbo Drive Quad Pro. The Turbo Quad Pro, which is 16 times faster than a Serial ATA solid-state drive, can be configured with up to four modules on one PCIe x16 card, giving sequential performance up to 9.0GB per second. The HP Z Turbo Drive Quad Pro will be available later in November while the Z Cooler is available immediately.