HP is a company that makes printers, desktops, and laptops. What is occasionally forgotten is HP’s line of professional-grade workstations. While some may think a workstation and a PC are the same exact thing, there are different design choices involved. HP’s workstations are well-regarded; maybe even a bit more than the PCs.
The first time I saw the Z1, I thought it was just an all-in-one PC. A gorgeous AIO, but a PC. The HP rep was quick to disabuse me of my assumption. This, he said, was a workstation. Nor was the all-in-one design anything that you could describe as “just.”
First Impressions
Do you believe in lust at first site? When initially laying eyes on the Z1, it wasn’t in the typical configuration, but flat on it’s back and wide open.
Just like that. Yes. Mmmm.
To say I was floored is putting it lightly. You see all those little bits? Those are user serviceable parts, something you almost never find in an all-in-one. The last time there was an AIO that was this easy to get into, it was the first revision of Apple’s G5 iMac. Apple swiftly corrected this by adding a slight curvature to the next refresh, making it a female dog to open. The HP Z1, on the other hand, can be splayed open. The hinge on the base gives you the ability to lay it flat, and then you simply have to pop the latches on the bottom and boom, up lifts the chassis complete with a hydraulic arm to keep it open. In reality, the latches are a bit harder to unlatch as I would like, but the insides are just as awesomely upgradable and swappable when used in-house as they were when I had a quick hands on.
Even when closed, the industrial design of the Z1 is top notch. There’s not a single thing I would call boring or unneeded. My review unit has sat on a table in my foyer, the only place where I have room for the massive 27″ IPS display, and has been a conversation starter with visitors. When’s the last time you had a computer that caught a non-techie’s eye?
One example of the attention to detail on the Z1: The wireless keyboard and mouse achieve connectivity by a dedicated dongle, not just Bluetooth. While that’s annoying at first, you’ll find a dedicated USB port inside the case. A nice touch, and one that you can use for a secure thumb drive if you so choose.
Not that there’s a shortage of USB ports.
The Software
The Z1 arrived loaded with Windows 7, which makes sense. Many popular computer assisted design (CAD) programs aren’t yet working on Windows 8. As I’m not a CAD user, I didn’t have any software to test on the Z1. However, average everyday software flies on this machine.
The Z1 also ships with SUSE Linux or with the software install disks for RedHat.
Workstations are fairly free of “value added” applications, and HP has spared the usual onslaught of third-party solutions. There’s a smattering of HP utilities, but nothing obnoxious. I’d love to see that come to the desktop lines.
Performance
When HP offered to send me the Z1, I asked for the lowest-end unit. HP insisted otherwise. Instead of the Core i3 or even Core i5 based model, I was sent a XEON based machine. This is more power than I or any other basic user conceivably need. I couldn’t get the benchmark software I use to run, but as an anecdotal testimony, I’ll say this: The Z1 is insanely powerful.
Think Silver Age Superman powerful.
In a massive switch from most all-in-ones, the Z1 offers a range of graphics cards. While the low-end model uses integrated Intel graphics (the HD 2000 or p3000), the others offer much more powerful, NVIDIA-made cards that can be swapped out like any other part of the Z1. The entry level card is the NVIDIA Q500M, followed by three mid-range options and two high-end choices, the Q4000M or K4000M. Assuming more cards come out that fit the Z1 chassis, there may be even more options down the line. This isn’t something typical for a system like this and means it may have longer shelf life than the average all-in-one, something a workstation user absolutely needs.
The 27″ display that the graphics card powers is stunning. The 2560 x 1400 resolution is jaw dropping, and the LED backlit IPS display is a joy to work on. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that the display system is also technically replaceable (not for the faint of heart). While it would be an utter waste of a tool to use this review unit as a multimedia center, video looks stunning on it. The internal sound system isn’t quite as amazing in my eyes, I mean ears, but it’s better than most integrated solutions. It’s better than the solution in my TV.
The Strengths
I don’t know if I gushed enough above. The Z1 is an amazing solution for someone who has a design- or rendering-based job and is tight on work space. Z1’s design is also perfect for a large shop environment, where IT might be concerned about a unit they can easily service.
The Weaknesses
The Z1’s power comes with three prices, the first one being actual price. This isn’t a cheap system by any stretch of the imagination. The second is heft. This is a heavy, heavy system.
Does this processor make my butt look big?
Finally, while the Z1 is serviceable, swappable, and upgradable, let’s not pretend that those parts will always be around. While some bits are standard, a few are specific to the Z1. A long-term investment in this model means keeping an awareness of the shelf life of all the parts.
Pricing & Availability
If the Z1 sounds like it interests you as an end user, I managed to find a used i3 model on Amazon for a little over a thousand dollars. That may be $800 off of the entry level unit on HP’s site, but keep in mind that it’s also a far cry from the specs on the unit I reviewed (although it would make for a swell media center).
For pricing of a particular unit, you need to contact the HP workstation team, who will gladly customize a unit to your own personal needs. The review unit we tested is valued somewhere in the $3,000 to $4,000 area. Normally, I would balk at such a price, but as a long-term business investment, I would have to say that it may very well be worth it.
Wrap Up
Frankly, the Z1 could have been a slow, ugly pain in the butt to use and I would still love it for the innovative chassis design and accessible innards. The feeling of elation I had on messing with this unit is the very techcitement that this site is named for. Strictly from an IT perspective, this machine’s design is a wet dream.
Would any workstation with similar specifications perform as well? Sure. You could likely find one that performs better at a slightly lower price. What you will be hard-pressed to find is any machine, workstation or desktop, that merges this level of computing power, elegant design, and repairability. My only wish is that HP would apply this design philosophy to the company’s largely uninspired consumer line.
If anyone needs me, I’ll be packing up the Z1 to return to HP. No, I’m not crying. It’s just something in my eye. Back off.
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