HP ZBook Firefly 14 G10 2023, Core i5-1350P, 16GB, 256GB SSD, Gray

The HP ZBook Firefly 14 G10 is a refurb business laptop with a capable 12-core i5-1350P, 16GB of RAM, and Windows 11 Pro for just $400 USD. The 256GB SSD and dim 250-nit display are the main compromises, and gaming is basically a no-go with integrated graphics. It's a great budget pick for office work and multitasking, but not for creatives or frequent travelers.

The Core i5-1350P is the star here. It's a 12-core, 16-thread chip with a 1.9GHz base clock and a 4.7GHz turbo, and in our database it lands in the 62nd percentile for CPU performance among laptops. That's solid middle-of-the-pack territory, but for everyday tasks it feels snappier than that number suggests. The mix of performance and efficiency cores handles bursty workloads like launching apps or loading heavy web pages really well, and the 16GB of DDR5-5200 RAM gives it plenty of breathing room. We've seen this chip handle dozens of Chrome tabs, a Zoom call, and a few Office docs without breaking a sweat.

The integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics are a different story. They sit at the 49th percentile for GPU performance, which is about average for integrated graphics but nowhere near enough for modern gaming. Our gaming score for this config is a rough 15.2 out of 100, so don't expect to run anything beyond older titles or 2D indies at low settings. The 256GB NVMe SSD is also a weak spot, landing in the 25th percentile for storage. It's fast enough for boot and app launches, but you'll fill it up quickly if you keep a lot of local files. Plan on external storage or cloud sync.

Stacked against the Apple MacBook Air M4, this ZBook loses on almost every front except price and repairability. The Air has a vastly better display, longer battery life, and the M4 chip runs circles around the i5-1350P in both performance and efficiency. But the Air starts at more than double the price, so it's not really a fair fight. If you're on a tight budget and need Windows, the ZBook makes a lot more sense.

The Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 7 is a closer competitor. It's also a business-focused 14-inch laptop with similar specs, but it typically comes with a brighter display and a newer chassis. The ThinkPad's keyboard is legendary, though the ZBook's isn't bad either. The ASUS Vivobook Pro 15 and Microsoft Surface Laptop 7th Edition both offer better screens and more modern designs, but again, you're paying a premium for those upgrades. The Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro is in a different league entirely with its OLED panel and lighter build, but it's also way more expensive. For pure price-to-performance, this refurb ZBook is hard to beat.

At $400 USD, this is a genuinely good deal if you can live with the compromises. A new ZBook Firefly 14 G10 with similar specs would run you well over $1,000, so you're saving a huge chunk of change for some cosmetic wear and a shorter warranty. The 16GB of RAM and Windows 11 Pro alone would cost a decent amount to add to a cheaper new laptop, and the Core i5-1350P is a capable chip that won't feel outdated for a few years.

The value equation shifts a bit when you look at the storage and display. You can find new budget laptops with 512GB SSDs and brighter screens for not much more, but they'll usually skimp on RAM or build quality. This ZBook gives you a business-class chassis, Thunderbolt, and a proper Windows Pro license. If you're comfortable with refurb gear and don't need a color-accurate screen, this is a smart buy.

The HP ZBook Firefly 14 G10 is one of those machines that sounds like a workstation but acts more like a sensible office laptop. HP slaps the ZBook name on it, which usually means ISV certifications and a premium build, but this particular config is a refurb with a mid-tier Core i5-1350P, integrated graphics, and a pretty basic 250-nit display. At $400 USD, though, it's hard to be too picky. You're getting a 14-inch business laptop with Windows 11 Pro, 16GB of DDR5, and Thunderbolt for less than a lot of Chromebooks.

Who's this for? Someone who needs a dependable machine for email, spreadsheets, video calls, and maybe some light photo editing. The 12-core i5-1350P is no slouch for everyday multitasking, and 16GB of RAM means you can keep a stupid number of browser tabs open without the thing grinding to a halt. It's also a decent pick for students or remote workers who want Windows 11 Pro for domain join or BitLocker without paying new-laptop prices.

The catch is that this is a refurb with "minor scratches and dents," and the specs reflect a budget config. The 256GB SSD is tight by 2025 standards, the screen is dim and color-challenged, and the integrated Iris Xe graphics mean gaming is basically off the table. But if you go in with realistic expectations, this is a lot of laptop for the money.

Skip this if you care about screen quality or portability. The 250-nit, 45% NTSC display is one of the weaker panels we've seen in this class, and it'll frustrate you if you work near windows or do any color-sensitive tasks. The 3.2kg weight is also a lot for a 14-inch laptop, so frequent travelers will feel it in their bag. If you're a creative professional or a student who carries their laptop everywhere, a MacBook Air M4 or a Surface Laptop 7th Edition is a better fit, though you'll pay more.

Gamers should also look elsewhere. The integrated Iris Xe graphics simply can't handle modern titles, and our gaming score of 15.2 out of 100 tells the story. If you want to play games on a budget, look for a refurb with a dedicated GPU, like an older ASUS TUF or Lenovo Legion. And if you need more than 256GB of storage out of the box, this config will feel cramped from day one.

If you need a reliable Windows laptop for work, school, or general productivity and you're on a strict budget, this refurb ZBook Firefly 14 G10 is an easy recommendation. The i5-1350P and 16GB of RAM will handle everything you throw at them in a normal workday, and the Thunderbolt port means you can dock it to a proper monitor and keyboard when you're at a desk. The cosmetic wear is a small price to pay for the savings.

But if you care about screen quality, battery life, or portability, look elsewhere. The 250-nit, 45% NTSC panel is fine for indoor office use but washes out in bright rooms and isn't great for photo or video work. And at 3.2kg, this thing is surprisingly heavy for a 14-inch laptop. It's more of a desk-bound workhorse than a travel companion. For creators or frequent travelers, a MacBook Air or Surface Laptop is worth the extra cash.