United Kingdom
India
Deutschland
France
Canada
España
Belgium
Netherlands
Poland
Sweden
България
Australia
Singapore
Italia
中国
日本HP ZBook Firefly 16 G11 review – Not a True Workstation but it’s still a Comfortable Well-Built Business Device
While the ZBook Firefly 16 G11 lacks the big cooling system and powerful professional-grade GPUs of the ZBook Power 16 G11, it offers a lighter design and similar Meteor Lake CPU options. Unlike its “Power” counterpart, the Firefly 16 G11 has fewer dedicated GPU choices, with the 35W NVIDIA RTX A500 being the only optional graphics card.
The main question that remains is whether this machine can handle long heavy workloads, given its single-fan, dual-heat-pipe cooling system. While it’s not a basic system, we hoped for a more robust thermal solution.
Still, you get a device with a good port selection, two SODIMMs, and above-average built quality. You can opt for an optional high-end OLED screen with 2880 x 1800 resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. HP mentions a full DCI-P3 coverage regarding this one. The other panels are regular 1200p IPS units. Some of them are tied with the HP Sure View privacy screen tech which protects the on-screen info from prying eyes.
The security department is represented by a privacy shutter, a dTPM 2.0 chip, a Lock slot, and many more optional features like an IR Web camera and a fingerprint reader.
You can check the prices and configurations in our Specs System: https://laptopmedia.com/series/hp-zbook-firefly-16-g11/
Contents
Specs, Drivers, What’s in the box
HP ZBook Firefly 16 G11 - Specs
- CPU
- Intel Core Ultra 7 165U #116 in Top CPUs Intel Core Ultra 7 165H #34 in Top CPUs Intel Core Ultra 7 155U #132 in Top CPUs Intel Core Ultra 7 155H #44 in Top CPUs Intel Core Ultra 5 135U #125 in Top CPUs Intel Core Ultra 5 135H #60 in Top CPUs Intel Core Ultra 5 125U #135 in Top CPUs Intel Core Ultra 5 125H #53 in Top CPUs
- HDD/SSD
- up to 2000GB SSD
- M.2 Slot
- 1x 2280 PCIe NVMe 4.0 x4 See photo
- RAM
- up to 64GB
- OS
- Windows 11 Pro, Windows 10 Pro, Windows 11 Home
- Battery
- 56Wh, 56Wh, 3-cell
- Body material
- Aluminum
- Dimensions
- 358.7 x 251.3 x 19.2 mm (14.12" x 9.89" x 0.76")
- Weight
- 1.80 kg (4 lbs)
- Ports and connectivity
- 1x USB Type-A
- 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps)
- 1x USB Type-A
- 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps), Sleep and Charge
- 2x USB Type-C
- 4.0, Thunderbolt 4, Power Delivery (PD), DisplayPort, Sleep and Charge
- HDMI
- 2.0b
- Card reader
- Ethernet LAN
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 6E
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- Audio jack
- 3.5mm Combo Jack
- Features
- Fingerprint reader
- optional
- Web camera
- HP Wide Vision 5MP IR camera with temporal noise reduction
- Backlit keyboard
- optional
- Microphone
- Dual Array Digital Microphones
- Speakers
- Dual Speakers, HP Audio Boost, DTS:X Ultra, Poly Studio
- Optical drive
- Security Lock slot
All HP ZBook Firefly 16 G11 configurations
Drivers
All drivers and utilities for this notebook can be found here: https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/hp-zbook-firefly-16-inch-g11-mobile-workstation-pc/2101990486
What’s in the box?
Inside the box, we found a bit of paperwork and a Type-C charger. Depending on the CPU and GPU configuration, you get a 65W or 100W adapter with a nice braided cable.
Design and construction
It seems that not much hasn’t changed in terms of design when comparing the ZBook Firefly 16 G11 and its G10 predecessor. The all-metal chassis looks sleek and the anodized finish doesn’t attract a lot of smudges during work. The profile height is 19.2 and the starting weight is 1.797 kg. Not bad for a 16-incher with an H-series processor and dedicated graphics.
You can open the laptop with one hand up to 90 degrees. If you want to push the unit beyond that you have to use both hands. The lid rigidity is average while the base is solid.
