HP ZBook 14u G5 (i7-8550U, Pro WX 3100) Workstation Review

The HP ZBook 14u G5 is a 14-inch mobile workstation that is equipped accordingly. Our test device is equipped with an Intel Core i7-8550U processor, a 256 GB SSD and an AMD Radeon Pro WX 3100 dedicated graphics card that is optimized for professional use. This configuration costs around €1,680 (~$1,937), which is relatively cheap for a workstation laptop.
The ZBook 14u G5 is configurable up to €2,600 (~$2,999), for which you get an Intel Core i7-8650U processor, 16 GB of RAM, a 512 GB SSD and a 4K display. HP configures every variant with an AMD Radeon Pro WX 3100 GPU.
There is also an Intel Core i5-7200U variant, which is around €250 (~$300) cheaper than our test device.
In this review, we will be comparing the ZBook 14u G5 against several competitors. These include its predecessor, the HP ZBook 14u G4, and the HP ZBook 15u G5, which has an AMD Radeon Pro WX 3100 GPU too. We will also be comparing the ZBook 14u G5 against the Lenovo ThinkPad T480s and the Dell Precision 5520.
A second test unit was also provided by CUKUSA for us to double-check our benchmarks and results between two similar SKUs.
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Case
The ZBook 14u G5 uses the same case as the HP EliteBook 840 G5. The only difference between the two is the color scheme, with the HP ZBook 14u G5 available in gray. Please see our HP EliteBook 840 G5 review for our views on the case design.
Size Comparison
At 32.6 cm (~12.8 in) wide and 23.4 cm (~9.2 in) deep, the ZBook 14u G5 has the smallest footprint compared with our comparison devices. Our test device weighs 1.6 kg (~3.5 lb), which is 100 g (~3.5 oz) lighter than its predecessor and 300 g (~10.6 oz) heavier than the Lenovo ThinkPad T480s.
Added to the 1.6 kg (~3.5 lb) weight is the power supply, which weighs 352 g (~12.4 oz). While heavy, this is within reasonable limits for a workstation power supply.
Connectivity
The ZBook 14u G5 has the same connectivity as the HP EliteBook 840 G5, and all the advantages and disadvantages too.
The redesigned case omits a VGA port in favor of a USB Type-C port, which not only can send videos, but also power the device. The connections are distributed on both sides, but not evenly. The left-hand side houses a large vent, so most of the ports are on the right-hand side. HP has equipped the ZBook 14u G5 with two USB 3.1 Type-A ports on either side, an RJ45 Ethernet port and an HDMI port. HP includes a proprietary docking port too, which makes it easy to connect the ZBook 14u G5 to a suitable docking station.
Furthermore, there is a SIM card slot. Unfortunately, our test device is only WWAN ready, so it is missing the LTE modem for us to test this functionality. Thankfully the bottom plate is easy to remove, so retrofitting an LTE modem is possible.
We have one criticism concerning port selection though, and it is the same thing for which we criticized the EliteBook 840 G5; the lack of a card reader. Connecting an SD card, for example, will require using cumbersome adapters or dongles.
Display
The ZBook 14u G5 can be configured with a variety of IPS panels, which are much better than their TN equivalents. There is a choice of four displays according to the datasheet: a 1080p display, a UHD panel, a touch screen variant and a display with HP Sure View, an integrated privacy screen.
Our test device comes with a matte 1,920x1,080 panel from LG Phillips. The display has a pixel density of 157 PPI and achieved an average maximum brightness of 215 cd/m² in our tests. The larger HP ZBook 15u G5 is equally disappointing here, managing a marginally worse 212 cd/m². Our test device cannot compete against its predecessor, or against the Dell Precision 5520 or the Lenovo ThinkPad T480s. All these devices achieved over 300 cd/m², with the Precision 5520 leading the way with 372.4 cd/m². Our test device has acceptable brightness uniformity at 85%, but we would expect at least 90% for a workstation at this price. On the positive side, the black value is very low at 0.16, which corresponds to an equally impressive 1,463:1 contrast ratio. These values surpass all the competition; particularly the ZBook 14u G4, which has a 431% worse black value and a 73% lower contrast ratio.
We did not see any shadowing because of the below-average maximum brightness. There is some backlight bleed in the top corners though, but this is not disruptive in normal use. The display does not use PWM to regulate brightness either, which is a bonus.
