I'll be attending the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas while you're reading this article, but I was given another opportunity to go hands-on with one of those CES 2026 announcements ages before the actual event.

This isn't the first time I've had an early, pre-production sample of an upcoming HP laptop on my desk, and this time it's the headline-stealing EliteBook X 14 (G2). I was so taken aback by its weight after pulling it from the box, I honestly believed for a moment HP hadn't sent me a functional device.

That's simply the nature of this laptop, though, which debuts a new ultra-light design and a crazy array of options — including the ability to equip it with Intel, AMD, or Qualcomm hardware. HP sent me the Intel-powered lightweight configuration, which also makes this my first experience with Intel Core Ultra (Series 3) silicon.

This hands-on was made possible thanks to a pre-production sample provided by HP. HP had no input nor saw the contents of this review prior to publication.

Doesn't catch the eye, but feels great in the hand

I actually reviewed the HP EliteBook X 14 (G1a) last year, which was a big, beefy laptop that focused on performance more than design and portability. The new EliteBook X is a very different beast.

In fact, this laptop feels more like the successor to the absolutely incredible HP EliteBook Ultra 14 (G1i) I also reviewed, but with an even lighter chassis and a more diverse list of options when you go to buy one.

You can get this laptop with the latest and greatest from Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm, and all will boast the same design coming in at just over a single kilogram. Choose Intel, though, and you'll be able to select an optional "lightweight configuration" that further drops that weight to just under a kilogram, putting the new EliteBook X in the same category as the ASUS Zenbook A14 (2025) I reviewed.

Like I alluded to before, though, something about the weight distribution makes this laptop feel lighter in the hand than even the Zenbook A14, even if it really isn't. The EliteBook X 14 almost seems hollow, but the build quality is still there for a premium business-grade laptop.

I will say, though, that the aforementioned Zenbook A14 and EliteBook Ultra (G1i) both boast more elegant designs — the EliteBook X 14 isn't ugly, by any means, but HP's clearly focusing on functionality and playing it safe with the aesthetics. At least that means no corners were cut with this hardware.

You get three USB-C ports, HDMI 2.1, USB-A, even optional 5G cellular connectivity. Quad speakers flank the new lattice-less keyboard, and you can equip the EliteBook X with one of HP's excellent haptic touchpads, too.

The default mechanical touchpad is also quite nice, but I was far more interested in properly testing the keyboard. HP has been putting top-notch boards in its EliteBooks for years, so I was a little concerned by the redesign. Fortunately, this keyboard is still truly excellent — but I wouldn't go so far as to say it's better than HP's previous EliteBook keyboards, just different.

The next-gen 2.8K OLED display may look the same on paper as what HP (and many others) have been using, but it's now noticeably brighter than before, and it looks amazing. HP will offer a lot of display options for the EliteBook X 14 (G2), though, including an ultra-bright Tandem OLED that I'd love to try for myself.

Limited experience with the latest from Intel

It's always fun to get my hands on a laptop before it's officially revealed, but I was especially interested in this opportunity because the EliteBook X 14 (G2i) is among the first devices rocking the latest Intel silicon. I've written extensively about Intel Core Ultra (Series 3) — also known as Panther Lake — but this is my first experience actually using the new platform.

Sadly, because this is pre-production hardware, I can't share any benchmark scores or make direct comparisons. Any definitive conclusions on battery life and efficiency will also have to wait until we (hopefully) review the EliteBook X 14 (G2i) after it properly releases.

So, we're limited to my initial impressions after using this laptop for a few days, but it's enough to reassure me that Panther Lake will be a very strong generation for Intel. Even unfinalized, the new EliteBook X 14 is beautifully responsive and smooth, waking from sleep instantly and absolutely flying through Windows 11.

This laptop has also stayed entirely cool and quiet during my time with it, which bodes well. It's all the more impressive considering just how thin and light the EliteBook X 14 is, but HP also offering AMD and Qualcomm variants suggests to me the company is confident in its tuning and thermal management solution.

Overall, HP may be on to a serious winner with the EliteBook X 14 (G2) family, with countless options to help anyone make the perfect companion for their work. This is an enterprise laptop worth keeping an eye on when it arrives in Spring 2026, even if HP hasn't quite revealed pricing information yet.

Countless companies have taken to the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas to announce new products and innovations, but few can claim to be announcing as many laptops as HP — especially not those as unique as this one is.

The HP EliteBook X 14 (G2) series look like your average, premium business laptops at first glance, but this family has two things going for it: an ultra-light aluminum design, and an endless list of configuration options... including the ability to choose between Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm processors.

I actually went hands-on with a pre-production sample of the Intel-powered EliteBook X 14, but this article isn't about that. Here's what you need to know about one of the most innovative laptops at CES 2026 — one that lets you choose the best silicon for your needs and priorities. For those looking for peak portability without compromising on features or performance, keep this laptop on your radar going into 2026.

Endless options to make the perfect laptop

Set aside how the headlining feature for the HP EliteBook X 14 (G2) family, and you'll still be met with a ridiculous number of options when you go to configure your own. Sure, there's the standard array of memory and storage options, but HP went so much further than that.

There are a multitude of OLED, IPS LCD, and even Tandem OLED display options depending on your needs and budget. You can add 5G cellular connectivity. You can upgrade to a haptic touchpad. You can even choose between three chassis colorways (silver, dark grey, or blue) for most of these options.

There's no doubt in my mind that the EliteBook X 14 (G2) will be a pricey machine across the board, but that's the cost for the freedom to pick and choose the exact features you want in a laptop. Beyond all of that, though, this laptop is impressive because it boasts separate Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm variants.

It'd be understandable if you believed that it's easy for a company to swap out processors from different companies, but that's simply not the case. It's pretty uncommon for laptops to offer more than one option without other noticeable, major differences in design or capabilities, and those options are rarely offered at launch.

In 2026, we're being blessed with Intel Core Ultra (Series 3), AMD Ryzen AI 400-series, and Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 silicon. That's a lot of options for the next generation of Windows laptops, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. No other company is so clearly committing to embracing each platform like HP is with the EliteBook X 14 (G2) series.

With the same design and nearly identical options, all that matters is which processor you prefer. I hope to see a lot more of this going forward, honestly, because Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm are all turning up the heat to better compete with each other (and that only benefits us).

The HP EliteBook X 14 (G2) series of laptops are set to arrive in Spring 2026, but HP hasn't divulged pricing details yet. If you want some more details, I went hands on with the Intel version of the EliteBook X 14 (G2) before heading to CES 2026.

Have you ever passed on your dream laptop because it lacked a specific option? HP's next-gen business laptop aims to dissolve those concerns, but do you think it succeeds? Let us know in the comments below.

In a world where laptops are taking away ports and features to chase thinner, lighter, and more minimalist designs, HP is still offering a laptop that feels pulled straight out of the past — but in the best possible way.

This is the HP EliteBook 8 Flip 13 (G1i), and it's the latest in a long line of HP EliteBook devices that have impressed me. This laptop certainly isn't for everyone, and it absolutely isn't perfect, but those who demand a combination of form factor and features that you simply can't find anywhere else will fall in love with this productivity monster.

When the base price is high and every option adds to the cost, though, it can be expensive to get an EliteBook 8 Flip of your own. No matter how much you spend, too, the display will only ever be just fine.

This review was made possible thanks to a review sample provided by HP. HP had no input nor saw the contents of this review prior to publication.

My HP EliteBook 8 Flip 13 (G1i) review

Design ⭐⭐⭐⭐

When most laptops have long since migrated to larger 14- and 16-inch panels, the HP EliteBook 8 Flip downsizes with a 13.3-inch screen (like we see with the largest tablets), making it more compact overall.

Even with a 2-in-1 design, this laptop still undercuts many of the most popular 14-inch laptops in weight and thickness, too. It's easily the most manageable 2-in-1 to use as a tablet that I've tested recently.

Even outside the unique display size and form factor, the EliteBook 8 Flip is well-designed. You still get two Thunderbolt 4 ports, USB Type-C (10GBps) and USB Type-A (5GBps) ports on the other side, HDMI 2.1, a 3.5mm audio jack, and a Kensington Nano Security Slot — and you have the option of adding a SmartCard reader and a NanoSIM slot for cellular connectivity.

Forget all of that, the EliteBook 8 Flip 13 also supports active stylus input — and it has an actual garage to store the stylus inside the laptop! When's the last time you saw that? All of this makes the side of the laptop rather busy, but I can't fault this build quality.

HP is shoving a lot of features into a petite frame, and it all makes sense. This laptop will never win "best-looking laptop" awards, but its practicality levels are through the roof.

Display ⭐⭐⭐½

The smaller 13.3-inch display may be a large part of the EliteBook 8 Flip 13's appeal, but the display itself is unfortunately average, even if you consider all ten display options HP provides.

That's because, while you can pay more for an anti-glare coating, massively increased max brightness, or HP's Sure View privacy filter, the EliteBook 8 Flip 13 can only ever have a basic 1200p, 60Hz, IPS LCD panel. It's not a bad display by any means, with strong comfort and contrast levels, but it's also nothing to write home about.

The color accuracy will always be just okay, the white balance will always skew warm, and you'll always be limited by the resolution and refresh rate.

Performance ⭐⭐⭐½

It shouldn't surprise you to learn that the EliteBook 8 Flip 13 isn't a powerhouse. Intel's more modest U-Series Core Ultra chips make up the core of this compact laptop, and while the highest-end Core Ultra 7 265U (the one in my review unit) may boast 12 cores, it still falls behind Intel's and AMD's best.

Performance isn't necessarily a downside — this laptop prioritizes mobility and versatility above all else, and it needs the efficiency to survive a long day in the field. It's still plenty fast to boot and responsive in use, too, enough that I never had any issue relying on it for my workloads.

The real weakness is the integrated GPU, as it lacks the firepower for any but the least demanding games or creative applications.

