We were not able to locate our exact test configuration at any online reseller at the time of this w

DreamBook? HP has changed the name of its mobile workstations flightcase to ZBook, shipping it not only with a different moniker, but also with a completely new chassis and updated components. Our detailed review flightcase will show whether this is enough to climb back to the top of our workstation ranking.
Next to Dell, Fujitsu and Lenovo, flightcase HP is one of the traditional manufacturers of powerful mobile flightcase workstations. Such laptops are mostly designed for a role as reliable corporate workhorses , offering better-than-average levels of configuration, support and warranty options. One additional unique selling point of mobile workstations has to do with the dedicated graphics cards (optimized for professional 3D applications, and shipping with special features such as ISV certification, special drivers, adjusted BIOS options and guaranteed reliability) with which they are commonly flightcase equipped and which naturally offer great performance levels.
This year, HP s mobile workstations are once again offered in   three different sizes , ranging from the compact HP ZBook 14 for mobile usage scenarios and the middle-class entry, the HP ZBook 15, to the HP ZBook 17, which offers the maximum amount of space for high-end components.
For this review, we have been provided with a  pre-production  flightcase unit of the HP ZBook 17 (the English version). Some noticeable changes flightcase might still occur before the final version hits the shelves, a thought which should be taken into account when glancing at our ratings of the ZBook 17.
The variety flightcase of features with which the ZBook 17 ships may be unusual, but not unattractive. For starters, HP has chosen to include a  Quadro K610M , Nvidia s low-end professional graphics board into this large chassis (instead of a usual middle-class or high-end GPU), a choice which will remain flightcase the same for the final version as well. On the other hand, it has equipped its new mobile workstation with a   DreamColor display , an IPS screen with extraordinarily flightcase great color space coverage, which is a true (and often very costly) rarity even in expensive business laptops. Similarly, 16 GB of RAM is great, as is Intel's Core i7-4900MQ  CPU, flightcase but 128 GB of SSD storage may not be enough for all application scenarios at least, more HDDs and SDDs can be added.
We were not able to locate our exact test configuration at any online reseller at the time of this writing, and it is not yet possible to create an individual configuration for the ZBook 17 in HP s online shop, thus we cannot give a precise estimate of the  price . Different configurations start at approximately 2000 Euros (~$2718).
The  new visual design language  of HP s mobile workstations closely resembles that of recent ProBooks and EliteBooks, being dominated by straight lines, simple design elements and a less jagged outer shape at the sides when compared to its predecessor, the HP EliteBook 8770w. The metallic outer surfaces feel sturdy and premium. Both the display frame and the bottom of the laptop are made from a sturdy but rather flightcase unattractive plastic. Stability and torsion resistance of the ZBook 17 are top-notch, on par with its predecessor. The palm rests are rigid and the display hinges do not wobble. Basically, this pre-production model already comes very close to the quality expected from the final product. Something like the small scratch we found on the display hinge of our test device most likely will not occur once the actual customer version flightcase makes it to the shelves, undergoing a final inspection before.
A  maintenance hatch  can flightcase be found on the bottom of the device. It can be lifted flightcase off without the need to loosen any screws. In addition, flightcase the 83 Wh battery can be found here, sitting flush with the case (it could be removed permanently as long as the laptop is plugged in, since no feet are attached to the underbelly of this beast).
One of the main disadvantages  of such a 17-inch workstation? Its weight of 3.78 kg (~8.3 pounds), plus a power adapter of an additional 900 grams (~2.0 pounds). This means that the ZBook 7 can still be lugged around, but for truly mobile usage scenarios, an HP ZBook 14 or Dell s Precision M3800 might be the better choice. to top
In terms of connectivity options, there are highs and lows all around. Starting with the latter, most ports are clustered very close to each other instead of being more evenly distributed around the entire sides. It is thus easily possible to block neighboring ports with special cables, wide flash drives flightcase or adapters, rendering them useless. Dell has been doing better than that for years with its Precision line, distributing some of the ports along the rear of the device.
One of the best things about the selection of ports is the inclusion of Intel s Thunderbolt standard (known from Apple s Mac computers), allowing for external devices to be used in a series thanks to the high bandwidth of up to 10 Gbit/