HP has quietly updated its 16-inch ZBook Fury workstation lineup with a new model that prioritizes connectivity and expandability over raw processing power. This shift matters to buyers because the base configuration uses a processor that benchmarks show performs worse than previous generations, yet the device still offers the latest high-speed ports and massive memory capacity. Professionals who need Thunderbolt 5 support and extensive storage options may still find value in this chassis, even if the CPU is not the fastest available.
Base model uses slower Core Ultra 7 processor despite high expandability
The updated machine, designated the ZBook Fury G1i 16, launches globally with a specific focus on Intel's latest Arrow Lake HX architecture. HP has limited the initial release to the Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus processor, which sits below the Core Ultra 9 tier in the company's lineup. This decision means the base model does not include the highest-end CPU options that were available in earlier versions of this workstation line.
Specifications
- Processor: Intel Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus
- Max RAM: 192 GB (non-ECC)
- Storage: 4x SSD slots
- Battery: 99 Wh
- Base Price: $7,374
Under the hood, the laptop features four SODIMM slots that support up to 192 GB of non-ECC memory or 128 GB of ECC memory. Storage flexibility is high, as the chassis includes four separate SSD slots for drive expansion. The system also packs a 99 Wh battery and weighs 2.43 kg, while the base display offers a 1200p IPS panel with 400 nits of brightness and an anti-glare coating.
HP equips the ZBook Fury G1i 16 with Thunderbolt 5 ports to handle high-bandwidth data transfers and external displays. The base configuration includes an Nvidia RTX Pro 1000 Blackwell GPU with 8 GB of VRAM. According to benchmarks from Notebookcheck, the current Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus SKU is actually less powerful than older Core Ultra 9 275HX and 285HX options, despite the newer naming convention. We looked at HP OmniBook 5 16-inch with Intel in our earlier Hp coverage.
Pricing for the new workstation starts at $7,374 for the base model with 32 GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage. Configurations with the RTX Pro 2000 GPU cost $7,679, while models with the RTX Pro 3000 GPU are priced at $8,634. HP has launched the updated ZBook Fury G1i 16 globally, though we cannot find any SKUs with the higher-end Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus processor at this time.
Source: HP, NotebookCheck