The dark bezels are thin. This contributes to an up-to-date look.
It’s nice to see that all machines come with a 5MP Web camera which is treated with a privacy shutter. If money isn’t a problem, you can get a device with an IR unit that has the same resolution.
The max angle of the opening is close to 180 degrees. A bit before reaching this mark, the back of the lid lifts the rear of the machine. Keep in mind that some scratches can appear since the bottom of the lid lacks rubber feet.
The keyboard is great for typing since the key travel and the feedback of the grippy keycaps are nearly perfect. The spill-resistant board offers a Numpad section for calculations and a Copilot shortcut to summon the MS AI magic. The reduced size of the “Up” and “Down” Arrows seems like the only disadvantage here. The optional fingerprint reader can be seen on the right palm rest.
The glass touchpad is superb thanks to its smooth surface and accurate tracking.
The bottom panel seems normal for such a device with its decently sized ventilation grill, two long rubber feet, and a pair of cutouts for the speakers. The heat is pushed through two vents on the rear. Some amount of hot air reaches the lower side of the display when the internals are heavily loaded.
Ports
On the left side, there is an HDMI 2.1, a 5 Gbps USB Type-A 3.2 (Gen. 1) port, two 40 Gbps Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 ports with USB Power Delivery and DisplayPort 1.4 functionality, and a SmartCard reader (option). On the right, we can spot an Audio combo jack, one more 5 Gbps USB Type-A 3.2 (Gen. 1) port that supports charging, a Nano Security Lock Slot, and an optional Nano SIM card slot.
Display and Sound Quality, Get our Profiles
| HP ZBook Firefly 16 G11 | BOE0C31 |
| Diagonal | 16.0 inches (40.6 cm) |
| Panel Type | IPS |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1200 pixels |
| Max Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:10 |
| Pixel Density | 141 PPI |
| ‘Retina’ Distance | Greater than or equal to 61 cm |
Viewing Angles
Viewing angles are good. We take photos from different angles to evaluate the quality.
Also, a video with locked focus and exposure.
Color Coverage
The whole “sail-shaped” map below (Fig. 1) consists of all the colors we can see, while the black crooked line shows all the colors from real-world scenes and nature around us.
Then, we’ve drawn some of the most important and interesting color spaces, compared to the colors the panel of HP ZBook Firefly 16 G11 can show:
Standard/For Web: sRGB – widely used color space for most consumer devices, ideal for Web design and development
For Print: AdobeRGB – used in professional photo editing, graphic design, and print
For Photographers/Video Editors: DCI-P3 – used in high-end film production, post-production, and digital cinema
Premium HDR: Rec.2020 – the widest consumer ITU color standard, covering a massive 75.8% of the visible spectrum, a benchmark for premium HDR content
HP ZBook Firefly 16 G11: the yellow dashed triangle (– – – – – –) represents the range of colors this monitor can display.
In our tests, we calculated the total color coverage of the monitor at 52% of the sRGB color gamut and 41% of the DCI-P3 color gamut.
(Fig.1) HP ZBook Firefly 16 G11 covers 52% of the sRGB gamut
Brightness and Contrast
The maximum brightness in SDR mode is 327 cd/m² in the center of the screen and 322 cd/m² averaged across the surface with a maximum deviation of 9%.
The Correlated Color Temperature (CCT) on a white screen at maximum brightness is 6920K.
The contrast ratio is 1290:1.
Uniformity: Luminance, Contrast, and Color Deviation
The figure below shows the results from our uniformity test across different sections of the screen. It’s measured at 182 nits (Windows slider = 77%) — a brightness level we consider typical for standard working conditions.
DeltaE values below 4.0 are acceptable for regular users. For those working with colors, screens with DeltaE values no higher than 2.0 are recommended.
Color Accuracy
Let’s check the difference between real colors and those you’ll see on the HP ZBook Firefly 16 G11. We measure that distance in DeltaE – the higher the number, the more different they look.
Values below 4.0 are acceptable for regular users, while values below 2.0 are suitable for color-sensitive work. A value below 1.0 means the difference is indistinguishable to the naked eye.
For the next graph, we’ve selected 24 common colors, including dark/light skin, blue sky, green grass, etc.
