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MagyarHP ZBook 14u G6 laptop review: The mobile workstation has problems with performance
The HP ZBook 14u G6 is a sleek, 14-inch mobile workstation. The device is not unknown to us. This is the identically constructed successor of the ZBook 14u G5. HP is carrying out primarily a model revision with the new version and has updated the core components. Our review device is powered by a Core i7-8565U processor and a Radeon Pro WX 3200 graphics core.
Direct competitors are not currently available in our database. This includes, for example, the Lenovo ThinkPad P43s. A review of this workstation will follow in the next weeks. That's why we're using the Dell Precision 5530 and Lenovo ThinkPad P52s to grade the ZBook. These devices are at a similar price level.
Since the ZBook 14u G6 is identical in construction to the ZBook 14u G5 and the EliteBook 840 G5, we won't go into the case, the connectivity, the input devices and the speakers. The corresponding information can be found in our reviews for the ZBook 14u G5 and the EliteBook 840 G5.
#compare_competitor
Rating | Date | Model | Weight | Height | Size | Resolution | Best Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 81 % | 10/2019 | HP ZBook 14u G6 6TP71EA i7-8565U, Radeon Pro WX 3200 | 1.5 kg | 17.9 mm | 14.00" | 1920x1080 | |
| 81 % | 05/2018 | HP ZBook 14u G5-2ZB99EA i5-8550U, Radeon Pro WX 3100 | 1.6 kg | 18 mm | 14.00" | 1920x1080 | |
| 83 % | 10/2018 | Dell Precision 5530 2-in-1 i7-8706G, WX Vega M GL | 2 kg | 16 mm | 15.60" | 3840x2160 | |
| 83.2 % | 06/2018 | Lenovo ThinkPad P52s-20LB000HGE i5-8550U, Quadro P500 | 2.2 kg | 20.2 mm | 15.60" | 1920x1080 |
| Networking | |
| iperf3 transmit AX12 | |
| Average of class Workstation (767 - 1506, n=14, last 2 years) | |
| HP ZBook 14u G6 6TP71EA | |
| Dell Precision 5530 2-in-1 | |
| Lenovo ThinkPad P52s-20LB000HGE | |
| HP ZBook 14u G5-2ZB99EA | |
| iperf3 receive AX12 | |
| Average of class Workstation (579 - 1529, n=14, last 2 years) | |
| HP ZBook 14u G6 6TP71EA | |
| Lenovo ThinkPad P52s-20LB000HGE | |
| HP ZBook 14u G5-2ZB99EA | |
| Dell Precision 5530 2-in-1 | |
Display - The ZBook G6 comes with a great display
The matte 14-inch display of the ZBook 14 has a native resolution of 1920x1080 pixels. Brightness (420.2 cd/m²) and contrast (1410:1) are good. The display offers a significantly higher maximum brightness than the display installed in the previous model. The brightness distribution is also pleasing at a value of 92%. Positive: The display doesn't show PWM flickering.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Brightness Distribution: 92 %
Center on Battery: 439 cd/m²
Contrast: 1410:1 (Black: 0.31 cd/m²)
ΔE Color 2.6 | 0.55-29.43 Ø5.2, calibrated: 0.8
ΔE Greyscale 4.5 | 0.57-98 Ø5.4
99.6% sRGB (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
65.4% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
71.9% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
99.6% sRGB (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
69.7% Display P3 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
Gamma: 2.2
| HP ZBook 14u G6 6TP71EA IPS, 1920x1080, 14.00 | HP ZBook 14u G5-2ZB99EA IPS, 1920x1080, 14.00 | Dell Precision 5530 2-in-1 IPS, 3840x2160, 15.60 | Lenovo ThinkPad P52s-20LB000HGE IPS LED, 1920x1080, 15.60 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display | -41% | 23% | -39% | |
| Display P3 Coverage | 69.7 | 40.25 -42% | 91.2 31% | 41.83 -40% |
| sRGB Coverage | 99.6 | 60.6 -39% | 99.9 0% | 62.1 -38% |
| AdobeRGB 1998 Coverage | 71.9 | 41.59 -42% | 99.4 38% | 43.22 -40% |
