New article: Review of HP 255 G7, ProBook 455R G6, and EliteBook 735 G6 laptops powered by AMD Ryzen mobile processors

In 2019, every household had heard about Ryzen processors. Indeed, the chips based on the Zen architecture turned out to be very successful. The Ryzen 3000 desktop processor series is well-suited for building gaming systems as well as powerful workstations. We see that when it comes to AM4 and sTRX4 platforms, AMD has an advantage in almost all categories, as the 'red' platforms are more functional and offer better value in terms of 'price-performance'. Not surprisingly, AMD is also increasing its influence in the mobile computer market. Today, you'll get acquainted with three interesting HP laptops — perhaps the largest representative of the corporate computing segment.

⇡#HP Corporate Laptop Series

This review will discuss the HP laptops from the 255 G7, ProBook 455R G6, and EliteBook 735 G6 series. As we noted, all cases use AMD Ryzen mobile solutions. The main technical specifications of the series are presented in the table below.

All three laptops that arrived at our editorial office are equipped with Full HD displays— we will discuss them in more detail. The key specifications of the tested samples are presented in the screenshots below. The HP 255 G7 features a dual-core Ryzen 3 2200U processor and 8 GB of RAM, the ProBook 455R G6 has a Ryzen 5 3500U with 16 GB of RAM, and the EliteBook 735 G6 contains a Ryzen 5 PRO 3500U and 16 GB of RAM. In all three cases, solid-state drives are used, and the Windows 10 PRO operating system is installed on them.

I should note that the ProBook 455R G6 and EliteBook 735 G6 models have, if I can put it this way, relatives. You will also find the ProBook 445R G6 and EliteBook 745 G6 series available for sale. The difference in the single digit in the name indicates that these are laptops with 14-inch screens. Otherwise, these series are very similar.

As you have already noticed, the HP ProBook 455R G6 and EliteBook 735 G6 use different versions of the Ryzen 5 3500U. Specifically, customers can purchase a laptop with the PRO version of the processor. These processors support technologies such as AMD GuardMI and DASH 1.2.

GuardMI is a set of built-in security features that help clients avoid what can now be termed cybercrimes. For instance, the AMD Memory Guard function encrypts and decrypts all RAM in real-time. As a result, attackers have no chance of success related to cold reboot attacks. By the way, solutions that support Intel vPro technology do not have an equivalent alternative to AMD Memory Guard. The AMD Secure Boot function ensures a secure boot process for the computer and prevents threats from infiltrating critical software. Finally, Ryzen chips support Windows 10 security technologies such as Device Guard, Credential Guard, TPM 2.0, and VBS.

The DASH technology (Desktop and mobile Architecture for System Hardware) significantly simplifies computer management. This technology is continuously being improved, as we are dealing with an open standard that is constantly modernized and developed. DASH allows for remote management of desktop computers and mobile systems, aiding administrators in performing tasks regardless of the computer's power state or operating system. For instance, a system can be safely booted remotely even if it is currently turned off. An administrator can obtain all the necessary information about the functionality of system components, even if the operating system is unavailable.

Among the three models of HP laptops that visited our testing lab, only the HP EliteBook 735 G6 is equipped with a Ryzen PRO-series chip. The other laptops utilize 'standard' versions of the AMD CPU. Nevertheless, HP offers its clients a range of interesting proprietary technologies, including those related to security.

For example, the HP 255 G7 models support the Trusted Platform Module (TPM), which creates hardware encryption keys to protect information, emails, and user credentials. The HP ProBook 455R G6 series features HP BIOSphere Gen4, which operates automatically at the firmware level — enhancing computer performance and reducing downtime, as well as automatically updating firmware and checking device security. Finally, the HP EliteBook 735 G6 laptop series supports the HP Sure View Gen3 technology, which helps reduce screen brightness, making it dark and unreadable to people nearby, allowing for quick concealment of information on the screen from prying eyes. Additionally, there are HP Sure Start and HP Sure Click technologies, which also help secure the entire computer, from BIOS to browser.

All models use the professional version of Windows 10.

⇡#HP 255 G7

The HP 255 G7 features a matte, practical dark gray plastic body. This compact laptop is only 23 mm thick and weighs less than two kilograms, making it quite convenient to carry around — at least for men. It should be noted that the laptop's power adapter weighs only 200 g.

The lid of the HP 255 G7 opens to about 135 degrees. It’s not possible to open it with one hand — this laptop is too light for that, especially for a 15-inch model. However, the hinges themselves work well, positioning the screen correctly and ensuring long-lasting performance.

