KitGuru started strongly with Intel Panther Lake when we reviewed the 2026 version of Asus Zenbook Duo, however the price was rather steep at £2,500. Today we are reviewing an MSI Prestige that should offer most of the performance we saw in the Zenbook Duo while simultaneously saving £1,000 on the cost. That sounds amazing!

Time stamps

00:00 Start
00:42 Panther Lake recap
03:40 Some specs / connectivity / ports
05:49 Battery / Charger / Weight
06:01 Comparisons – port speeds
07:28 OLED panel
08:01 Geekbench 6
08:28 Cinebench 2026
08:59 Points Per Watt
09:12 7ZIP Benchmark
09:28 Aida 64 Memory Bandwidth
09:58 Assassins Creed Mirage
10:47 Cyberpunk 2077
11:34 PC Mark 10 Battery Test
12:09 Keyboard
12:32 Pricing
14:00 Closing Thoughts

Specification:

CPU Intel Core Ultra X7 358H, 16 cores (4 P-cores + 8 E-cores + 4 Low Power E-cores), 16 threads, up to 4.8GHz, 18MB cache, up to 50 NPU TOPS
Display 14-inch, 16:10, 1920 x 1200, OLED, glossy, non-touch
Graphics Intel Arc B390 GPU
Memory 32GB LPDDR5x DDR5-8533
Storage 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe Gen4
Webcam IR FHD (1080p) webcam with HDR, 3DNR+, 3-mic array
Wireless Killer Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth v6
Audio 2x 2W Speaker, 2x 2W Woofer

I/O Ports
Left side: 2x Thunderbolt 4 USB-C with DisplayPort and 100W charging, HDMI 2.1
Right side: 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen2, 3.5mm headset jack

Battery 4-Cell 81Whr
Power adapter 65W PD adapter
Dimensions (WxDxH) 315.6mm x 221.9mm x 11.9-13.9 mm
Weight 1.3kg + 200g for power adapter
OS Windows 11 Pro

Performance and Testing

Geekbench 6 Multi Core

In Geekbench 6 Multi Core the MSI does a decent job and is only a few percent behind the new Zenbook Duo and hugely expensive HP Zbook Ultra G1a. This gives us confidence the Intel Core Ultra X7 358H has decent all-round performance.

Cinebench 2026 Multi Core

Cinebench 2026 Multi Core shows the difference between the Core Ultra X9 388H and Core Ultra X7 358H, which boils down to power draw and clock speed. The Core Ultra X7 in the MSI does a good job but the Core Ultra X9 is more impressive.

Assassin's Creed Mirage at 1,920×1,200 with XeSS Frame Generation

We show a few gaming graphs in our video but this one of Assassin's Creed Mirage at 1,920×1,200 with XeSS Frame Generation tells an important tale. The Asus Zenbook Duo with Core Ultra X9 sneaks past the 60fps mark to deliver a tolerable gaming experience while the MSI cannot quite make it to 50fps. When you consider these two laptops have the same number of CPU cores and the same graphics, we can see the importance of power and clock speed.

Battery Life

Intel has done a superb job with the battery life of their new Panther Lake laptop chips. The MSI impressed us hugely when the battery kept going and going, nearly matching the Zenbook Duo which comes equipped with two batteries.

Closing Thoughts

The MSI Prestige 14 AI+ is a conventional 14-inch laptop that is pleasingly thin and light. The main point of interest is the brand new Intel Core Ultra X7 358H processor with B390 graphics, and as we explain in our video this is very close to the top tier of Panther Lake silicon. It came as something of a surprise in our testing when we saw the impact of lower power draw and lower clock speeds that differentiate the Core Ultra X7 from Core Ultra X9.

One area of unalloyed good news is the battery life which runs for more than 22 hours of solid work. If you just want to watch videos we are confident it will last two days, this means you could take the laptop on a short holiday and leave the charger at home. The other features of the MSI Prestige 14 AI+ are all fine, which means our major gripe is that we expect this laptop will sell for more than £1,500.

We estimate the MSI Prestige 14 AI+ will sell for £1,550 inc VAT.

Pros

• Excellent battery life.
• Slender and lightweight chassis.
• Decent performance and a healthy improvement over Core Ultra 200.