(Fig. 2) HP ZBook Firefly 16 G11 in its factory condition
(Fig. 3) HP ZBook Firefly 16 G11 with our display profile
Comparison in the sRGB color space (primaries and D65 white point specified in ITU-R BT.709, sRGB encoding curve).
Here’s an illustration of what the Design and Gaming profile aims to deliver:
Left: No Profile | Drag the slider to see the difference | Right: Design & Gaming Profile
Visibility in dark scenes
Have you ever watched a movie with dark scenes where you could barely see anything? This often happens because many display panels struggle to differentiate the darkest nuances, making them appear the same.
The next figure illustrates how well the display reproduces these dark nuances. The left side of the image shows the display with stock settings, and the right side shows it with our Design and Gaming profile activated.
On the horizontal axis are the grayscale levels, and on the vertical axis – the corresponding display brightness.
You can also check how your display handles the darkest nuances but keep in mind that this also depends on the settings of your current display and the surrounding light conditions.
Response time (Gaming capabilities)
We test the reaction time of the pixels with the usual “black-to-white” and “white-to-black” method from 10% to 90% and vice versa.
We recorded Fall Time + Rise Time = 17.4 ms. Short pixel response time is a prerequisite for a smooth picture in dynamic scenes.
After that, we test the reaction time of the pixels with the usual “Gray-to-Gray” method from 50% White to 80% White and vice versa between 10% and 90% of the amplitude.
Health Impact: PWM (Screen flickering)
Some use PWM to regulate their brightness, which means that instead of reducing the light intensity, they pulse or flicker. Our brain merges the image, so it appears darker, but this strains both it and our vision, especially when the frequency of the pulses is low. You can read more about that in our dedicated article on PWM.
In the graph below, you see the intensity of light at different brightness levels—on the vertical axis is the brightness of the emitted light, and on the horizontal axis—time.
The light from the backlight of the HP ZBook Firefly 16 G11 display is not pulse-width modulated, providing visual comfort in the discussed aspect.
Health Impact: Blue light emissions
Installing our Health-Guard profile not only eliminates harmful PWM when the laptop uses it to control brightness but also reduces harmful Blue Light emissions while keeping the colors of the screen perceptually accurate.
If you’re not familiar with the Blue light, the TL;DR version is – emissions that negatively affect your eyes, skin, and your whole body. You can find more information about that in our dedicated article on Blue Light.
Health Impact: Screen Reflectance
Glossy-coated displays can cause eye fatigue in high ambient light conditions due to reflections. We measure the level of screen reflection with the display turned off, at a 60° angle.
The reflectance of the HP ZBook Firefly 16 G11’s screen is 51.1 GU.
High Gloss: >70 GU
Medium Gloss: 30 – 70 GU
Low Gloss: <30 GU
Get our profiles
Since our profiles are tailored for each individual display model, this article and its respective profile package are meant for HP ZBook Firefly 16 G11 configurations with BOE0C31, 1920 х 1200, IPS panel.
*Should you have problems with downloading the purchased file, try using a different browser to open the link you’ll receive via e-mail. If the download target is a .php file instead of an archive, change the file extension to .zip or contact us at [email protected].
Read more about the profiles HERE.
In addition to receiving efficient and health-friendly profiles, by buying LaptopMedia's products you also support the development of our labs, where we test devices in order to produce the most objective reviews possible.
Office Work
Office Work should be used mostly by users who spend most of the time looking at pieces of text, tables or just surfing. This profile aims to deliver better distinctness and clarity by keeping a flat gamma curve (2.20), native color temperature and perceptually accurate colors.
Design and Gaming
This profile is aimed at designers who work with colors professionally, and for games and movies as well. Design and Gaming takes display panels to their limits, making them as accurate as possible in the sRGB IEC61966-2-1 standard for Web and HDTV, at white point D65.
Health-Guard
Health-Guard eliminates the harmful Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) and reduces the negative Blue Light which affects our eyes and body. Since it’s custom tailored for every panel, it manages to keep the colors perceptually accurate. Health-Guard simulates paper so the pressure on the eyes is greatly reduced.
Get all 3 profiles with 33% discount
Sound
The speakers of the HP ZBook Firefly 16 G11 produce quality sound. Its low, mid, and high tones are clear without any significant deviations.