We received a model equipped with a TN panel with Full HD resolution — the AUO B156HTN03.8 (AUO38ED). The type of matrix is easily identifiable, as the screen has limited viewing angles in both planes. Overall, the laptop comes with a decent panel, considering it’s part of an affordable series. The contrast ratio for the AUO B156HTN03.8 is modest, at only 325:1. The maximum brightness for white reaches 224 cd/m², while the minimum is 15 cd/m². Nevertheless, the average DeltaE error on the gray scale is 6.2, with a maximum of 9.7. The average score in the ColorChecker24 test was 6, with a maximum deviation of 10.46. The manufacturer claims that the color coverage of the matrix corresponds to 67% of the sRGB standard.

The HP 255 G7 is the only model reviewed today that comes with an optical drive. On the right panel, you will find a USB 2.0 Type-A port and a card reader supporting SD, SDHC, and SDXC formats. The right side of the laptop also features an RJ-45 port, HDMI output, two USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-A ports, and a 3.5mm mini-jack for connecting headphones and a microphone.

The HP 255 G7 is equipped with a full-sized keyboard that includes a numeric keypad. There is no built-in backlighting, but during the day the keyboard proves very comfortable to use, thanks to its large Shift, Enter, Tab, and Backspace keys. The F1-F12 row operates by default in combination with the Fn key, with priority given to their multimedia functions. This feature is common to all laptops discussed in this article.

The laptop features a 720p webcam with a refresh rate of 30 Hz. This is more than sufficient for Skype calls. Additionally, the operating system can be unlocked using facial recognition, thanks to Windows Hello technology, and various functions can be controlled using voice commands via the Cortana virtual assistant.

Disassembling the HP 255 G7 proves to be quite challenging. To remove the bottom panel, it's necessary to first peel off the rubber feet and unscrew several hidden screws. We decided not to do this. The test version of the HP 255 G7 is equipped with a dual-core Ryzen 3 2200U processor, 8 GB of DDR4-2400 RAM, and a 256 GB Samsung MZNLN256HAJQ-000H1 SSD.

Cooling for the Ryzen 3 2200U is managed by a simple cooling system composed of a single copper heat pipe and one fan. In Adobe Premiere Pro 2019, which is known to heavily stress the 'CPU-RAM' subsystem, the dual-core chip maintained a stable frequency of 2.5 GHz, although under lower loads it can reach up to 3.4 GHz. Its maximum temperature reached 72.8 degrees Celsius, and the noise level measured from 30 cm away was 40.8 dBA. Overall, we can see that the cooler in the HP 255 G7 operates both effectively and quietly.

Disassembling the laptop is worthwhile over time, as the test model is well-suited for upgrades. The 8 GB RAM is composed of a single SO-DIMM module, but the HP 255 G7 motherboard is equipped with another such slot. The Samsung MZNLN256HAJQ-000H1 drive belongs to the PM871b series, connects via an M.2 slot, but operates with a SATA 6 Gbit/s interface. Additionally, another 2.5’’ form factor drive can be connected to the laptop using the SATA slot. The performance level of the Samsung MZNLN256HAJQ-000H1 is shown in the screenshot above.

⇡#HP ProBook 455R G6

The chassis of the HP ProBook 455R G6 is partially made of metal with a smooth silver coating. The manufacturer claims that the keyboard panel and laptop screen lid are made of aluminum. The bottom of the laptop is plastic. We have no complaints regarding the build quality of the device. Furthermore, the laptop has a military-grade quality certification MIL-STD 810G.

The HP ProBook 455R G6 lid opens up to 135 degrees. The laptop hinges allow the screen to be positioned clearly in any position. The lid can easily be opened with one hand. The thickness of the laptop does not exceed two centimeters, and its weight is only 2 kg, which, as we have already noted, is an excellent characteristic for models with 15.6-inch displays.

You will find many versions of this laptop for sale. The model that came for our test is equipped with a BOE07FF IPS matrix with Full HD resolution and an anti-glare coating. However, you can also find versions of the HP ProBook 455R G6 with screens having a resolution of 1366 × 768 pixels.

The laptop display has a maximum brightness of 227 cd/m2. The minimum white brightness is 12 cd/m2. The contrast ratio is not very high for an IPS matrix — 809:1.

Overall, the screen calibration has been done well. The laptop uses a matrix with a color gamut of 67% of the sRGB standard. The average error on the grayscale scale was 4.17 (12.06), while the deviation measured on 24 color patterns was 4.87 (8.64). The gamma is 2.05, which is slightly below the reference value of 2.2. The color temperature approaches the recommended 6500 K. Clearly, the quality of the BOE07FF matrix is quite sufficient for office work and beyond.