Battery life ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Despite the smaller frame, HP still managed to squeeze a sizeable 62Whr battery inside the EliteBook 8 Flip 13. Pair that with the more efficient Intel chipsets and the low-resolution, low-refresh-rate IPS LCD display, and you have a recipe for class-leading battery life.

In general, the EliteBook 8 Flip does deliver on endurance, too. Even cranking the display brightness can't stop you from easily getting a full day of work out of this laptop. Looping an hour of Microsoft Office workloads and then an hour of an HD video only drained 7% of the battery each time. It's easy to keep the EliteBook 8 Flip charged with any of its three USB-C ports, too.

Where this laptop gets knocked down, though, is its inconsistent standby time. Most of the time, this laptop expectantly sipped battery when closed, but there were multiple times I went to open it in the morning to realize it never properly went to sleep overnight, draining the battery.

Keyboard & touchpad ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

I've never met an HP EliteBook keyboard that disappointed me, and that's not about to change today. This may be a smaller laptop, but the keyboard never felt cramped; the layout, legibility, typing action, and key feel are all excellent.

The touchpad isn't haptic, but it's nice and spacious, responsive, and consistent with Microsoft Precision drivers. It's a great all-around experience, but you do have to pay extra for keyboard backlighting and a fingerprint sensor baked into the power button.

Software & AI ⭐⭐⭐⭐

HP still loves to pack its laptops with a ton of software, but the EliteBooks at least aren't drowning in bloatware (HP just has too many individual programs). This is an EliteBook, so you also get HP Wolf Security, a huge selling point for enterprises considering their next laptops.

Enhanced security and privacy, Poly Camera Pro for a better video conferencing experience, Human Presence Detection (HPD) features, that's all great, and Windows 11 runs well under all of it.

But it's worth mentioning that this is not a full Copilot+ PC (the NPU is too weak), so you don't get all of the latest and greatest artificial intelligence features Windows 11 has to offer.

Everything else ⭐⭐⭐⭐

As I've already mentioned, the HP EliteBook 8 Flip 13 (G1i) is positively packed with features. It has an ambient light sensor for adjusting display brightness and colors, an accelerometer and gyroscope for posture changes, HPD features — but so much is optional and costs extra.

If you want to upgrade to the latest Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, that's an option. If you want to add the garaged active stylus, that's an option. If you want a fingerprint sensor or facial recognition for Windows Hello, those are options. If you want 4G or 5G cellular connectivity, that's an option. If you want Near Field Communication (NFC) or a SmartCard reader, those are options. If you want keyboard backlighting, that's an option!

Almost no other laptop provides all these options, especially not in a single chassis, but the EliteBook 8 Flip 13 can get expensive fast when you start adding them. No matter what options you choose, though, the 5MP front-facing camera is just average, and the dual bottom-firing speakers are only serviceable.

EliteBook 8 Flip 13 review: My final thoughts

✅You should buy this if ...

• You want a smaller, versatile 2-in-1 with great battery life.
• You need a lot of features that most laptops lack.
• You're looking for a reliable, professional laptop for work on the go.

❌You should not buy this if ...

• You don't need most of the features this laptop has.
• You don't want to pay extra for enterprise-grade security.

The HP EliteBook 8 Flip 13 (G1i) is an odd duck, but it's also the right duck for a lot of professionals who need a compact, long-lasting, and versatile laptop for work — with a lot of features and options packed in that you simply can't find elsewhere.

Add every option, and you could end up paying over $5,000 for a laptop that's less premium in many respects than more traditional flagships, but those laptops can't do what this one does. Also, it's pretty regularly on sale (while I'm writing this review, it's exactly 50% off on all configurations at HP.com).

It's a truly unique laptop, and I can't help but praise it — even if the display and performance aren't anything to write home about. If you have a feeling this is the perfect productivity partner you've been seeking, you can get the HP EliteBook 8 Flip 13 (G1i) from $2,324 at HP.com (but, again, watch out for frequent discounts).

Lately, I've been falling in love with laptops designed for drab, grey enterprise environments, and HP and Lenovo are to blame.

I recently reviewed the HP EliteBook X 14 (G1a), and it's an excellent laptop. The EliteBook Ultra 14 (G1i) I've been testing the last few weeks feels like that device's fraternal twin.

That is to say, they're incredibly close as HP's two flagship enterprise laptops, both boasting premium designs, OLED displays, and high-quality hardware, but these siblings are still wildly different.

Where the EliteBook X is chunky and powerful, trading elegance for function, the EliteBook Ultra is sleek and efficient, giving up raw power to be thinner, lighter, and longer lasting.

The result is one of the best Windows laptops I've used in a very long time, but I knew that when I first went hands-on with it. The HP EliteBook Ultra 14 (G1i) is incredible across the board, and it's considerably smarter and more secure than your average laptop, too.

Even considering its target demographics of enterprise and prosumer customers, though, this laptop still asks for more at checkout than I, at least, would be willing to give... At least when it's not on sale.

This review was made possible thanks to a review sample provided by HP. HP had no input nor saw the contents of this review prior to publication.

EliteBook Ultra G1i: Cheat sheet

• What is it? An ultra-premium thin-and-light Windows laptop with enterprise-ready features.
• Who is it for? Business and prosumer customers who need a secure, private AI PC that focuses on portability and longevity.
• How much does it cost? The HP EliteBook Ultra 14 (G1i) starts from $2,019 at HP with a Core Ultra 5, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage, but there are more configuration options going all the way to $4,059 at HP.
• What did I like? The beautiful and luxurious design, incredible keyboard and touchpad combination, refined hardware and software features, and long battery life.
• What did I not like? The lackluster multi-core performance and the typically bloated price tag for an enterprise machine.

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EliteBook Ultra G1i: Pricing and specifications

The HP EliteBook Ultra 14 (G1i) isn't just an enterprise laptop, which are already notoriously expensive due to their specialized security, remote management, and privacy features — it also sits at the peak of HP's EliteBook lineup.

That makes it a very pricey notebook, but you at least know you're getting an incredible machine in exchange. The HP EliteBook Ultra 14 (G1i) starts from $2,019 at HP, with that entry-level model boasting an Intel Core Ultra 5, 16GB of RAM, 512GB of SSD storage, 3 years of HP Wolf Pro Security, and the same design and 14-inch OLED display of all the configurations.

The configuration I reviewed runs for $2,429 at HP, with that model upgrading to an Intel Core Ultra 7 chipset with Intel vPro and 32GB of RAM, but downgrading to 1 year of included Wolf Pro Security.

At the high end, you can pick up an EliteBook Ultra for $4,059 at HP, which gets you 1TB of SSD storage and 3 years of Wolf Pro Security.

Those prices vary wildly by configuration and get very expensive very quickly, but I've already seen HP discount the EliteBook Ultra 14 (G1i) by 22-26%, which shaves hundreds off the asking price. It'll still punch your bank account hard, but it's at least more reasonable.

In the box, you'll find the HP EliteBook Ultra 14 (G1i) laptop and a nice, compact, and braided 65W USB Type-C fast charger.

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EliteBook Ultra G1i: Design and build quality

HP has been releasing some good-looking laptops in recent months, but the EliteBook Ultra 14 (G1i) is my favorite. That makes sense, as this is the spiritual successor to the legendary HP Dragonfly we've loved in the past.

Clad in 90% recycled magnesium, which is both light and sturdy, the EliteBook Ultra 14 is razor thin, ranging from 9.1-12.2mm at its thinnest and thickest points, with a maximum height of 14.9mm if you include its feet.

It's also quite light at around 1.19kg, although it doesn't approach the most air-like laptops I've reviewed, like the competing Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 13) Aura Edition.

The EliteBook Ultra is elegant, with comfortable curves at the front and distinct edges at the rear, perfectly positioned ports, subtle branding, and HP's beautifully dark "Atmosphere Blue" color.

I do wish companies would make brighter laptops, but the EliteBook Ultra gets a pass because it screams "professionalism" at every turn, but without the industrial and utilitarian feel of many business-oriented devices.

This laptop is ridiculously slim, but build quality is impeccable, and you still get a decent selection of ports.

You'll mostly be relying on the triple Thunderbolt 4 ports, which are all fully equipped with USB Power Delivery and DisplayPort 2.1 support.

Many similar laptops are limited to two Thunderbolt ports or mix in some slower USB Type-C ports, so it's great that the EliteBook Ultra gives you so much bandwidth for connecting external monitors, USB hubs, docking stations, and other peripherals.

HP split the ports (one on the left, two on the right) with an LED charging indicator on each side, too, which gives you even more flexibility. You won't find an HDMI port here, but HP still included a legacy USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 2 port on the left side.

I've said in the past that I don't love this dropjaw port design, but it was this or no Type-A port at all, and most users will gladly make that compromise. You do still get a 3.5mm audio jack, if you need that, as well as a security lock slot for business customers.

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EliteBook Ultra G1i: Display quality

Being a flagship product from HP, the EliteBook Ultra 14 (G1i) rocks the same 14-inch, 2.8K, OLED display that I've seen many times before.

That means the same glossy finish, the same multi-touch support, the same variable 48Hz to 120Hz refresh rate, the same promises of color accuracy, HDR support, and the same overall performance.

It's vibrant, punchy, and overall looks incredible — but laptop displays have continued to improve since HP debuted this panel, so I need to hold it to that evolving standard.

The EliteBook Ultra 14's display performed about where I expected it to, with some deviations compared to its sibling with the same OLED panel, the EliteBook X 14 (G1a).

It doesn't get quite as dim or quite as bright, and its white balance skews slightly warmer overall, but you'd only notice if you had both laptops side-by-side to compare. It's a top-notch display no matter how you look at it, anyway.

You do get High Dynamic Range (HDR) support, but it's not Dolby Vision, and HP doesn't disclose what standard it meets. Similar to other laptops with this 2.8K panel, it's fine, but won't blow you away if you consume a lot of HDR content.

The EliteBook Ultra's display gets some familiar demerits, though, in that HP gives you next to no options to manage the display's color profile or OLED protection features, putting the company behind competitors like ASUS.

