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| HP's latest ZBook comes in a single colour option. |
The wait is over for AMD fans eyeing a premium mobile workstation—but only if you live in Japan.
HP has officially begun selling its first laptop powered by AMD's highly anticipated Gorgon Halo processors. The ZBook Ultra G3a arrives with a choice of Ryzen AI Max 400 APUs packed inside a 1.9 kg chassis, marking a significant milestone for AMD's push into the high-end workstation market. However, there's a catch: HP is currently only offering the 16-inch workstation in Japan, leaving customers in the US and Europe waiting.
A Launch That's Been Brewing for Months
For those following the saga, this launch doesn't come as a complete surprise. HP initially unveiled the ZBook Ultra G3a in mid-September, and a few weeks later, the company appeared to accidentally reveal US pricing through a support page. The laptop has since popped up on various regional websites, including HP Ireland's official product page, suggesting a broader rollout is on the horizon. That said, HP hasn't opened pre-orders outside Japan yet, so eager buyers elsewhere will need to exercise patience.
Pricing and Configurations: What You'll Pay
HP has revealed a dozen ZBook Ultra G3a SKUs for the Japanese market, and the pricing structure tells an interesting story. Notably, none of these configurations include the 192 GB RAM option that HP mentions on its product pages—a curious omission that suggests even more premium variants could arrive later.
The entry-level model starts at JPY 575,300 (approximately $3,635), which includes taxes. For that price, you get:
- Ryzen AI Max Pro 485 processor
- 32 GB LPDDR5x 8533 RAM
- 512 GB SSD
- 16-inch 1200p IPS display with matte finish
- 400 nits peak brightness
- 60 Hz refresh rate
Stepping up to 64 GB of RAM and a 1 TB SSD while keeping the same processor and display pushes the price to JPY 827,200 (roughly $5,225) .
For those who need serious power, the top-tier configuration featuring the Ryzen AI Max+ Pro 495 with 128 GB LPDDR5X-8000 RAM commands JPY 1,361,800 (about $8,606) . This flagship SKU also includes a 2 TB SSD and a sharper 1600p display with a smooth 120 Hz refresh rate—a worthwhile upgrade for professionals demanding the best.
How It Compares to Its Predecessor
To put these prices in perspective, the ZBook Ultra G1a we reviewed in 2025 starts at **JPY 705,100 (approximately $4,452)** in Japan. That model comes with the Ryzen AI Max Pro 390, 32 GB of RAM, and a 1 TB SSD. Interestingly, it's currently available on Amazon for around $1,950, which suggests street prices can drop significantly below MSRP.
Given this precedent, we suspect the ZBook Ultra G3a will cost considerably less in markets like the US once it officially launches there. The Japanese pricing often carries a premium, and US buyers may find more competitive rates when HP finally opens orders stateside.
What This Means for AMD's Workstation Ambitions
The ZBook Ultra G3a represents more than just another laptop release—it's a statement that AMD's Gorgon Halo platform is ready for prime time in the professional workstation space. With configurations supporting up to 128 GB of RAM and high-refresh-rate displays, this machine is clearly aimed at content creators, engineers, and data scientists who need serious computational power in a portable form factor.
The 1.9 kg weight is reasonable for a 16-inch workstation, though it's not exactly ultralight. The matte display finish and 400 nits brightness should handle most indoor working environments comfortably, while the 120 Hz option on higher-end models adds a level of polish that professionals will appreciate during everyday use.
For now, those interested in the ZBook Ultra G3a outside Japan will need to wait for HP to announce broader availability. Based on the appearance of regional product pages and the earlier US pricing leak, that announcement may not be far off. In the meantime, you can check out the official Japanese product page for detailed specifications, or read our launch coverage and pricing breakdown for more context on what to expect.
Stay tuned for updates as HP expands availability to additional markets.
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| The ZBook Ultra G3a also contains a keyboard that can be quickly replaced. |