| Response Times | -20% | -60% | -59% | |
| Response Time Grey 50% / Grey 80% * | 40.4 ? | 39.6 ? 2% | 49.6 ? -23% | 47.2 ? -17% |
| Response Time Black / White * | 19.2 ? | 27.2 ? -42% | 37.6 ? -96% | 38.4 ? -100% |
| PWM Frequency | 990 ? | 21550 ? | ||
| Screen | -78% | -33% | -75% | |
| Brightness middle | 437 | 234 -46% | 430.9 -1% | 291 -33% |
| Brightness | 420 | 215 -49% | 398 -5% | 284 -32% |
| Brightness Distribution | 92 | 85 -8% | 79 -14% | 91 -1% |
| Black Level * | 0.31 | 0.16 48% | 0.35 -13% | 0.11 65% |
| Contrast | 1410 | 1463 4% | 1231 -13% | 2645 88% |
| Colorchecker dE 2000 * | 2.6 | 5.7 -119% | 3.29 -27% | 6.7 -158% |
| Colorchecker dE 2000 max. * | 6.5 | 18.4 -183% | 7.46 -15% | 20.2 -211% |
| Colorchecker dE 2000 calibrated * | 0.8 | 4.2 -425% | 3.58 -348% | 4.5 -463% |
| Greyscale dE 2000 * | 4.5 | 4.7 -4% | 2.6 42% | 4.5 -0% |
| Gamma | 2.2 100% | 2.38 92% | 2.19 100% | 2.28 96% |
| CCT | 6809 95% | 6730 97% | 6870 95% | 7503 87% |
| Color Space (Percent of AdobeRGB 1998) | 65.4 | 38.3 -41% | 87.2 33% | 39.6 -39% |
| Color Space (Percent of sRGB) | 99.6 | 60.4 -39% | 100 0% | 61.7 -38% |
| Total Average (Program / Settings) | -46% /
-64% | -23% /
-26% | -58% /
-66% |
* ... smaller is better
The screen shows a good color reproduction out of the box. With a Delta E 2000 color deviation of 2.6, the target (Delta E less than 3) is reached. The display doesn't suffer from a blue tint. An improvement can be achieved by calibrating the screen. This reduces the color deviation to 0.8, and the grayscales are displayed in a more balanced way. Good: Almost 100% of the sRGB color space is covered (99.6%). With the AdobeRGB color space, the rate is 65.4%.
The color profile provided by us can improve the display's color reproduction according to the calibration we perform. It's important to make sure that the same display model (manufacturer + model number) as in our review device is installed. Otherwise, the color reproduction may become worse instead of improving. Panels from different manufacturers are often used within the same laptop model series.
Display Response Times
| ↔ Response Time Black to White | ||
|---|---|---|
| 19.2 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined | ↗ 8.4 ms rise |  |
| ↘ 10.8 ms fall | ||
| The screen shows good response rates in our tests, but may be too slow for competitive gamers. In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.1 (minimum) to 240 (maximum) ms. » 33 % of all devices are better. This means that the measured response time is better than the average of all tested devices (22.3 ms). | ||
| ↔ Response Time 50% Grey to 80% Grey | ||
| 40.4 ms ... rise ↗ and fall ↘ combined | ↗ 20.4 ms rise |  |
| ↘ 20 ms fall | ||
| The screen shows slow response rates in our tests and will be unsatisfactory for gamers. In comparison, all tested devices range from 0.25 (minimum) to 636 (maximum) ms. » 56 % of all devices are better. This means that the measured response time is worse than the average of all tested devices (35.1 ms). | ||
Screen Flickering / PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation)
| Screen flickering / PWM not detected | ≤ 50 % brightness setting |  | |
In comparison: 53 % of all tested devices do not use PWM to dim the display. If PWM was detected, an average of 18925 (minimum: 5 - maximum: 3846000) Hz was measured. | |||
HP has equipped the ZBook with an IPS panel that shows stable viewing angles. Thus, the screen can be read from any position. Due to the high maximum brightness of the display, it can also be read outdoors.
