HP ZBook Fury Gen 9

Technical Specifications

• Processor: 12th Gen Intel Core HX-series CPUs (55W desktop-class), including Core i5, i7 (e.g., i7-12800HX), and i9 (e.g., i9-12950HX) options, with up to 16 cores and 24 threads.
• RAM: Up to 128GB DDR5-4800MHz ECC or non-ECC SODIMM across four slots.
• Storage: Up to 16TB M.2 PCIe 3.0 SSD or up to 4TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD, configurable with up to four M.2 SSDs, supporting RAID 0 and RAID 1 modes.
• Graphics: Integrated Intel UHD Graphics. Discrete options include NVIDIA RTX A1000 (4GB GDDR6), A2000 (8GB GDDR6), A3000 (12GB GDDR6), A4500, and A5500 (16GB GDDR6), or AMD Radeon RX GPUs.
• Display: 16-inch 16:10 aspect ratio. Options include WUXGA (1920 x 1200) IPS anti-glare with 400 nits brightness and 100% sRGB, or 4K WQUXGA (3840 x 2400) OLED with Low Blue Light, multitouch, BrightView, Corning Gorilla Glass 5, and 400 nits brightness, covering 100% DCI-P3, with a 120Hz refresh rate.
• Ports:
  • Left: Charging port, two Thunderbolt 4 with USB4 Type-C (40 Gbps signaling rate, USB Power Delivery, DisplayPort 1.4), Mini DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.1 (or 2.0b depending on graphics), SD card reader.
  • Right: Security lock slot, Ethernet (RJ45), two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A (5 Gbps signaling rate, one charging), combo audio jack, Smart Card reader.
• Wireless: Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.2.
• Camera: 5MP IR camera with HP Auto Frame and DNN Noise Suppression.
• Battery: 8-cell, 95 Wh Li-ion polymer.
• Weight: Starts at 2.39 kg (5.27 lbs) to 2.66 kg.
• Durability: MIL-STD 810H tested.

Analysis of Technical Specifications

The HP ZBook Fury Gen 9 is a high-performance mobile workstation designed for demanding professional workflows. Its core strength lies in its desktop-class 12th Gen Intel Core HX-series processors, offering significant multi-threaded performance suitable for tasks like 3D rendering and video editing. The extensive RAM capacity, up to 128GB DDR5, and ample storage options with up to four M.2 SSDs (including PCIe Gen 4) provide exceptional expandability and speed for large datasets and complex projects. The inclusion of professional NVIDIA RTX A-series or AMD Radeon RX GPUs ensures robust graphics performance for CAD, VR, and other graphically intensive applications. Display options are excellent, particularly the 4K OLED DreamColor panel with 120Hz refresh rate and 100% DCI-P3 coverage, crucial for color-critical work. Connectivity is comprehensive, featuring multiple Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI 2.1, Mini DisplayPort, and an SD card reader, minimizing the need for external dongles. The ZBook Fury G9's design focuses on packing maximum power into a 16-inch form factor, merging previous 15-inch and 17-inch models. While its weight is on the heavier side for a laptop, this is a trade-off for its desktop-level performance and robust cooling system, which includes a vapor chamber in higher-end configurations.

Support & Compatibility

• Operating System Support: Windows 11 Pro (preinstalled with Windows 10 Pro license and recovery software).
• End of Support Date: Not explicitly stated, but HP typically provides support for several years post-launch. Windows 10 support is noted to be in accordance with Microsoft policy, not supporting Windows 8 or 7.
• Available Drivers: Drivers are available through HP's support channels.
• Compatibility with Other Systems: Supports up to four external displays via HP Thunderbolt 280W G4 Dock. Compatible with various docking stations for expanded connectivity.
• Memory Compatibility: HP recommends HP branded memory for compatibility; mixing memory speeds results in the lower speed.

Analysis of Support & Compatibility Status

The HP ZBook Fury Gen 9 offers strong compatibility and support, primarily centered around the Windows ecosystem. It ships with Windows 11 Pro, ensuring access to the latest features and security updates, while also providing a Windows 10 Pro license for flexibility. HP's commitment to professional users is evident in its robust driver availability and compatibility with essential accessories like the HP Thunderbolt 280W G4 Dock, which facilitates multi-monitor setups and expanded peripheral connectivity. The system's design with four SODIMM slots and four M.2 SSD slots allows for significant user-upgradability of RAM and storage, extending its lifespan and adaptability to future needs. While specific end-of-support dates are not readily available, HP's enterprise focus suggests long-term driver and firmware support. However, users should adhere to HP's recommendations for memory modules to ensure optimal performance and compatibility.