Performance: CPU, GPU, Storage
All benchmarks and tests were conducted with the “High Performance” profile activated in the MyHP app. The “Best performance” preset is applied in the Windows “Power & Battery” menu and the “Fan always on while on AC Power” function is enabled in the BIOS.
CPU options
The notebook is offered with the Intel Core Ultra 5 125H, Core Ultra 5 135H, Core Ultra 7 155H, Core Ultra 7 165H, Core Ultra 5 125U, Core Ultra 5 135U, Core Ultra 7 155U, Core Ultra 7 165U.
Our device has a 155H chip.
Here, we evaluate the CPU's performance using a real-world 3D rendering task, assessing its ability to handle complex computations and rendering workloads efficiently.
Results are from the Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core test (higher is better)
Single-core performance ensures smooth operation and responsiveness in operating systems, providing a better user experience.
Results are from the Geekbench 6 Single-Core test (higher is better)
Multi-core performance is essential for handling complex and demanding tasks, such as Video editing, CAD, and Scientific simulations.
Results are from the Geekbench 6 Multi-Core test (higher is better)
GPU options
The 35W NVIDIA RTX A500 is the only dGPU option for this HP series.
The results are from 3DMark Time Spy (Graphics). Higher is better.
The results are from 3DMark Wild Life Extreme Unlimited. Higher is better.
HP ZBook Firefly 16 G11 GPU variants
Here you can see an approximate comparison between the GPUs that can be found in the HP ZBook Firefly 16 G11 models on the market. This way you can decide for yourself which HP ZBook Firefly 16 G11 model is the best bang for your buck.
Note: The chart shows the cheapest different GPU configurations so you should check what the other specifications of these laptops are by clicking on the laptop’s name / GPU.
The results are from 3DMark Time Spy (Graphics). Higher is better.
Results are from the 3DMark: Fire Strike (Graphics) benchmark (higher the score, the better)
Results are from the 3DMark: Wild Life (Graphics) benchmark (higher the score, the better)
Results are from the Unigine Superposition benchmark (higher the score, the better)
Gaming tests
| Metro Exodus | Full HD, Low (Check settings) | Full HD, High (Check settings) | Full HD, Extreme (Check settings) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average FPS | 56 fps | 23 fps | 9 fps |
| Borderlands 3 | Full HD, V.Low (Check settings) | Full HD, Medium (Check settings) | Full HD, High (Check settings) | Full HD, Badass (Check settings) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average FPS | 75 fps | 51 fps | 35 fps | 27 fps |
| Far Cry 6 | Full HD, Low (Check settings) | Full HD, High (Check settings) | Full HD, Ultra (Check settings) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average FPS | 57 fps | 43 fps | 36 fps |
| Gears 5 | Full HD, Low (Check settings) | Full HD, Medium (Check settings) | Full HD, High (Check settings) | Full HD, Ultra (Check settings) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average FPS | 88 fps | 59 fps | 41 fps | 38 fps |
In terms of gaming, the integrated AMD Radeon 890M can give the 35W NVIDIA RTX A500 a run for its money.
Storage performance
Our notebook has a 1TB WD PC SN810 SDCPNRY-1T00-1006. This is a fast NVMe that reaches 72°C during benchmarking. Still, its thermals are notably lower when using the laptop normally.
[eBook Guide + Tools] How to MAX OUT Your Laptop
You can make your laptop Faster. LaptopMedia has tested thousands of models in the last 15 years, and we have yet to see a notebook that couldn't be made more powerful through modifications.
That's why we decided to bundle everything we know about how to achieve this in an Easy-to-Follow, Step-by-Step, and Laboratory-Tested, all in one project.
Read more about it here:
[eBook Guide + Tools] How to MAX OUT Your Laptop
🛠️ GPU Modifications: vBIOS, Overclocking, Undervolting
⚙️ Building Fast/Reliable RAID configuration
💻 Hardware upgrade tips for best results
🖼 Display enhancing
💾 OS Optimization for best performance
Temperatures and comfort, Battery Life
Max CPU load
In this test we use 100% on the CPU cores, monitoring their frequencies and chip temperature. The first column shows a computer’s reaction to a short load (2-10 seconds), the second column simulates a serious task (between 15 and 30 seconds), and the third column is a good indicator of how good the laptop is for long loads such as video rendering.