Performance - The HP workstation can't unfold its full performance in a stable way
With the ZBook 14u G6, Hewlett Packard has a 14-inch workstation in its range. The review device provided to us is available for about 1,700 Euros (~$1,865). Other configuration options are available. Prices start at around 1,350 Euros (~$1,481).
Processor
The ZBook has a Core i7-8565U (Whiskey Lake) quad-core processor on board. The Core i7 operates at a base speed of 1.8 GHz. Through Turbo, an increase to 4.1 GHz (all four cores), 4.5 GHz (two cores) and 4.6 GHz (one core) is possible, respectively.
The multithread tests of the Cinebench benchmarks are run for a short time at 3.2 to 4.1 GHz. The clock speed then drops to 2.1 to 2.2 GHz. The single-thread tests are processed at 3.7 to 3.8 GHz. On battery power, the speeds range from 1.6 to 1.8 GHz (multithread) and 1.6 to 2.3 GHz (single-thread), respectively.
Many HP laptops - including the ZBook - have a BIOS option that specifies that the CPU should also run at high speeds on battery power. HP has removed this option with the current BIOS version, 01.03.00 Rev.A, from September 27, 2019. This BIOS update shouldn't be omitted since it fixes many security vulnerabilities as well.
We test whether Turbo is used consistently when plugged in by running the Cinebench R15 benchmark's multithread test continuously in a loop for a minimum of 30 minutes. The results fall slightly from the first to the second pass and then remain at a constant level. Turbo is used to a very small extent.
| Cinebench R15 | |
| CPU Single 64Bit | |
| Average of class Workstation (166.2 - 274, n=28, last 2 years) | |
| Average Intel Core i7-8565U (138.3 - 193, n=51) | |
| Dell Precision 5530 2-in-1 | |
| Lenovo ThinkPad P52s-20LB000HGE | |
| HP ZBook 14u G5-2ZB99EA | |
| HP ZBook 14u G6 6TP71EA | |
| CPU Multi 64Bit | |
| Average of class Workstation (706 - 3520, n=29, last 2 years) | |
| Dell Precision 5530 2-in-1 | |
| Lenovo ThinkPad P52s-20LB000HGE | |
| Average Intel Core i7-8565U (452 - 815, n=52) | |
| HP ZBook 14u G5-2ZB99EA | |
| HP ZBook 14u G6 6TP71EA | |
| Cinebench R10 | |
| Rendering Single 32Bit | |
| Average Intel Core i7-8565U (2682 - 8906, n=16) | |
| Dell Precision 5530 2-in-1 | |
| HP ZBook 14u G5-2ZB99EA | |
| HP ZBook 14u G6 6TP71EA | |
| Rendering Multiple CPUs 32Bit | |
| Dell Precision 5530 2-in-1 | |
| Average Intel Core i7-8565U (13806 - 23118, n=16) | |
| HP ZBook 14u G5-2ZB99EA | |
| HP ZBook 14u G6 6TP71EA | |
| Cinebench R20 | |
| CPU (Single Core) | |
| Average of class Workstation (528 - 727, n=29, last 2 years) | |
| Average Intel Core i7-8565U (342 - 472, n=20) | |
| HP ZBook 14u G6 6TP71EA | |
| CPU (Multi Core) | |
| Average of class Workstation (1669 - 7971, n=29, last 2 years) | |
| Average Intel Core i7-8565U (954 - 1645, n=20) | |
| HP ZBook 14u G6 6TP71EA | |
| Geekbench 3 | |
| 32 Bit Multi-Core Score | |
| HP ZBook 14u G6 6TP71EA | |
| Average Intel Core i7-8565U (10521 - 13703, n=12) | |
| 32 Bit Single-Core Score | |
| Average Intel Core i7-8565U (3340 - 4820, n=12) | |
| HP ZBook 14u G6 6TP71EA | |
| Geekbench 4.1 - 4.4 | |
| 64 Bit Multi-Core Score | |