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Brightness Distribution: 85 %
Center on Battery: 234 cd/m²
Contrast: 1463:1 (Black: 0.16 cd/m²)
ΔE Color 5.7 | 0.5-29.43 Ø4.9, calibrated: 4.2
ΔE Greyscale 4.7 | 0.5-98 Ø5.1
60.4% sRGB (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
38.3% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
41.59% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
60.6% sRGB (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
40.25% Display P3 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
Gamma: 2.38
HP ZBook 14u G5-2ZB99EA LG Philips, LGD0599, IPS, 1920x1080, 14" | HP ZBook 15u G5 2ZC05EA CMN15E7, IPS LED, 1920x1080, 15.6" | Dell Precision 5520 UHD SHP1476, IPS, 3840x2160, 15.6" | Lenovo ThinkPad T480s-20L8S02E00 LP140QH2-SPB1, IPS LED, 2560x1440, 14" | HP ZBook 14u G4 AU Optronics AUO123D, TN, 1920x1080, 14" | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Display | 7% | 65% | 70% | 39% | |
Display P3 Coverage | 40.25 | 43.05 7% | 67.4 67% | 71.4 77% | 56.6 41% |
sRGB Coverage | 60.6 | 64.7 7% | 98.5 63% | 96.6 59% | 82.4 36% |
AdobeRGB 1998 Coverage | 41.59 | 44.5 7% | 68.9 66% | 72.1 73% | 58.5 41% |
Response Times | -6% | -51% | 3% | -4% | |
Response Time Grey 50% / Grey 80% * | 39.6 ? | 41.6 ? -5% | 59.2 ? -49% | 36 ? 9% | 47 ? -19% |
Response Time Black / White * | 27.2 ? | 28.8 ? -6% | 41.6 ? -53% | 28 ? -3% | 24 ? 12% |
PWM Frequency | 25770 ? | ||||
Screen | 2% | 16% | 22% | -51% | |
Brightness middle | 234 | 229 -2% | 372.4 59% | 311 33% | 338 44% |
Brightness | 215 | 212 -1% | 368 71% | 302 40% | 307 43% |
Brightness Distribution | 85 | 88 4% | 90 6% | 91 7% | 81 -5% |
Black Level * | 0.16 | 0.23 -44% | 0.48 -200% | 0.36 -125% | 0.85 -431% |
Contrast | 1463 | 996 -32% | 776 -47% | 864 -41% | 398 -73% |
Colorchecker dE 2000 * | 5.7 | 4.2 26% | 2.6 54% | 3 47% | 8.53 -50% |
Colorchecker dE 2000 max. * | 18.4 | 18 2% | 5.6 70% | 6.1 67% | 14 24% |
Colorchecker dE 2000 calibrated * | 4.2 | 4.2 -0% | 1.7 60% | ||
Greyscale dE 2000 * | 4.7 | 2 57% | 3.7 21% | 4 15% | 11.12 -137% |
Gamma | 2.38 92% | 2.23 99% | 2.14 103% | 2.17 101% | 2.5 88% |
CCT | 6730 97% | 6292 103% | 7096 92% | 6961 93% | 12193 53% |
Color Space (Percent of AdobeRGB 1998) | 38.3 | 41 7% | 63 64% | 66.7 74% | 53 38% |
Color Space (Percent of sRGB) | 60.4 | 64.5 7% | 99 64% | 96.7 60% | 82 36% |
Total Average (Program / Settings) | 1% /
2% | 10% /
17% | 32% /
28% | -5% /
-27% |
* ... smaller is better
Overall, we would class image quality as satisfactory. However, we would have expected a higher quality display given that HP is marketing the ZBook 14u G5 as a workstation. Delta E 2000 divergences are too high out of the box, something that we significantly improved with additional calibration. We have linked our ICC profile if you would like to use our calibration. Unfortunately, the ZBook 14u G5 also has poor color space coverage; 60.4% sRGB and 38.3% AdobeRGB coverage are simply too low. The Dell Precision 5520 and the Lenovo ThinkPad T480s put the ZBook 14u G5 to shame in this respect, with both achieving practically 100% sRGB coverage over 60% AdobeRGB.