Average P-core frequency; Average E-core frequency; Average LP E-core frequency; CPU temp.; Package Power
| Intel Core Ultra 7 155H (28W Base Power) | 0:02 – 0:10 sec | 0:15 – 0:30 sec | 10:00 – 15:00 min |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP ZBook Firefly 16 G11 | 2.92 GHz @ 2.42 GHz @ 1.67 GHz @ 72°C @ 63W | 1.52 GHz @ 0.99 GHz @ 0.80 GHz @ 66°C @ 26W | 1.75 GHz @ 1.01 GHz @ 0.99 GHz @ 77°C @ 27W |
| HP ZBook Power 16 G11 | 4.05 GHz @ 2.69 GHz @ 2.19 GHz @ 75°C @ 98W | 3.93 GHz @ 2.72 GHz @ 2.21 GHz @ 88°C @ 99W | 3.24 GHz @ 2.68 GHz @ 1.80 GHz @ 86°C @ 65W |
| HP EliteBook 840 G11 | 2.33 GHz @ 1.85 GHz @ 1.27 GHz @ 60°C @ 49W | 2.68 GHz @ 2.16 GHz @ 1.48 GHz @ 82°C @ 56W | 1.74 GHz @ 1.21 GHz @ 1.05 GHz @ 69°C @ 28W |
| HP EliteBook 860 G11 | 2.28 GHz @ 1.80 GHz @ 1.24 GHz @ 58°C @ 48W | 2.70 GHz @ 2.22 GHz @ 1.51 GHz @ 84°C @ 58W | 1.64 GHz @ 1.25 GHz @ 1.08 GHz @ 73°C @ 28W |
| Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 2 | 2.28 GHz @ 1.96 GHz @ 1.29 GHz @ 70°C @ 43W | 2.17 GHz @ 1.89 GHz @ 1.20 GHz @ 85°C @ 43W | 1.57 GHz @ 1.00 GHz @ 0.86 GHz @ 76°C @ 28W |
| Acer Predator Helios Neo 14 (PHN14-51) | 4.19 GHz @ 2.59 GHz @ 2.23 GHz @ 77°C @ 113W | 4.19 GHz @ 2.67 GHz @ 2.28 GHz @ 88°C @ 115W | 3.67 GHz @ 2.65 GHz @ 2.49 GHz @ 95°C @ 97W |
| Lenovo Yoga Pro 7i 14 | 3.12 GHz @ 2.64 GHz @ 1.80 GHz @ 71°C @ 70W | 3.09 GHz @ 2.61 GHz @ 1.80 GHz @ 83°C @ 70W | 2.81 GHz @ 2.44 GHz @ 1.70 GHz @ 83°C @ 58W |
| Lenovo ThinkPad P16v Gen 2 | 2.90 GHz @ 2.74 GHz @ 2.46 GHz @ 101°C @ 89W | 2.67 GHz @ 2.77 GHz @ 2.46 GHz @ 100°C @ 83W | 2.52 GHz @ 2.65 GHz @ 1.85 GHz @ 101°C @ 60W |
| Dell Precision 14 3490 | 3.07 GHz @ 2.45 GHz @ 1.68 GHz @ 71°C @ 64W | 3.04 GHz @ 2.46 GHz @ 1.70 GHz @ 83°C @ 64W | 1.89 GHz @ 1.56 GHz @ 1.14 GHz @ 75°C @ 33W |
| MSI Prestige 14 AI Studio C1U | 2.74 GHz @ 2.16 GHz @ 1.58 GHz @ 67°C @ 60W | 2.74 GHz @ 2.16 GHz @ 1.57 GHz @ 73°C @ 60W | 1.78 GHz @ 1.11 GHz @ 1.02 GHz @ 66°C @ 30W |
| Dell Precision 15 3590 | 2.84 GHz @ 2.33 GHz @ 1.63 GHz @ 66°C @ 63W | 2.82 GHz @ 2.32 GHz @ 1.60 GHz @ 79°C @ 64W | 2.15 GHz @ 1.66 GHz @ 1.27 GHz @ 75°C @ 42W |
| Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 (14″, Gen 9) | 2.85 GHz @ 2.31 GHz @ 1.68 GHz @ 70°C @ 53W | 2.73 GHz @ 2.25 GHz @ 1.62 GHz @ 90°C @ 53W | 1.14 GHz @ 0.99 GHz @ 0.93 GHz @ 63°C @ 22W |