| Average of class Workstation (27454 - 33776, n=2, last 2 years) | |
| Dell Precision 5530 2-in-1 | |
| HP ZBook 14u G6 6TP71EA | |
| Average Intel Core i7-8565U (8142 - 16968, n=30) | |
| 64 Bit Single-Core Score | |
| Average of class Workstation (6104 - 6286, n=2, last 2 years) | |
| HP ZBook 14u G6 6TP71EA | |
| Average Intel Core i7-8565U (2357 - 5547, n=30) | |
| Dell Precision 5530 2-in-1 | |
| Geekbench 5.0 | |
| 5.0 Multi-Core | |
| Average of class Workstation (6340 - 14728, n=7, last 2 years) | |
| Average Intel Core i7-8565U (2643 - 3803, n=5) | |
| HP ZBook 14u G6 6TP71EA | |
| 5.0 Single-Core | |
| Average of class Workstation (1436 - 1855, n=7, last 2 years) | |
| HP ZBook 14u G6 6TP71EA | |
| Average Intel Core i7-8565U (1103 - 1229, n=5) | |
| Mozilla Kraken 1.1 - Total Score | |
| HP ZBook 14u G6 6TP71EA (Edge 44) | |
| Lenovo ThinkPad P52s-20LB000HGE (Edge 41.16299.402.0) | |
| Dell Precision 5530 2-in-1 (Edge 42.17134.1.0) | |
| Average Intel Core i7-8565U (730 - 2622, n=43) | |
| HP ZBook 14u G5-2ZB99EA (EDGE: 41.16299.15.0) | |
| Average of class Workstation (498 - 666, n=28, last 2 years) | |
| Octane V2 - Total Score | |
| Average of class Workstation (60397 - 91965, n=13, last 2 years) | |
| HP ZBook 14u G5-2ZB99EA (EDGE: 41.16299.15.0) | |
| Average Intel Core i7-8565U (13935 - 49795, n=42) | |
| Lenovo ThinkPad P52s-20LB000HGE (Edge 41.16299.402.0) | |
| HP ZBook 14u G6 6TP71EA (Edge 44) | |
| Dell Precision 5530 2-in-1 (Edge 42.17134.1.0) | |
| JetStream 1.1 - Total Score | |
| HP ZBook 14u G5-2ZB99EA (EDGE: 41.16299.15.0) | |
| Dell Precision 5530 2-in-1 (Edge 42.17134.1.0) | |
| HP ZBook 14u G6 6TP71EA (Edge 44) | |
| Lenovo ThinkPad P52s-20LB000HGE (Edge 41.16299.402.0) | |
| Average Intel Core i7-8565U (107.6 - 277, n=37) | |
* ... smaller is better
System performance
The good results in the PCMark benchmarks confirm that the laptop has sufficient computing power for all common applications. A slight increase in overall performance would be possible by activating dual-channel mode. For this purpose, a second memory module would have to be installed into the computer.
| PCMark 8 Home Score Accelerated v2 | 3954 points | |
| PCMark 8 Creative Score Accelerated v2 | 3901 points | |
| PCMark 8 Work Score Accelerated v2 | 4885 points | |
| PCMark 10 Score | 4413 points | |
Help | ||
| PCMark 8 | |
| Home Score Accelerated v2 | |
| HP ZBook 14u G5-2ZB99EA | |
| HP ZBook 14u G6 6TP71EA | |
| Lenovo ThinkPad P52s-20LB000HGE | |
| Average Intel Core i7-8565U, AMD Radeon Pro WX 3200 (3257 - 3954, n=2) | |
| Dell Precision 5530 2-in-1 | |
| Work Score Accelerated v2 | |
| HP ZBook 14u G5-2ZB99EA | |
| Lenovo ThinkPad P52s-20LB000HGE | |
| HP ZBook 14u G6 6TP71EA | |
| Average Intel Core i7-8565U, AMD Radeon Pro WX 3200 (4022 - 4885, n=2) | |
| Dell Precision 5530 2-in-1 | |
Storage
The system drive is an NVMe SSD from Samsung. This M.2 2280 model has a total capacity of 512 GB, out of which about 439 GB can be used out of the box. The remaining storage space is distributed between the Windows installation and the recovery partition. Moreover, the transfer rates are good.
