TL;DR
HP’s ZBook 8 G1i is marketed and priced as a mobile workstation but delivers underwhelming performance for that label. It offers solid battery life, a comfortable keyboard and a useful port array, yet its CPU/GPU choices and loud cooling leave it feeling dated and overpriced.
What happened
In a hands-on review, the HP ZBook 8 G1i 14-inch was evaluated as a compact but thick 14-inch workstation option. The test unit packed 64 GB of RAM, a 1 TB SSD, an Intel Core Ultra 7 265H CPU and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 500 Ada Generation discrete GPU paired with a 2560 x 1600 non-touch display. The laptop measured 27 mm thick and weighed 3.8 pounds. In battery testing it ran a full-screen YouTube playback loop for 9 hours and 21 minutes. Port selection included full-size HDMI, one USB-A, three USB-C (two with Thunderbolt 4), full-size Ethernet, and an included 140-watt charger; using a lower-watt adapter reduced performance significantly. Benchmarks showed respectable general-app performance but graphics and AI workloads trailed more modern GPUs, and the machine did not qualify as a Copilot+ PC. Design and audio were utilitarian and the cooling system was notably noisy. Pricing and availability were inconsistent: an advertised steep discount proved hard to replicate and the reviewer found the reviewed configuration listed at $2,739.
Why it matters
- A product labeled and priced as a workstation creates expectations for top-tier CPU/GPU performance; this model’s component choices undermine that premise.
- Price-to-performance mismatch can push professionals toward better-equipped alternatives in the same budget range.
- GPU and AI performance limits affect workflows that rely on accelerated rendering, machine learning, or advanced graphics.
- Thermal noise and performance throttling when using lower-watt chargers impact portability and real-world mobile use.
Key facts
- Reviewer score: 5/10.
- Test configuration: Intel Core Ultra 7 265H CPU, 64 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD.
- Discrete GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 500 Ada Generation (a pared-down variant related to the RTX 4060).
- Display: 14-inch, 2560 x 1600 resolution, non-touch.
- Dimensions/weight: roughly 27 mm thick and 3.8 pounds.
- Battery life: 9 hours, 21 minutes in a full-screen YouTube playback test.
- Ports: full-size HDMI, one USB-A, three USB-C (two with Thunderbolt 4), and full-size Ethernet.
- Included power adapter: 140-watt; using lower-wattage charging causes about a 40% performance drop.
- Graphics and AI performance lagged behind higher-end machines (benchmarked at roughly half to one-third the output of an RTX 5090-equipped comparison unit).
- Pricing/availability: reviewer could not verify an advertised deep discount; the reviewed configuration was found at $2,739.
What to watch next
- Whether HP will update ZBook configurations with newer CPUs or GPUs to better match the workstation label — not confirmed in the source.
- If HP adjusts pricing or availability to make the discounted configurations actually downloadable and purchasable — not confirmed in the source.
- Customer feedback and real-world adoption for graphics- or AI-heavy workflows compared with rivals — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Mobile workstation: A laptop designed with higher-end processors, discrete graphics and expanded memory/storage to handle professional workloads like video editing or CAD.
- Discrete GPU: A separate graphics processor, distinct from integrated graphics, used to accelerate rendering, gaming and compute-heavy tasks.
- Thunderbolt 4: A high-speed interface standard carried over USB-C connectors that supports fast data transfer, video output and charging.
- SSD (Solid State Drive): A storage device that uses flash memory for faster read/write speeds compared with traditional hard disk drives.
- Copilot+ PC: A designation tied to certain Microsoft features and hardware requirements related to advanced AI-enabled experiences.
Reader FAQ
Is the ZBook 8 G1i a strong performer for graphics and AI workloads?
No. Benchmarks showed the GPU and AI performance trailing higher-end machines; the review found it adequate for general work but not exceptional for heavy graphics or AI.
How long does the battery last?
The review measured 9 hours and 21 minutes in a full-screen YouTube playback test.
Is the display touch-enabled?
No; the reviewed 14-inch model had a non-touchscreen display.
Was the advertised deep discount widely available?
The reviewer could not find the advertised discounted price for the tested configuration; the specific unit reviewed was found at $2,739.
CHRISTOPHER NULL GEAR DEC 26, 2025 5:30 AM Review: HP ZBook 8 Gli 14-Inch Billed as a workstation (and priced accordingly), HP’s Zbook 8 falls short of dazzling. COURTESY OF…
Sources
- HP ZBook 8 Gli 14-Inch Review: An Unimpressive Workstation
- HP ZBook 8 G1i review: A blazing-fast professional …
- HP ZBook 8 G1i Workstation Laptop | HP® Official Site
- HP ZBook 8 G1i 14 review – Workstation
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