Typically, a device needs to have a display with two characteristics for unrestricted outdoor use; high maximum brightness and a matte finish. Our test device only has the latter, so there are no annoying reflections when using the device outside. However, usability is hampered by the low brightness as even using it outside on a cloudy is a struggle. While the Dell Precision 5520 has the brightest display of our comparison devices, its highly reflective display renders the device unusable outdoors. We would recommend looking at the Lenovo ThinkPad T480s if you regularly work outdoors.
Display Response Times
↔ Response Time Black to White | ||
---|---|---|
27.2 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined | ↗ 16.4 ms rise | |
↘ 10.8 ms fall | ||
The screen shows relatively slow response rates in our tests and may be too slow for gamers. In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.1 (minimum) to 240 (maximum) ms. » 66 % of all devices are better. This means that the measured response time is worse than the average of all tested devices (20.9 ms). | ||
↔ Response Time 50% Grey to 80% Grey | ||
39.6 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined | ↗ 20.4 ms rise | |
↘ 19.2 ms fall | ||
The screen shows slow response rates in our tests and will be unsatisfactory for gamers. In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.165 (minimum) to 636 (maximum) ms. » 57 % of all devices are better. This means that the measured response time is worse than the average of all tested devices (32.7 ms). |
Screen Flickering / PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation)
Screen flickering / PWM not detected | |||
In comparison: 53 % of all tested devices do not use PWM to dim the display. If PWM was detected, an average of 8631 (minimum: 5 - maximum: 343500) Hz was measured. |
Performance
A workstation needs a decent level of performance. The Intel Core i7-8550U processor provides this and is powerful enough to handle demanding applications. If you need even more power, then devices such as the Dell Precision 5520 are equipped with the Intel Xeon E3-150M v6, a dedicated workstation processor. These devices are considerably more expensive though, so the Core i7 is a good option for those that are conscious of cost. We would advise against stepping down to the Intel Core i5-7200U as it is considerably slower than the Core i7-8550U.
Our test device is also equipped with 8 GB of RAM and a fast 256 GB SSD. HP has a variety of memory options if these are not large enough. The RAM and the SSD are easily upgradable if you ever need to do so post-purchase.
Processor
The Intel Core i7-8550U is an ultra-low voltage (ULV) quad-core processor with a 1.8 GHz base clock speed. Thanks to Turbo Boost, the CPU can boost up to 4 GHz for a short time. Turbo Boost technology allows the CPU to temporarily increase its thermal design power (TDP) from 15W to 44 W. The CPU performs at the expected level in single-core benchmarks. However, the Core i7-8550U falls short in multi-core benchmarks, hence why the ZBook 14u G5 occupies the penultimate last place in our comparison tests. Nevertheless, the i7-8550U clearly demonstrates the performance improvement from Intel 7th generation CPUs.
You can find more benchmarks for the Intel Core i7-8550U here.
The cooling system has no problems with the 15 W CPU. After the first pass of the Cinebench R15 multi-loop benchmark, the score drops from an initial 530 to around 500, where performance stabilizes. This means that there is around a 7% performance drop under continuous load. While this is a reasonable performance drop, the ZBook 14u has anywhere from 10 to 36% lower maximum performance than comparable devices.
Cinebench R10 | |
Rendering Single CPUs 64Bit | |
Lenovo ThinkPad T480s-20L8S02E00 | |
HP ZBook 15u G5 2ZC05EA | |
HP ZBook 14u G5-2ZB99EA | |
Average Intel Core i7-8550U (6737 - 8436, n=12) | |
Rendering Multiple CPUs 64Bit | |
Lenovo ThinkPad T480s-20L8S02E00 | |
Average Intel Core i7-8550U (12279 - 31667, n=12) | |
HP ZBook 14u G5-2ZB99EA | |
HP ZBook 15u G5 2ZC05EA |
JetStream 1.1 - Total Score | |
Dell Precision 5520 UHD | |
HP ZBook 14u G5-2ZB99EA | |
Average Intel Core i7-8550U (141.9 - 288, n=61) | |
HP ZBook 14u G4 | |
HP ZBook 15u G5 2ZC05EA | |
Lenovo ThinkPad T480s-20L8S02E00 |
* ... smaller is better
System Performance
Our test device worked fast and without issue during our testing. The ZBook 14u G5 is at the top of our PCMark benchmark list, despite the unconvincing CPU performance. It is worth noting that all devices perform better PCMark 8 than in PCMark 10, the latter of which is the benchmark in which the ZBook 14u G5 has its greatest lead over its rivals.
