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HP ZBook 17 G3

Processor:

Cosmetic Condition:

Functionality:

Charger Included?

The HP ZBook 17 G3 is a 17.3-inch mobile workstation HP released in 2016, built for engineers, CAD drafters, and video editors who needed desktop-class graphics power in a laptop that could travel between the office and a job site. It paired Skylake-generation Intel silicon with Nvidia Quadro graphics and a chassis rated to MIL-STD-810G durability testing, which is why so many units are still doing real work a decade later. Workstations like this hold value with buyers who need certified drivers and ECC memory support, not just raw speed. Pick your processor and condition above for an instant cash offer, or see how the trade-in works before you commit. If you have other machines to move at the same time, our page for selling your HP laptop covers the rest of the lineup.

Confirm you have the HP ZBook 17 G3

The fastest way to confirm the exact build is through Windows itself. Press Windows key + R, type dxdiag, and press Enter to see the processor and graphics card listed under the System and Display tabs. Typing msinfo32 into the same Run box gives you the full model and BIOS version. You can also flip the laptop over and read the specs sticker near the battery, which lists the product number HP used to configure that unit at the factory. For a general walkthrough of HP labeling, our guide to finding your HP model number covers where else to look.

Intel Core i7 build

  • dxdiag or Task Manager shows a Core i7-6700HQ, i7-6820HQ, or i7-6920HQ processor
  • Paired with standard non-ECC DDR4 memory
  • The more common configuration on units sold for CAD and video work outside regulated industries

Intel Xeon build

  • dxdiag or Task Manager shows a Xeon E3-1505M v5 or E3-1535M v5 processor
  • Supports ECC memory for error-checked reliability
  • Aimed at engineering and simulation buyers who need certified workstation drivers

Prefer a visual check? The chassis is dark ash gray metal with a rectangular vent along the back hinge. Look for a smart card reader slot or fingerprint sensor near the keyboard — both point to a higher-end business configuration. A screen with noticeably richer color and a "DreamColor" badge near the display bezel indicates the UHD panel option rather than the base FHD screen.

Core hardware configurations

Processor

  • Intel Core i7 (6th Gen Skylake): i7-6700HQ, i7-6820HQ, or i7-6920HQ
  • Intel Xeon: E3-1505M v5 or E3-1535M v5, with ECC memory support
  • The Xeon build typically commands a stronger offer among workstation buyers

Graphics

  • Nvidia Quadro dedicated GPU: M1000M, M2000M, M3000M, M4000M, or M5000M depending on configuration
  • Intel HD Graphics 530 integrated GPU alongside the Quadro chip
  • Units with M4000M or M5000M graphics hold noticeably more resale value than base Quadro configurations

Memory

  • DDR4 across four SODIMM slots, up to 64GB total
  • User-upgradable through the base access panel

Storage

  • Dual storage bays: a 2.5-inch SATA bay plus an M.2 PCIe NVMe slot
  • Both bays are user-accessible and upgradable
  • A working NVMe drive in place of a spinning hard disk noticeably improves an offer

Display & audio

Display

17.3-inch non-touch panel, offered in either Full HD (1920x1080) or a UHD (3840x2160) DreamColor option aimed at color-critical creative work. The DreamColor panel is the rarer, more valuable configuration.

Audio

Bang & Olufsen-tuned speakers sit above the keyboard, paired with dual-array microphones for calls and dictation.

Security

Optional fingerprint reader and smart card reader on higher-end configurations, plus a discrete TPM chip for enterprise disk encryption.

Ports & connectivity

The ZBook 17 G3 carries a full workstation port set rather than the trimmed-down selection found on consumer ultrabooks of the same era.

Left & right side
  • USB 3.0 ports
  • Thunderbolt 3 / USB-C
  • HDMI and DisplayPort outputs
  • RJ-45 Ethernet
  • SD card reader
  • Headphone/microphone combo jack
  • HP docking connector
Wireless
  • 802.11ac Wi-Fi
  • Bluetooth
  • Optional WWAN mobile broadband module

Thunderbolt 3 Nvidia Quadro graphics ECC memory support DreamColor display option MIL-STD-810G tested Tool-less base access panel Smart card reader

Battery, build & more

Battery

An 8-cell lithium-ion pack, user-removable. Nine-year-old cells commonly show reduced runtime, which is worth disclosing accurately when picking your condition above.

Dimensions & weight

A large, heavy chassis by design — this sits in the eight-pound class once you account for the battery and standard drive, closer to a desktop replacement than a portable.

Finishes

Dark ash aluminum-and-magnesium chassis, consistent across all configurations.

Known issues

Fans can get noisy after years of sustained workstation loads, and hinges on heavily used units sometimes loosen. Neither is a reason not to sell — just note it honestly when selecting condition.

Market positioning

Demand for this generation now comes mostly from buyers who refurbish workstations for CAD, simulation, or budget-conscious creative work rather than everyday consumers, which keeps well-specced Xeon and Quadro units in steady demand.

Frequently asked questions

01 How do I find the model number or exact configuration?
Run dxdiag or msinfo32 from the Windows Run box (Windows key + R) to see the exact processor, graphics card, and BIOS version installed. The specs sticker on the underside of the laptop, near the battery, lists the HP product number assigned at the factory. Between the two, you can confirm whether you have a Core i7 or Xeon build and which Quadro graphics card is installed, which is what the configuration picker above is asking for.
02 How do I tell it apart from the HP ZBook 17 G4?
Check the processor generation in dxdiag. The G3 runs 6th Gen Skylake Core i7 or Xeon chips, while the G4 moved to 7th Gen Kaby Lake processors and added an optional Windows Hello infrared camera and a revised trackpad. The two chassis look nearly identical from a distance, so relying on the sticker or dxdiag output is more reliable than a visual guess.
03 Can I sell it with damage, a weak battery, or a locked account?
Yes. A cracked screen, a battery that no longer holds a charge, or a unit that won't power on can still be sold — select the condition that matches honestly and the quote adjusts accordingly. Before shipping, sign out of any Microsoft account tied to the machine and remove BIOS or hard drive passwords if set, since a locked machine cannot be tested or resold. A dead unit is worth describing accurately rather than guessing at the fault.
04 What raises the trade-in value the most?
A working, higher-tier Quadro GPU (M4000M or M5000M) and an intact original charger matter most, since both are expensive to replace separately. A Xeon processor with ECC memory, an upgraded NVMe drive, and the DreamColor UHD display option also push the offer up. Clean hinges, a battery that still holds a reasonable charge, and no missing keys on the keyboard round out what buyers pay attention to.
05 How do I erase it and remove my accounts, and how do I get paid?
Go to Settings → System → Recovery → Reset this PC and choose to remove everything. Before you reset, sign out of and remove the device from your Microsoft account under Settings → Accounts, and if BitLocker is enabled, suspend or decrypt the drive first so the reset completes cleanly. Once reset, ship the laptop to us — shipping is free and insured. We test the unit against the condition you selected and pay by PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, CashApp, or check. Full step-by-step guidance is in our data erasure protocols.