HP ZBook Ultra G1a Review: Strix Halo Power in a Sleek Workstation
April 21, 2025
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Is the ZBook Able to Outperform a MacBook Pro?
Summary
AMD’s Strix Halo processor finally makes its way into a proper laptop: the ZBook Ultra G1a. Can it outperform a MacBook Pro?
Table of contents:
Previously limited to Asus’s niche Flow Z13 tablet, the Strix Halo chip now has a more conventional home. But is the jump to a full laptop form factor a win for performance, or does it hold the chip back?
Let’s dig into what makes the ZBook Ultra G1a unique and whether it’s worth its high asking price.
A New Class of Performance
The star of the show is AMD’s Strix Halo APU. With up to 16 Zen 5 CPU cores and a powerful integrated GPU rivaling an RTX 4060 (and occasionally a 4070), this chip delivers standout performance in a compact footprint. What’s more, it’s extremely efficient, letting laptops with it run cooler and quieter while maintaining impressive speeds.
Configurations range from 8-core to 16-core models, and memory can scale all the way up to 128GB—with up to 96GB allocated to the GPU. This opens doors for AI developers and other professionals running large models, though software support for dynamic memory allocation still lags behind.
Performance in Practice
Despite having the same processor, the ZBook underperforms slightly compared to the Flow Z13 due to tighter power limits and cooling constraints. It draws about 5 watts less on average and can’t quite sustain the same performance bursts. Benchmarks like Geekbench and Cinebench show respectable results, but it’s outclassed by Apple’s M4 Max and Intel’s 275HX in raw performance.
However, in applications like 7-Zip you can see how well-optimized Strix Halo is for specific tasks.
In terms of efficiency, the ZBook is among the best. Thermal performance is solid, and fan noise remains moderate even under load, although the fans can be unpredictable during light tasks.
Graphics & Creative Work
The integrated GPU does exceptionally well in real-world scenarios. It’s just shy of an RTX 4070 in TimeSpy and performs well in games like Cyberpunk and Forza Horizon at medium settings. In creative apps, performance varies:
- Photoshop: Good, but not top-tier.
- Premiere Pro: Consistent, competitive results.
- DaVinci Resolve: A bit weaker than some rivals but still usable.
The integrated GPU’s strength lies in offering solid performance in a compact and efficient package, even if it doesn’t replace dedicated graphics for all workloads.
Battery Life & Thermals
As a mobile workstation, the ZBook doesn’t set records for battery longevity. Under heavy workloads, it drains quickly—about 40% in 30 minutes. Lighter tasks yield better results, but it still trails behind the MacBook Pro and even the Flow Z13 in media playback by a significant margin.
Thermally, the device stays cool under stress, although the keyboard deck can get uncomfortably warm. Fan noise is manageable, but could be better tuned for low-demand scenarios.
Design, Build & Display
For its power, the ZBook Ultra is impressively portable, weighing about the same as a 14-inch MacBook Pro. It has a premium metal chassis that’s resistant to fingerprints, with minimal flex and excellent build quality. The 14-inch OLED display (2880x1800, 120Hz) is sharp, vibrant, and touch-enabled—but suffers from slight screen door effect and the typical glossiness of OLED panels.
Ports & Peripherals
Port selection is excellent:
- 2x Thunderbolt 4 (both support charging)
- 1x USB-A (10 Gbps)
- HDMI 2.1
- Headphone jack
- Kensington lock slot
You also get a solid keyboard with a satisfying tactile feel, a precise trackpad (though not haptic), and powerful but somewhat muddy speakers. A 5MP webcam rounds out the package, performing well in most scenarios.
Linux & AI Workloads
Fedora 41 ran well out of the box (except for the webcam), but Fedora 42 had boot issues. For AI, the ZBook’s massive unified memory allocation could be a game-changer, but software support isn’t fully there yet. LM Studio didn’t detect any VRAM allocation, limiting real-world use of its AI potential for now. We are hopeful that other applications are available that can avoid this issue for developers.
Should You Buy It?
The ZBook Ultra G1a is a niche device—brilliant for some, overkill for others. It excels in performance-per-watt, has exceptional build quality, and supports large memory configurations ideal for specific pro workflows.
But at $4,100 for a 128GB model, it is more expensive than MacBook Pros and powerful gaming laptops that may offer better GPU power or battery life.
Buy it if:
- You need massive RAM and integrated GPU performance
- You want a Linux-capable mobile workstation
- You work with AI models or creative tasks on the go
Skip it if:
- Battery life is your top priority
- You want top-tier gaming performance
- You prefer macOS or already use Apple’s ecosystem