Cons

• The OLED screen is adequate but unimpressive.
• Ports and connectors are rather close together.
• The price is fairly steep for a thin and light laptop.

KitGuru says: The MSI Prestige 14 AI+ is a decent everyday laptop that struggles when it comes to gaming.

The post MSI Prestige 14 AI+ Review (Intel Panther Lake Core Ultra X7) first appeared on KitGuru.

HP has announced the HP Limited Edition Scuderia Ferrari AI PC, a limited-edition laptop, with less than 5000 numbered units being made in total. The laptop will also have limited regional availability, with much of the stock being allocated to the US, UK, Germany and Italy. 

Under the hood, the laptop features an Intel Core Ultra X7 358H processor and Intel Arc B390 graphics, along with 64GB of RAM, Windows 11 Pro, and a suite of connectivity options, including an HDMI 2.1 port, 2x Thunderbolt 4 ports with USB‑C (40 Gbps, DisplayPort 2.1), a USB‑C port (10 Gbps, DisplayPort 1.4), a USB‑A port (5 Gbps), and a 3.5mm audio/microphone combo jack.

Visuals are handled by a 3K Tandem OLED+ touch display with a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 700 nits of brightness. To keep the hardware cool, the chassis integrates over 2,000 calibrated micro-perforations alongside a CNC 3D vent design for optimised airflow.

The chassis is constructed from CNC-precision-milled aluminium with a bead-blasted zirconium surface in Rosso Magma finish. HP opted for a semi-transparent design on the bottom surface, combining carbon fibre and glass to leave the cooling system visible. The device also has a full glass palm rest and a haptic touchpad boundary that illuminates on contact. HP Wolf Security provides enterprise-grade protection, and each unit ships with a Poltrona Frau leather sleeve made in Italy.

KitGuru says: At $5,599, this limited edition laptop is clearly aimed at collectors and Ferrari enthusiasts rather than mainstream buyers.

The post HP reveals limited edition Scuderia Ferrari AI PC featuring Intel Core Ultra X7 first appeared on KitGuru.

Acer has expanded its laptop lineup with the introduction of the Swift Spin 14 AI and the Aspire Go 15. The premium Swift Spin 14 AI model integrates Snapdragon X2 Elite or Snapdragon X2 Plus processors, while the mainstream Aspire Go 15 marks the market debut of the entry-level Snapdragon C platform.

The Swift Spin 14 AI features a 2-in-1 convertible design with a 360-degree hinge, housed in an aluminum casing finished in cobalt blue. The processing core features an integrated NPU delivering 80 TOPS for local AI execution alongside an Adreno GPU with DirectX 12.2 hardware-accelerated ray tracing. Hardware configurations support up to 32GB of LPDDR5X memory and up to 1TB of SSD storage. The device is equipped with a 14-inch WUXGA IPS touch-enabled glass screen, bundled with a Wacom AES 2.0-based Acer Active Stylus 420, which sits inside an integrated charging garage. Acer specifies up to 23 hours of video playback battery life, supported by up to 100W fast charging via a USB4 Type-C interface.

Additional hardware features include a 5MP IR webcam with automated Windows Hello facial login, Acer PurifiedView video effects, and a triple-microphone array paired with PurifiedVoice AI noise cancellation. Audio output uses dual speakers with DTS:X Ultra and Snapdragon Sound wireless technology, while connectivity options include Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, dual USB Type-C, dual USB Type-A, and HDMI 2.1. The software configuration qualifies as a Windows 11 Copilot+ PC, integrating context-aware features such as Click-to-Do, AcerSense monitoring utility, and a programmable Acer My Key hotkey.

The budget oriented Aspire Go 15 scales down to the new Snapdragon C processor architecture to drive basic computing tasks in a quiet, fanless configuration. The specifications include a 15.6-inch display with narrow bezels, up to 8GB of system memory, and 512GB of storage. External connectivity options provide dual full-function USB Type-C ports, a native HDMI output, and Wi-Fi 6E wireless support. The chassis structure is built from post-consumer recycled plastics and packaged in 100% recyclable materials, meeting Energy Star and EPEAT certification requirements.