Security Status

• Security Features:
  • HP Wolf Security for Business/Wolf Pro Security.
  • Fingerprint sensor (select models).
  • Windows Hello-compatible IR webcam for facial recognition.
  • HP Sure Click, HP Sure Sense, HP Sure Run Gen5, HP Sure Recover Gen5.
  • HP Sure Start Gen7 (self-healing BIOS).
  • HP Tamper Lock (detects if the back cover has been opened).
  • HP Sure Admin, HP Client Security Manager Gen.
  • MS BitLocker Encryption.
  • Security lock slot.
  • Intel vPro technology for enhanced business security.
  • Keyboard with drain hole for minor spills.
• Vulnerabilities: No specific widespread vulnerabilities are publicly highlighted for the ZBook Fury Gen 9 itself in the provided data.
• Recommendations:
  • Activate Absolute agent firmware module with a licensed subscription.
  • Ensure Windows 10 Pro 64-bit or Windows 11 Pro 64-bit, a vPro supported processor, vPro enabled chipset, vPro enabled wired LAN/WLAN, and TPM 2.0 are present for full Intel vPro functionality.
  • Utilize HP Wolf Security software for comprehensive protection.

Analysis on the Security Status

The HP ZBook Fury Gen 9 is equipped with a robust suite of enterprise-grade security features, making it a highly secure mobile workstation. HP Wolf Security for Business provides multi-layered protection against modern threats, including advanced malware and firmware attacks. Hardware-level security is strong, with features like HP Sure Start Gen7, a self-healing BIOS that protects against firmware attacks, and HP Tamper Lock, which alerts users to physical intrusion attempts. Biometric authentication through a fingerprint sensor and Windows Hello-compatible IR camera offers convenient and secure login. The integration of Intel vPro technology further enhances manageability and security for business environments. While no specific vulnerabilities are noted, the comprehensive security stack aims to mitigate potential risks effectively. Recommendations emphasize leveraging the full capabilities of the pre-installed security software and ensuring proper configuration for features like Intel vPro and Absolute persistence module.

Performance & Benchmarks

• Benchmark Scores:
  • Geekbench 6: 13,173 (overall).
  • Geekbench 5: 14,089 (overall).
  • Handbrake (4K to 1080p video transcoding): 4 minutes 29 seconds (compared to 6:47 average).
  • Sid Meier's Civilization VI: Gathering Storm (1080p): 122 fps; (4K): 103 fps (with RTX A5500).
  • 3DMark Fire Strike: 23,195 (compared to 11,504 category average).
  • 3DMark Time Spy (Graphics): RTX A5500 (11196), RTX A5000 (10043), RTX A3000 (7923), RTX A2000 (5926), RTX A1000 (4378).
  • Cinebench R23: 16,935 (multi-core), 1804 (single-core) (with i7-12800HX).
  • 3DMark Time Spy: 7949 (overall), 12084 (CPU), 7497 (graphics) (with i7-12800HX, RTX A3000).
  • PCMark 10: 6646 (overall).
  • PCMark 10 Extended: 8117 (overall).
  • Geekbench 5 (CPU): 1721 (single-core), 11,290 (multi-core) (with i7-12800HX).
  • Viewperf 2020: 5% to 10% faster than a reference system, 25% faster on 3DS Max data set (with RTX A3000).
• Real-world Performance Metrics:
  • Handles CAD, 3D rendering, and extensive photo/video editing with ease.
  • Desktop-level performance with 12th Gen Intel HX-series processors.
  • Fast rendering, editing, and visual effects performance with up to 128GB RAM.
  • Excellent for complex, multi-threaded applications like Adobe Premiere Pro and Autodesk 3ds Max.
  • GPU performance is at the high end of the expected range, with higher power envelope and clocks.
  • Performance takes a hit when on battery power for intensive tasks like Premiere Pro encoding.
• Comparison with Similar Devices:
  • Outperforms premium laptop averages in various benchmarks (e.g., Handbrake, 3DMark Fire Strike).
  • Comparable to or slightly behind competitors like Lenovo ThinkPad P16 G1 and Dell Precision 7670 in some CPU/GPU benchmarks, but offers more storage and RAM slots.
  • Faster than previous generation ZBook Studio G9 and 11th Gen Intel Core processors.