Like many OLED displays, the EliteBook Ultra 14 also uses Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) for dimming, which can cause eye fatigue and even headaches in some users.

Only those who are very sensitive to PWM should be affected, but HP simply matches the industry flicker rate standard rather than exceeds it, provides no flicker-free certification or settings, and doesn't offer an alternative display configuration.

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EliteBook Ultra G1i: Performance and thermals

This version of the EliteBook Ultra relies on Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) to deliver great performance, and specifically the 8-core "V" models that prioritize efficiency above everything else.

Unlike older Intel-powered enterprise machines, though, the EliteBook Ultra does provide some configurations with Intel vPro for those who need that added layer of security and remote management features (if you do, you know you do).

Of course, it's also an Intel Evo device, promising responsive wake-from-sleep, boot-up, and login times. In general, the EliteBook Ultra 14 (G1i) is as smooth as butter, cruising through Windows like a breeze through a swaying tree.

I had zero issues with my day-to-day workflow, which includes juggling a dozen or more browser tabs, a multitude of web apps and other programs, listening to music in the background, editing photos and spreadsheets, and more.

There is a trade-off for getting such a thin laptop with such excellent endurance, though, and that's high-end performance.

You only have to look at the benchmark results above to know what I mean. These V-series Intel chipsets were never intended to be performance monsters with only 8 cores, but the EliteBook Ultra performs behind similarly equipped laptops in multi-core tasks.

Strong single-core performance means this laptop never struggled with general usage, and it's still capable enough for light, casual gaming, but those who need high-end performance will find the EliteBook Ultra severely lacking.

Considering at whom this laptop is aimed, though, that's perfectly acceptable. The EliteBook Ultra performs practically identically on and off the charger and even across performance profiles, and it always runs cool and quiet.

Even when the fans did spin up, the low thrum was far from obnoxious or even distracting. HP clearly prioritized consistency above peak performance, and most users who aren't looking at benchmark scores will likely prefer that.

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EliteBook Ultra G1i: Software and AI experience

The EliteBook Ultra (G1i) does run on Windows 11, as expected, and it's also a Copilot+ PC thanks to the powerful Neural Processing Unit (NPU) attached to its Intel Core Ultra chipset.

I've already stated Windows feels great on this laptop, and there's no bloatware beyond the usual HP, Intel, Poly Studio, and other system management apps.

I can still complain that HP's own apps are needlessly fragmented into many pieces, and that the myHP app lacks in-depth device customization options, but I know HP is at least working on fixing the former.

On top of the usual array of apps, you'll find the HP Wolf Security dashboard, one of the key selling features for HP EliteBook and ZBook devices. In addition to the security, remote management, and privacy features of Windows 11 Pro and Intel vPro, HP has built in its own multi-level protections, recovery features, and IT tools that span through the hardware, BIOS, firmware, and software layers.

The HP EliteBook Ultra 14 (G1i) comes with 1-3 years of Wolf Pro Security, depending on your configuration, and the security suite also now takes advantage of AI PCs by leveraging the NPU for some background tasks.

On top of all that, HP feels like one of the only companies actually delivering a tangible AI PC experience, and that shows in the EliteBook Ultra, too, with evolving features like Smart Sense, Poly Studios effects, and the HP AI Companion. I won't go into depth on all of it, just know that HP is where you can see AI PCs that are useful now, not promised to be useful in the future.

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EliteBook Ultra G1i: Battery experience

You used to have to choose between an ultra-portable thin-and-light design and good battery life, but the EliteBook Ultra 14 (G1i) doesn't force you to decide.

Despite boasting a high resolution and high refresh rate OLED display, and despite packing an average 64Whr battery cell into its chassis, this laptop offers excellent endurance.

Set to its balanced "Smart Sense" performance profile at approximately 200nits display brightness (with Dynamic Refresh Rate enabled), 50% volume, and keyboard backlighting enabled, the HP EliteBook Ultra 14 (G1i) drained 6% of its battery after an hour of looping a generic Microsoft Office workload, and 8% after an hour of playing a local HD video.

I also ran a Windows Battery Report after a couple weeks of usage, and was given an average expected active use time of just over 9 hours per cycle. Yeah, over 8 hours of actual screen-on usage is easy to achieve with this laptop, and charging is quick and effortless through any of its three Thunderbolt 4 ports.

The EliteBook Ultra (G1i) is also one of the most impressively consistent laptops I've ever tested in terms of performance. There was zero difference in CPU performance on or off the charger, and GPU performance only fell by 4%.

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EliteBook Ultra G1i: Keyboard and touchpad

HP EliteBooks are known for boasting fantastic keyboards, and this device is right up there with my all-time favorites.

As always, the EliteBook Ultra 14 (G1i)'s layout is spacious and intuitive, with a wonderfully legible font and bright, even backlighting for everything (including secondary functions and symbols).

Travel is deep enough, and the key action is tactile and satisfying, with a rapid snapback that guarantees great responsiveness. HP smartly chose the secondary functions for the accented Fn row, including a dedicated macro key that you can customize yourself.

This is where I say the touchpad is just fine, right? No, because the EliteBook Ultra 14 is one of the few laptops that rocks a full-blown haptic touchpad. It's a large touchpad, and the entire surface is equally "clickable" with nice, precise tactile feedback.

Palm rejection is good, too, and Microsoft Precision drivers ensure smooth and accurate gestures. HP takes advantage of the haptic technology to enable volume and brightness gestures, too, turning either side of the touchpad into a clicky "scroll wheel" that's intuitive and satisfying to use.

Of course, I can always find something to suggest. HP should take a page out of Lenovo's and Razer's books and highlight actionable keys when holding down the FN key.

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EliteBook Ultra G1i: Other hardware

The HP EliteBook Ultra 14 (G1i) is equipped with all the features you'd expect of such a premium device, including two forms of Windows Hello biometric authentication. Both the IR sensor-backed facial recognition and the fingerprint sensor embedded in the power button are accurate and performant.

The front-facing 9MP webcam is one of the best you'll find on a laptop, flanked by a dual-array microphone and all boosted by HP's Poly Studios AI-powered effects, which work well across apps.

A proximity sensor enables Human Presence Detection (HPD) features running off the NPU, while an accelerometer, gyroscope, and thermal sensor help inform the AI-backed Smart Sense that automatically manages your device's performance depending on your location, where the laptop is being used, what you're doing, and more.

The only thing you're really missing is an ambient light sensor for automatic brightness and color temperature adjustment; it's too bad we didn't get everything shy of the kitchen sink, but HP still baked in more than most companies do.

Wireless connectivity is handled by the latest Wi-Fi 7 2x2 and Bluetooth 5.4 standards, and both are exactly as reliable and performant as you'd expect. Unlike the previous Dragonfly devices, though, there's no option for 5G cellular here, which is a shame.

Finally, we have the quad speakers tuned by Poly Studios and DTS. Despite being buried under the keyboard and bottom-firing, these speakers sound shockingly clear and detailed all the way to max volume, which is more than loud enough to fill a room with noise. Low end and depth are lacking, but these speakers easily surpass the vast majority of laptop sound systems.

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EliteBook Ultra G1i: Also consider

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EliteBook Ultra G1i: Score card

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EliteBook Ultra G1i: My final thoughts

✅You should buy this if ...

• You want a thin-and-light laptop for work on the go.
• You need the absolute best in security, privacy, and remote management.
• You're willing to pay more for an ultra-premium enterprise laptop.

❌You should not buy this if ...

• You know your workflow requires serious multi-core muscle.
• You're very sensitive to OLED PWM flickering.

HP has become one of my go-to recommendations when it comes to 14-inch Windows laptops, and the EliteBook Ultra 14 (G1i) encapsulates everything I've grown to love about the company.

This device may not be aimed at regular consumers, but it still has all the fixings you expect from an ultra-premium flagship. The modern and refined design, the smooth and colorful OLED display, and true all-day battery life are all here.

You'll also enjoy one of the best keyboard and touchpad combinations on any laptop you can buy right now, and that attention to quality extends to every other hardware feature (and there are a lot of them).

The multi-core performance won't be enough for some, the OLED display carries some familiar weaknesses (and there are no other options), HP's software still has plenty of room to improve, and there's little reason for most people to spend so much on an enterprise-grade laptop — but those are ultimately nitpicks.

Those who need the best security, privacy, remote management, and AI features in a single, premium, and feature-packed thin-and-light ultrabook that'll endure long days of work can find exactly that in the HP EliteBook Ultra 14 (G1i), which is now available from $2,019 at HP.

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HP is one of the world's top-selling laptop brands, and its expertise covers everything from budget consumer PCs to secure business devices to high-end gaming laptops.

A visit to HP's storefront reveals countless different makes and models, and attempting to find the perfect Windows laptop for your needs isn't always easy.

And because HP's laptop brands recently underwent a shift, it can be harder to decipher what's made for business, what's made for regular users, and what's made for gaming.

I'm here to decipher all of HP's new laptop brands while making some suggestions for which names are the best for certain types of users.

HP's huge 2024 PC rebrand explained

HP's laptop ecosystem has changed a lot in the last year following a near-complete rebranding in May 2024.

Recognizable brands like Spectre (since 2012), Envy (since 2009), and Pavilion (since 1995) have been retired, although you can still find models for sale from before the shakeup; they're slowly being phased out.

It plays out like this: OmniBook is the new umbrella term for HP's consumer laptops. Spectre, Envy, and Pavilion now fall under this name, and HP has differentiated models with letters and numbers.

For example, the high-end Spectre lineup is now known as OmniBook Ultra, with OmniBook X sitting one tier below.

Envy and Pavilion laptops are now split into OmniBook 7, 5, and 3. The laptops get more affordable as the numbers get smaller.

In the same vein on the commercial side: HP's EliteBook laptops come in Ultra, X, 8, and 6 versions. The budget business PCs are called ProBook with 4 and 2 versions.

HP's gaming laptops haven't been rebranded, so the usual OMEN and Victus lineups are still in place.