The Acer Swift Spin 14 AI is scheduled to launch in EMEA markets in July 2026, followed by a US release in August 2026 and an Australian rollout later in Q3.

KitGuru says: Interested in any of Acer's new Snapdragon-powered laptops?

The post Acer details new Swift Spin 14 AI and Snapdragon-powered Aspire Go 15 first appeared on KitGuru.

Razer has introduced the 2026 revision of the Razer Blade 18, offering desktop-class performance for both gaming and apparently AI too. As you would expect, under the hood of this you will find a high-end Intel Core Ultra CPU, paired with RTX 50 graphics.

The Blade 18 can be configured with an Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus processor and up to an RTX 5090 Laptop GPU running at 175W, with 24GB of VRAM available on higher‑end models. Razer says the system is designed to sustain performance during long AI and creative workloads, supported by an updated vapor‑chamber cooling system and a multi‑fan layout. The laptop also includes an integrated NPU for offloading lighter AI tasks and improving efficiency.

Razer highlights measurable gains in AI throughput compared to previous‑generation systems, claiming up to 37% faster LLM inference and significantly higher token generation rates when running models locally. The company also reports up to 2.2× faster image generation in generative AI workflows relative to comparable laptops.

The Blade 18 features a refreshed 18‑inch dual‑mode display, allowing users to switch between UHD+ 240Hz for detailed creative work and FHD+ 440Hz for competitive gaming. Connectivity includes Thunderbolt 5, Wi‑Fi 7, HDMI 2.1, 2.5Gb Ethernet, and an SD card reader. A six‑speaker array with THX Spatial Audio+ and a 5MP IR webcam round out the multimedia features.

The 2026 Razer Blade 18 starts at £3599.99.

KitGuru Says: Have you ever used a Razer Blade before? Were you impressed with it? Was it worth the price tag?

The post Razer refreshes Blade 18 with up to Core Ultra 9 290HX and RTX 5090 first appeared on KitGuru.

Google has announced Googlebook, a new category of laptops designed to succeed the Chromebook by integrating Android and ChromeOS into a single operating system. Revealed during “The Android Show: I/O Edition”, these laptops are built around Gemini Intelligence and feature premium hardware specifications from partners including Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, and Lenovo.

The headline feature of the Googlebook is the Magic Pointer, a collaborative effort with the Google DeepMind team. This redesigned cursor triggers Gemini-powered contextual suggestions when “wiggled” or hovered over screen elements. Examples provided by Google include automatically generating calendar invites from email text or visualising furniture placement by selecting multiple images.

Software integration includes “Create Your Widget”, allowing users to generate custom desktop dashboards via natural language prompts that pull data from the web, Gmail, and Calendar. The new OS also enables “Cast my Apps”, a feature that allows users to run and control Android phone apps directly on the laptop screen. Furthermore, “Quick Access” provides native file browser integration with connected Android smartphones, eliminating the need for manual file transfers.

Google confirmed that all Googlebook devices will feature a distinctive “glowbar” on the lid, a functional lighting element intended to signal the platform's identity. While specific processor and memory specifications were not detailed, Google stated the laptops will use premium materials and hit retail shelves in fall 2026. Official hardware reveals are expected at the upcoming Google I/O conference.

KitGuru says: Do you think Googlebooks will have a bigger impact than Chromebooks?

The post Google announces Googlebook, the Gemini-powered successor to Chromebooks first appeared on KitGuru.

Apple products aren’t something we usually cover here at KitGuru, but when the MacBook Neo was announced as the cheapest MacBook ever, it certainly caught my eye. As a lifelong PC user and enthusiast, I was particularly curious to know exactly how a budget laptop running a mobile processor with just 8GB of RAM would perform – but if, like me, you’re expecting it to be underwhelming – I think you might be in for a bit of a surprise…

Timestamps

00:00 Intro
00:50 Pricing and key info
01:41 Design first impressions
02:30 Keyboard + trackpad
03:12 Webcam and speaker test
04:42 Screen analysis
06:03 Performance testing
07:23 8GB RAM discussion
08:15 Can it game?
08:58 WiFi + thermal camera
09:26 Battery life
10:10 Closing thoughts