On the left side of the laptop, there is only a USB 2.0 Type-A power port and a card reader that supports flash drives in SD, SDHC, and SDXC formats. Most of the edge is occupied by the cooler grille. On the right side of the HP ProBook 455R G6, there are USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-C combined with DisplayPort (which can also be used to charge the laptop), RJ-45, HDMI output, and two more USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-A ports. As you can see, the test sample is quite functional.

Looking at the keyboard panel, the fingerprint sensor located on the right immediately catches the eye. Otherwise, the key layout of the HP ProBook 455R G6 is very similar to that of the recently reviewed HP 255 G7. The only difference is that this model features a "double-decker" Enter key, larger up and down arrow keys, but a smaller left Shift key. Additionally, the keyboard of the HP ProBook 455R G6 has a three-level white backlight.

The laptop is very easy to disassemble. The HP ProBook 455R G6 motherboard has two SO-DIMM slots — in our test sample, it is equipped with two DDR4-2400 memory modules with a total capacity of 16 GB. It also uses a SanDisk SD9SN8W-128G-1006 SSD with a capacity of 128 GB and a Western Digital WDC WD5000LPLX-60ZNTT2 hard drive with a capacity of 500 GB. You can learn about the performance of these storage devices by examining the attached screenshots.

The Ryzen 5 3500U processor is cooled by a cooler consisting of two heat pipes and one tangential fan. Under heavy load, the HP ProBook 455R G6 operates quite quietly — a measuring device recorded 41.6 dBA at a distance of 30 cm at peak levels. Processing a 4K project in Adobe Premiere Pro 2019 took us a total of 2282 seconds. The chip's frequency occasionally dropped to 1.8 GHz — this is due to exceeding the power limit, but the average frequency of the quad-core processor was 2.3 GHz. The processor did not overheat: the maximum temperature of the chip reached 92.3 degrees Celsius, but the average temperature remained at 79.6 degrees Celsius. Overall, the cooler in the HP ProBook 455R G6 performs its job well.

⇡#HP EliteBook 735 G6

It must be acknowledged that the HP EliteBook 735 G6 is very similar to the recently reviewed HP ProBook 455R G6 model. However, this model is fully made of aluminum.

Before us is the most compact laptop. The thickness of the HP EliteBook 735 G6 is only 18 mm, and its weight does not exceed 1.5 kg. This laptop is convenient to take with you wherever you go.

The laptop's lid opens to about 150 degrees and can be easily lifted with one hand. All versions of the HP EliteBook 735 G6 use IPS matrices with a Full HD resolution. There is also a version available that supports HP Sure View technology, which we have already discussed. Additionally, you can purchase a modification of the HP EliteBook 735 G6 with a touchscreen.

In the test sample that visited our lab, an AUO AUO5D2D IPS matrix with an anti-glare coating is used. It is characterized by excellent image quality, making the HP EliteBook 735 G6 a recommended choice for professionals working with photos and videos.

See for yourself, the maximum screen brightness is 352 cd/m² (minimum — 17 cd/m²). The gamma we measured was 2.27, and the contrast ratio was 1628:1. Yes, the HP EliteBook 735 G6 is excellent for watching movies as well. The picture is bright, sharp, and very deep. The color temperature of the screen is slightly above the nominal value of 6500 K. This results in an average deviation on the gray scale of 1.47 with a maximum of 2.12 — which is a very good result. The average error in the ColorChecker 24 test was 2.25, with a maximum of 4.75. The AUO5D2D has excellent viewing angles and no PWM detected.

The laptop is equipped with the following ports: two USB 3.1 Gen1 Type A, one USB 3.1 Gen2 Type C (supports charging and DisplayPort cable connection), HDMI output, Ethernet port, smart card reader slot, 3.5 mm mini-jack, SIM card slot, and docking station connector slot. As you can see, the HP EliteBook 735 G6 has no issues with functionality. We can connect two monitors to the laptop simultaneously. And if you need to expand the range of ports on the computer, you can use the HP Thunderbolt G2 docking station.

The keyboard of the HP EliteBook 735 G6 features a white two-level backlight. Otherwise, the layout is very similar to what we saw in the HP 255 G7 — only the numeric keypad is missing. All three laptops also support the HP Noise Cancellation system that reduces background noise, including keyboard sounds.

However, the HP EliteBook 735 G6 is equipped with two input devices: a touchpad with three buttons and a mini joystick. The touchpad of the device is quite comfortable to work with. The surface appears to be the same as that of the body, but in reality, it is smoother and more pleasant to the touch.

