HP Z2 Mini G9 Workstation: A Complete Review
A mini workstation packs all the bells and whistles of a full-fledged workstation in a much tinier form factor. This way, you can carry high-performance workstation computing for seamless 3D animation, video editing and graphic design wherever you go. 

The HP Z2 Mini G9 Workstation is a powerful solution for professional computing needs and can serve a variety of engineering, creative and business workflows in the blink of an eye, thanks to its ultra-fast processor and graphics specs.

In this comprehensive HP Z2 Mini G9 review, we’ll take a look at the system and see what makes it a vast improvement over the previous Z2 Mini generation. We’ll also see how pro users can make the most of this feature-packed machine that’s built to last.

Designed for performance from the ground up

Every aspect of the HP Z2 Mini G9 Workstation is optimised for uncompromising performance in a space-saving design. Measuring just 211 x 218 x 69 mm and weighing merely 2.4 kg, the entire system can be single-handedly lifted and placed anywhere on your office desk, where it silently churns through data without ever announcing its presence. You can even mount it behind your monitor or under your desk where it takes no desk space at all.

Don’t let its physical dimensions fool you though - the machine is a professional workstation in every sense of the word. It’s indeed a marvel of modern engineering and innovative design. The Mini G9 is ideal for space-constrained environments and is the go-to system for remote working professionals too. Need to take your system with you elsewhere? The Mini G9 conveniently fits in your shoulder bag (with its workstation-level performance)!

An evolving work of art to elevate your art

One look at the innovative design of the HP Z2 Mini G9 will convince you it’s a work of art. The beautifully textured all-metal body, compact design and elegantly laid out ports all add up to create a computing behemoth like no other. 

The 3D mesh front design helps cool the processor and graphics card inside for uninterrupted performance whether you're editing 8K movies or creating a 3D masterpiece. The phase change cooling is engineered for optimal heat transfer, resulting in superior performance compared with traditional liquid-based cooling. HP takes cooling architecture a step further with smart algorithms that constantly monitor thermal performance and proactively kickstart fans when the system is expected to heat up.

What’s more, the Z2 Mini G9 evolves with you. The innovative slide-out, tool-free access to the interiors helps you swap out the graphics card or memory depending on your project requirements.

A performance powerhouse like no other

You can configure your HP Z2 Mini G9 with a choice of processors, going up to the 13th Gen Intel® Core™ i9 24-core CPU. If you need even better performance, choose the K-series i9 processors. If you’re looking for something a bit more modest, choose the Intel Core i7 processor instead.

You can get an NVIDIA® RTX™ A2000 GPU for stellar graphics performance levels that can rip through challenging computing workloads in a breeze. Multitasking is not a choice for creative professionals. The mini workstation can be configured with ECC (Error Correction Code) memory that can go up to 64GB for the most demanding applications. The mini workstation comes with up to 8TB of storage to store all your files. 

Unparalleled connectivity and expandability

The HP Z2 Mini G9 features an array of I/O ports for seamless connectivity. You get DisplayPorts, USB-A, USB-C, RJ-45, PCIe and a universal audio combo port to connect all your peripherals and accessories.

A flex IO port is also provided which can be customised to your choice of ports, including HDMI, Thunderbolt, GbE LAN and USB. Ultimately, you can connect several monitors to the HP mini workstation to set up a complete multi-monitor system. The model also supports WiFi and Bluetooth for wireless connections and data transfer.

You can also use the provided dual M.2 slots to access all your files on SSD (solid-state drive) devices with your RAID storage system. What makes the mini workstation so powerful is the limitless upgradability it offers. You can change and upgrade a host of components, right from the processor, RAM, graphics card and I/O ports to the RAM and additional wireless features (through M.2 slots). Best of all, access to the device interiors is as easy as the press of a button.

Engineered for pros by pros

The HP mini workstation has been engineered for pro-level performance in every sphere of activity, be it creative applications, engineering and design or business productivity. The Mini G9 features a combination of class-leading CPU and GPU to tackle graphics-intensive workflows typical of media apps that need lag-free performance. 

If you’re a CAD designer or architect, you’ll find that your renders and simulations run seamlessly and unbelievably fast considering the tiny device footprint. The HP Z2 Mini G9 is also perfect for educators who need workstation-level performance for STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) education software.

Business professionals and data analysts looking for a reliable and compact machine that can streamline operations won’t be disappointed either. From virtual conferences to designing complex corporate presentations, the workstation’s got your back.

ISV-Certified for peace of mind

The Z-series workstations undergo rigorous testing by Independent Software Vendors (ISV) to ensure they can smoothly run industry-standard software and applications at peak performance. 

HP engineers work closely with software vendors to optimise both the workstation’s hardware and software design for optimal performance levels. With the ISV certification, you can be sure there’s tight compatibility between software and hardware, protecting against common hassles like software crashes, incompatibility issues and data loss.

Set and exceed benchmarks

The HP Z2 Mini G9 exceeds performance benchmarks, setting new standards. The workstation enables 50% faster rendering times and 46% higher performance on Autodesk Revit compared to the previous generation. With Solidworks, you get 48% faster ray-tracing performance and 38% faster simulation performance. Even with AutoCAD, the Mini G9 provides 42% higher performance.

The HP mini workstation squeezes every single ounce of performance from the underlying hardware. To further bolster processing power, use the HP High-Performance Mode in the BIOS settings to get 34% increased performance. You can configure your mini workstation with either Windows 11 Pro or Linux.

Trailblazing hardware and software security

The HP mini workstation is designed with cutting-edge hardware and software security features that safeguard sensitive data and intellectual property. The integrated Kensington lock offers additional security as do the port blocks on the VESA sleeve.

You can also enable the optional self-encrypting drive feature to ensure data protection even if the device lands in the wrong hands. The mini workstation also features HP Wolf Security for resilience against cyber-attacks.

Experience pure workstation computing power in an ultra-compact design

The HP Z2 Mini G9 delivers unprecedented levels of pure workstation computing power, simplifying workflows for creative professionals, architects, data analysts, educators and business professionals. Best of all, it simply fits right in whether you’re working from your home or your office desk, making it the best mini workstation overall. If you’re out and about, just pack it in your bag and you’re good to go.

The system offers business-grade security, durable design, and reliable performance, making it indispensable in your day-to-day tasks. The HP mini workstation is ISV-certified, offers a variety of input/output connectivity ports and is fully upgradable to scale as your requirements grow.

About the Author: Vidhu Jain is a contributing writer for HP Tech Takes. A Fortune 500 experienced brand storyteller, she’s a voracious reader who loves travelling and exploring the world.