PCMark 8 Home Score Accelerated v2 | 4438 points | |
PCMark 8 Creative Score Accelerated v2 | 5376 points | |
PCMark 8 Work Score Accelerated v2 | 5183 points | |
PCMark 10 Score | 3464 points | |
Help |
Storage Devices
We are well acquainted with the Toshiba M.2-2280 256 GB SSD from our EliteBook 840 G5 review. There is around 175 GB of storage space available once the OS and pre-installed applications have been installed. Despite being an NVMe SSD, the drive does not match manufacturer specifications of 2,700 MB/s read and 1,050 MB/s write.
We suspect that this is a driver problem though that HP could remedy with something like a BIOS update.
The lower than expected SSD performance does not slow down system performance though, as PCMark results demonstrate. CrystalDiskMark 3.0 highlights this hamstrung performance, with 34 MB/s 4k read speed being the only result worth mentioning.
HP ZBook 14u G5-2ZB99EA Toshiba XG5 KXG50ZNV256G | HP ZBook 15u G5 2ZC05EA Toshiba XG5 KXG50ZNV256G | Dell Precision 5520 UHD Samsung SM961 MZVKW512HMJP m.2 PCI-e | Lenovo ThinkPad T480s-20L8S02E00 Samsung SSD PM981 MZVLB512HAJQ | HP ZBook 14u G4 Samsung SSD PM871a MZNLN256HMHQ | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
CrystalDiskMark 3.0 | |||||
Read Seq | 2014 | 2040 1% | 2253 12% | 2588 29% | 517 -74% |
Write Seq | 375.5 | 917 144% | 1662 343% | 1858 395% | 502 34% |
Read 512 | 921 | 912 -1% | 459.1 -50% | 1799 95% | 467 -49% |
Write 512 | 370.4 | 488.9 32% | 1611 335% | 1863 403% | 83.2 -78% |
Read 4k | 33.24 | 35.5 7% | 56.1 69% | 62.7 89% | 30.9 -7% |
Write 4k | 100.7 | 99.1 -2% | 169.4 68% | 146.8 46% | 91.3 -9% |
Read 4k QD32 | 270.9 | 276.7 2% | 633 134% | 446.6 65% | 298.4 10% |
Write 4k QD32 | 350.5 | 351.5 0% | 506 44% | 706 101% | 222.3 -37% |
Graphics Card
Intel has integrated the CPU with Intel UHD Graphics 620, which is suitable for 2D applications. The system uses the integrated graphics when playing, for example, high-definition videos. The UHD Graphics 620 is much more power efficient than a dedicated GPU, which particularly benefits battery life. A workstation needs to have an adequate dedicated GPU, something on which the ZBook 14u G5 delivers. HP has installed an AMD Radeon Pro WX 3100, a dedicated GPU that has 2 GB GDDR5 VRAM. The Polaris chip corresponds with the consumer AMD Radeon RX 540 but has been optimized for professional use. This means that the WX 3100 has significantly better CAD or DCC performance than its consumer counterpart and has compatibility certifications for various professional software.
Our comparison chart demonstrates that both ZBooks perform similarly. The 15-inch device has marginally better graphics performance probably because of better cooling. 3DMark benchmarks highlight that the AMD Radeon Pro WX 3100 is comparable to an NVIDIA GeForce MX150. Notably, the Radeon Pro WX 3100 fails to outperform the older AMD FirePro W4190M in every benchmark. The WX 3100 only has a clear advantage in benchmarks like 3DMark and 3DMark 11.
More benchmarks for the Intel UHD Graphics 620 and the AMD Radeon Pro WX 3100 can be found here.
