HP zBook X2 G4 - Professional hybrid workstation
Professional laptop market has evolved. Since Microsoft launced their Microsoft Surface many mobile device manufacturers have released their vision of how the professional mobile workstation should look in future.Late on spring I was asked if I was interested to test out and review HP`s latest version of ZBook X2 G4. Quick look at the specs got me interested !First impression when holding the ZBook is that is construction is sturdy, high quality. Case is built from aluminium as most of the expensive laptops nowadays. But is this a laptop or tablet ?We have seen couple of tablet & traditional laptop-type of hybrid computers but HP taken a diffenrent road with ZBook X2. Its more of a professional mobile workhorse than traditional low-endish laptop like the others. Hp has targeted ZBook for creatives, digital artists and photographers.
Overall look and feeling is very tool-like. Display-part where all the hardware really is less than two centimeters thick. Motherboard, Cpu, Gpu, memory, storage and battery is inside. Detachable keyboard is "just" a keyboard but you can use it even if its connected or not.Hardware:There are several configuration available with quad-core -processors and as graphics adapter both integratedIntel UHD620 and nVidia Quadro M620 graphics in all models. Available processors from 7th Gen i7-7500 to 8th Gen i7-8650U.Two memory slots allow combinations of 16GB or 32GB DDR4-2133 SO-DIMM.ZBook is equipped with either 512GB or 1TB nVMe x4. Benchmarks show below.Display:WIth detachable bluetooth keyboard you can use the full computing powerwith just a included Wacom EMR pen on a 14-inch Dreamcolor (4k)touchscreen. Display is capable of 10-bit color and covers 100% of the AdobeRGB.
Final thoughtsHP Zbook x2 G4 offers a powerful workstation in a compact package. With thunderbolt 3-dock you can built a true workhorse to office with two 4k displays, external storage and so on. And when you need to take it outside the office - ZBook delivers excellent batterylife; up to ten hours. nVidia Quadro M620 provides certified graphics adapter for professional software.Touchscreen with the Wacom-pen gives another aspect of use. Disconnect the ZBook from the dock or devices, remove the keyboard or just fold it behind and take it to your lap and use the computer as a drawingboard.After a two month test period without any problems it is extremely easy to recommend ZBook X2 for people who need powerful computer for creative work. Its not cheap but quality and perfomance has never been so. Prices in Finland starts somewhere 3000 euros ending to little over 5000 euros.Unless you are into cult of Apple Macbook Pro`s I would recommend ZBook for the choice of creatives in Windows-world.
| Processor Options | 8th Gen Intel Core i7-8650U Quad Core (8MB Cache, 1.9GHz to 4.2GHz) |
| Display | 14-inch DreamColor (4K)TouchscreenWacom EMR pen included |
| Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics 620Nvidia Quadro M620 (2GB GDDR5) |
| Memory | 32GB DDR4-2133 SDRAM (2 x 16GB SO-DIMM) |
| Storage | 512GB Samsung SM961 M.2 NVMe PCIe x4 Solid State Drive |
| Audio | Bang & Olufsen audio |
| Ethernet | NA |
| Wireless Connectivity | Intel 8265 802.11ac 2x2, Bluetooth Version 4.2 |
| Interface (Left) | 3.5mm Headset/Microphone Combo |
| Interface (Right) | 2 x USB-C (Thunderbolt 3.0 PCIe x4), HDMI, USB 3.0, SD card reader |
| Interface (Back) | N/A |
| Webcam | Windows Hello face sign-in camera720p HD front camera8MP rear facing camera |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Pro |
| Battery | 4-cell, 70Whr |
| Dimensions | 0.53 (H) x 14.35 (W) x 8.94 (D) inches (tablet mode) / 0.75 (H) x 14.35 (W) x 8.94 (D) inches (with keyboard) |
| Weight | 3.64 lb (tablet mode) / 4.78 lb (with keyboard) |
Full specs: https://www8.hp.com/fi/fi/laptops/product-details/product-specifications/13556323
