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| The new ZBook Fury G1i 16 is visually unchanged from last year's model. |
HP has quietly refreshed its flagship 16-inch workstation laptop with Intel's latest Arrow Lake HX 'Plus' processors, though the upgrade comes with some interesting trade-offs.
It's been over 18 months since HP first unveiled the ZBook Fury G1i 16, and the company has now rolled out a processor refresh that brings Intel's new Arrow Lake HX 'Plus' line to the mobile workstation. While this might sound like straightforward good news for professionals in need of cutting-edge performance, the reality is a bit more nuanced.
For those who want to check current pricing and availability of the latest ZBook Fury models, you can explore options on Amazon here.
What's New Under the Hood?
The updated ZBook Fury G1i 16 now features Intel's Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus processor, part of the company's Arrow Lake HX 'Plus' lineup. However, eagle-eyed tech enthusiasts will notice something peculiar: HP hasn't yet made the more powerful Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus available in any configurations, despite it being the headline-grabbing option.
The Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus, which we benchmarked previously, offers approximately 10% higher CPU performance compared to the older Core Ultra 9 285HX. It's a 24-core processor featuring 8 performance cores and 16 efficiency cores – a configuration that would have made the ZBook Fury G1i 16 a genuine performance monster.
Instead, HP is currently limiting customers to the Core Ultra 7 270HX Plus, which means the "new" ZBook Fury G1i 16 is actually less powerful than older configurations equipped with the Core Ultra 9 275HX and Core Ultra 9 285HX processors.
Built for Professionals, Built to Last
Despite the processor positioning confusion, the ZBook Fury G1i 16 remains a formidable workstation laptop by any measure. The chassis houses four SODIMM slots supporting up to 128GB of ECC memory or 192GB of non-ECC memory – flexibility that data scientists, engineers, and content creators will appreciate.
Storage is equally impressive, with four SSD slots providing ample room for massive project files, rendering caches, and multiple operating systems. The 99Wh battery is among the largest allowed on airplanes, though the 2.43kg starting weight means this is very much a desktop replacement rather than an ultraportable.
Connectivity options are future-proof, with Thunderbolt 5 ports included – a welcome addition for professionals who need to connect high-speed external storage, multiple 4K displays, or external GPU enclosures.
Display and Pricing Reality
The base display is a 1200p IPS panel with 400 nits peak brightness and an anti-glare coating – suitable for office work but perhaps disappointing for creative professionals who might have hoped for 4K or OLED options at this price point.
Speaking of price points, the refreshed ZBook Fury G1i 16 starts at $7,374 for a configuration with 32GB of RAM, 1TB of storage, and an Nvidia RTX Pro 1000 Blackwell laptop GPU with 8GB of VRAM. Those requiring more graphical horsepower can step up to:
- RTX Pro 2000 (8GB) for $7,679
- RTX Pro 3000 (12GB) for $8,634
These prices firmly position the ZBook Fury G1i 16 as an enterprise-grade workstation rather than a consumer laptop, targeting organizations that require certified hardware for professional applications like CAD, 3D rendering, and scientific computing.
Should You Buy Now or Wait?
For professionals who are considering an upgrade, the current situation presents a dilemma. While the refreshed ZBook Fury G1i 16 is undoubtedly a capable machine, the lack of top-tier processor options makes it less compelling than it could have been.
If you absolutely need a workstation today and Thunderbolt 5 connectivity is essential, the current configuration might still serve your needs. However, if you can afford to wait, the eventual arrival of Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus configurations could deliver substantially better performance for demanding workloads.
The ZBook Fury G1i 16 remains one of the most expandable and upgradeable workstations on the market, and its build quality is legendary among enterprise IT departments. But HP's decision to launch the refresh with mid-range processors while charging premium prices is certainly an interesting strategy.
Those interested in comparing configurations or finding available units can browse current ZBook Fury listings on Amazon to see what's actually in stock.
The Bottom Line
HP's quiet refresh of the ZBook Fury G1i 16 brings Intel's Arrow Lake technology to one of the most capable workstation laptops available. The platform's impressive expandability, Thunderbolt 5 connectivity, and robust build quality remain compelling reasons to consider this machine.
However, the absence of Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus options at launch, combined with the reality that current Core Ultra 7 configurations are less powerful than last-generation high-end models, makes this a somewhat cautious upgrade rather than a groundbreaking one.
For enterprise buyers with certification requirements and specific workflow needs, the ZBook Fury G1i 16 remains a safe choice. For individual professionals seeking maximum performance per dollar, it might be worth waiting to see what configurations become available in the coming months.