The HP rebrand coincided with the launch of Copilot+ PCs, which brought a considerable amount of new Qualcomm Snapdragon X-powered laptops with AI tools built into Windows 11.

This wasn't an accident. As HP stated in its press release from May 2024:

"[…] as AI PCs quickly transform the personal computing landscape, we saw an opportunity to take increasingly complex technology and communicate it in a strikingly simple way.”

The rebrand is the right move for the sake of simplicity, and "OmniBook" already has a history at HP dating back to 1993.

HP's OmniBook lineup of consumer laptops

HP's simplification focus sees consumer laptops like Spectre, Pavilion, and the standard "HP Laptop" brand become OmniBook.

While it might seem at first more difficult to differentiate models, HP's numbering and lettering system is straightforward.

HP OmniBook Ultra and Ultra Flip

The OmniBook Ultra, as the top tier, is expected to deliver the best mix of design, features, display, performance, and battery life. These laptops also come with the highest price tags.

HP offers both notebook and convertible (with the Flip name added) OmniBook Ultra laptops, and at least for now, they're all sized at 14 inches. By default, they come with an OLED display.

Former Windows Central writer Zachary Boddy reviewed the OmniBook Ultra Flip 14, calling it a worthy successor to the Spectre x360 and handing it an Editor's Choice award.

All of the new OmniBook Ultra laptops are AI PCs, and the modern Intel and AMD hardware options have enough Neural Processing Unit (NPU) power to handle Copilot+ tools built into Windows 11.

If you want one of the absolute best consumer laptops HP offers, the OmniBook Ultra and OmniBook Ultra Flip laptops should be your first consideration.

HP OmniBook X

HP's OmniBook X laptops are available with Qualcomm Snapdragon X Systems-on-Chip (SoC) as well as modern Intel and AMD CPU options.

The launch of Snapdragon X Elite and Snapdragon X Plus SoCs is what kicked off the Copilot+ PC AI revolution, and the ARM64 chips are snappy with awesome efficiency.

As long as you're OK with some of the limitations around Windows on ARM, OmniBook X laptops should be a top choice for those who value battery life and competitive pricing.

And if you do want a standard Windows experience, the AMD and Intel models are standing by. All have access to Copilot+ AI tools.

Be sure to check out my comparison of HP OmniBook X vs. OmniBook Ultra to get a better idea of which PC is better for you.

HP OmniBook 7, 5, 3

After OmniBook Ultra and OmniBook X, HP splits its more affordable laptops into OmniBook 7, 5, and 3 lineups.

OmniBook 7 is one step down from Ultra/X, with prices currently starting at about $1,199. They're full AI PCs with Intel Core Ultra and AMD Ryzen chips, and they have enough NPU power to be included under the Copilot+ umbrella.

OmniBook 7 is available in notebook and convertible models, with the latter taking on the "Flip" name, just like OmniBook Ultra.

OmniBook 5 laptops are one step down, with prices starting at about $899. They're equipped with Snapdragon, Intel, and AMD processors, and most (but not all) have an NPU with enough power for Copilot+.

OmniBook 3 laptops are slowly taking over for the HP Essential lineup, and it's where you'll find some of the most affordable HP PCs around. They range in size from 14 inches up to 17.3 inches, with a mix of AMD, Intel, and Snapdragon hardware.

HP's gaming laptops

Whereas HP's consumer line underwent some major changes in the past year, the company has preserved its OMEN and Victus gaming brands.

For OMEN, the brand is now spread out into four different sectors, including OMEN MAX, OMEN Slim, OMEN Transcend, and regular OMEN.

HP OMEN MAX

This most recent addition to the OMEN gaming laptop lineup is designed for gamers who want the absolutely best features and performance.

The OMEN MAX is a 16-inch device with up to a QHD+ OLED display with a 240Hz refresh rate and 0.2ms response time.

You can configure it with up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX or AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 CPU and NVIDIA RTX 5090 Laptop GPU, as well as up to 64GB of DDR5 RAM and a 2TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD.

HP OMEN Transcend

OMEN Transcend laptops sit somewhere between the standard OMEN and OMEN MAX stables, designed to deliver high-end features and strong performance in a slim chassis that's easier to carry around.

OMEN Transcend laptops come in 14- and 16-inch sizes, and they run on Intel Core Ultra CPUs and NVIDIA RTX 50-series Laptop GPUs.

Transcend laptops generally cost more than their standard OMEN counterparts due to the more portable design.

HP OMEN and OMEN Slim

OMEN is HP's core lineup of gaming laptops, designed to deliver strong performance and a great set of features at a lower price than MAX and Transcend.

HP OMEN comes in 14- and 16-inch sizes, and they're configurable with the latest Intel and AMD CPUs. NVIDIA's RTX 50-series laptop GPUs are also available.

OMEN is where I recommend most PC gamers look first, as it generally offers the best balance of price, performance, and features. If you like OMEN but want something just a bit more portable, OMEN Slim might be more to your liking.

HP Victus

Victus PCs are usually the most affordable way to land one of HP's gaming laptops, but they come with some concessions.

Build quality is generally not as impressive as OMEN, with some extra corners cut on complementary hardware (webcam, speakers, ports, etc.).

However, with prices starting at about $1,099 (with frequest discounts), you can shop without overspending on a laptop that will run most modern games.

You can find Victus gaming laptops in 15.6-inch sizes, and there are Intel or AMD CPU options available with NVIDIA RTX GPUs.

HP's business and enterprise laptops

The business side of HP's laptop portfolio underwent some big changes as well, and the new lineup for mainline business users now consists of EliteBook, EliteBook X, and EliteBook Ultra.

There's also HP's Zbook brand, which hasn't changed and still represents the most powerful mobile workstations the company has to offer.

And for budget shoppers, HP ProBook remains the go-to selection.

HP EliteBook Ultra, EliteBook X, and more

HP's new EliteBook business laptops are available with Intel, Qualcomm, and AMD CPUs, giving you plenty of options when it comes time to configure. They're designed for busy professionals who need extra security measures, a more durable design, long battery life, and snappy performance.

EliteBook X, at the time of my latest update, represents the latest hardware and design. You can get these PCs in notebook or convertible form factors, and as usual at HP, there are a ton of config options available.

HP's ProBooks are a staple for many business users, and they're available in countless different configurations. Modern Intel chips go into many of these PCs, buy you can also select AMD Ryzen CPUs. Most are AI PCs with a powerful NPU inside.

ProBook sizes ranger from 14 to 16 inches, and they're only available as notebooks.

HP's mobile workstations

Beyond laptops made for general use by professionals, HP has a lineup of ZBook mobile workstations that push performance to a level suitable for creators and developers.

The ZBook lineup wasn't part of HP's big 2024 rebrand, so the mobile workstations remain mostly the same.

That is to say, they're the best option for anyone who wants a secure and durable PC with exceptional CPU performance, more potent graphics, and high-res displays with accurate color reproduction.

The ZBook portfolio consists of a few different models, providing plenty of different configurations for all types of users.

HP ZBook

ZBook is split up into several different tiers, including ZBook X, ZBook Fury, ZBook Ultra, ZBook Power, and ZBook 8. They range from 14 inches up to 18 inches, and they pack in the latest CPUs from Intel and AMD.

Because there are mobile workstations made to replace a desktop, they also feature NVIDIA RTX PRO discrete graphics and AMD Radeon integrated GPUs.

Prices for these laptops climb incredibly high, but it's the same with any other brand of laptop that's offering this much performance, security, and ISV certification. However, ZBook 8 and ZBook Power seem to often be the most affordable options.

In any case, HP usually has these laptops on sale for thousands less than normal, so it's never a bad idea to check in and see how much you can save.

How to choose the right HP laptop

HP offers a full lineup of laptops for all types of users, and attempting to shop around in a sea of laptops isn't always conducive to finding the best option for you.

Here's a quick rundown of each of HP's laptop brands, as well as the user to whom they're intended.

• HP OmniBook: These consumer laptops are perfect for general users who don't need added business or enterprise features, and who don't plan on gaming. There's a wide range of features and prices available, and many fall under the AI PC umbrella.
• HP OMEN: HP's gaming brand is home to OMEN MAX, OMEN Transcend, OMEN Slim, and OMEN laptops, complete with displays and performance hardware aimed at powering your favorite games.
• HP Victus: HP's budget gaming might be the right choice if you want to game but don't have as much to spend. All models have a discrete GPU and a display with a high refresh rate.
• HP EliteBook: These business and enterprise laptops come with extra security and management features, stellar battery life, strong durability, and displays that are easy on the eyes. Many fall under the AI PC umbrella.
• HP ZBook: For creators, designers, and developers on the go, ZBook mobile workstations should be a top option. They're extremely powerful, they have specialized displays, and they're generally packed with high-end features.
• HP ProBook: These business laptops are usually the most affordable for pros, offering extra security and management features without the high prices seen in EliteBook and ZBook.

I recommend you head into the shopping process with a clear idea of what you'll be using the laptop for, as well as how much you want to spend.

With those two conditions in mind, you can start delving through HP's laptop lineup to pick the perfect PC.

For what purpose are you using your laptop?

You always want to have a clear idea in mind of how you'll be using your new laptop.

Most people will simply want a laptop that can handle office tasks, web browsing, productivity, homework, streaming, and other general purposes.

In that case, OmniBook deserves a look first, with EliteBook close behind for those who lean more into the professional world, where security is extra important.

Want something that will primarily be used for gaming? OMEN and Victus laptops should be considered first, with the latter being the cheapest gaming laptops from HP's table.

Need something that offers desktop-class performance in a mobile package? Often using specialized design and development software? ZBook has what you need.

What is your laptop budget?

Setting a budget and sticking to it is always recommended, and your expectations will change depending on the laptop brand you've designated as being your best option.

OmniBook, ProBook, and Victus laptops are among the most affordable, so cash-strapped shoppers should start there.

Professionals and gamers with EliteBook and OMEN in mind should be prepared to spend more, as the additional security and performance hardware doesn't come cheap.