Specification

• Processor: Apple A18 Pro (6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency cores)
• Graphics: 5-core GPU with hardware-accelerated ray tracing
• Neural engine: 16-core Neural Engine
• Memory: 8GB unified memory
• Storage: 256GB or 512GB SSD
• Display: 13-inch Liquid Retina display (2408 x 1506), 500 nits brightness, 1 billion colours
• Pixel density: 219 PPI
• Media engine: Hardware-accelerated H.264, HEVC, ProRes and ProRes RAW; AV1 decode
• Camera: 1080p FaceTime HD
• Audio: Dual speakers with Spatial Audio support; dual microphone array
• Wireless: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth
• Ports: 2x USB-C (USB 3 / USB 2 mix), 3.5mm headphone jack
• Battery life: Up to 16 hours
• Keyboard: Magic Keyboard with multi-touch trackpad
• Security: Touch ID (on select configurations)
• Operating system: macOS
• Colours: Silver, Indigo, Blush, Citrus
• Dimensions: approx. 297.5 x 206.4 x 12.7 mm
• Weight: approx. 1.23 kg

You can buy the MacBook Neo directly from Apple HERE. The 256GB model is £599, while the 512GB model (with Touch ID) is £699. Education discount is also available for £100 off HERE.

Pros

• Beautiful aluminium body.
• Bright and accurate screen.
• A18 Pro gets the job done with ease for light tasks.
• Solid battery life.
• MacOS is as good as ever.
• Keyboard and trackpad perform well.
• Speakers offer good clarity considering it's just a pair of side-firing drivers.
• Very good value, especially if you get the education discount.

Cons

• More memory would be welcome.
• Just two USB-C ports, one of which is USB 2.0, and neither have MagSafe.
• Webcam is passable but not super high quality.
• Keyboard isn't backlit.

KitGuru says: Apple's MacBook Neo is an impressively well-rounded laptop considering the asking price. It's not designed for the power user, but if you want something that just works for general use, this is a great option.

The post Apple MacBook Neo Review first appeared on KitGuru.

Acer has refreshed its Predator Helios Neo lineup with three new gaming laptops built around Intel’s Core Ultra 200HX Plus processors. Acer has also upgraded the gaming grunt that these laptops provide with the addition of an RTX 5080 laptop GPU. The updated 16‑inch and 18‑inch models focus on high‑end performance, while the new 16S variant offers a slimmer, more portable option.

The Predator Helios Neo 16S AI is the thinnest model, measuring in at under 18.9mm thick. It supports up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus and an RTX 5080 Laptop GPU, paired with a 240Hz WQXGA OLED HDR display with 1ms response time and 100% DCI‑P3 coverage. Cooling is handled by a Predator AeroBlade 3D fan and liquid metal thermal grease to maintain performance in the compact chassis. The standard Predator Helios Neo 16 AI offers the same CPU and GPU options but adds a more robust thermal setup with AeroBlade 3D cooling, liquid metal and vector heat pipes.

The Predator Helios Neo 18 AI is the option for those who require a larger display, offering an 18‑inch WQXGA screen with a 240Hz refresh rate and 100% DCI‑P3 coverage. It introduces Acer’s new Ambient Contrast Ratio film, designed to reduce glare and improve contrast in bright environments. Cooling again uses AeroBlade 3D fans, liquid metal and vector heat pipes to sustain top‑end performance. As for the core hardware, it offers the same Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus and RTX 5080 as its smaller sibling.

All three laptops include Acer’s AI‑driven PredatorSense controls for performance tuning, RGB lighting and fan management. Acer PurifiedVoice and PurifiedView use AI for noise reduction and improved video quality, while Acer Intelligence Space adds tools such as Game Assistant and ProCam for gameplay support and automatic clip capture.

All three of Acer's newly refreshed laptop models will be available in Europe starting in June.

Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.

KitGuru Says: Are you planning on buying a new gaming laptop this year? Will you be going with an Acer model?

The post Acer refreshes Predator Neo gaming laptops with Core Ultra 200HX Plus CPUs and RTX 5080 graphics first appeared on KitGuru.

