Originally posted by BigMackCam For reasons I've discussed elsewhere (so won't duplicate here), I've just configured and ordered an HP ZBook 15 G5 mobile workstation to replace my ageing HP consumer laptop. It's not an inexpensive proposition, though nor is it extortionate...
I forgot to mention the "dream machine" I ended up ordering
As I said, it's a "
mobile workstation" - which in normal language translates, I believe, to "
expensive laptop with close-to-desktop capability"
Personally, for the way I use my equipment at home, I'm happier with a laptop, but that's just my preference. I do have a low-spec desktop in my home office, which is absolutely fine for web browsing, word processing and extremely basic photo editing.
My main uses for the laptop are day-to-day computing (web browsing, word processing, spreadsheets etc.), photo processing in Darktable and GIMP (though I'll probably install my stand-alone copy of Lightroom 6 too, just for comparisons), occasional music production (purely for fun) and possibly - in the future - SDR software-defined-radio reception (where the software does all of the signal processing work for the attached radio receiver). I mainly run Linux Mint 18.3, but will install it for dual boot alongside Windows 10 Pro 64.
The configuration I chose is this:
- HP ZBook 15 G5 mobile workstation chassis (mostly aluminium + magnesium, MIL-STD-810G tested & passed)
- Intel I7-8750H CPU (six cores, two threads per core)
- Nvidia Quadro P2000 (4GB) GPU
- Integrated HD 720p IR Dual Arry Mic + Webcam
- 15.6 inch UHD (3840x2160) Anti-Glare "DreamColor" B-LED UWVA display (600 nits, 100% AdobeRGB gamut, 10-bit colour)
- 16GB (1x16GB) DDR4 2666MHz RAM (expandable to 128GB)
- 512GB PCIe NVMe Three Layer Cell SSD
- 2TB 5400RPM HDD
- WNC XRAV-1 Near Field Communication
- Intel 9560 ac 2x2 nvP +Bluetooth 5 WLAN
- Fingerprint Sensor
- 4 Cell 90 WHr Long Life battery
- 150 Watt Smart Slim AC Adapter
- Windows 10 Pro 64 UK
- Win10 Driver DVD
- 3 Year warranty
A few of my configuration choices were cost saving measures... the i7-8750H (instead of the i7-8850H or Xeon options), 16GB RAM (32GB was a significant jump in cost, and I've never needed more than 16GB thus far, especially running Linux Mint 18.3), and 2TB HDD (instead of a high capacity SSD, which was simply too expensive for me). The "DreamColor" 100% AdobeRGB gamut display and integrated colorimeter was a luxury choice that I probably don't need (FHD with 100% sRGB gamut is actually enough for what I do, and I already own a Colormunki Display colorimeter) - but it will certainly be nice. Other default items such as the NFC and fingerprint sensor don't matter to me, but the savings made by deleting these options were no more than spare change, so I left them in place.
Total price was GBP £2,068 + VAT, and since I'm not VAT registered, that means a cost to me of £2,482 - which is almost exactly double what I wanted and intended to spend, and significant considering my fairly average lifestyle these days
Yet it's not
completely ridiculous... A MacBook Pro of similar specification, but with less storage, costs more. My justification for the expenditure is that I should get at least five years' reliable use out of the machine, and probably more (my consumer-grade HP ENVY 17 has lasted me 5+ years under heavy daily use, with no problems except for those due to consumer-grade mechanical build - specifically the plastic chassis and screen hinges). The quality of build and components should ensure its longevity, while the specification has more than enough headroom for any increased demands I might place on it. Plus, if I should find that I've outgrown memory and/or storage at some point, they're both easily upgradable via a simple service panel on the base of the unit. If I get five years out of the machine, I'll be satisfied. If I get more - and I believe I
should - it's gravy
Aside from the form factor and display, my machine is largely similar in specification to the sample HP desktop configuration I priced up for you, except that the i7-8700k in the desktop would be quite significantly quicker...