And if you're shopping for a ZBook mobile workstation, you will quickly see prices climb into the thousands as you add more power and more features.

Do you really need an AI PC?

HP offers a relatively wide selection of AI PCs, but whether or not you need one is up to you.

If you want access to Copilot+ tools in Windows 11, I recommend opting for a Snapdragon X, Intel Core Ultra (Series 2/3), or AMD Ryzen AI 300/400 CPU with a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) capable of more than 40 TOPS of local AI power.

OmniBook and EliteBook lineups should be the first stop for an excellent AI laptop with access to Copilot+. For anyone working with or developing AI on a more regular basis, one of HP's ZBook workstations with a discrete NVIDIA GPU should be strongly considered.

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As a general rule, enterprise laptops tend to be dreadfully boring. After all, they don't need to be fun to sell themselves to companies and businesses.

I still find myself falling in love with a handful of commercial-grade devices that stand out from the rest, though, and those laptops increasingly hail from HP. Case in point, the HP EliteBook X 14 (G1a), the new hero device for HP's ambitious AI PC endeavors.

The EliteBook X is far from the slimmest or lightest 14-inch laptop out there, but it packs a ton of firepower courtesy of AMD Ryzen AI, and is especially competent when it comes to artificial intelligence.

It's also just a great laptop in general, ticking every single box you need from a laptop you need to trust to get the job done. Like most enterprise machines, though, the EliteBook X 14 is an expensive machine, and it still manages to burn through its massive battery faster than I'd like.

This review was made possible thanks to a review sample provided by HP. HP had no input nor saw the contents of this review prior to publication.

EliteBook X 14 review: Cheat sheet

• What is it? The HP EliteBook X 14 (G1a) is a 14-inch laptop designed for commercial customers, with enhanced security and remote management features.
• Who is it for? Those who need those enterprise-grade features, and are willing to trade some weight and thickness for best-in-class performance and AI capabilities.
• How much does it cost? This laptop starts from $2,099 at HP for the Wolf Pro Security Edition. The standard edition starts from $2,199 at HP.
• What did I like? The practical design, refined hardware and comfortable keyboard, reliable performance, and gorgeous display.
• What did I not like? The weight, the middling battery life, and the price tag.

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EliteBook X 14 review: Pricing and specifications

The HP EliteBook X 14 (G1a) is an enterprise laptop through and through, and essentially comes in two flavors: the standard version, and the even more specialized Wolf Pro Security Edition.

The former starts from $2,199 at HP, and that laptop comes equipped with the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375, a non-touch 1200p IPS LCD display, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB of SSD storage. My review configuration upgrades to a 2.8K OLED display and 64GB of RAM for $2,749 at HP.

For those not content with the standard 1-year of Wolf Pro Security, you can get three years included from $2,099.99 at HP, and prices for those configurations go all the way up to $4,299 at HP, depending on your needs.

Enterprise laptops can rarely be considered "good deals," especially if you're a regular consumer who doesn't need those enhanced security and remote management features, but the EliteBook X isn't outlandishly priced in its segment — and that price tag doesn't matter as much to enterprises looking to buy a fleet.

In the box, you'll find the HP EliteBook X 14 (G1a) laptop and a 100W USB Type-C slim charger with a braided cable.

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EliteBook X 14 review: Design and build quality

When I went hands-on with a pre-production model of the HP EliteBook X, I commented on how I oddly really appreciated its design, despite it not being as sleek or slim as other premium Windows laptops.

At around 18mm thick and over 3 lbs, the EliteBook X isn't particularly compact, but it's not chunky enough that it felt like a burden while lugging it around HP's Amplify 2025 conference for a few days.

It does feel very sturdy, though, passing 19 MIL-STD 810H military-grade durability tests and undergoing rigorous trials in HP's labs. It's sustainable, too, with recycled materials used throughout the laptop and packaging (including up to 80% recycled aluminum in the covers).

That additional mass does make it easier to add a bunch of ports, and HP definitely did. You get a total of three USB Type-C ports, and two of those are full Thunderbolt 4 ports.

Yes, even though this is an AMD-powered laptop, you still get Thunderbolt. HP also smartly puts a T4 port on each side, so it doesn't matter where your charger or docking station is situated (this change is in direct response to customer and reviewer feedback, too).

Beyond that, you get an HDMI 2.1 port for display output, a USB Type-A port, a 3.5mm audio jack, and a Kensington Nano Security Slot. It's a good selection, nicely spaced and well positioned.

The EliteBook X 14 isn't the flashiest flagship, but I genuinely like its curvy aesthetic, and its wholehearted focus on practicality makes it a great choice for productivity-conscious workers.

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EliteBook X 14 review: Display quality

The EliteBook X can be equipped with a modest FHD+ IPS LCD display, which provides a considerable boost to battery life, or the gorgeous and vibrant 2.8K OLED panel that we've seen on other high-end HP laptops.

Comfortably sized at 14 inches with a 16:10 aspect ratio, perfectly sharp at 1800p, and beautifully smooth with a 48 - 120Hz variable refresh rate (with Windows Dynamic Refresh Rate support), this OLED display seemingly ticks all of the boxes.

It does look wonderful, too, with consistently punchy colors and the characteristic infinite contrast associated with this display tech. If you're willing to sacrifice some endurance, it's a visual treat.

Looking at the numbers, the EliteBook X's OLED panel is very color accurate and shows a pretty consistent, even white balance across brightness levels. It also gets bright enough for an OLED panel, even if it doesn't break any records.

You do get High Dynamic Range (HDR) support, but it's not Dolby Vision, and I can't find the exact VESA DisplayHDR standard. Like most laptop OLED displays, it's better than your typical IPS LCD for HDR content, but nothing too crazily good.

I do have to hand out some demerits, though. The EliteBook X doesn't feature an ambient light sensor for automatic brightness or color temperature adjustments despite its high price tag.

You also have next to no options for customizing the display, including tweaking the color profile or managing the OLED safety settings. ASUS still sets the standard for OLED displays in laptops.

Finally, this display does use Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) for dimming, which can cause eye fatigue and even headaches despite this laptop's 5-star TÜV Rheinland EyeComfort and Low Blue Light certification. The PWM flicker refresh rate seems relatively low, and PWM appears to be in use across nearly all brightness levels, too, so choose the IPS LCD display option if you're sensitive.

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EliteBook X 14 review: Performance and thermals

The HP EliteBook X 14 (G1a) is actually powered by the same exclusive AMD Ryzen AI chipset as the HP OmniBook Ultra 14 I reviewed. It's a familiar 12-core, 24-thread foundation, but the Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for AI tasks is the most powerful on the market with up to 55 TOPs of computational power.

Overall, the EliteBook X is an excellent performer, balancing a best-in-class CPU with a good integrated GPU and plenty of fast memory and storage. I'd say the OmniBook Ultra 14 felt slightly more responsive, but the EliteBook X layers more security and remote management features on top.

The numbers reflect the user experience. This device isn't pummeling 16-inch gaming laptops on a regular basis, but does keep up with the absolute best and most capable 14-inch machines we've tested.

Thermally, it can get warm to the touch, but never noticeably slowed down due to throttling. The fans can get very audible, but don't spin up unnecessarily and are always at a consistent, low-pitched whir.

I noticed occasional stutters, though, and the EliteBook X loses approximately 18% CPU performance and 9% GPU performance when off the charger, which is a more substantial throttle than the latest Intel and Qualcomm chipsets.

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EliteBook X 14 review: Software and AI experience

As I mentioned, the EliteBook X runs Windows 11 very well, and every version comes with Windows 11 Pro for additional security and remote management features. It's a clean build, devoid of the frustrating bloatware HP loads on its consumer laptops.

HP's own software is still needlessly fragmented into a bunch of pieces, though, and the myHP app for managing your device settings is slow and clunky on this laptop (that's not a complaint I normally have with myHP). It's also missing a lot of granular settings, like for the display.

You are getting one of the most complete AI PC experiences on the market, though, as the EliteBook X is a Copilot+ PC backed by a best-in-class NPU. HP also invests heavily in artificial intelligence, so the EliteBook X ties into that ecosystem seamlessly. The HP AI Companion app is onboard for device control, analysis, and organization of local data libraries, and more.

One of the most valuable features of the EliteBook series, though, is the Wolf Security for Business suite. This provides multi-level security that extends even below the BIOS, and is invaluable for protecting your data. Every EliteBook X 14 (G1a) comes with at least one year of Wolf Pro Security, too, which adds granular hardware control, automatic recovery, and a built-in Virtual Machine (VM) for isolating suspected malware.

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EliteBook X 14 review: Battery experience

There's a 74.5Whr battery inside the HP EliteBook X 14 (G1a), which is sizeable for a 14-inch machine and should be plenty to keep this laptop chugging for hours.

Sadly, the EliteBook X's endurance can only be described as "average," falling short of the most efficient Intel and Qualcomm-powered laptops... and even similar AMD Ryzen AI devices.

Looping an hour of a standard Microsoft Office workload and then an hour of an HD video (all with standard settings) resulted in a battery drain of 11% in both cases. Running a Windows Battery Report after weeks of use returned an average battery life of around six hours of real-world usage.

Swapping out the OLED display for the lower-end IPS LCD panel would return a couple of hours of battery life to you. Even then, this laptop's endurance would be decidedly average, but it's at least consistently average.

It's good enough for a passing grade, and HP does include a very nice, braided 100W USB Type-C charger in the box, which is compact and fast. It takes little time to get enough juice for a few more hours of work.

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EliteBook X 14 review: Keyboard and touchpad

Many seem to regard this laptop's predecessor, the HP EliteBook 1040, as having one of the best keyboards of any laptop ever.

HP made some changes with the EliteBook X 14 to improve upon that design, and it really is an excellent keyboard. The layout is intuitive, and the keys are well-spaced and responsive.

The typing action is a little softer than I'd like, but the travel distance is great and performance is flawless. You also get a customizable macro key in the function row, which is always nice to have.

