HP ZBook Firefly Review - Daily Driver

Most people who don't need to create content or run complex simulations on the fly tend to look for a compact laptop that’s reasonably fast and doesn’t weigh as much as a small hill. If it looks good too, that’s a bonus. This is exactly the market HP seems to be targeting with the ZBook Firefly. So, I tested it to see how well it handles day-to-day tasks and whether it can be an easy recommendation.

The Z logo embossed on the matte grey surface looks clean and understated, though some might be disappointed that it isn’t backlit. The laptop features rounded edges that not only enhance its visual appeal but also make it more comfortable to hold. In terms of connectivity, you get a USB Type-A port on each side, while the right side also houses two USB Type-C ports and an HDMI port. The headphone jack sits on the left. These options should be sufficient for most users, and I don’t think there is anything lacking in terms of connectivity.

The Firefly’s B&O speakers deliver surprisingly good sound, but the 14-inch display is a bit underwhelming. With a resolution of 1920x1200 pixels, the screen is just average. While it handles web browsing and Excel sheets adequately, you’ll likely notice its limitations when watching high-quality videos or movies.

On the usability front, the large trackpad and well-sized keys make for a comfortable experience. The backlit keyboard is a welcome addition for working in low-light settings, and the key travel, while minimal, feels satisfying. The Firefly ships with Windows 11 pre-installed and includes Microsoft Office, adding extra value to the package.

Our test unit was powered by the Intel Core i5-1235U, which is perfectly adequate for everyday tasks. It features a total of 10 cores – eight efficiency cores and two performance cores – with support for Hyper-Threading, bringing the thread count to 12. The system includes two DDR5 RAM slots, and our review unit came with a single 16GB stick running at 4,800 MT/s. For most productivity workloads – like editing Word documents, creating presentations, or even light photo and video editing – 16GB is more than sufficient. And if you ever need more memory, there’s an empty slot available to bump it up to 32GB.

It’s also nice to see HP include a 512GB SSD, striking a good balance between storage space and speed.

Unfortunately, the laptop lacks a dedicated GPU, which limits its potential for heavier workloads. If you’re hoping to do some light gaming on the side, this won’t be the right pick. While the CPU can handle some video editing, tasks like timeline scrubbing and rendering are noticeably slower without a discrete graphics card. Given the price point, a dedicated GPU – even a modest one – would have added significant value.

Battery life on the HP ZBook Firefly is serviceable, offering around 3 to 3.5 hours of use without needing a charger. I expected better efficiency, especially given the laptop’s focus on portability and productivity. On the plus side, HP includes a 65W USB Type-C charger in the box. It’s reasonably fast and adds convenience, especially since you can top up the laptop with any compatible Type-C charger if you happen to leave the original one behind.

The ZBook Firefly is clearly aimed at office professionals who need a slim, lightweight laptop that’s powerful enough for everyday tasks. Its compact footprint makes it easy to carry, and the understated design is easy on the eyes. While it has just enough performance for routine work, the underwhelming battery life and lack of a dedicated GPU are noticeable compromises. At a price point of just over ₹70,000, the ZBook Firefly doesn’t offer quite enough to be an easy recommendation, especially when there are competing options that deliver better value for money.