Laptops Review

When we think of a mobile workstation, the first thing that comes to mind are powerful but rather unwieldy laptops, packed with powerful professional components, which translates not only into the aforementioned size but also into the price. However, we don't always need an ultra-powerful desktop replacement (so-called DTR) for work. The HP ZBook Firefly 14 G10 is a proposition for those who need a sleek and mobile computer with a powerful processor that also retains typical business features and enhanced security. From our perspective, this device is also interesting for another reason: it allows us to test AMD's top-of-the-line APU, the Ryzen 7 7840HS with integrated Radeon 780M, the successor to the excellent Radeon 680M. 

The HP ZBook is a line of professional laptops designed for intensive applications such as graphic design, engineering, video rendering, and computing-intensive applications. The HP ZBook Firefly 14 G10 is a 14-inch laptop available in many configurations, but our test G10 A variant is based on AMD components, namely the aforementioned Ryzen 7 7840HS APU with integrated Radeon 780M graphics. It also comes with 32GB of DDR5 RAM and a 1TB hard drive using the PCIe 4.0 interface. The display is an IPS panel with a resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels and a refresh rate of 60Hz. It's a shame that laptop screen manufacturers don't offer 90Hz displays, unlike smartphones or VR devices. 

Since we're dealing with professional-grade hardware, we also included several security features, such as biometric security and the HP Wolf Security suite. In short, the ZBook Firefly 14 G10 promises to be a truly compelling offering, though the price seems relatively high for this class of device, with the configuration we tested selling for around 9,000 PLN in Polish stores. Let's see if a closer inspection and testing of this device justifies the expense.

Processor

The 4nm Ryzen 7 7840HS APU features an 8-core, 16-thread Zen 4 CPU with a base clock of 3.8 GHz and a boost clock of up to 5.1 GHz. It's part of a new product series codenamed "Phoenix." In fact, it's AMD's first processor to combine the Zen 4 and RDNA 3 architectures. It's worth noting that this isn't a flagship model, as the 7940HS, clocked 100-200 MHz higher, holds that title. Furthermore, the HS series is designed to operate in a power range of 35 to 54 W and is intended for thinner laptops (including gaming laptops) and handhelds. Since we haven't yet had the opportunity to test chips from this series, we're extremely curious to see how the Ryzen 7 7840HS compares to its blue-chip rivals.

Graphics card

As we've already mentioned, the HP ZBook Firefly 14 G10 A, in the version we received, is based entirely on the Ryzen 7 7840HS APU with integrated Radeon 780M graphics. On the one hand, this may seem disappointing, but on the other, we're talking about the successor to the most powerful iGPU on the market, which offered the performance of budget dedicated cards. While AMD's new integrated graphics chip has the same number of compute units (12) as the iGPU in the last-generation Rembrandt APU, it also boasts higher clock speeds (2700 MHz) and a newer architecture (RDNA 3), which, combined with fast DDR5 memory, should translate into noticeably improved graphics performance. 

Working memory

Some compromises have been made, however, in terms of RAM. While the board does feature two 16GB DDR5 modules (32GB total) in a dual-channel configuration, these are chips with a high speed of 5600MHz (compared to 4800MHz or 5200MHz in Intel CPU configurations). However, this comes at the cost of relatively high CL46 latencies. However, these chips can be swapped out if necessary, as the motherboard offers two RAM slots and none of the chips are permanently soldered (which is unfortunately a very common practice in this segment).

Mass storage

For the storage device, the manufacturer also opted for an SSD with PCIe 4.0 support and installed a 1TB SK hynix PC801 HFS001TEJ9X101N drive, which uses this standard, though this is a rather unusual situation. Crystaldiskmark test results indicate performance comparable to top-of-the-line PCIe 3.0 models (around 3500 MB/s for reads and writes), while the official SK hynix specifications state that this drive offers sequential read speeds of 7000 MB/s and write speeds of 6500 MB/s. Despite all this, we get a high-performance drive that's suitable for more than just system storage and efficient data storage, though a certain lack remains. 