The glass, mechanical touchpad isn't the largest, but it's smooth and responsive, with Windows Precision drivers for flawless gesture support. I'd obviously prefer a haptic touchpad like in the upcoming HP EliteBook Ultra 14 (G1i) I briefly tested, but you can't have everything.

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EliteBook X 14 review: Other hardware

Most people don't expect much from their laptop's webcam, but HP does offer some of the better ones you'll find. The 5MP front-facing camera is decently sharp, with accurate color reproduction, consistent white balance, and respectable performance.

The dual-array microphone gets the job done, too, and both are supported by the AI-powered Poly Camera Pro application that provides a ton of options for improving your video conferencing experience.

There's support for Human Presence Detection (HPD), with HP building on the standard Windows features with its own privacy additions. You'll also find an IR sensor to support Windows Hello facial recognition, as well as a fingerprint sensor embedded in the power button; both were fast and reliable, but I found the facial recognition to be more consistent on the EliteBook X.

You'll find a quad speaker system inside the EliteBook X, too, and it stands out even without additional features like Dolby Atmos support. Some laptops still provide greater depth or a more dynamic sound, but these speakers are loud, clear, and balanced for all kinds of content.

Finally, wireless connectivity is handled by the latest Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 standards, and performance is (mostly) excellent. I had a handful of instances when the EliteBook X randomly disconnected from a network, but it hasn't been a frequent issue.

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EliteBook X 14 review: Also consider

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EliteBook X 14 review: Score card

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EliteBook X 14 review: My final thoughts

✅You should buy this if ...

• You want a powerful 14-inch laptop
• You want to see the best an AI PC can do
• You need greater security and privacy features

❌You should not buy this if ...

• You highly value a thin-and-light design
• You need true, reliable all-day battery life

I recently broke down why HP is the one company convincing me AI laptops actually matter, and you don't have to reach far to label the HP EliteBook X 14 (G1a) as the company's first hero device in this new era of artificial intelligence.

This laptop is built entirely with AI in mind, centered around the most powerful AI-centric chipset you can currently put in a laptop (a chipset that is, at least for now, exclusive to HP).

Combine that power with HP's thorough, company-wide strategy for utilizing cutting-edge AI technology effectively and efficiently, and the EliteBook X 14 is a great laptop now that's set to get even better as time goes on.

All that power comes at a cost, though, and the gargantuan battery stuffed inside this thick chassis isn't enough to make this the endurance champion many professionals desire.

If you're not a professional and just want a great 14-inch laptop, you're also better off looking elsewhere, like at HP's OmniBook line — don't pay hundreds extra for enterprise-specific features you'll never use.

There are many that will have all of their boxes ticked by this sturdy machine, though; to those people, you can now get the HP EliteBook X 14 (G1a) from $2,099 at HP.com, with a few available configurations depending on your hardware and software needs.

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HP is currently running one of the best laptop deals I've ever seen on its 16-inch EliteBook 860 G11 with 64GB of RAM. Yes, it's a business laptop, which usually means a higher price compared to regular systems without extra security and professional features. However, HP has knocked $2,586 off the regular price for Presidents' Day, bringing the total down to just $1,381. That's a savings of 65%.

I keep tabs on major laptop deals no matter the time of year, and I don't think I've ever seen a bigger discount during major events like Black Friday and Prime Day. Even if you don't particularly need the business features, at this price you really can't go wrong.

The EliteBook 860 G11 might be the best laptop deal of the year

HP's EliteBook lineup of premium business laptops often goes unnoticed, but it ranks alongside Lenovo's ThinkPad and Dell's Latitude stables. Normally, I'd be explaining why a business laptop makes sense for professionals, but with a 65% discount, the EliteBook 860 G11 is easy to recommend to just about anyone. You'll want to look elsewhere if you need a gaming laptop or a Copilot+ PC, but otherwise, this is worth serious consideration.

HP isn't just selling a baseline model and hoping that folks buy it for the extra business perks (more on those in a moment). The EliteBook 860 G11 on sale includes an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H vPro CPU with 16 cores and 22 threads, an NPU with about 11 TOPS for local AI work (yes, it's considered an AI laptop), a 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD for speedy storage, and a whopping 64GB of DDR5-5600MHz RAM to keep the laptop relevant long into the future.

This hardware combination will crush productivity work, and the oversized 16-inch screen has plenty of space for multitasking. It has a basic 1920x1200 resolution to fit the taller 16:10 aspect ratio, and an anti-glare coating helps cut down on glare from overhead lighting or sunlight.

Combine all this with an industry-leading keyboard, a huge touchpad, Wi-Fi 6E, a 5MP webcam with IR for Windows Hello, and plenty of ports — including dual Thunderbolt 4, dual USB-A, HDMI 2.1, and 3.5mm audio jack — and you have a laptop that can fit into just about any workflow.

Whether you use it or not — I recommend you do! — the discounted EliteBook comes with three years of access to HP's Wolf Pro Security Edition. That's roughly a $180 value were you to buy it separately. The security suite includes an advanced antivirus, threat containment, credential and identity protection, safe web browsing, a cloud-based management console, 24/7 support, and more.

I really can't find any blind spots with this deal. Sure, the screen resolution could be higher, but for productivity work the FHD+ pixels will be more than enough. The laptop's 56Wh battery should realistically last through most of a workday (especially when paired with an FHD+ display), there's a fingerprint reader for extra security, and you get a standard three-year warranty.

Despite its 16-inch frame, the EliteBook 860 G11 doesn't way so much that it's a pain to carry around. It weighs in at 3.8 pounds (1.7kg) and measures just 0.35 inches at its thinnest point, so it's far from a brick in your backpack.

As mentioned, the Intel Core Ultra Series 1 chip inside doesn't have an NPU powerful enough for Copilot+ tools like Recall, local AI image generation, and advanced Windows Studio Effects. It does, however, include an NPU that can help with standard Windows Studio Effects and other lighter AI tasks that are performed locally.

I wouldn't let this hold you back. At 65% off the regular price, the EliteBook 860 G11 is the laptop I'm recommending to everyone as long the sale is live.

HP has been earning a lot of attention from me lately, and it's mostly been great. The company's investments in the AI PC craze have helped HP stand out from the crowd, and its laptops have evolved to match. I recently reviewed the HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 (2024), and it's one of the best laptops I've tested in recent memory. On the other hand, HP's enterprise efforts have begun to draw me away from those consumer-focused devices.

Ahead of CES 2025, HP sent me a pre-production sample of the HP EliteBook Ultra 14 (G1i), one of three professional laptops announced during the latest Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. All three devices, including the EliteBook Ultra 14, are powered by Intel Core Ultra (Series 2), making them potent work machines with some serious AI chops. My early hands-on time with the EliteBook Ultra has been extremely positive, and in some ways, I'm honestly more excited about EliteBook than OmniBook lately.

It's a feeling I first had when HP sent me an early sample of its EliteBook X 14 (G1a) following HP Imagine 2024, but this laptop checks even more boxes for me.

This hands-on was made possible thanks to a pre-production sample provided by HP. HP had no input nor saw the contents of this review prior to publication.

An impressive hardware package

The HP EliteBook Ultra 14 (G1i) is obviously premium, wrapped in a sleek, dark blue magnesium chassis. You won't find the cut corners of HP's high-end OmniBook devices here, with the EliteBook Ultra cleanly split between rounded edges and sharp corners.

Those subtle changes make this one of my favorite HP laptop designs, with excellent build quality and an obvious attention to detail. That polish continues when you open the lid, too, with HP's new two-tone keyboard, a massive glass haptic touchpad, and a gorgeous OLED display with slim bezels all around. It's slim all around, honestly, with a maximum thickness of 14.9mm, a weight of approximately 1.22kg with a touch panel, and an over 90% screen-to-body ratio.

The premium feeling doesn't harm HP's sustainability commitments, either, with 90% of the magnesium chassis being post-industrial recycled, 50% or more of the keycaps, bezel, and speaker enclosures being post-consumer recycled or ocean-bound plastic, and 100% of the packaging being fully recyclable.

On top of being premium, portable, and sustainable, the EliteBook Ultra 14's design is practical. You get a combined three USB Type-C Thunderbolt 4 ports with Power Delivery and DisplayPort capabilities, a drop-jaw USB Type-A port (which isn't my favorite design, but it's an extra port), a 3.5mm audio jack, and a Kensington Nano lock slot for added physical security.

On the inside, the EliteBook Ultra 14 is similar to the latest generation of flagship Windows laptops. You're getting an Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) chipset, which means incredible gains in endurance and AI performance, but at the cost of some multi-core performance. That's not a problem for this laptop, though, which feels buttery smooth (although I can't share benchmarks for this pre-production sample).

Of course, the latest Intel silicon means a dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU) with up to 48 TOPS , and that in turn means the HP EliteBook Ultra 14 (G1i) is a Copilot+ PC. In addition to the growing list of AI features inside Windows 11, the EliteBook Ultra 14 benefits from HP's AI investments, including the evolving AI Companion, improvements to background power and performance management, and huge efficiency improvements for HP's trusted Wolf Security suite.

As expected, HP's full Wolf Security platform is here, too, giving enterprises enhanced multi-level security and additional management features. Wolf Security has begun to come to HP's high-end consumer laptops, too (which is awesome), but EliteBooks are still the most secure. Of course, the EliteBook Ultra 14 will also come with Intel vPro and Windows 11 Pro configurations for even more remote management and security features.

Rounding out this premium experience is a 9MP front-facing webcam tuned by Poly Studio and supported by AI features, a quad-speaker system, dual noise-canceling microphones, and two Windows Hello biometric authentication options with facial recognition and a built-in fingerprint sensor. HP continues to impress me with its keyboards, too, and that haptic touchpad is glorious. You get the gist; I really like this laptop.

The HP EliteBook Ultra 14 (G1i) is expected to drop sometime this month with a starting price of $2,019 at HP, which tracks for an enterprise PC with enhanced security features.