SiSoft Sandra 2016 | |
Image Processing | |
HP ZBook 15u G5 2ZC05EA | |
HP ZBook 14u G5-2ZB99EA | |
HP ZBook 14u G4 | |
Dell Precision 3520 | |
Lenovo ThinkPad P52s-20LB000HGE | |
GP Cryptography (Higher Security AES256+SHA2-512) | |
Dell Precision 3520 | |
HP ZBook 14u G5-2ZB99EA | |
Lenovo ThinkPad P52s-20LB000HGE | |
HP ZBook 15u G5 2ZC05EA | |
HP ZBook 14u G4 | |
GP Financial Analysis (FP High/Double Precision) | |
HP ZBook 14u G4 | |
HP ZBook 14u G5-2ZB99EA | |
HP ZBook 15u G5 2ZC05EA | |
Dell Precision 3520 | |
Lenovo ThinkPad P52s-20LB000HGE |
Unigine Valley 1.0 | |
1920x1080 Extreme HD DirectX AA:x8 | |
Average of class Workstation (34.1 - 59.2, n=2, last 2 years) | |
HP ZBook 15u G5 2ZC05EA | |
Average AMD Radeon Pro WX 3100 (9.4 - 10.8, n=2) | |
HP ZBook 14u G5-2ZB99EA | |
HP ZBook 14u G4 | |
1920x1080 Extreme HD Preset OpenGL AA:x8 | |
Average of class Workstation (26.8 - 49.9, n=2, last 2 years) | |
HP ZBook 15u G5 2ZC05EA | |
HP ZBook 14u G4 | |
Average AMD Radeon Pro WX 3100 (5.6 - 6.3, n=2) | |
HP ZBook 14u G5-2ZB99EA |
3DMark 11 Performance | 4123 points | |
3DMark Ice Storm Standard Score | 48101 points | |
3DMark Cloud Gate Standard Score | 12174 points | |
3DMark Fire Strike Score | 2513 points | |
3DMark Fire Strike Extreme Score | 1242 points | |
3DMark Time Spy Score | 918 points | |
Help |
Gaming Performance
The AMD Radeon Pro WX 3100 is designed for professional use though, and as such games do not benefit from the additional optimization. Despite having a dedicated GPU, the ZBook 14u G5 is quickly overwhelmed by modern games. Our test device achieves a constant 10 FPS at the start of our “The Witcher 3” endurance test. Frame rates quickly start jumping between 5and 10 FPS though. This change in performance demonstrates the limitation of the cooling system, as it is unable to maintain maximum graphics performance. Regardless, the AMD Radeon Pro WX 3100 is only capable of playing games at the lowest graphics settings.
low | med. | high | ultra | |
---|---|---|---|---|
BioShock Infinite (2013) | 160.7 | 74.7 | 47 | 14.7 |
The Witcher 3 (2015) | 26.8 | 16.7 | 8.7 | 6.8 |
Rise of the Tomb Raider (2016) | 50.4 | 30 | 15.3 | 12.2 |
Far Cry Primal (2016) | 30 | 11 | 10 | 7 |
The Division (2016) | 37.3 | 20.4 | 9.2 | |
Deus Ex Mankind Divided (2016) | 31.2 | 15.6 | 8.4 | 3.2 |
For Honor (2017) | 37.8 | 14.9 | 11.5 | 9.2 |
Ghost Recon Wildlands (2017) | 25.4 | 10.4 | 9.1 | 8.1 |
F1 2017 (2017) | 60 | 21 | 21 | 13 |
Assassin´s Creed Origins (2017) | 28 | 11 | 9 |
Emissions
Fan Noise
The ZBook 14u G5 stays completely silent for the most part. The small fans only kick in under load, reaching a maximum of 37.3 dB(A). The latest ZBook is a little quieter than its predecessor and considerably quieter than the Dell Precision 5520, which reaches up to 45.5 dB(A). While fan noise is audible under load, the ZBook 14u G5 is far from annoying. We did not detect any coil whine with our test device either.
