• We’ve tested a higher end model:
  • Spec: Xeon W-10885M; 8 Cores; 16    Threads; 2.4GHz Base; 5.3GHz Turbo Boost 16MB    DDR4-2933 Intel Graphics; RTX 4000; 1TB SSD; 4K UHD Panel
• Upgrade at the checkout:
  • If you need the WWAN slot to work, you’d need to config the WWAN model at launch (otherwise the antenna may not be available, and the sims slot may be sealed).
  • Screen: FHD 300nits standard option will be reasonable for the indoors; some will find the 500 nits 4K panel to be more agreeable. The latter, does carry a higher cost. This needs to be chosen at the point of purchase.
• Customer accessible parts:

  • Upto 128GB RAM (2x slots really easy to access with 1 screw on the base cover);
  • 2 of the 4 RAM slots are under the keypad, the remaining 2 are under the mini service door on the base cover (secured by 1x screw).
  • There are other parts which can be swapped on the inside of the machine, but may not be considered user serviceable:
    • Wifi card
    • GPU is modular, but is not considered user accessible (Note: RTX 4000 and RTX 5000 are MAX-Q, though have a 110W TDP)

• Straight FHD or 4K choice. 4K pre-calibrated. No touch option.
• Display backlight leakage varies per screen
• The panel is stunning. Just to say - if you’re frequently docked, then some people might grab a P15 instead.

Internal footage: appears to be a workable webcam with a mediocre quality. In the less well lit settings, expect some frame drops, and some audio lags if you move suddenly across the frame. An external webcam, in most cases with any laptop - will be a good spend, if you have space for it.

The volume has reached about 76db in our testing, which is respectable. The sound signature comes across as somewhat flat, although not too fatiguing. The speakers are upwards firing, the volume is sufficient to fill a small room - however, there is less bass in the output, than what you might expect from a high-end laptop ordinarily, had it not been a workstation laptop. Being a heavier workstation, imaginably some users will have it connected to external headphones, or speakers. Nonetheless, an improved speaker system, in the future with more bass, might be preferred.

• From a workstation ThinkPad user’s perspective ThinkPad P73 has a passable keyboard, not exception, it’s functional. Arguably it’s moved from being class leading, to just similar to the other models from HP and Dell.
• This will come across as a bit nitpicky.The keyboard is the same physical part, as the smaller ThinkPad P15. If you recall from our recent P53 vs P15 hands on - we found that keypad had room for improvements. We’ve picked up on having flex in the left side frame (in our hands on), which Notebookcheck (also observed later - screenshot). It’s more steady now, the rattling is less apparent on the P17. This indicates that the P17 has more support underneath for the keyboard. However, I was able to pick up some flex on the left hand side near the letter A, etc. If you remember the solutions on the earlier ThinkPads of having to jam something under the keypad to reduce that, it’s odd to be mentioning it again in 2021.
• P17’s key action could do with more travel definition, before it’s movement is dampened at the bottom (when you initially use it to type fast, it feels a bit empty and results in incorrect key presses). This is partially because the key resistance is lacking a bit, and thus less resemble a proper key travel. P17’s keypad feels like playing the piano on a higher octave. Arguably a lighter key action is less fatiguing, but if you’re used to predictable feedback and have to switch to a keypad that requires a heavier press, you might not like it. The P73 passes the “pleasant test”. You’re only really able to notice this, if you’re coming from the P73 or an older workstation (e.g. Dell Precision M6800).

