Finding the most budget-friendly gadget is a serious matter, but talking about super fancy, super expensive devices is… fun. We're well in the territory of extra big-budget with the latest premium HP laptop: the mean HP Zbook Ultra 14 G1a.
As reported, this one has the option to pack 128 GB of RAM, 4 TB SSD storage and – hold on to your hats – AMD's Ryzen Strix Halo (officially known as the Ryzen AI Max series), which makes the laptop to skyrocket above $8,000.
It was announced for the first time at CES 2025 some months ago, but until now, pricing and release date weren't discussed officially.
The whole laptop line is expensive, even the "vanilla" model (with the AMD Ryzen AI Max Pro 385, 32 GB RAM and a 512 GB SSD) will cost you almost $4,300. HP is even asking as much as $8,250 for the top-tier model with the Ryzen AI Max Pro 395, 128 GB RAM and a 4 TB SSD.
Image credit – AMD
The flagship models come with a 120Hz refresh rate OLED display with a resolution of 2880 x 1800, while cheaper variants arrive with a 14-inch IPS panel with a resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels. That's a 16:10 ratio, which I personally find super practical and prefer over the TV-like 16:9 ratio.
It should be noted that these HP Zbook Ultra 14 G1a units are regarded as business notebooks. There are cheaper consumer-oriented laptops that pack the Strix Halo, like the Asus ROG Flow Z13 (Ryzen AI Max+ 395 inside, 32 GB of RAM, 1 TB SSD storage) that's sold for $2,300. For reference, there's a desktop unit with the same processor (but 128 GB of RAM) which is sold for just under $2,000.
Why the higher price for the HP laptop, then? Well, buyers can enjoy some uncommon features like:
Not one, but two USB-C ports supporting Thunderbolt 4
NFC connectivity chip
Three-year warranty
Selection of security software
Maybe it's better to wait for these premium units to go on a massive sale?
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Sebastian, a veteran of a tech writer with over 15 years of experience in media and marketing, blends his lifelong fascination with writing and technology to provide valuable insights into the realm of mobile devices. Embracing the evolution from PCs to smartphones, he harbors a special appreciation for the Google Pixel line due to their superior camera capabilities. Known for his engaging storytelling style, sprinkled with rich literary and film references, Sebastian critically explores the impact of technology on society, while also perpetually seeking out the next great tech deal, making him a distinct and relatable voice in the tech world.
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