Noise Level
Idle |
| 29.8 / 29.8 / 29.8 dB(A) |
Load |
| 33.5 / 37.3 dB(A) |
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30 dB silent 40 dB(A) audible 50 dB(A) loud |
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min: ![]() ![]() ![]() |
HP ZBook 14u G5-2ZB99EA Radeon Pro WX 3100, i5-8550U, Toshiba XG5 KXG50ZNV256G | HP ZBook 15u G5 2ZC05EA Radeon Pro WX 3100, i5-8550U, Toshiba XG5 KXG50ZNV256G | Dell Precision 5520 UHD Quadro M1200, E3-1505M v6, Samsung SM961 MZVKW512HMJP m.2 PCI-e | Lenovo ThinkPad T480s-20L8S02E00 GeForce MX150, i5-8550U, Samsung SSD PM981 MZVLB512HAJQ | HP ZBook 14u G4 FirePro W4190M, i7-7500U, Samsung SSD PM871a MZNLN256HMHQ | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Noise | -1% | -12% | 1% | -4% | |
off / environment * | 29.8 | 29.8 -0% | 28.7 4% | 29 3% | 30.4 -2% |
Idle Minimum * | 29.8 | 29.8 -0% | 28.7 4% | 29 3% | 30.4 -2% |
Idle Average * | 29.8 | 29.8 -0% | 32.1 -8% | 29 3% | 30.4 -2% |
Idle Maximum * | 29.8 | 30.8 -3% | 32.1 -8% | 29 3% | 30.4 -2% |
Load Average * | 33.5 | 32.9 2% | 41.3 -23% | 36.5 -9% | 37 -10% |
Witcher 3 ultra * | 34.2 | 36.5 -7% | 45.5 -33% | 32.8 4% | |
Load Maximum * | 37.3 | 36.5 2% | 45.5 -22% | 38.2 -2% | 40 -7% |
* ... smaller is better
Temperature
The case temperatures of the ZBook 14u G5 have improved compared with its predecessor. We measured the warmest point of the device at 42.7 °C (~109 °F), which is practically 6 °C (~11 °F) cooler than last year’s model. Under load, the entire palm rest stays below 30 °C (~86 °F), with the top two-thirds of the case reaching closer to 40 °C (~104 °F). The bottom case is marginally hotter as an average, with most areas reaching above 30 °C (~86 °F). Our test device is impressively cool while idling, with the entire case averaging 23.9 °C (~75 °F) in our tests, the ZBook 14u G5 is considerably cooler than both the Dell Precision 5520 and the Lenovo ThinkPad T480s.
We stress tested our test device by running Prime95 and FurMark simultaneously for at least an hour. This test is designed to determine the highest CPU and GPU temperatures under extreme load conditions. During these tests, HWiNFO recorded the CPU reaching 93 °C (~199 °F) and the GPU at 65 °C (~149 °F). The GPU frequency frequently fluctuated despite the cooler core temperature, behavior which coincides with “The Witcher 3” load test.
The CPU stays cooler only when it is being stress tested. In this scenario, HWiNFO measured a maximum temperature of 76 °C (~169 °F) and a 2.2 GHz average frequency. This is well above the 1.8 GHz base clock speed.
HP ZBook 14u G5-2ZB99EA Radeon Pro WX 3100, i5-8550U, Toshiba XG5 KXG50ZNV256G | HP ZBook 15u G5 2ZC05EA Radeon Pro WX 3100, i5-8550U, Toshiba XG5 KXG50ZNV256G | Dell Precision 5520 UHD Quadro M1200, E3-1505M v6, Samsung SM961 MZVKW512HMJP m.2 PCI-e | Lenovo ThinkPad T480s-20L8S02E00 GeForce MX150, i5-8550U, Samsung SSD PM981 MZVLB512HAJQ | HP ZBook 14u G4 FirePro W4190M, i7-7500U, Samsung SSD PM871a MZNLN256HMHQ | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Heat | 1% | -12% | -7% | -12% | |
Maximum Upper Side * | 39.7 | 39.8 -0% | 51.6 -30% | 49.2 -24% | 48 -21% |
Maximum Bottom * | 42.7 | 43.1 -1% | 43.6 -2% | 48.2 -13% | 48.6 -14% |
Idle Upper Side * | 24.2 | 23.3 4% | 26.6 -10% | 23.2 4% | 25.4 -5% |
Idle Bottom * | 24.6 | 24.6 -0% | 26.2 -7% | 23 7% | 26.1 -6% |
* ... smaller is better
(+) The maximum temperature on the upper side is 39.7 °C / 103 F, compared to the average of 38.2 °C / 101 F, ranging from 22.2 to 69.8 °C for the class Workstation.
(±) The bottom heats up to a maximum of 42.7 °C / 109 F, compared to the average of 41.3 °C / 106 F
(+) In idle usage, the average temperature for the upper side is 23.8 °C / 75 F, compared to the device average of 32 °C / 90 F.
(±) Playing The Witcher 3, the average temperature for the upper side is 34.9 °C / 95 F, compared to the device average of 32 °C / 90 F.
(+) The palmrests and touchpad are cooler than skin temperature with a maximum of 30 °C / 86 F and are therefore cool to the touch.