Analysis of the Performance Status

The HP ZBook Fury Gen 9 delivers exceptional performance, positioning it as a top-tier mobile workstation. Its 12th Gen Intel Core HX-series processors provide desktop-class power, excelling in multi-threaded applications critical for professional creative and engineering tasks. Benchmark results consistently show the Fury G9 surpassing premium laptop averages in CPU-intensive tasks like video transcoding and general system performance (Geekbench, PCMark 10). The discrete NVIDIA RTX A-series GPUs demonstrate strong capabilities in synthetic 3D benchmarks (3DMark) and real-world professional applications (Viewperf 2020), indicating its suitability for advanced 3D rendering, CAD, and VR. The generous DDR5 RAM and fast PCIe Gen 4 SSDs contribute to a highly responsive system, capable of handling large files and complex projects without slowdowns. While some comparisons show competitors slightly ahead in specific benchmarks, the Fury G9 often compensates with superior expandability (more RAM and SSD slots) and a robust thermal design that allows for sustained performance. However, users should note that peak performance for highly demanding tasks is best achieved when plugged into power.

User Reviews & Feedback

User reviews highlight the HP ZBook Fury Gen 9 as a powerful and highly capable mobile workstation. Users appreciate its desktop-level performance, making it suitable for intensive tasks such as CAD, 3D rendering, and video editing. The extensive upgradeability, with four SODIMM slots for RAM and four M.2 slots for storage, is a significant positive, allowing users to customize and expand the system to meet their specific needs. The display quality, particularly the 4K OLED DreamColor option with its color accuracy and 120Hz refresh rate, receives praise for creative work. The comprehensive port selection, including multiple Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, and an SD card reader, is also a well-regarded feature, enhancing connectivity and productivity. The robust security features, including HP Wolf Security, fingerprint reader, and IR camera, contribute to user confidence. Some feedback notes that while powerful, the laptop can be heavy, and performance may decrease when running on battery for very demanding tasks. The fan noise under heavy load is mentioned, though often described as not excessively loud for a workstation of this caliber. The keyboard and large glass touchpad are generally well-received for comfort and responsiveness.

Summary

The HP ZBook Fury Gen 9 stands as a formidable mobile workstation, meticulously engineered for professionals requiring desktop-class performance on the go. Its core strength lies in the integration of 12th Gen Intel Core HX-series processors, offering unparalleled processing power for multi-threaded applications like 3D rendering, video editing, and complex simulations. This is complemented by a highly expandable architecture, supporting up to 128GB of DDR5 RAM across four SODIMM slots and up to 16TB of NVMe SSD storage across four M.2 slots, providing exceptional capacity and speed for demanding workflows.

Graphically, the ZBook Fury Gen 9 excels with professional NVIDIA RTX A-series or AMD Radeon RX GPUs, delivering robust performance for CAD, VR, and other graphically intensive tasks. The display options are a highlight, particularly the 16-inch 4K WQUXGA OLED DreamColor panel, which offers stunning color accuracy, high brightness, and a 120Hz refresh rate, making it ideal for color-critical creative work. Connectivity is comprehensive, featuring a wide array of ports including Thunderbolt 4, HDMI 2.1, and an SD card reader, ensuring seamless integration with peripherals and external displays.

Security is a paramount concern addressed by HP Wolf Security for Business, which provides a multi-layered defense system including self-healing BIOS (HP Sure Start Gen7), physical tamper detection (HP Tamper Lock), and biometric authentication. Performance benchmarks consistently place the ZBook Fury Gen 9 above average for premium laptops, demonstrating its capability to handle intensive workloads efficiently. While it is a heavier device, a trade-off for its power, its robust cooling system ensures sustained performance.

User feedback largely praises its power, upgradeability, and display quality, affirming its status as a top-tier mobile workstation. The primary weaknesses noted are its weight and potential performance throttling on battery for the most demanding tasks. Overall, the HP ZBook Fury Gen 9 is an excellent choice for professionals in fields such as engineering, media creation, and data science who require uncompromising performance, extensive expandability, and robust security in a mobile form factor.

Information provided is based on publicly available data and may vary depending on specific device configurations. For up-to-date information, please consult official manufacturer resources.