| MSI Summit E13 AI Evo A1M | 2.24 GHz @ 1.80 GHz @ 1.32 GHz @ 73°C @ 40W | 2.15 GHz @ 1.79 GHz @ 1.29 GHz @ 83°C @ 40W | 1.74 GHz @ 1.00 GHz @ 1.00 GHz @ 77°C @ 28W |
| Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i (14″, Gen 9) | 2.41 GHz @ 2.07 GHz @ 1.40 GHz @ 70°C @ 47W | 2.34 GHz @ 2.02 GHz @ 1.40 GHz @ 83°C @ 47W | 2.00 GHz @ 1.59 GHz @ 1.10 GHz @ 78°C @ 35W |
| Dell Inspiron 16 Plus 7640 | 3.50 GHz @ 2.70 GHz @ 1.90 GHz @ 80°C @ 80W | 2.82 GHz @ 2.65 GHz @ 2.42 GHz @ 99°C @ 77W | 2.74 GHz @ 2.28 GHz @ 1.69 GHz @ 90°C @ 55W |
| Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 7440 | 3.22 GHz @ 2.62 GHz @ 1.74 GHz @ 89°C @ 80W | 2.64 GHz @ 2.61 GHz @ 2.49 GHz @ 100°C @ 73W | 2.50 GHz @ 1.99 GHz @ 1.40 GHz @ 83°C @ 45W |
| HP OMEN Transcend 14 (14-fb0000) | 3.38 GHz @ 2.65 GHz @ 2.29 GHz @ 65°C @ 85W | 3.22 GHz @ 2.67 GHz @ 2.43 GHz @ 73°C @ 80W | 2.87 GHz @ 2.45 GHz @ 1.68 GHz @ 76°C @ 61W |
| Dell XPS 16 9640 | 3.58 GHz @ 2.72 GHz @ 2.27 GHz @ 86°C @ 97W | 3.39 GHz @ 2.73 GHz @ 1.92 GHz @ 90°C @ 80W | 3.02 GHz @ 2.37 GHz @ 1.70 GHz @ 84°C @ 60W |
| Dell XPS 14 9440 | 3.01 GHz @ 2.55 GHz @ 1.81 GHz @ 88°C @ 64W | 1.96 GHz @ 2.53 GHz @ 2.22 GHz @ 96°C @ 58W | 2.17 GHz @ 1.88 GHz @ 1.33 GHz @ 83°C @ 38W |
| Dell XPS 13 9340 | 2.26 GHz @ 2.43 GHz @ 2.19 GHz @ 100°C @ 59W | 1.21 GHz @ 1.34 GHz @ 2.48 GHz @ 96°C @ 38W | 1.52 GHz @ 1.25 GHz @ 1.67 GHz @ 96°C @ 32W |
| HP Spectre x360 16 (16-aa0000) | 3.02 GHz @ 2.41 GHz @ 1.70 GHz @ 72°C @ 64W | 2.93 GHz @ 2.41 GHz @ 1.93 GHz @ 85°C @ 64W | 2.39 GHz @ 1.98 GHz @ 1.40 GHz @ 80°C @ 45W |
| Lenovo Yoga 9i (14, Gen 9) | 2.95 GHz @ 2.46 GHz @ 1.63 GHz @ 61°C @ 68W | 2.59 GHz @ 2.23 GHz @ 1.47 GHz @ 83°C @ 52W | 2.31 GHz @ 1.98 GHz @ 1.32 GHz @ 75°C @ 37W |
| ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (UX3405) | 2.91 GHz @ 2.40 GHz @ 1.60 GHz @ 86°C @ 64W | 2.20 GHz @ 2.00 GHz @ 1.69 GHz @ 102°C @ 60W | 1.12 GHz @ 1.52 GHz @ 0.84 GHz @ 78°C @ 28W |
The Core Ultra 7 155H can sustain a pretty good P and E-core clock of 2.92 GHz / 2.42 GHz in short loads. In longer stress, the result is 1.75 GHz / 1.01 GHz which is still higher than the official Intel base frequencies for this chip. On the flip side, these clocks aren’t workstation-grade.