(-) The average temperature of the palmrest area of similar devices was 27.8 °C / 82 F (-2.2 °C / -4 F).
Speakers
HP has placed the stereo speakers above the keyboard, which allows sound to project away from the case without having to reflect off another surface. The speakers are rather small, which explains the low volume and lack of bass. High and mid tones are in the foreground, so the sound is clearly reproduced. We could not notice any drastic improvement because of the Bang & Olufsen branding though. The speakers are suitable for audio or video telephony. There is no noticeable distortion or tininess at maximum volume. However, we would recommend connecting either headphones or external speakers for a better listening experience.
HP ZBook 14u G5-2ZB99EA audio analysis
(+) | speakers can play relatively loud (85 dB)
Bass 100 - 315 Hz
(-) | nearly no bass - on average 25.8% lower than median
(±) | linearity of bass is average (10.1% delta to prev. frequency)
Mids 400 - 2000 Hz
(+) | balanced mids - only 2% away from median
(+) | mids are linear (4.6% delta to prev. frequency)
Highs 2 - 16 kHz
(+) | balanced highs - only 4.3% away from median
(+) | highs are linear (3.1% delta to prev. frequency)
Overall 100 - 16.000 Hz
(±) | linearity of overall sound is average (18.2% difference to median)
Compared to same class
» 54% of all tested devices in this class were better, 11% similar, 35% worse
» The best had a delta of 7%, average was 18%, worst was 35%
Compared to all devices tested
» 36% of all tested devices were better, 8% similar, 57% worse
» The best had a delta of 4%, average was 24%, worst was 134%
Lenovo ThinkPad T480s-20L8S02E00 audio analysis
(±) | speaker loudness is average but good (78.9 dB)
Bass 100 - 315 Hz
(-) | nearly no bass - on average 19.4% lower than median
(±) | linearity of bass is average (12.1% delta to prev. frequency)
Mids 400 - 2000 Hz
(±) | higher mids - on average 6.5% higher than median
(±) | linearity of mids is average (9.6% delta to prev. frequency)
Highs 2 - 16 kHz
(+) | balanced highs - only 3.5% away from median
(±) | linearity of highs is average (7.6% delta to prev. frequency)
Overall 100 - 16.000 Hz
(±) | linearity of overall sound is average (22.1% difference to median)
Compared to same class
» 54% of all tested devices in this class were better, 9% similar, 37% worse
» The best had a delta of 7%, average was 21%, worst was 53%
Compared to all devices tested
» 61% of all tested devices were better, 7% similar, 33% worse
» The best had a delta of 4%, average was 24%, worst was 134%
Power Management
Power Consumption
The ZBook 14u G5 is economical at idle, only consuming between 3.4 and 8.5 W. This increases temporarily to 71.4 W under load, before reducing and averaging at 55.2 W. The power supply is rated at 65 W, which means that our test device temporarily exceeded the power supply’s maximum wattage. In practice this is not a problem as this behavior is only short-lived; the battery did not discharge during our stress tests when plugged in.
