Hands-on with HP's ZBook 15u G2 ultrabook: in pictures

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A powerful Windows ultrabook, with a hefty pricetag

HP wants these notebooks in the hands of users of heavier professional apps: graphic design, engineering, and product development.
Read more: HP ZBook 15u G2 review

Published: February 27, 2015 -- 05:08 GMT (21:08 PST)
Photo by: ZDNet/CBS Interactive

Caption by: Zack Whittaker
Compared to a MacBook Air

The ZBook 15u G2 is thinner, lighter, and cheaper -- three important marked improvements on its sibling rival, the 15 G2. But it's no MacBook Air, nor is it an Acer Aspire S7, or a Lenovo ThinkPad Helix., or an HP Spectre 13.
Read more: HP ZBook 15u G2 review

Published: February 27, 2015 -- 05:08 GMT (21:08 PST)
Photo by: ZDNet/CBS Interactive

Caption by: Zack Whittaker
The keyboard is easy to type on. It also comes with a pointing stick embedded within the keys.
Read more: HP ZBook 15u G2 review

Published: February 27, 2015 -- 05:08 GMT (21:08 PST)
Photo by: ZDNet/CBS Interactive

Caption by: Zack Whittaker
Integrated 720p webcam

Embedded in the bezel around the edge of the screen is a 720p-resolution webcam (on select models) for video-calling on select models.
Read more: HP ZBook 15u G2 review

Published: February 27, 2015 -- 05:08 GMT (21:08 PST)
Photo by: ZDNet/CBS Interactive

Caption by: Zack Whittaker
Biometric security

HP's also included a swipe-over fingerprint reader, along with a trusted platform module (TPM) for secure booting.
Read more: HP ZBook 15u G2 review

Published: February 27, 2015 -- 05:08 GMT (21:08 PST)
Photo by: ZDNet/CBS Interactive

Caption by: Zack Whittaker
Speaker and ports

A speaker runs across the top of the keyboard. HP wants this ultrabook to be an entry-level media or entertainment device. It can do a lot more than that.
Read more: HP ZBook 15u G2 review

Published: February 27, 2015 -- 05:08 GMT (21:08 PST)
Photo by: ZDNet/CBS Interactive

Caption by: Zack Whittaker
Some legacy, some new ports

The slimmed-down notebook also comes with three USB 3.0 devices, one DisplayPort slot, an Ethernet connection, and a VGA output for legacy displays and projectors, and a smart card reader.
Read more: HP ZBook 15u G2 review

Published: February 27, 2015 -- 05:08 GMT (21:08 PST)
Photo by: ZDNet/CBS Interactive

Caption by: Zack Whittaker
Side ports, Windows downgrades

The ZBook 15u G2 comes Windows 8.1, but you can downgrade to Windows 7 Professional for those who need to run legacy apps.
Read more: HP ZBook 15u G2 review

Published: February 27, 2015 -- 05:08 GMT (21:08 PST)
Photo by: ZDNet/CBS Interactive

Caption by: Zack Whittaker
256GB solid-state drive

The operating system is markedly faster compared to similar ultrabooks, thanks in part to its solid-state drives.
Read more: HP ZBook 15u G2 review

Published: February 27, 2015 -- 05:08 GMT (21:08 PST)
Photo by: ZDNet/CBS Interactive

Caption by: Zack Whittaker
A solid Windows notebook

For the price you pay, this is a solid entry-level Windows workstation on-the-go.
Read more: HP ZBook 15u G2 review

Published: February 27, 2015 -- 05:08 GMT (21:08 PST)
Photo by: ZDNet/CBS Interactive

Caption by: Zack Whittaker

A walkthrough with this Windows-based ultrabook: it may be thicker and heavier than most other notebooks in its category, but it packs a powerful punch.