We first saw the new Intel Panther Lake laptop chip in action at their event in Arizona last October, and today we can review the finished result. This 2026 Asus Zenbook Duo packs the most grunty Panther Lake of them all, the Core Ultra X9 388H. The hardware includes 16 CPU cores and 12 Xe3 graphics cores but the headline feature is the Duo part of the name which refers to the dual 14-inch OLED screens. As you will see, it is pretty nifty.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro
01:11 Meet the Duo!
02:02 Duo-screen basics and functionality
05:16 The quirks of the design
06:16 Core spec
07:25 CPU benchmark results
10:40 System test results
10:10 Game benchmarks
15:07 We’ve not taken it apart…
15:44 Dual batteries – does that explain benchmark curiosities?
17:04 Leo’s pros and cons

Features

• The most compact Zenbook Duo ever with new hideaway hinge design and nearly 20-inches expansive view.
• Perfect for mobile multitasker to enjoy professional-grade viewing: Dual 14-inch 3K 144Hz Asus Lumina Pro OLEDs, 1000 nits touchscreen display. Anti-reflection clarity outdoors.
• Lightweight mobile studio provides peak performance of up to Intel Core Ultra X9 Series 3 with discrete-level GPU acceleration, unlocking exceptional power for AI, rendering, and gaming on the go.
• Dual-screen laptop with 18+ hour battery life.
• From Ceraluminum chassis, hinge, kickstand to the screens, setting the gold standard for durability in portable computing.
• Versatile modes with intuitive smart gesture control. Asus Pen 3.0 support.

Specification

• Processor: Intel Core Ultra X9 Processor 388H (4x P-cores, 8x E-cores, 4x LP-cores)
• Graphics: Intel Arc B390
• Neural processor: Intel NPU (up to 50 TOPS)
• Display: 14.0-inch, 3K (2880 x 1800) OLED, 16:10, 0.2ms response time, 144Hz refresh rate, 500 nits typical, 1000 nits HDR peak
• Memory: 32GB LPDDR5X 9600MT/s (onboard)
• Storage: 1TB Samsung PM9C1b M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD
• Ports (left side):
  • 1x HDMI 2.1
  • 1x Thunderbolt 4 (40Gbps, display and power delivery)
  • 1x Headset jack
• Ports (right side):
  • 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A (10Gbps)
  • 1x Thunderbolt 4 (40Gbps, display and power delivery)
• Keyboard & touchpad: Soft keyboard, 1.7mm key travel, Precision touchpad
• Camera: FHD camera with IR (Windows Hello support)
• Audio: Built-in array microphone with Cortana support
• Network: Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
• Battery: 99Wh, 4S1P, 4-cell Li-ion
• Power supply: 100W USB Type-C
• Dimensions: 31 cm (W) x 21 cm (D) x 2.3 cm (H)
• Weight: 1.68 kg (plus 0.48 kg charger and mains cable)
• Operating system: Windows 11 Home

Testing and Performance

Geekbench 6 Multi Core

in Geekbench 6 Multi Core we see the Asus Zenbook Duo performing well, with the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H some 30% ahead of the previous Core Ultra 9 285H.

Cinebennch 2026 Multi Core

It is a slightly different story in Cinebench 2026 Multi Core where we again see the new Intel Panther Lake wreck the previous Lunar Lake, however the top honours go to AMD with the mighty Strix Halo in the HP Zbook Ultra G1a.

Cinebench 2026 Multi Core points per Watt

Our Cinebench 2026 power efficiency calculation shows the amazing efficiency of Intel's new Core Ultra X9 388H which has good performance and very low power draw.

Far Cry 6 at 2,880×1,800 with FSR Performance Mode

In Far Cry 6 at the massive resolution of 2,880×1,800 running on the Ultra preset we used the FSR Performance Mode and saw average frame rates north of 70fps. This is remarkable performance from Intel's latest iGPU and it looks great on the Asus OLED screen.

Cyberpunk 2077 at 1,920×1,200 with Frame Gen Enabled

Cyberpunk 2077 is a stiff test with the Ultra preset, but running at 1,920×1,200 with Frame Gen Enabled we saw excellent frame rates from the Asus Zenbook Duo. Having said that, the HP Zbook Ultra G1a smashed it out of the park.