Real-life gaming
| NVIDIA RTX A500 (Laptop) | GPU frequency/ Core temp (after 2 min) | GPU frequency/ Core temp (after 30 min) |
|---|---|---|
| HP ZBook Firefly 16 G11 | 1090 MHz @ 70°C @ 26W | 1311 MHz @ 73°C @ 32W |
| HP ZBook Firefly 14 G10 | 583 MHz @ 64°C @ 20W | 832 MHz @ 65°C @ 23W |
| HP ZBook Firefly 16 G10 | 702 MHz @ 68°C @ 20W | 688 MHz @ 66°C @ 20W |
| Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 4 | 1050 MHz @ 74°C @ 30W | 1043 MHz @ 75°C @ 30W |
During heavy graphics stress, the NVIDIA RTX A500 reaches ~ 1311 MHz and a 32W TGP which seems normal.
Comfort during full load
The single fan is quiet when only the CPU is pushed to its limits and audible when the GPU has to do the heavy lifting in “High Performance” mode.
When the internals are stressed at max, the hotspot on the keyboard reaches just 45°C. We also measured 50°C on the bottom screen bezel on the zone close to the rear exhaust.
You can expect ~ 1.40 GHz / 1.00 GHz / 0.70 GHz P, E, and LP E-core clock in “Smart Sense” mode during heavy CPU loads. In this case, the fan is almost silent.
While playing games when the “High Performance” preset is applied, the TGP is around 32W. In “Smart Sense” mode, the power limit spikes often between 26W and 32W which explains the lower core clock of the GPU.
Battery
Now, we conduct the battery tests with the Windows’ Power Efficiency setting turned on, screen brightness adjusted to 180 nits and all other programs turned off except for the one we are testing the notebook with. This laptop’s 56Wh battery pack lasts for around 11 hours and a half of video playback. The result is good considering the punchy hardware. Оur test was conducted with the “Battery Saver” preset activated in the Windows “Power & Battery” menu and the Smart Sence mode applied in the MyHP app.
Brightness: 180 nits; Display Mode: SDR
Time to Full Discharge: Higher is Better
Disassembly, Upgrade options, and Maintenance
To gain access to the internals of this device, you have to undo only 5 captive Phillips-head screws. Use a lever tool to pop the two areas close to the top two corners. This will create gaps in these sections. Fully pry the back with a thin plastic tool and work your way around the sides and the front.
Here’s how the bottom plate looks on the inside.
Our laptop has the base 56Wh battery model but you can opt for a 76Wh variant for longer autonomous work. To take the unit, pull out the connector towards the battery itself and undo the 4 Phillips-head screws that fix the battery to the chassis. The capacity is enough for around 11 hours and a half of video playback.
The RAM section is covered by a metal shield which can be popped by lifting it using the attached fabric handles.
According to HP, the two SODIMMs can handle up to 64GB of DDR5-5600 MHz RAM in dual-channel mode. However, since the CPU can support up to 96GB, this laptop likely wouldn’t have issues running a larger amount of memory than the official manufacturer’s specified limit.
Sadly, you get just one M.2 slot compatible with 2280 Gen 4 SSDs. There is a small thermal pad below the preinstalled NVMe.
The soldered Wi-Fi 6E card is placed in the top right part of the mainboard.
The cooling system has one large fan, a pair of long heat pipes shared between the CPU and the GPU alongside a heatsink, and two heat spreaders.
Verdict
The HP ZBook Firefly 16 G11 is a capable business machine that offers good comfort during heavy loads, great input devices, and a modern port selection with two Thunderbolt 4 ports. However, the not-so-high P and E-core frequencies of 1.75 GHz / 1.01 GHz in longer stress don’t correspond to a device in a workstation category where sustained performance is always important. Still, the system responsiveness during normal office tasks seems on point despite the single-channel memory of our notebook. The snappy SSD (WD PC SN810 SDCPNRY-1T00-1006) perhaps also helps in this scenario.
The 1200p IPS display (BOE0C31) is suitable for work. The PWM-free unit offers wide viewing angles and 327 nits of max brightness. The sRGB coverage is low. For the content creators out there, an 1800p OLED screen is available for an additional amount of money.
