HP might have just made its workstation PCs the best platform for AI development

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What you need to know

  • HP announced Z by HP Boost, a new collaboration tool that allows AI workstations to share GPU power on demand.
  • Z by HP Boost is part of HP’s AI Creation Center, already including Z by HP Data Science Stack Manager, Z by HP AI Studio, and Z by HP Gen AI Lab.
  • HP also revealed the updated Poly VideoOS 4.4 software, adding new tools for conference meetings and calls.
  • Poly VideoOS 4.4 will work with HP’s new Poly Studio video bars designed for office meeting rooms.
  • Z by HP Boost is expected in early 2025, and Poly VideoOS 4.4 should launch in November 2024.

As someone who has spent years immersed in the tech industry, I must say that HP’s announcements at their Imagine 2024 event have left me quite impressed. The focus on AI and collaboration tools is not only timely but also forward-thinking.

This week, HP is showcasing its Imagine 2024 event, unveiling some fresh AI-powered PCs such as an upgraded version of the Spectre and Series 5 Pro monitors. We’re eager to put these new gadgets through their paces, but HP didn’t limit its announcements to just new devices.

It’s not unexpected that with 2024 being a significant year for AI advancements, HP’s widely-used professional collaboration and development software will receive updates reflecting this trend.

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The standout announcement from HP’s Z by HP Boost is particularly exciting for professional teams who often find themselves short on GPU power for AI projects. This innovation is anticipated to revolutionize remote work on HP’s AI workstations, making the process more efficient and productive.

Similarly, I’ve upgraded the Poly VideoOS software to match with the latest Poly Studio video bars. This upgrade is expected to improve remote collaboration for colleagues using borrowed GPU power while working from a café.

Here’s what you need to know about these new features and hardware headed our way in 2024 and 2025.

Z by HP Boost delivers extra GPU power anywhere you go

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The HP Artificial Intelligence (AI) Development Hub was introduced in March 2024 as a comprehensive software package designed for AI-focused personal computers. Until now, it encompassed the Z by HP Data Science Stack Manager, Z by HP AI Studio, and Z by HP Gen AI Lab. However, this is no longer the case with the announcement of Z by HP Boost.

An understatement: AI has been a hot topic this year. I’ve never seen such an initiative by big tech companies to include AI in new tech, and it’s ultimately resulted in huge growth in the arena of AI development. 

In this rapidly advancing sector, it’s crucial to recognize that there’s no free ride – for instance, GPT-4 consumes as much energy as generating 100 words requires up to three full water bottles worth of power. This constant demand for increased power in AI development is a challenge that HP aims to tackle with the Z by HP Boost, their innovative solution.

HP explains that the Z by HP Boost is a pioneering technology that transforms how Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) are shared across HP AI workstations. Essentially, it allows for secure, scalable, and on-demand enhancements to performance, utilizing idle GPUs in ways that no other company currently does.

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This system essentially functions by linking together HP’s workstations, whether they are mobile or desktop devices, to pool their available Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) capabilities for demanding Artificial Intelligence (AI) jobs. It operates on an as-needed basis, and it can be managed remotely to prevent users from being confined to a single workspace. Even though I’m not directly involved in AI development, it is easy to understand how this could greatly benefit many users who currently rely on HP’s workstations.

In such companies with numerous individual workstations, this could prove extremely beneficial. Users requiring additional GPU power can tap into idle systems, effectively forming a personal, on-site cloud. This setup diminishes the reliance on external cloud AI computing services.

The Z by HP Boost device is anticipated to debut in the early part of 2025, but for now, it seems it will only be accessible to consumers residing in the United States and the United Kingdom. At this moment, there’s no information regarding its pricing, and it remains undecided whether or not distribution will extend to other regions following the initial launch.

HP enhances conference rooms with new AI features in Poly software

Working with Z by HP Boost addresses the issue of insufficient GPU power during remote work. Simultaneously, HP’s innovative AI enhancements for Poly VideoOS and improvements to the Poly Lens management platform are designed to streamline communication among teams.

The Poly VideoOS system is built to collaborate with multi-camera video conferencing equipment, including the Poly Studio video bars from HP. Unlike a standard single-user webcam, these video bars are positioned at the front of a room, providing AI-improved camera streams and audio output for the entire space. Recently, HP unveiled the new Poly Studio X32 and V32 models for smaller rooms, along with the Poly Studio X72 and V2 models for larger spaces. These new additions supplement the existing X52 and V52 video bars in the market.

As a analyst, I’m diving deep into the capabilities of PolyVideoOS for the first time with HP’s Poly Studio video bars, and the version 4.4 update appears to introduce some pivotal aspects. Noteworthy improvements include NoiseBlockAI v2, which uses intelligent technology to eliminate background noise, and DirectorAI Perimeter: Live Setup, a feature that simplifies adjusting camera focus and perimeter settings with ease. Poly Labs, a fresh add-on, promises experimental AI features before they’re officially released.

For most everyday users like me, it might seem rather uneventful, but those regularly participating in video calls would probably find additional tools designed to simplify meetings quite intriguing.

In November 2024, it’s anticipated that both Poly VideoOS 4.4 and Poly Labs will make their debut. As for today, the Poly Studio X72 video bar can be purchased from HP for approximately $7,000. The remaining new video bar hardware is set to release in late-2024 and early-2025.

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2024-09-24 19:42