HP builds HP Z2 Mini G1a micro desktop workstation and HP ZBook Ultra G1a mobile workstation around new single chip processor
HP has launched two new workstations built around the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO, a new single chip processor with up to 16 ‘desktop-class’ Zen 5 CPU cores, RDNA 3.5 integrated GPU, and an integrated XDNA 2 Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for AI.
Both the HP Z2 Mini G1a desktop workstation and 14-inch HP ZBook Ultra G1a mobile workstation support up to 128 GB of unified 8000MT/s LPDDR5X memory of which 96 GB can be assigned exclusively to the GPU. As HP points out, this is the equivalent to the VRAM in two high-end desktop-class GPUs.
According to AMD, having access to large amounts of memory allows the processor to handle ‘incredibly large, high-precision AI workloads’, referencing the ability to run a 70-billion parameter large language model (LLM) 2.2 times faster than a 24 GB Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 GPU.
By embracing the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO platform, HP has positioned itself as the only major workstation OEM to offer this processor across both mobile and desktop workstations
HP ZBook Ultra G1a mobile workstation
HP is touting the HP ZBook Ultra G1a as the world’s most powerful 14-inch mobile workstation. It offers noteworthy upgrades over other 14-inch models, including double the number of CPU cores, double the system memory, and substantially improved graphics.
When compared to the considerably larger and heavier 16-inch HP ZBook Power G11A—equipped with an AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS processor and Nvidia RTX 3000 Ada laptop GPU—HP claims the HP ZBook Ultra G1a with an AMD Ryzen AI Max Pro 395 processor and Radeon 8060S GPU, delivers significant performance gains. These include 114% faster CPU rendering in Solidworks and 26% faster performance in an Autodesk 3ds Max graphics benchmark.
The HP ZBook Ultra G1a isn’t just about performance. HP claims it’s the thinnest ZBook ever, just 18.5mm thick and weighing as little as 1.50kg. The HP Vaporforce thermal system incorporates a vapour chamber with large dual turbo fans, expanded rear ventilation, and a newly designed hinge that improves airflow. According to HP, this design boosts performance while keeping surface temperatures cooler and fan noise quieter.
HP is expecting up to 14 hours of battery life from the HP XL-Long Life 4-cell, 74.5 Wh polymer battery. The device is paired with either a 100 W or 140 W USB Type-C slim adapter for charging.
For video conferencing, the laptop features a 5 MP IR camera with Poly Camera Pro software. Advanced features like AutoFrame, Spotlight, Background Blur, and virtual backgrounds are all powered by the 50 TOPS NPU, optimising power efficiency.
Additional highlights include a range of display options, with the top-tier configuration offering a 2,880 x 1,800 OLED panel (400 nits brightness, 100% DCI-P3 colour gamut), HP Onlooker detection that automatically blurs the screen if it detects that someone is peaking over your shoulder, up to 4 TB of NVMe TLC SSD storage, and support for Wi-Fi 7.
HP Z2 Mini G1a desktop workstation
HP is billing the HP Z2 Mini G1a as the world’s most powerful mini workstation, claiming that it can tackle the same workflows that previously required a much larger desktop workstation. On paper, much of this claim appears to be down to the amount of memory the GPU can address as HP’s Intel-based equivalent, the HP Z2 Mini G9, is limited to low profile GPUs, up to the 20 GB Nvidia RTX 4000 SFF Ada Generation.
The HP Z2 Mini G1a also supports slightly more system memory than the HP Z2 Mini G9 (128 GB vs 96 GB), although some of that memory will need to be allocated to the GPU. System memory in the HP Z2 Mini G1a is also significantly faster (8,000 MT/s vs 5,600 MT/s), which will benefit certain memory intensive workflows in areas including simulation and reality modelling.
While the HP Z2 Mini G9 can support CPUs with a similar number of cores – up to the Intel Core i9-13900K (8 P-cores and 16 E-cores), our past tests have shown that multi-core frequencies drop considerably under heavy sustained loads. It will be interesting to see if the energy-efficient AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO processor can maintain higher clock speeds across its 16-cores.
Perhaps the most compelling use case of the HP Z2 Mini G1a will be when multiple units are deployed in a rack, as a centralised remote workstation resource.
With the HP Z2 Mini G9, both the power supply and the HP Anyware Remote System Controller, which provides remote ‘lights out’ management capabilities, were external. With the new HP Z2 Mini G1a both pieces of hardware are fully integrated in the slightly smaller chassis, which should help increase density and airflow.
The HP ZBook Ultra G1a and HP Z2 Mini G1a are expected to be available on HP.com/z in spring of 2025. Pricing will be announced closer to availability.
What DEVELOP3D thinks
AMD has emerged as a formidable competitor to Intel in the workstation space, starting with its high-end Threadripper Pro processors. While HP was initially slow to adopt AMD’s platform—it was the last major workstation OEM to launch a Threadripper Pro workstation —it appears determined not to repeat this mistake.
By embracing the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO platform, HP has positioned itself as the only major workstation OEM to offer this processor across both mobile and desktop workstations. It will be interesting to see if Dell and Lenovo follow suit as the technology matures.
While the CPU performance of these AMD-based systems looks promising, especially on mobile, thanks to lots of energy efficient cores, HP faces significant challenges on the graphics front. Some AEC-focused ISVs (Independent Software Vendors) currently have select features that only run on Nvidia GPUs, and AMD still has work to do in optimising its graphics drivers for some professional applications. Similarly, while there appears to be huge potential for demanding AI workloads, with the GPU able to access huge amounts of memory, software compatibility will play a critical role in the success of these systems, with Nvidia currently dominating the AI space.
Despite these hurdles, the new workstations offer exciting potential. For them to achieve widespread adoption, software ecosystems must evolve to ensure widespread compatibility and optimisation across key applications.
Learn more about the AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO in this DEVELOP3D article