• A more simple system to maintain (tiered maintenance: the small base service door & keypad covers all together enables the access to the customer serviceable parts: the 4x RAM slots & 2x M.2 slots; removing the larger base cover enables the access to the internals, this means an easier access for the technicians if you need to send the unit in for a service (e.g. the battery, GPU/CPU, etc).
• The graphics card is modular, and plugs into the motherboard might make the maintenance /repairability more cost efficient, if/when the warranty runs out.
• Overall a more powerful cooling solution: has a 30% protruding foot on the base cover enables more airflow to be pulled up; has a bigger vent too.
• Higher burst & sustained power allowance on the CPU/GPU on paper.
• The smaller ThinkPad P15 will enable 90W GPU TDP (up from 80 W), whereas the ThinkPad P17 will enable an impressive 110 W GPU power.
• The RTX 4000 GPU was seen running between 90-110W; the CPU also has a high 90W PL1 and 135W PL2 power allowance (with the Xeon model at least), up from P73’s 70W & 107W.
• Different material: The new casing material appears to enable more grip, and thus is harder to drop; the internal material is softer (although sometimes softer material might wear out sooner, it does feel better than the P73). The P17 appears to attract marginally less fingerprints.
• P73: GFRP + PPS (Top), Magnesium-aluminum (Bottom)
• P17: Case Material PPS695 + GF 50% (top), PPS + GF (bottom)
• Marginally improved ports layout: 3.5mm audio jack no longer in the way (on the RHS); and ethernet has been moved to the back.

• More availability in the refurb channel, meaning that the entry / mid spec config pricing may be better. The real world performance, once you’ve factored in the likely cost difference to the newer model, might mean that the thinkPad P73 is still a very approachable option.
• ThinkPad P73’s 9th Gen process could be undervolted (for better temperature); on the P17 - this appears no longer an option (however, that’s partially offset by a more powerful cooling system).
• Better keypad feel overall (than the ThinkPad P17)
• Has LED Disk activity /Wifi LED indicator under the screen (no longer available on the ThinkPad P17)
• More storage slots (non RTX model: 1x 2.5" SATA & 2x M.2 x4 NVMe; RTX: 3x M.2 x4 NVMe slots); additionally, the P73 RTX model has 3x M.2 slots and thus may support RAID 5.
• The P73 is lighter (0.1kg) & marginally more compact than the P17 (P73’s rubber feet is what accounts for some of its increased height, which improves cooling).
• 416 x 281 x 25.9-31 mm; 3.4kg (P73)
• 415.44 x 280.81 x 25.11-33.25 mm; 3.49kg (the new P17)
• It has a marginally larger battery at 99Wh (vs the 94Wh on the ThinkPad P17); that said, looking for a longer battery life might not be as high a priority for some customers on the 17.3” workstation side.

• The Precision has 4x storage slots, more than ThinkPad P73’s 2x M.2 slots.
• The Precision will have a better speaker (though workstation laptops are likely to be used on a desktop, where setting up external speakers, or headphones might be sometimes preferred).
• The Precision weighs in at approx 3.1Kg, vs the heavier ThinkPad at P17’s 3.5kg (without the charger).
• There is a 330W Dell aftermarket charger option, which may be useful if you intend to run the higher end config, for sustained workload (the units are typically bundled with a smaller 240W charger though).

• Higher TDP allowance; the GPU is seen running between 90-110W; CPU also has a high 90W PL1 and 135W PL2 power allowance (with the Xeon model at least), up from P73’s. Dell Precision 7750’s TDP may lag marginally.
• Has Pantone colour calibration option (whilst not as accurate as the external colour calibration softwares, it could still be still useful for the professionals who require mobility).

• Larger power supply: standard HP charger option tops out at 200W (which limits the power head-room on the laptop).
  • Since both laptops are marketed with similar components, if the ThinkPad P17 is able to saturate the 230W charger (some docks enable you to plug a 2nd 65W charger to top-up), then it may be reasonable to assume that given ZBook’s lighter weight, and smaller charger, the sustained performance may be the area where it’s less strong as the ThinkPad P17.
  • Whilst aftermarket 230W and larger chargers may be available for the HP (small tip), it’s unknown if these will improve the sustained performance on the ZBook 17 Fury G7.
• A more serviceable screen (HP’s screen appears to require a more intricate repair process to replace the screen).

• The HP has better speakers internally.
• The HP is lighter & thinner
  • 398.4 x 267.1 x 26.9 cm, from 2.76kg (HP ZBook 17 G7)
  • 415.44 x 280.81 x 25.11-33.25 mm; 3.49kg (the new P17)
• DreamColour option - although the panel is typically similar to HP’s other 4K panels.
  
  • 17.3", 4K UHD (3840 x 2160), IPS, anti-glare, 550 nits, 100% DCI-P3, Next Gen HP DreamColor