Battery Life

Battery life is a critical aspect of a laptop and the new Zenbook Duo does monumentally well, running for just under 24 hours. This is a superb testament to both Asus and Intel.

Closing Thoughts

The changes made by Asus to the 2026 version of Zenbook Duo are very good and we love the way the dual OLED screens almost merge into one display. As an added bonus the 2026 laptop is notably more compact than previous versions, and this approach to packing two full sized 14-inch displays into a fairly regular laptop demonstrates some impressive engineering by Asus.

The new Intel Core Ultra X9 388H is an impressive piece of silicon and our first impressions mark the Intel 18A process as a success. The CPU part of the chip has decent performance and requires very little power. In addition the 12x Xe3 graphics core delivers sufficient performance for daily use as well as serious gaming sessions.

You can buy the Asus Zenbook Duo UX8407A for £2,499.99 HERE

Pros:

• The dual 14-inch OLED screens are superb.
• Battery life is monumental.
• Intel 12x Xe3 graphics are impressive.
• Intel Panther Lake CPU is good.

Cons:

• Zenbook Duo is somewhat chunky and slightly heavy.
• Price is high.
• Ports and connectors are rather close together.

KitGuru says: The latest version of Asus Zenbook Duo comes with Intel Core Ultra X9 and delivers a superb experience. 

The post Asus Zenbook Duo UX8407 Review (Dual OLED!) first appeared on KitGuru.

Our review of this HP Zbook Ultra G1a features the AMD Strix Halo APU which was announced at CES 2025. Despite its age this is the most powerful APU that money can buy, and both the CPU and graphics are truly impressive. To make things interesting we put the HP laptop head-to-head with Intel’s brand new Panther Lake Core Ultra X9 388H so we could see the best integrated graphics in action.

Timestamps

00:00 Start
00:52 AMD Ryzen AI Max+ Series
03:36 Intel Core Ultra Series 3 thoughts
04:19 A quick test or 2
06:32 Physical Size / Battery
07:37 Connectors / Keyboard / Looks
08:33 Hardware
09:17 Comparisons and Performance Hardware
11:13 GeekBench 6 Multi Core
13:20 Geekbench 6 Single Core
13:53 Cinebench 2026 Multi Core / Points Per watt
14:44 Cinebench 2026 Single Core
15:24 Cinebench 2024 Multi Core
15:54 Cinebench 2024 Single Core
16:15 Cinebench R23 Multi Core
16:34 Cinebench R23 Single Core
16:44 7-Zip V25 Benchmark
16:56 Aida64 Memory Bandwidth
17:09 3DMark Fire Strike
17:52 Assassins Creed Mirage
19:57 FarCry 6
21:48 Cyberpunk 2077
24:21 PCMark 10 Battery Test
25:05 Closing Thoughts

Main Features

• PRO Processor: Take charge of your work with the latest AMD Ryzen AI MAX processors, delivering cutting-edge CPU capabilities.
• Integrated graphics: Experience ultra-powered performance, power through AI demanding workflows with AMD Radeon graphics and dedicated AI accelerators.
• LPDDR5X-8533 MT/s Memory: Up to 128GB of memory. The unified memory architecture allows you to allocate up to 96GB of memory exclusively to the GPU.
• Impressive expandability: Blitz through multiple tasks and ditch external drives with slots for up to 4TB local storage.
• Up to 50 TOPS: Ensure smooth and responsive operation, tackle more and more demanding tasks, with the power to run AI locally.
• All day battery life: Maximise your productivity with a long-lasting battery life, with HP Fast Charge reaching up to 50% in only 30 mins.
• HP Smart Sense: Optimise your comfort and performance with an AI tool that adapts to your use. Adjust fan noise, conserve energy, and regulate CPU temperature for an optimal PC experience.
• HP AI Companion: Enhance your productivity with a range of AI tools and solutions designed to simplify your daily tasks and keep you efficient throughout the day.