Wireless connectivity

In terms of the network card, instead of the typical Intel chip, we get the MediaTek MT7922, which provides support for both Bluetooth 5.0 + LE and Wi-Fi 6 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax) with support for Wi-Fi 6E. In theory, this is a similar network card to the Intel solution, and tests seem to confirm this, as the MediaTek card achieves transfer speeds of up to 1213 Mbps. This means we get support for speeds far beyond the capabilities of a typical Kowalski connection. 

That's not all, though, as the onboard Intel solution for wireless connectivity includes the Intel XMM 7560R+ LTE modem, which is said to deliver download speeds exceeding 1 Gbps (Cat. 16) and up to 150 Mbps upload speeds (Cat. 13). In practice, the modem performed flawlessly, with speeds strongly dependent on distance to the nearest transmitter. 

Software and security

The HP ZBook Firefly 14 G10 A is a business-grade device, so it features an AMD PRO processor with all the associated benefits. In addition to the biometric verification features mentioned above, the manufacturer also incorporated numerous proprietary solutions to ensure user security. We won't go into detail (we refer you to the HP website), but it's worth highlighting the HP Wolf Security suite with HP Sure Click browser, which protects against websites, read-only Microsoft Office and PDF attachments containing malware, ransomware, and viruses using hardware-enhanced application security.

External design, audio, camera and battery life

The HP ZBook Firefly 14 G10 A is a fairly compact laptop, measuring 315.6 x 224.3 x 19.9 mm, though we've certainly tested more compact designs in this segment. The device's weight shouldn't pose a major travel issue either, weighing just 1.5 kg. This makes it a truly portable device that you can easily take with you practically anywhere. 

When it comes to build quality, it's hard to fault the ZBook Firefly 14 G10 A. The casing is made of aluminum, the individual components fit together well, there are no creaks, the hinges seem very solid, and the lid opens easily with one finger, while the work surface bends only slightly under pressure in the center of the keyboard. In this respect, we have virtually no complaints about the HP ZBook Firefly 14 G10 A. 

In terms of design, the laptop may not stand out from the competition in any way, but the simple, even minimalist design is desirable in this segment, and the silver construction with rounded edges brings to mind MacBooks, which is hardly a disadvantage considering the popularity of Apple notebooks. 

Keyboard and touchpad

The laptop features a standard-sized keyboard (except for the F1-F12 row) with a clearly noticeable travel (1.5 mm deep) and an audible click. An additional advantage is the approximately 2 mm of space between the keys. This makes everyday use and writing large amounts of text (such as reviews for our website) truly enjoyable and requires little getting used to. This is also due to the ergonomic and well-thought-out key layout and numerous shortcuts. Of course, due to the notebook's size, there's no numeric keypad, but that's standard for this class. The only criticism we have is the unfortunate decision to place the Power button on the top row of keys, between Delete and End. This solution makes it easy to accidentally turn off the computer. HP also didn't forget about the backlight, which offers two-stage intensity adjustment and a neutral white color. This element is also very well implemented. HP also included a Durakey coating, which significantly reduces key abrasion, and the keyboard is protected against accidental spills. Overall, this is a strong point of this laptop. 

The same can be said about the touchpad. Its large size (120 x 80 mm) is particularly commendable, as the manufacturer has maximized the available space and the smooth surface provides excellent glide for fingers moving across the touchpad. While I personally prefer clearly separated left and right mouse buttons, such integrated buttons are standard in ultrabooks, so nitpicking would be overkill. Especially since they click pleasantly and the button area is sufficiently large. Multi-touch gestures are also easily supported.

