Last year, HP introduced the z200-series of workstations, lowering the entry level to workstation computing and opening up this space to more end-users.
For 2011, HP decided to do even more. The new entry model is the Z210, which was announced on April 12.
For several weeks leading up to the public announcement, we have been privileged to have a unit here at The Orbiting O’Odua for a review.
The HP Z210 Personal Workstation
HP improved this workstation markedly. Compared to the previous generation, it has
- Larger 400W Power Supply (CMT)
- 90% efficiency power supply standard (CMT and SFF)
- Energy efficient 80W Xeon processor options
- Intel® vPro technology
- Next Generation Processors: High performance Intel® Xeon® Processor E3 1200 Family
- Choice of 2nd generation Intel® Core
- Over 20% improved quad-core performance
- Better Integrated Graphics
- Two integrated 6 Gbps SATA interfaces
The Z210 is targeted primarily at entry-level workstation computing across the board in medical imaging (PACS), education, entry-level MCAD, power office pros, and the finance sector.
Previewing the Z210 Personal Workstation
This system came in an unassuming box that hid the story. I opted for a well-kitted SFF (small form factor) model.
My first thoughts were, “wow, lots of front USB ports (4)”.
The system came with Windows 7 Professional. I promptly reinstalled Windows 7 Ultimate, x64, Microsoft Office 2010, Windows Internet Explorer 9, and Windows Live Essentials.
The system is extremely fast, and responsive. So much so that I found myself comparing it to its bigger brother, my trusty z600 workstation. I used a USB 3.0 desktop dock for tests of the USB 3.0 ports, and didn’t run into any of the errors currently reported with USB 3.0 devices. I used it with dual 24” DisplayPort monitors, and it drove them easily.
The system is extremely quiet, which is a joy. I have resorted to removing all optical media from the workstation since the optical drive spin up is the only noise you hear when this workstation is operational, a boon for end-users.
Conclusions
In my post last January announcing the awarding of the SmallBizWindows Workstation of the Year to the HP Z800 personal Workstation, I asked, tongue-in-cheek, what other workstation vendors were doing to compete with HP in workstations.
It is now apparent that HP keeps moving the goalposts further away.
This is a workstation that a wide range of users can use, all the way from education, to general business, and to finance professionals. With the plethora of options available, and the power efficiency footprint, it can do the work thrown at it.
As we introduce it into more usage scenarios, I have no doubt that it would continue to excel.
HP has another winner here.
Specifications
This unit was equipped with:
