HP

HP

HP

HP

HP

HP

Intel's expanded range of 8th-generation Core processors announced earlier this week included a couple of mobile Xeon models, boasting all the same specs as the non-Xeon parts—6 cores/12 threads, running at up to 4.8GHz, with 12MB cache—but with the addition of a feature that's still something of a rarity: ECC memory.

The ZBook Studio and closely related ZBook Studio x360 both have weights starting at under 5lb, with processor options up to the top-spec Xeon, 32GB memory, 4TB PCIe SSD storage, and a discrete Nvidia Quadro P1000 with 4GB of dedicated GDDR5. A range of screen options is available, with both offering a 3840×2160 15.6-inch 600-nit screen at the high end. The x360, as the name suggests, gives that screen a 360 degree hinge, so it can be used in tent or tablet mode; the regular version has a regular hinge. Whatever screen configuration you pick, they both include Windows Hello facial recognition cameras. Both have Thunderbolt 3, 802.11ac, and Bluetooth 5; the x360 has optional 4G LTE.

Availability is expected in May, with prices starting at $1,299 for the ZBook Studio and $1,499 for the ZBook Studio x360.

If you need even more power, the ZBook 15 and 17 offer similar specs in a slightly bulkier package. The extra space creates room for up to 64GB ECC RAM, wired gigabit Ethernet, and a graphical choice between the Nvidia Quadro P2000, Nvidia Quadro P1000, or AMD Radeon Pro WX 4150 GPUs—in all cases with 4GB of dedicated GDDR5. The 17-inch system also has an optional Blu-ray drive for those times you need to use legacy media. Both systems have a range of 1920×1080 and 3840×2160 screens, with the major variation being the choice between a 15.6- or 17.3-inch diagonal. Windows Hello facial recognition is optional. The 15-inch systems start at 5.8lb and the 17-inch ones at 7lb.

Availability is also expected in May, with pricing not yet available.

Coming in a little cheaper is the ZBook 15v. It doesn't sport the top-end Xeon, so it only goes up to 4.4GHz turbo, PCIe storage is reduced to a maximum of 1TB, the memory limit is 32GB, and the discrete GPU is an Nvidia Quadro P600 with 2GB of GDDR5. It still has gigabit Ethernet and a choice between 1920×1080 and 3840×2160 displays, however, with optional Windows Hello facial recognition, and it still has a starting weight of under 5lb.

This too should become available in May and will start at $949.

To go with these options, HP also has a new monitor, the DreamColor Z27x G2 Studio Display. This is a 27-inch 2560×1440 display, supporting 98 percent of the Adobe RGB color space and 99 percent of the DCI P3 color space. Its price, $1,999, means it's not going to be everyone's cup of tea, but it looks stylish and the wide gamut, 1,500:1 contrast ratio, and built-in pop-up calibration sensor mean that it will likely appeal to those who need the color fidelity it boasts.

As a bonus feature, the monitor also includes an integrated KVM switch; it can connect to two host systems simultaneously and will let you switch between the two, redirecting USB devices and the display signal accordingly.

Listing image by HP