Audio

The HP ZBook Firefly 14 G10 is equipped with two stereo speakers, tuned by Bang & Olufsen. The sound quality is above average compared to typical laptops, although we've heard better audio in this type of notebook, even from HP (e.g., the Elitebook x360 1040 G7, which offered four drivers). The main issue, as you might guess, is the lack of bass and noticeable distortion at higher volumes. Despite this, it doesn't sound bad, and for everyday use, the Firefly 14 speakers will do quite well, but in the long run, we recommend investing in good headphones. The situation is similar when it comes to the microphones; instead of the four in the G7, HP has limited itself to two, which translates to less detailed sound. However, during video calls, no one we spoke with complained about the quality. 

Webcam and biometric security

The quality of integrated webcams usually leaves much to be desired, so we didn't expect much from this feature in the ZBook Firefly 14 G10 A. However, it turned out that the 5MP camera with AI-assisted automatic framing performed well, even in low light, and the noise reduction software blocked out ambient noise, a common problem with laptop webcams, especially in low light. The result is a quite detailed image, natural colors, and minimal noise, but in less favorable conditions, a characteristic blurriness appears. It's also pleasing that HP decided to use a physical camera shutter, as in other models. 

The manufacturer hasn't forgotten about biometric security, either, as there's a fast and precise fingerprint reader located under the keyboard on the right edge (it's a bit of a shame it wasn't integrated with the Power button outside the keyboard). As for the infrared camera, which supports Windows Hello technology, i.e., user identification by scanning their face, the variant we tested doesn't have one, but it's possible to add/configure the ZBook Firefly 14 G10 A with an IR camera (Dual AryMic 5MP USB2 IR WFOV Integrated Camera).

Ports

Ultrabooks often lack ports, but in this case, there's no reason to complain; quite the opposite. On the right side, you'll find a USB Type-A port (version 3.1 Gen 1, though it's a shame it's not 3.2 Gen 2), a 3.5mm audio jack, a nano SIM card slot, and a Kensington lock. On the left, you'll find another USB 3.1 Gen 1 port, an HDMI 2.0 port, and two USB Type-C ports with support for Thunderbolt 4, Power Delivery 3.0, and DisplayPort 1.2. The tested model lacks a memory card reader, but the laptop can be configured with one if needed.

Battery life

The ZBook Firefly 14 G10 A probably doesn't boast a very large battery, as it comes with a 3-cell HP Long Life lithium-ion battery with an average capacity of 51 Wh. Nevertheless, the energy-efficient AMD APU allowed for really good results without a constant power supply. The laptop achieved over 11.5 hours in the PCMark Modern Office test (with screen brightness at 50% and Wi-Fi enabled), which might not be a record, but we consider it a satisfactory result, as it allows for a realistic day of work without a power adapter. Incidentally, the included 65W adapter is really small (slightly larger than a typical smartphone adapter) and allows for a 50% charge in 30 minutes. 

Display

The ZBook Firefly 14 G10 A features a 14-inch IPS display with a matte finish. It boasts a resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels (16:10 aspect ratio), providing a larger workspace, a trend we've been seeing in business/professional (though not exclusively) laptops for some time now. The refresh rate in the version we received for review is the standard 60 Hz, but there's an option for a 2560 x 1600 pixel (WUXGA) display at 120 Hz with full DCI-P3 (Dreamcolor) color gamut coverage and 500 nits of brightness. The matte screen surface effectively prevents reflections, but it also adds a certain graininess and adversely affects contrast perception. 

Colorimeter measurements showed that in this case we're dealing with a solid CMN1435 panel from Taiwanese manufacturer Chi Mei, which supports only the basic sRGB color gamut, with practically full coverage at 98.5% and 103.4% volume. For more advanced gamuts, the results aren't as good, with Adobe RGB showing 70.8% and 71.2% coverage, and DCI-P3 showing 73% and 73.2% coverage, respectively. 

