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REVIEWED: HP's ZBook is a 'dad laptop'

Johannesburg - The HP ZBook laptop redefines the mobile workstation, but its form-factor has its advantages and disadvantages.

At first glance, it is easy to see that the ZBook G3 means business. It features a sophisticated design with an elegant matte finish – reminiscent of older models of laptops.

The ZBook G3 is a traditional PC user’s laptop, encompassing everything expected out of a business machine.

The best way to describe it? It’s a 'dad laptop'.

Make no mistake, the device is a pure workhorse featuring the most advanced technical specifications from HP.

The machine comes pre-loaded with the Windows 10 Pro operating system and is run by a powerful Intel i7 processor.

It also features a vivid 17.3 inch full HD LED back-lit display that has a touch screen and a back-lit keyboard.

Branded with the Danish audio engineer logo – Bang & Olufsen – the ZBook G3 boasts superior sound playback.

The features of the ZBook G3 epitomise the expectations one would have from a business machine. The device will also out-perform many top laptops available on the market today. 

However, the ZBook G3's performance allows it to be a good entertainment device as well as a “work laptop”.

The 17.3 inch full HD display and B&O sound complement each other when using the device to watch a movie.

The display is able to produce crisp and rich video feedback while the speakers produce surround sound.

Many Windows 10 laptops available today feature a full touch display. While this sometimes works in the favour of the user – it can become an aggravating experience.

Unfortunately, the ZBook G3 is disappointing in this regard.

Just to observe, the distance from the edge of the keyboard to the screen is roughly 25cm.

Assuming the user would not use the laptop less than 20cm from the edge of a desk, that leaves a distance of about 50cm from chest to screen when sitting upright.

A person with an average arm length of about 63.5cm might then be left with an awkward experience when using the touch screen feature.

Coupled with an awkward arm distance, the touching of the screen tends to move the display of the device at every press.

Nevertheless, there is always the option to just ditch the touch feature and use the mouse instead.

Those in the market for the larger machine will find the size of the ZBook G3 appeasing.

What’s more is that the ZBook G3 is a slim device weighing much less than an average laptop making it easier to carry around and compact enough to pack anywhere.

In closing, barring the awkward ‘touchy’ moments (which in all fairness affects many Windows 10 laptop experiences), HP can pat themselves on the back for this one. 

Kyle Venktess is a technology journalist at Fin24.

Follow @KyleVenktess on Twitter


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