| HP ZBook 14u G6 6TP71EA Samsung SSD PM981 MZVLB512HAJQ | HP ZBook 14u G5-2ZB99EA Toshiba XG5 KXG50ZNV256G | Dell Precision 5530 2-in-1 SK Hynix PC401 512GB M.2 (HFS512GD9TNG) | Lenovo ThinkPad P52s-20LB000HGE Samsung PM961 MZVLW256HEHP | Average Samsung SSD PM981 MZVLB512HAJQ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CrystalDiskMark 5.2 / 6 | -51% | -18% | -22% | 2% | |
| Write 4K | 173.7 | 128.9 -26% | 159.2 -8% | 126.7 ? -27% | |
| Read 4K | 50.6 | 45.7 -10% | 45.8 -9% | 44 ? -13% | |
| Write Seq | 1100 | 635 -42% | 852 -23% | 1617 ? 47% | |
| Read Seq | 1072 | 2065 93% | 786 -27% | 1716 ? 60% | |
| Write 4K Q32T1 | 555 | 359.6 -35% | 336.6 -39% | 468.6 -16% | 413 ? -26% |
| Read 4K Q32T1 | 625 | 271.8 -57% | 393.6 -37% | 566 -9% | 420 ? -33% |
| Write Seq Q32T1 | 1892 | 342 -82% | 662 -65% | 1242 -34% | 2076 ? 10% |
| Read Seq Q32T1 | 3233 | 2281 -29% | 2664 -18% | 1761 -46% | 3130 ? -3% |
Graphics card
The ZBook is equipped with a Radeon Pro WX 3200 graphics core from AMD. The GPU is based on the Polaris architecture and represents the professional version of the Radeon RX 550 GPU. The WX 3200 supports DirectX 12 and reaches speeds of up to 1082 MHz. The GPU is supported by the faster GDDR5 memory (4,096 MB). Results in the 3DMark benchmarks are at the expected level.
The UHD Graphics 620 GPU that's integrated into the processor is active, and the laptop works with AMD's Enduro graphics-switching solution. The dedicated GPU can be disabled in the BIOS if necessary. The iGPU would then be used permanently.
| 3DMark 06 Standard Score | 16054 points | |
| 3DMark 11 Performance | 4722 points | |
| 3DMark Ice Storm Standard Score | 65682 points | |
| 3DMark Cloud Gate Standard Score | 11941 points | |
| 3DMark Fire Strike Score | 2920 points | |
| 3DMark Time Spy Score | 1079 points | |
Help | ||
| 3DMark 11 - 1280x720 Performance GPU | |
| Average of class Workstation (6020 - 41904, n=27, last 2 years) | |
| Dell Precision 5530 2-in-1 | |
| HP Pavilion Power 15t-cb2000 | |
| Lenovo ThinkPad E490-20N90004GE | |
| Lenovo ThinkPad E590-20NB0012GE | |
| Acer Swift 3 SF315-41G-R6BR | |
| Lenovo ThinkPad E580-20KS001RGE | |
| HP ZBook 14u G6 6TP71EA | |
| Average AMD Radeon Pro WX 3200 (4256 - 4419, n=2) | |
| HP ZBook 15u G6 6TP54EA | |
| HP ZBook 14u G5-2ZB99EA | |
| Lenovo ThinkPad P52s-20LB000HGE | |
Gaming performance
The ability to run games isn't a part of the ZBook's job description. Nevertheless, the graphics core makes it possible, but only with restrictions. Our The Witcher 3 test illustrates the problem.
The latter checks whether the frame rates remain largely constant over a longer period of time. For this we run the game The Witcher 3 for about 60 minutes at Full HD resolution and maximum quality settings. The character embodied by the player isn't moved during the entire period.
The GPU is significantly throttled after just a few minutes. Only speeds around 500 MHz are reached then. As a result, the frame rates are cut by half and remain at a constant level.
In order to be able to play games, the resolution and quality level would have to be chosen so low that playable frame rates could still be achieved, even after the throttling of the GPU.