Specification

• Processor: AMD Ryzen AI Max+ PRO 395 (up to 5.1 GHz max boost clock, 64 MB L3 cache, 16 cores, 32 threads)
• Integrated graphics: AMD Radeon 8060S (40 cores, 32GB memory)
• Neural processing unit: AMD Ryzen AI (50 NPU TOPS)
• Memory: 128GB LPDDR5x-8533 MT/s (onboard)
• Display: 14-inch touchscreen, 2.8K (2880 x 1800), OLED, 120Hz, 400 nits, 100% DCI-P3
• Internal storage: 2TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe TLC SSD
• Wireless: MediaTek Wi-Fi 7 MT7925 (2×2) and Bluetooth 5.4
• Ports (left side):
  • 1x USB Type-C 10Gbps (USB Power Delivery, DisplayPort 2.1)
  • 1x HDMI 2.1
  • 1x Headphone/microphone combo
  • 1x Thunderbolt 4 (USB Type-C 40Gbps, DisplayPort 2.1)
• Ports (right side):
  • 1x USB Type-A 10Gbps
  • 1x Thunderbolt 4 (USB Type-C 40Gbps, DisplayPort 2.1)
  • Kensington lock slot
• Camera: 5MP IR
• Audio: Poly Studio; 4 integrated stereo speakers (1W / 8 ohm per speaker) with discrete amplifiers; 2 integrated dual-array digital microphones
• Dimensions: 31.2 cm (W) x 21.5 cm (D) x 1.8 cm (H)
• Weight: 1.58 kg (plus 0.53 kg charger)
• Power adapter: 140W USB Type-C
• Battery: HP XL-Long Life 4-cell, 74.5Wh polymer
• Operating system: Windows 11 Pro

Testing and Performance

Geekbench 6 Multi Core

In Geekbench 6 Multi Core we see the HP Zbook in an effective tie with the Asus Zenbook Duo and Intel Panther Lake. This indicates that Core Ultra X9 388H has something extra that makes up for the lack of pure CPU grunt.

Cinebench 2026 Multi Core

This is the result we expected in Cinebench 2026 Multi Core with the AMD Strix Halo powering the HP Zbook to a clear victory by a massive margin.

AIDA64 Memory Bandwidth

The HP Zbook  is loaded with a massive 128GB of LPDDR5x-8533 and the Strix Halo has a quad channnel memory controller which combine in AIDA64 Memory Bandwidth to deliver a decisive victory.

Far Cry 6 at 1,280×800 on Ultra Preset

We show a number of gaming tests in our video. This particular test shows a low resolution with the clever image enhancements disabled, and the result is the HP Zbook runs at over 100fps on average which is impressive.

Cyberpunk 2077 at 2,880×1,800 with Frame Generation Enabled

Cyberpunk 2077 is a stiff test for any laptop and 2,880×1,800 is a huge resolution so it comes as quite a surprise to see the HP Zbook using Frame Generation to play at nearly 100fps.

Battery Life

The HP Zbook does well in our battery test and shows that you can work all day on a single battery charge. Having said that, you will want to take the charger with you to guarantee you get maximum performance.

Closing Thoughts

If KitGuru were to invent an award for Most Stealthy and Under Stated Product Ever, the HP Zbook Ultra G1a would make the list and would likely win the award. It looks like a dull, grey 14-inch laptop that is thin and light yet it packs the most amazing punch and delivers epic performance from the AMD Strix Halo APU without any need for add-in graphics.

You may have noticed in our video that we barely discuss operating temperatures and don't mention noise levels at all, and that is for good reason. The innards typically run at 60 degrees C on battery and 70 degrees C on charger, and the cooling system wasn't the least bit intrusive. It is a remarkable laptop that is mainly held back by its hefty £3k+ price tag and slightly affected by the annoying amount of HP software.

You can buy the HP Zbook Ultra G1a for £3,204 HERE.

Pros:

• Epic CPU and GPU performance from AMD AI Max+ PRO 395.
• Impressive battery life for a mobile workstation.
• Compact form factor that is highly portable.
• Huge memory bandwidth from quad channel DDR5.

Cons:

• Very expensive.
• 3rd party monitoring utilities continue to be confused by AMD APUs.
• HP includes a number of pieces of software instead of a single utility.

KitGuru says: The HP Zbook Ultra G1a is deeply impressive and shows we can live without Nvidia graphics.

The post HP Zbook Ultra G1a Review (Strix Halo) first appeared on KitGuru.