The ZBook Firefly 16 G11 could attract future buyers with its metal build, good comfort under load, long battery life, and rich port selection.
You can check the prices and configurations in our Specs System: https://laptopmedia.com/series/hp-zbook-firefly-16-g11/
Pros
- All-metal chassis
- Feels snappy for normal home or office tasks
- Good comfort during long loads
- The matte finish is almost smudge-proof
- The Core Ultra 7 155H sustains ~ 2.92 GHz / 2.42 GHz P and E core clocks in short loads
- Wide viewing angles + 16:10 aspect ratio (BOE0C31)
- 327 nits of max brightness (BOE0C31)
- PWM-free (BOE0C31)
- Comfortable spill-resistant keyboard
- Smooth glass touchpad
- 2x Thunderbolt 4 + 2x Type-A ports
- The fans are quiet in “High Performance” mode during max CPU stress
- Long battery battery life given the H-series CPU and the modest 56Wh capacity (~11 hours and a half of videos)
- 5MP Web camera with a privacy shutter
- Fast NVMe (WD PC SN810 SDCPNRY-1T00-1006)
- Lid with a lever design
- LPWAN (Low-power WAN)
- SmartCard reader, NFC, fingerprint reader, IR Web camera, vPro, Intel Evo, Nano SIM card slot, backlit keyboard (all are optional)
Cons
- Seems too expensive for what it is
- No Wi-Fi 7
- Lid with a lever design that lacks rubber feet
- Just one M.2 slot
- The CPU clocks in long loads are too low for a workstation (1.75 GHz / 1.01 GHz for the P and E cores)
TOP 100 GAMING LAPTOPS
TOP LAPTOP RATINGS
HIGHLIGHTS view more
![[November 2024] Amazon USA: Top 10 Best-Selling Gaming Laptops – ASUS is an Absolute Leader](https://laptopmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/US-Top-10-Gaming-375x250.jpg)
[November 2024] Amazon USA: Top 10 Best-Selling Gaming Laptops – ASUS is an Absolute Leader
Dec 06, 2024![[November 2024] Amazon USA: Top 10 Best-Selling Laptops – Apple Takes the Crown](https://laptopmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/US-Top-10-375x250.jpg)
[November 2024] Amazon USA: Top 10 Best-Selling Laptops – Apple Takes the Crown
Dec 05, 2024![[November 2024] Best-Selling Laptop Brands on Amazon USA: Apple Takes Half of the Total Market Revenue](https://laptopmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/US-market-375x250.jpg)
[November 2024] Best-Selling Laptop Brands on Amazon USA: Apple Takes Half of the Total Market Revenue
Dec 05, 2024![[October 2024] Global Ranking of the Top 10 Best-Selling Gaming Laptops on Amazon – ASUS ROG Strix G16 Leads the Pack](https://laptopmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/World-Top-10-Gaming-Laptops-375x250.jpg)
[October 2024] Global Ranking of the Top 10 Best-Selling Gaming Laptops on Amazon – ASUS ROG Strix G16 Leads the Pack
Nov 30, 2024![[October 2024] Global Ranking of the Top 10 Best-Selling Laptop Series on Amazon – MacBook Air Reigns Supreme](https://laptopmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/World-Top-10-375x250.jpg)
[October 2024] Global Ranking of the Top 10 Best-Selling Laptop Series on Amazon – MacBook Air Reigns Supreme
Nov 30, 2024
REVIEWS view more
Acer Aspire 5 (A515-58P) review – Budget Workhorse
Dec 12, 2024Acer Extensa 15 (EX215-33) review – Affordable but Not Without Compromises
Dec 10, 2024ASUS ProArt Studiobook Pro 16 OLED W7604 review – For Content Creators Who Love to Play Games
Dec 10, 2024ASUS Vivobook S 14 OLED M5406 review – Exceeds the Expectations
Dec 06, 2024HP Dragonfly G4 review – The Business Traveler’s Dream
Dec 06, 2024
I always consider Apple laptops as being great for high performance and processing as my work laptops. Always important to weigh your options and try out a few a few different laptops to see hothey may benefit your business and work.