HP claims the display reaches a maximum brightness of 400 nits, while our sample only managed 332 nits when connected to a power supply and 297 nits on battery power. These are still good results, but they fall short of the promised values. Backlight uniformity is also average, with a deviation of -17.27% from the center in the lower right corner, which is a significant discrepancy for a 14-inch screen. The contrast ratio deserves praise, as a result of 1629.9:1 is very good for an IPS display (though it's certainly a far cry from VA, not to mention OLEDs). HP also ensured proper factory calibration, with an average Delta E error of only 1.88 (deviations below 3 are difficult to detect with the naked eye). The white temperature is close to a neutral value of 6500K (6366K), preventing it from shifting into overly warm, yellowish, or cool, blue hues. The gamma performance, however, leaves something to be desired (see the screenshot below). Ultimately, the ZBook Firefly 14 G10 A features a decent display, but it's unlikely to meet the needs of graphic designers (who can, however, connect an external monitor for this purpose).  

During typical CPU loads and benchmarks, the CPU temperature can quickly reach 99.6℃, before dropping first to around 90℃ and then to around 83℃. As for power, after a brief spike to 51W, consumption stabilizes at around 41W. The clock speed remains high for about 10 minutes, around 4.2 GHz, but then drops to around 3.5 GHz. The situation is significantly worse when we add the Radeon 780M GPU load to the equation, because although in this scenario it manages to maintain a high clock speed (around 2600-2700 MHz), the shared power limit causes the CPU core clock speed to drop to as low as 1.3-1.4 GHz. So the Ryzen 7 7840HS is not free from throttling, which was to be expected, and it would certainly benefit from more efficient cooling, but you have to remember that this would result in a larger laptop, so some compromise had to be made. 

When it comes to performance, there's no reason to complain. While the laptop is audible under heavy load, emitting a noise level of 43.5 dB(A), the noise doesn't generate unpleasant frequencies, and during normal use, it's practically silent (below the ambient noise recorded in our test conditions). Case temperatures are a bit more challenging, reaching 50°C on the rear panel during maximum operation, meaning the laptop gets noticeably warm. However, it's important to remember that we're talking about maximum load, and during typical use, the device can be comfortably used on your lap. 

Performance tests

The tests were conducted in performance mode with the power supply connected. Fortunately, the throttling we observed while analyzing the laptop's cooling system doesn't directly impact performance results in tests where CPU speeds didn't drop below 4.2 GHz. Therefore, the HP ZBook Firefly 14 G10 A performs very well for the segment it represents, at least in terms of pure processor performance. The situation is much worse in GPU tests, where the results are significantly below expectations for the Radeon 780M, but this is due to the processor's severe throttling in such scenarios – you simply can't cheat physics. This means that if you want to play something more demanding than typical mobile titles, you have to expect to reduce the resolution to 720p and the details to low. However, this isn't a gaming machine by any means, so this may not be a significant issue for potential buyers. 

Summary 

In summary, the HP ZBook Firefly 14 G10 A proved to be another truly solid offering from the American manufacturer. The build quality deserves praise, with its elegant aluminum casing, comfortable backlit keyboard, and extra-large touchpad. It also boasts a generous set of ports, including two USB 4 ports with Thunderbolt 4 support. Furthermore, the device is highly portable (weighing only 1.5 kg), has a long battery life, and if Wi-Fi connectivity is lacking, the onboard LTE modem can be a lifesaver. Last but not least, HP's functional software, aimed at professionals and business users, is also worth mentioning. Among the pluses, there's a really good webcam and fingerprint reader. 

The HP ZBook Firefly 14 G10 A is often described as a mobile workstation, and performance is paramount in this type of device. The Ryzen 7 7840HS, which sits at the heart of this notebook, rose to the challenge, delivering excellent processing performance, both single- and multi-threaded. Graphics performance, however, is somewhat disappointing, as the integrated Radeon 780M graphics can't really show its wings due to the relatively modest cooling system and processor throttling when the iGPU is under heavy load. High case temperatures and fan noise can also be a problem during extended use. In the end, the HP ZBook Firefly 14 G10 A deserves a strong 4 out of 5-star rating and the mobility award.

For more details please visit https://support.hp.com/gb-en/document/ish_9394038-9394030-16