Off / Standby | ![]() ![]() |
Idle | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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HP ZBook 14u G5-2ZB99EA i5-8550U, Radeon Pro WX 3100, Toshiba XG5 KXG50ZNV256G, IPS, 1920x1080, 14" | HP ZBook 15u G5 2ZC05EA i5-8550U, Radeon Pro WX 3100, Toshiba XG5 KXG50ZNV256G, IPS LED, 1920x1080, 15.6" | Dell Precision 5520 UHD E3-1505M v6, Quadro M1200, Samsung SM961 MZVKW512HMJP m.2 PCI-e, IPS, 3840x2160, 15.6" | Lenovo ThinkPad T480s-20L8S02E00 i5-8550U, GeForce MX150, Samsung SSD PM981 MZVLB512HAJQ, IPS LED, 2560x1440, 14" | HP ZBook 14u G4 i7-7500U, FirePro W4190M, Samsung SSD PM871a MZNLN256HMHQ, TN, 1920x1080, 14" | Average AMD Radeon Pro WX 3100 | Average of class Workstation | |
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Power Consumption | -5% | -108% | -6% | 12% | -3% | -107% | |
Idle Minimum * | 3.4 | 3.2 6% | 8.9 -162% | 3.4 -0% | 2.4 29% | 3.3 ? 3% | 8.19 ? -141% |
Idle Average * | 5.6 | 6.1 -9% | 13.6 -143% | 7.5 -34% | 5.3 5% | 5.85 ? -4% | 12.3 ? -120% |
Idle Maximum * | 8.5 | 9.7 -14% | 14.1 -66% | 10.8 -27% | 8.8 -4% | 9.1 ? -7% | 17.3 ? -104% |
Load Average * | 55.2 | 62 -12% | 100.3 -82% | 55.4 -0% | 45 18% | 58.6 ? -6% | 86.9 ? -57% |
Witcher 3 ultra * | 46 | 48 -4% | 100.2 -118% | 34 26% | |||
Load Maximum * | 71.4 | 71 1% | 126.3 -77% | 70.3 2% | 64 10% | 71.2 ? -0% | 150.5 ? -111% |
* ... smaller is better
Battery Life
The ZBook 14u G5 has good battery life that is well above the class average. Neither the Dell Precision 5520 nor the Lenovo ThinkPad T480s could compete with the ZBook 14u G5 in our battery life tests. Our test device managed nine and a half hours in our practical Wi-Fi test. Equally impressive is the runtime under load, which we measured at just over three hours. Overall, you should be able to use the device for extended periods of time away from your desk without needing a charge. The charging time from depleted to 100% is around two hours. The 50 Wh battery is inbuilt, which should not be a problem in daily use. It is worth noting that 3D performance is throttled when running on battery. In 3DMark 11 our test device scored 1,503 points on battery, which is drastically lower than the 4123 points it scored on mains power.
HP ZBook 14u G5-2ZB99EA i5-8550U, Radeon Pro WX 3100, 50 Wh | HP ZBook 15u G5 2ZC05EA i5-8550U, Radeon Pro WX 3100, 56 Wh | Dell Precision 5520 UHD E3-1505M v6, Quadro M1200, 97 Wh | Lenovo ThinkPad T480s-20L8S02E00 i5-8550U, GeForce MX150, 57 Wh | HP ZBook 14u G4 i7-7500U, FirePro W4190M, 51 Wh | Average of class Workstation | |
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Battery Runtime | 8% | -54% | -10% | 1% | -10% | |
Reader / Idle | 1152 | 1301 13% | 724 -37% | 1366 19% | 1418 23% | 986 ? -14% |
H.264 | 504 | 623 24% | 550 9% | 575 14% | 718 ? 42% | |
WiFi v1.3 | 574 | 514 -10% | 254 -56% | 530 -8% | 643 12% | 511 ? -11% |
Load | 188 | 200 6% | 61 -68% | 76 -60% | 104 -45% | 78.7 ? -58% |
Verdict
Pros
Cons
The HP ZBook 14u G5 is a 14-inch mobile workstation that fulfills the criteria of being a workstation thanks to its fast CPU and its professional standard GPU. The package is rounded off with many security features and a fast NVMe SSD. Overall, HP has created a relatively affordable mobile workstation at €1,680 (~$1,937) that calls into question whether spending more for a higher-end workstation is worthwhile.
There are some downsides though, namely the display. 215 cd/m² maximum brightness is unacceptable at this price point, as is the poor color space coverage. Even cheap office devices have better displays than the ZBook 14u G5. While in practice the device may be connected to a docking station and to external monitors, we would have expected a better default display for a mobile workstation. We do not understand the lack of a card reader either.
The performance of the cooling system, CPU and GPU leaves a lot to be desired. The cooling system reaches its limit under load, while the CPU performs worse than the equivalent processor in comparable devices. Worse still, the GPU often falls behind the older AMD FirePro W4190M GPU. This means that the ZBook 14u G5 is outperformed by its predecessor in some professional applications.
The HP ZBook 14u G5 is slimmer than its predecessor that has a high-quality chassis. HP has created an impressive mobile workstation that warrants attention from potential buyers.
Positively, HP offers a variety of configuration options. Unfortunately, there are no alternatives to the AMD Radeon Pro WX 3100. Overall, the system performance is decent, while the good battery life is a bonus. Moreover, the USB Type-C Thunderbolt port future proofs the device to a certain extent.
HP ZBook 14u G5-2ZB99EA
- 05/18/2018 v6 (old)
Sebastian Bade