The webcam has a protective shutter — useful for those who believe that Big Brother is watching them.

The laptop is fairly easy to disassemble. Interestingly, the HP EliteBook 735 G6 uses removable RAM instead of soldered memory. In our case, it has two DDR4-2400 modules totaling 16 GB.

In contrast to the first two laptops, this model features a fast NVMe drive — testing results are provided below. The HP EliteBook 735 G6 does not have the capability to install a 2.5-inch hard drive.

The cooling for the Ryzen 5 PRO 3500U is managed by a cooler comprising a single copper heat pipe and a fan. In the Adobe Premiere Pro 2019 software, which heavily loads the laptop, the frequency of the quad-core processor occasionally dropped to 1.76 GHz. Similar to the HP ProBook 455R G6, this is related to the processor's TDP limitation. The cooling system performs well: the maximum CPU temperature reached only 81.4 degrees Celsius, with a peak noise level of 41.3 dBA.

⇡#Test Results

Processor and memory performance was measured using the following software:

• Corona 1.3. Rendering speed tested with the program of the same name. It measures the build speed of a standard BTR scene used for performance measurement.
• Blender 2.79Determining the final rendering speed in one of the popular free packages for creating 3D graphics. It measures the duration taken to build the final model from Blender Cycles Benchmark rev4.
• x265 HD Benchmark. Video transcoding speed was tested in the forward-looking H.265/HEVC format.
• CINEBENCH R15Measuring the performance of photorealistic 3D rendering in the animation package CINEMA 4D, CPU test.

Display testing was carried out using an X-Rite i1Display Pro colorimeter and the HCFR application.

Battery runtime of the laptop was tested in two modes. The first load variant — web surfing — involves sequentially opening and closing tabs on the websites 3DNews.ru, Computeruniverse.ru, and Unsplash.com with a 30-second interval. For this test, the latest version of Google Chrome is used. In the second mode, FHD video with a .mkv extension is played in the built-in Windows 10 player with the repeat function activated. In all cases, a uniform display brightness of 180 cd/m2 is set, the 'battery saver' power mode is enabled, and the keyboard backlight is turned off, if available. In the case of video playback, laptops operate in 'airplane mode.'

At the very beginning of the article, we noted that the desktop Ryzen processors released this year competently compete with Intel's solutions. Well, the results of the tests presented below show that AMD's solutions in the mobile market are at least equal, and often better.

Of course, it is important to consider that the performance of a computer in modern programs using multiple threads depends not only on the "CPU - memory" pairing. Here, for example, the solid-state drive also plays a crucial role. The HP EliteBook 735 G6 is equipped with a fast PCI Express SSD, which is an excellent assistant for tasks involving active reading and writing of data.

Overall, the HP ProBook 455R G6 showed the best results due to its larger size, which allowed for a more significant cooler. Consequently, the Ryzen 5 3500U chip operates at higher clock speeds compared to the Ryzen 5 PRO 3500U installed in the HP EliteBook 735 G6.

It is obvious that the laptops discussed in this article are unlikely to be used for gaming. In such models, graphics serve as an assistant to the central processor, as they are frequently used not only in games. We see that the integrated Vega graphics proves to be significantly faster than the integrated GPU from Intel. In the case of the HP ProBook 455R G6 and the HP EliteBook 735 G6, this translates to more than a twofold advantage.

However, it is still possible to play some "simple" (those where graphics are not the main focus) projects. I am not considering applications with high system requirements—it's clear that integrated graphics in the CPU are unlikely to show positive performance there. However, in casual games like Dota 2 and WoT on minimal graphics settings, I was able to achieve a playable frame rate at a resolution of 1920 x 1080.

We have already tested the quality and performance levels of the key components of the laptops. One more crucial characteristic of any mobile computer remains to be assessed—battery life.

The table below clearly demonstrates that all three laptops have good endurance and are roughly ranked according to the capacity of the battery used in each model. Unsurprisingly, the HP EliteBook 735 G6 performed the best—on video playback mode, it lasted almost 10 hours! An excellent result, to be sure, especially since we tested the laptops at a high screen brightness of 180 cd/m².

⇡#Conclusions

Based on the laptops we have just reviewed, we believe you are convinced that HP can meet the needs of any user who requires a laptop for various office tasks and, if necessary, for entertainment as well. The extensive series of mobile computers powered by AMD processors offers multitasking, impressive performance, and upgrade potential. The reviewed laptops are functional and efficient. In the corporate segment, security is crucial, and both AMD and HP solutions excel in this area. Finally, the tested laptops look competitive both in performance and pricing.

Source: 3dnews.ru