Making me a big fan of HP's EliteBook offerings

I never thought the day would come when I was genuinely more excited by a company's enterprise offerings than its mainstream consumer releases, but I'm beginning to lean more in that direction with HP's EliteBook family. Everyone benefits from greater security, of course, but the last two HP EliteBooks I've gone hands-on with have also boasted some of the more attractive laptop designs I've encountered.

Of course, my complete thoughts on the EliteBook Ultra 14 (G1i) are reserved for when I (hopefully) get to test the final device since I've only been using an early pre-production sample. Either way, HP is rapidly making me an EliteBook fan. The EliteBook Ultra 14 is especially up my alley with its slim design, OLED display, and haptic touchpad. Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) has also impressed me so far, even if its multi-core performance has actually taken a step back compared to the first-gen Core Ultra platform.

It's still worth mentioning that AI PCs as a whole have failed to really captivate me, but out of all the companies pouring time and money into artificial intelligence for personal computers, HP seems to be on the best track to success. An all-in-one AI Companion that anyone can actually benefit from using, actually noticeable improvements to efficiency and security, and a growing platform for safe and trusted AI development make HP a promising player in the field.

The HP EliteBook Ultra 14 (G1i) benefits from all of this and is future-proofed to take advantage of HP's upcoming AI advancements. Of course, that's also true of the other HP EliteBooks announced during CES 2025.

Two more Intel-powered EliteBooks to look out for

In addition to the HP EliteBook Ultra 14 (G1i), we're also getting two new EliteBook X variants, the X 14 (G1i) and the X Flip 14 (G1i). As the model name indicates, both are still powered by Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) chipsets and share a lot of similarities with the EliteBook Ultra. There are some crucial differences, though.

For one, the EliteBook X devices here are slightly less premium than the Elitebook Ultra, with thicker and heavier designs, various LCD display options, and lower resolution 5MP front-facing cameras. The trade-off is a more diverse port selection and optional 4G LTE connectivity, an extremely valuable feature for some users. It's hard to point out specific differences between the X 14 and the X Flip 14, apart from the Flip obviously boasting a 360-degree hinge and multi-touch support on all its displays.

I didn't go hands-on with either of these devices before CES 2025, so I can't comment much on how they feel to use, but their more practical designs and feature set will certainly appear to many. Of course, like the EliteBook Ultra 14 (G1i), both these EliteBook X models benefit from being Copilot+ PCs in addition to all of HP's AI enhancements. Wolf Security is also baked in by default.

Both HP Elite Book X models are expected to arrive in Feb. 2025, with the HP EliteBook X 14 (G1i) starting at $1,999 at HP and the HP EliteBook X Flip 14 (G1i) starting at $2,249 at HP.

I'm preparing to finish my review of the HP OmniBook Ultra 14 (2024), but I have to admit that it's not the most exciting laptop I've tested. You'll have to wait a little longer for that full review, but HP did send me a (very) early pre-production sample of its upcoming EliteBook X 14, and it feels like what happens when you take the excellent core of the OmniBook Ultra and combine it with better security, better AI performance, and a more attractive design.

HP is dubbing the EliteBook X as "the world's most powerful next-gen AI PC" thanks to its (for now) exclusive AMD Ryzen AI PRO 9 HX 375 chipset and the 55 TOPS NPU inside of it, but there's a lot more about this laptop that makes it worthy of attention. It's not just the performance, or the keyboard, or the Thunderbolt 4 ports (yes, you read that right) — it's also because HP has one of the most comprehensive visions for what an AI PC can be that I've seen so far, and I think the company may be winning me over with it.

I actually already had some hands-on time with the HP EliteBook X 14 (G1a) during HP Imagine 2024 in San Francisco, CA, but it was very limited. With the EliteBook X not planned to be fully released until December, I wasn't expecting to get another opportunity to use this laptop in the comfort of my own home, but here we are.

This hands-on was made possible thanks to a pre-production sample provided by HP. The company had no input nor saw the contents of this article prior to publication.

Impressive hardware with justified 'chonk'

The HP OmniBook Ultra 14 takes design cues from the previous HP Spectre generation but is a fairly bland laptop aesthetically. Despite sharing many of the same features or components, the EliteBook X manages to dodge the curse of "boring-ness" with a design that feels modern while still retaining every drop of practicality you expect from an enterprise laptop.

For one, despite being noticeably thicker than its consumer compatriot (18.1 vs 16.5mm), the EliteBook X is actually smaller in every other dimension and is a fair bit lighter, too. Here, HP found the ideal blend: a beautiful and prominent display with thin bezels, compact dimensions, and yet still enough 'chonk' for the upgraded cooling system and legacy ports that you won't find in the OmniBook Ultra. That means improved performance and fewer dongles, and that's great for enterprise.

I didn't expect to appreciate this design as much as I do, but the added hands-on time I've had at home has really smoothed over any rough impressions I gathered during my limited preview during HP Imagine. The all-aluminum chassis continues HP's efforts to use as much sustainably sourced and post-consumer recycled metal and plastic materials as possible, the display is coated in durable glass, and the two-tone keyboard design carries over from past EliteBooks (and I quite like it).

While we're on it, this keyboard isn't quite my absolute favorite (something about its bounce-back behavior), but it's certainly among the best laptop keyboards I've personally tested. The layout is excellent, the keys are large and properly spaced out, the font is clear and easy to read, and each individual key has a consistent, responsive, and suitably tactile action. It's a great keyboard, and at this level improvements will largely come down to subjective opinion.

This touch-enabled display is also great in my limited testing. It's a familiar 2.8K, 16:10 OLED panel we've seen in many other 14-inch laptops, but I'm not complaining. This display has been reliably gorgeous, and HP actually takes advantage of the Windows Dynamic Refresh Rate with a 48-120Hz refresh rate, which should noticeably improve endurance over a laptop with a locked display refresh rate. It's a huge departure from the boring, flat IPS LCD panel in the OmniBook Ultra, and I love it.

Poly Studios returns to tune the webcam and quad-speaker system, too; even with early drivers, these speakers do sound loud and full, so I'll be interested in testing them more when the EliteBook X releases.

Unique features to help this AMD machine stand out

There is purpose behind the HP EliteBook X 14's chunkier design beyond giving HP more internal volume (and more room to play with curves in the design). For one, you get a full suite of ports here, including an HDMI display output, a USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 2 port, a USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 port, a 3.5mm audio jack, and a Kensington Nano Security Slot. Am I missing anything? Oh yeah, the two USB Type-C Thunderbolt 4 ports, one on each side of the laptop.

To be clear, it's not impossible to see Thunderbolt 4 on non-Intel devices despite the globally recognized standard being owned and maintained by the semiconductor goliath, but it's absolutely uncommon. The HP OmniBook Ultra 14 (2024) and HP EliteBook X 14 (G1a) are the first AMD-powered laptops rocking Thunderbolt ports that we've seen in a while, and they're actually the first ever to boast two T4 ports, according to HP.

The newer USB4 standard can accomplish a lot of what Thunderbolt 4 can do, so most consumers don't need to worry about this, but the Thunderbolt standard comes with additional guarantees earned through strict, standardized testing that are a boon to enterprises and businesses. When you need to be confident the equipment you're purchasing will do exactly what you need it to do, standards like Thunderbolt are a huge value addition and will certainly make the EliteBook X stand out for AMD and HP.

Beyond the ports, that beefier chassis also makes room for HP's upgraded cooling system, which combines dual fans with a "hybrid hyperbaric cooling chamber" that will be able to squeeze more out of its internals than other similarly sized laptops. That matters, too, because the HP EliteBook X is actually rocking an exclusive (at least for now) version of the most powerful AMD Ryzen AI PRO chipset, the 9 HX 375, which features an even more capable Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for AI tasks.

Compared to the normal, non-PRO Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 in the OmniBook Ultra, the EliteBook X has an extra 5 TOPS of computational power, which should make this device a little more future-proofed. Now, this is an early pre-production sample with incomplete drivers and firmware, so I can't give you benchmark scores or make direct number comparisons to other devices. What I can say is that the EliteBook X runs exactly as smoothly and effortlessly as I'd expect from any modern flagship Windows laptop, and there's certainly a lot of headroom to do much more.

I can also tell you that, even this far ahead of release, the HP EliteBook X 14 seems to slightly outperform the HP OmniBook Ultra with its very similar non-PRO Ryzen AI chipset. The EliteBook X should also be more competent at handling a sustained workload, and seems a little more hesitant to spin up its fans in the first place. So far, I'm not inclined to refuse HP's claim that this is the "world's most powerful next-gen AI PC," as long as we're not talking about anything with an NVIDIA GPU inside it.

AI plays a huge role in squeezing more performance out of this PC and keeping it fast and secure into the future, too, playing into HP's cohesive vision for what an AI PC is.

A cohesive vision for an AI future that might actually make sense

When the HP EliteBook X 14 (G1a) releases, it'll be one among the new generation of Copilot+ PCs thanks to the improved capabilities of AMD's Ryzen AI and Intel's Core Ultra (Series 2), and that will include all the new AI features being added to Windows. HP isn't just relying on Copilot or third-party software to take advantage of the EliteBook X's class-leading NPU, however, nor is it throwing in the same half-baked features and promises we've seen in other laptops. HP is heavily investing in AI itself, and the EliteBook X is a showcase of those early efforts.

During HP Imagine 2024 and my time with the EliteBook X, I've been introduced to a lot of these investments, and it has actually convinced me of the potential of AI in tech products more than any other company to date. Let's get the small stuff the EliteBook X can do out of the way first, and then I'll move on to the bigger picture. For one, Poly Studios returns with an upgraded Poly Camera Pro app, which doesn't just tune the camera. This is basically a suped-up Windows Studio Effects program with a ton of options and customizations to finetune your camera experience with Auto Frame, background blur, filters, and more.

