HP ZBook Firefly 14 G8 review
HP ZBook Firefly 14 G8 — from 2020, 1.35 kg, performance 48.
Technical specifications
| Type | Ultrabook |
| Release year | 2020 |
| Screen | 14" · 1920x1080 |
| Processor | Intel Core i5 1135G7 , Intel Core i5 1145G7 , Intel Core i7 1165G7 , Intel Core i7 1185G7 |
| Max. RAM | 64 GB |
| Weight | 1.35 kg |
| Battery | 53 Wh |
Performance scores
A 2020 ZBook Firefly with 64 GB of RAM and a high-tier CPU — memory is the standout
The HP ZBook Firefly 14 G8 (2020) is the thin-and-light entry in HP's workstation line, built around an 11th-gen Intel Core i5 1135G7 with 64 GB of RAM, landing at $366 — slightly below the ultrabook-class median of about $373. Its genuine strengths are memory (64 GB, 100% above the median, "pro" level) and CPU (score 70, "high" level), with overall performance mid-tier at 48.4. The honest trade-off is a relatively small 53 Wh battery.
Pro-tier memory and a high-tier CPU
For a memory- and CPU-bound office, developer, or light engineering workflow, 64 GB of RAM at a "pro" level is genuine headroom, and the i5 1135G7's high-tier CPU score (70 against a median near 60) makes this one of the stronger compute configs in the bracket. The ZBook build quality also adds reassurance for a work machine.
Battery life is the honest constraint
The weak spot by level is the 53 Wh battery, which sits 16% below the category median and translates to shorter unplugged runtimes than most ultrabook peers. Note that the Firefly is the thin-and-light ZBook line — it carries the workstation badge but does not have the ISV-certified dGPU of the larger ZBooks, so do not buy it expecting heavy CAD or 3D capability.
Depreciation tracking the class
From a base near $1400, the laptop has depreciated to $366 at roughly 8.9% per year, with a projected value around $304 in two years — a typical curve for a 2020 thin-and-light workstation.
Sits between pricier and cheaper peers
A slightly pricier option is the HP Elite c640 G3 Chromebook Enterprise ($385); cheaper alternatives include the HP Laptop 15-fc0102nr ($333) and Dell Inspiron 3593 ($326).
Bottom line
The ZBook Firefly 14 G8 is a strong pick for a memory- and CPU-bound professional — developer, analyst, or knowledge worker — who wants the ZBook build quality and a thin-and-light form factor without paying for a full mobile workstation. Battery life and the absence of an ISV-certified dGPU are honest constraints; buyers who need either should look at the larger ZBook lines instead.
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⭐ What stands out
-
memory capacity is higher than typical ultrabook class (+100%) (professional).
top 25% of its category -
CPU performance is higher than typical ultrabook class (+17%) (high tier).
top 25% of its category -
overall performance is higher than typical ultrabook class (+16%) (mid).
above class average
🔁 Alternatives
Compromise axis: build quality ↔ overall performance
⚙️ Configuration analysis
Top configuration handles modern AAA games at high settings, video editing, and heavy multitasking.
🤔 How to choose
Universal advice for any use case.
- Reliability vs price: reliability (median 51) ↔ price (median 373.2).
- Weight vs CPU: mobility (median 64) ↔ overall performance (median 41.7).
- Upgradeability vs battery: upgradability (median 50) ↔ battery life (median 4.4).
ZBook Firefly 14 G8: verdict
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