HP ZBook Firefly G9 Buying Guide

Combining pro-level performance with true mobility, the HP ZBook Firefly G9 Mobile Workstation allows enterprise power users, product developers, 2D creators, and more to stay productive while on the go. Available with either a 14" or a 16" display model, the HP ZBook Firefly G9 has plenty of configuration options to meet the needs of creative professionals and power office users, including up to a 12th Gen Intel® Core™ i7 processor, 64GB of DDR5 RAM, integrated Intel® Iris Xe graphics or dedicated NVIDIA T550 graphics, 2TB M.2 SSD, and more. Select 14" models support NVIDIA RTX A500 graphics. With many versatile options to choose from, read on to find out which ZBook Firefly G9 may be right for you.

Who’s it For?

Power users will appreciate the true balance of performance and mobility in the HP ZBook Firefly G9. Product designers and other creatives working on light 3D or 2D CAD projects will be able to work on-the-go with the ZBook Firefly G9. While Microsoft Office might not be the most performance-intensive suite of programs, the HP ZBook Firefly G9 can have multiple Microsoft Office applications open, allowing you to work across several files with ease. This is especially useful for editors who may need to review the work of their teams. Another thing that the HP ZBook Firefly G9 excels at is video chats and conference calls. Utilizing built-in Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) and its less congested 6 GHz band, the ZBook Firefly G9 is compatible with high-speed wireless networks. The 5MP webcam features HP AutoFrame, so you can move around without losing your viewer’s attention during video chats. AI Noise Suppression reduces background noise and you can blur the background in your video, both of which are helpful when you need to join a video call in public, such as at an airport lobby or a coffee shop. Get access to enhanced microphone gain with Dynamic Volume Leveling, which provides added voice clarity. These HP Presence features help deliver an optimal collaboration experience.

Photo editors and 3D content developers should opt for a Firefly G9 model with the dedicated NVIDIA T550 graphics card, which will allow creative professionals to take full advantage of software, such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and more. HP works closely with independent software vendors (ISVs), such as Autodesk, to help ensure that popular applications are thoroughly tested and certified for the Firefly G9. The handy HP Performance Advisor software will help you determine which graphics driver is needed for ISV software, making sure your Firefly G9 is running at its optimal performance.

Configurations and Software

Enterprise power users should be able to run everything they need with either a 12th Gen Intel® Core™ i5 or i7 processor and integrated Intel® Iris Xe Graphics. You can’t go wrong with either the 14" display or the 16" display. Both displays feature a 16:10 aspect ratio, which provides additional vertical pixels, compared to a traditional 16:9 aspect ratio display. This will be handy for tasks like viewing Excel spreadsheets.

As mentioned before, if you’re doing light photo editing or entry-level 3D design, the dedicated NVIDIA T550 graphics card with 4GB of GDDR6 VRAM is recommended. The dedicated graphics card delivers solid performance and has robust drivers for both professional and prosumer entry-graphics workloads and workflows. The ZBook Firefly G9 is more than capable of running Adobe Creative Cloud apps, SOLIDWORKS, and AutoCAD. Also, if you’re editing video or creating 3D content, it’s recommended that you get a ZBook Firefly G9 with more RAM (64GB is the max).

Portability, Security, and Sustainability

It helps that the Firefly G9 isn’t too heavy and is easy to transport, with the 14" model starting at 3.24 pounds and the 16" model weighing 3.97 pounds. You can’t talk about portability without the battery life. Most models will last up to 13 hours while a ZBook Firefly G9 with a dedicated graphics card will last up to 11.5 hours. The ZBook Firefly G9 also supports fast charging, getting you to approximately 50% in just 30 minutes. Please note battery life may vary depending on usage.

Thanks to its Tamper Lock intrusion detection system, the ZBook Firefly G9 will be able to detect if someone has tried to open the back of your device for unauthorized access. Select models will have an integrated fingerprint reader, allowing for a secure way of logging in. Certain displays are available with HP’s Sure View Reflect, which instantly blocks prying eyes by making your screen appear to have a copper reflective finish when viewed from the side, handy for when you need to read emails in public. The ZBook Firefly G9 features two Thunderbolt™ 4 ports, providing up to 40 Gb/s of data throughput and a plethora of daisy-chain options.

HP has worked on a sustainable design for many of its computers, including the ZBook Firefly G9. HP has worked on utilizing ocean-bound plastic in the speaker box and up to 35% post-consumer recycled plastic for a more sustainable design. HP also offers a limited 3-year warranty for the ZBook Firefly G9.