HP ZBook Firefly 15 G7 review
The HP HP ZBook Firefly 15 G7 ranks as the #587 laptops globally, achieving a LibraScore of 69. Across all metrics, this product stands out most for its #336-ranked performance among 397 laptops. Consider the HP EliteBook 855 G7 or HP Spectre x360 15, which offer higher scores while staying in the same price range.
Is it Worth it?
The HP ZBook Firefly 15 G7 is a well-built laptop with excellent battery life and compact dimensions. Its decent display panel and good typing keyboard make it suitable for office work. However, its identity crisis stems from being hobbled by Intel's Comet Lake processor and an underwhelming NVIDIA Quattro P520 GPU combination. Considering the AMD Renoir processor offers nearly double the performance at a lower price point, one can't help but wonder if this laptop is truly worth its premium price tag.
Build
The HP ZBook Firefly 15 G7 boasts a supremely well-built design, with compact dimensions that belie its mobile workstation credentials. The device's sturdy build and solid typing keyboard make it feel premium, while the plethora of security tools add an extra layer of protection. However, the overall aesthetic is somewhat generic, lacking the flair of some of its competitors. Nevertheless, the Firefly 15 G7's build quality is undoubtedly one of its strongest assets, making it a solid choice for those seeking a reliable and portable workstation. You might prefer HP EliteBook 855 G7, designed with an upgraded build for a better experience.
Display
The HP ZBook Firefly 15 G7 boasts an excellent display panel with wide viewing angles, vivid colors, and a brightness of up to 400 nits. This is a significant upgrade from previous models, making it well worth the investment. The superior 400 nits 72% NTSC display offers outstanding visibility even in bright environments, making it ideal for professionals who need to work on-the-go. While some may opt for the more affordable 250 nits 45% NTSC or SureView models, we highly recommend splurging for the superior display experience. The Firefly's display is a major highlight of this mobile workstation, and its quality justifies the premium price tag. For a superior display, HP EliteBook 855 G7 could be the right choice.
Performance
The HP ZBook Firefly 15 G7's performance is a mixed bag. The Intel Core i7-10510U processor provides decent multitasking capabilities and can handle everyday tasks with ease. However, it struggles with demanding workloads such as Adobe Premiere Pro and Autodesk AutoCAD, which require more powerful processors like AMD's Ryzen 5 or 7 series. In these scenarios, the Firefly's performance is hindered by its Intel Core i7-10510U processor, making it less suitable for serious content creation and CAD work. Overall, the Firefly's performance is sufficient for office work and light multitasking but falls short in more demanding situations. A better alternative might be HP ZBook Power G7, featuring a next-level performance.
Battery and Charging
The HP ZBook Firefly 15 G7 boasts an impressive battery life, delivering around 10 hours of video playback in general usage. In my tests, I managed to squeeze 7-8 hours of battery life at 50% brightness with better battery mode enabled. On the other hand, heavy Adobe Premiere Pro usage on max brightness and performance mode resulted in a relatively short battery life of just two to three hours. Fast charging capability is also available, allowing for a quick top-up from dead to 50% in around 30 minutes using the provided 65W USB-C power adapter.
Connectivity
The HP ZBook Firefly 15 G7 boasts an impressive range of connectivity options. It features two Thunderbolt 3 USB Type-C ports, two USB Type-A ports, HDMI, and a smart card reader. Additionally, there's a slot for a 4G LTE sim. While it's great to have so many options, some may find the lack of an SD card reader disappointing, especially for content creators. Overall, the Firefly's connectivity is robust and well-suited for productivity on-the-go. If you’re after a better connectivity, HP ZBook Firefly 15 G8 could be the ideal option.
Features
The HP ZBook Firefly 15 G7 boasts an excellent 400-nit display with wide viewing angles and vivid colors. It's also remarkably quiet, thanks to the power-efficient i7-10 510U processor and thermal management. The laptop features a range of ports, including two Thunderbolt 3 USB-C, two USB-A, HDMI, and a smart card reader. A 56Wh battery provides around 10 hours of video playback. HP EliteBook 855 G7 might be a smarter choice, offering an upgraded features.
Support and Maintenance
The HP ZBook Firefly 15 G7 offers robust support and maintenance features, including fingerprint reader, IR sensor, webcam privacy shutter, and TPM security chip. The device also comes with HP Client Security Manager Gen 6 to secure data, HP Security Essentials to protect against malware attacks, and HP SureStart Gen 6 to detect and recover from BIOS corruption.
Pros
1. Lovely display - it's taken a long time to slowly introduce a display panel worth its price tag. This review model has an excellent screen with wide viewing angles, vivid colors, and the biggest plus: 400 nits of brightness.
2. Quiet operation - The Firefly 15 is silent most of the time thanks to the power-efficient i7 10-510u processor and thermal management.
3. Useful ports considering its lightweight dimensions - It has managed to cram some useful ports: two Thunderbolt three, USB Type-C ports, two USB Type-A ports, HDMI, a smart card reader, and even a slot for 4G LTE SIM.
4. Long battery life - The Firefly has a free cell 56 Whr battery giving around 10 hours video playback in general usage.
5. Good typing keyboard
6. Excellent security features including HP Client Security Manager Gen 6, HP Security Essentials to protect against malware attacks, and HP SureStart Gen 6 to detect stop and recover from a BIOS attack or corruption.
7. Powerful display with 400 nits brightness
Cons
1. Not suitable for serious adobe programming or CAD-type work due to Intel i7-10 510u processor
2. Intel i7-10 510u processor is not the best choice, AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 4650U or Ryzen 7 Pro 4750U would have been a better option.
3. Nvidia Quattro P520 GPU is not powerful enough for demanding tasks
4. No SD card reader, which may be a disadvantage for content creators
5. Not the most powerful mobile workstation, despite its compact size and long battery life.
6. HP missed the mark by choosing Intel i7-10 510u processor instead of AMD Ryzen
7. Price - The Firefly's price is not disclosed in the text, but it may be a bit high considering its capabilities
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