That's all boring stuff that we've seen a million times, though. What makes Poly Camera Pro interesting is that it includes all of these features in one place and does so at the camera processing level. That means it works with any camera you attach to the EliteBook X — not just the built-in webcam — and all of your settings are applied in any app that uses the camera — no official support or work from the developers needed. Because of this and the EliteBook X's NPU, Poly Camera Pro is also more efficient and performant than other similar solutions.

The HP EliteBook X also introduces a new version of HP's Smart Sense. On paper, this seems exactly like the AI-powered "optimized performance profile" we've seen every company do, but HP has now reduced your options to just Smart Sense or "Best performance," while also making Smart Sense smarter than ever. A dedicated, ultra-efficient hardware chip is constantly monitoring your laptop's thermals, resources, and even external factors like where the laptop is placed, whether it's moving, and more. Yes, there's an accelerometer inside the EliteBook X, so it knows when you're holding it and can tune itself to run cooler and quieter.

I haven't had enough time to really test Smart Sense and see if all of HP's marketing talk actually translates to real-world benefits, but the promise for Smart Sense is improved performance and efficiency that evolves around how you use your laptop.

Now on to the more important stuff, such as security. The EliteBook X, of course, includes HP's Wolf Pro Security suite, which combines layers of additional privacy and security features across hardware, firmware, and software. It's a valuable and trusted platform for enterprises (and is now coming to consumers in a slightly watered-down version with the OmniBook Ultra and Ultra Flip), but we've seen that Wolf Pro Security does decrease performance and efficiency compared to other laptops with identical internals.

With the EliteBook X, HP is moving more of what Wolf Pro does to the NPU, which is significantly more efficient and performant for AI-powered tasks than the CPU is, and promises that the performance gap has never been smaller. Seeing that the EliteBook X appears to be faster than the OmniBook Ultra gives me hope this is true. Wolf Pro is also getting smarter thanks to AI, becoming more able to dynamically respond to new threats that may impact your data. Combined with the enterprise-focused security and remote management features of AMD Ryzen AI PRO, the EliteBook X is a highly secure PC without compromise.

Most of HP's AI endeavors benefit enterprises and businesses more than consumers, but this honestly makes the most sense. Z by HP Boost allows companies to share unused GPU resources across all connected HP AI PCs — even when separated by thousands of miles. The HP Workforce Experience Platform is an all-in-one dashboard for IT departments that collects and consolidates telemetry data from across a company's fleet. The HP Remote Remediation Service is a valuable tool for HP's enterprise PCs (for Intel vPro at first, but I assume AMD Ryzen AI PRO is around the corner) that allows IT departments to offer advanced, in-depth, fully remote service like BIOS repairs and more (believe it or not, that's a first for the industry).

HP is also investing in the reliability, security, and trust of AI features with the HP Gen AI development platform, which provides valuable tools to AI developers and data scientists to reduce hallucinations in AI solutions. It's all important, it's all behind the scenes, and it's all improved by intelligent AI.

Again, though, none of that really matters to consumers. On that front, HP is developing its AI Companion and Print AI — two features that run better on the EliteBook X and actually have real-world use.

The HP AI Companion appears like any other AI large language model chatbot for queries, but it's also a secure and smart local file database. You can create libraries of files and documents and use HP AI Companion to analyze, organize, summarize, and posturize, and none of your data will ever leave your device.

HP AI Companion can also control basically every aspect of your HP device, including adjusting volume and display brightness levels, changing your performance profile, and much more. The majority of it is done locally with your device's NPU, and what needs to go to the cloud is encrypted, secure, and bereft of all your personal data. HP will progressively move more of HP AI Companion's features to your local NPU, too. It's already impressive in its beta state, and according to HP, it is meant to introduce everyday people to the benefits of natural language AIs without asking them to go and build one themselves.

The HP Print AI is similar but obviously focused on finally making printers less frustrating. With Print AI, users can configure printers and adjust settings, set up printing tasks, and even reformat and adjust files in real time before printing, all with natural language. I don't have a printer, personally, but HP's demos were fascinating, to say the least. None of this will be exclusive to the HP EliteBook X, but this laptop does serve as a flagship showcase for HP's vision, and I'm honestly interested to see more.

It'll be months before I get my hands on the finished product, though, so I'll have to make do with the (still very capable and powerful) OmniBook Ultra 14. Watch out for that review coming to Windows Central in the coming days.

What you need to know

• HP has announced the new EliteBook X 14, a new commercial AI PC powered by AMD's Ryzen PRO AI processors.
• In addition to all of HP's AI and commercial security features, the EliteBook X 14 also features Thunderbolt 4 ports.
• It's expected to arrive sometime in December, with pricing announced closer to launch.
• The new OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 with Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) is also now available to purchase with a starting price of $1,450.

HP has taken the wraps off yet another new AI PC, this time an EliteBook variant aimed straight at forward-thinking companies and businesses. The HP EliteBook X 14 is powered by the latest AMD Ryzen PRO AI processors, which are essentially enterprise versions of the AMD Ryzen AI chips that support joining the Copilot+ PC family later this year.

Interestingly, the HP EliteBook X 14 still boasts Thunderbolt 4 ports despite being an AMD-powered PC, which is a relatively uncommon occurrence. The business-grade laptop is expected to land later this year at an undisclosed price. In the meantime, the previously announced HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14, which essentially replaces HP's flagship Spectre x360 line, is now available to purchase from $1,449.99 at HP.

While on-site at HP Imagine 2024, I did get to spend a little bit of time with both of these laptops and take some pictures, which you can see below.

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One of the first Core Ultra (Series 2) PCs is available

The HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 (2024) is one of the first laptops powered by the brand-new Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) family of processors, which promise unparalleled performance-to-power ratios for Intel. It's also, for all intents and purposes, the successor to the HP Spectre x360 14 (2024) that I loved so much, except it's now thinner, lighter, and supposedly both more powerful and longer lasting.

That's an exciting proposition, and the OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 will be part of the laptops updated to Copilot+ PCs later this year, thanks to the more capable 48 TOPS NPU inside that enable on-device AI features and enhancements. HP is also baking in its own suite of AI features like a new HP AI Companion, Human Presence Detection (HPD), and more. On top of that, this is another laptop that boasts HP's Wolf Security suite for consumers, which combines hardware and software features to enhance security and privacy above the average PC.

The HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 (2024) is an exciting device, but it's not a new one. The news today is that you can now actually purchase the OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 from $1,449.99 at HP, which starts you off with an Intel Core Ultra 5 (Series 2), 16GB of RAM, and 512GB SSD storage. This is an expensive laptop, to be sure, but it's also the best of the best that HP can offer in every department.

During HP Imagine 2024 in Palo Alto, CA, I had the privilege of enjoying some hands-on time with the new HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 (2024). It was limited and surrounded by other media and analysts, but it was still enough to affirm that, yes, the new OmniBook Ultra Flip is the new Spectre x360 in all but name. Except, now it's noticeably thinner and lighter, and overall feels more premium in the hand.

I didn't have nearly enough time with the laptop to gauge elements like the performance or battery life, but the display is at least beautiful enough to match the design. I could tell these were pre-production units since the three models HP had on display all had slightly different labels on the keyboard deck (one said "OmniBook" instead of "OmniBook Ultra," another flipped the "AI" and "OmniBook" branding, etc.).

Either way, I came away really excited to explore more of this laptop and what it's capable of, especially with Intel Lunar Lake under the hood.

A new commercial PC with AMD and Thunderbolt

The major PC announcement coming out of HP today is actually the unveiling of the EliteBook X 14 (2024), a new thin-and-light mobile powerhouse aimed at enterprises and commercial customers. In some ways this is the enterprise-focused sibling of the HP OmniBook Ultra 14 (2024) that I'm currently in the process of reviewing, in that it uses the PRO variants of AMD's new Ryzen AI chipsets with Copilot+ capable 55 TOPS NPUs.

It's one of HP's first full-fledged AI PCs that will act as a platform for the company to begin delivering AI workforce solutions and platforms designed for enterprise, and it's an impressive showing that follows the already-available HP EliteBook Ultra G1q. You're getting your choice of an LCD or OLED display, up to 64GB of RAM and 2TB of SSD storage, and the full suite of security and remote management features that come courtesy of Windows 11 Pro and HP's own Wolf Pro Security ecosystem, including enhanced hardware security.

Other new features in the HP ecosystem that are also enabled by the more powerful NPU include Poly Camera Pro, which enhances the 5MP FHD webcam with a myriad of AI-enabled features like Auto Frame, background blur, HPD, and more. Poly Studios, now a part of HP, is also responsible for tuning the quad speakers in addition to the webcam. HP's new AI companion will also be on board, and this is all before the EliteBook X 14 becomes a Copilot+ PC later this year.

One of the most interesting features of this laptop, however, is the fact that it rocks two full-blown USB Type-C Thunderbolt 4 ports with USB Power Delivery and DisplayPort 2.1 support in addition to the standard USB Type-C port and USB Type-A port that are also here. This is important because Thunderbolt is an incredibly powerful and versatile USB standard that's actually managed by Intel, so it's very uncommon to see these useful ports on AMD or Qualcomm-powered laptops. The HP OmniBook Ultra 14 and EliteBook X 14 are some of the only ones readily available on the market right now, making these AMD systems more enticing than ever.

I also had an opportunity to see the HP EliteBook X 14 (2024) well ahead of its launch, and it's an interesting laptop. This is a thicker chassis than you'd expect from a modern Ultrabook, and making room for a unique cooling system that combines dual fans and a hybrid hyperbolic cooling chamber (which replaces the copper pipes most other laptops use). The goal is to keep that powerful AMD Ryzen AI PRO chipset cool, as it's apparently a custom affair exclusive (at least for now) to this laptop, making this the "most powerful AI PC" on the market, according to HP.

Despite the chunkier design, this laptop still feels compact and portable, and is actually smaller in some dimensions than the HP OmniBook Ultra I'm reviewing (and compared this laptop to) thanks to the slim display bezels. Overall, it's a sleek design that I think stands out in a crowd, and I'm definitely interested in seeing just how well this device performs under pressure. The OLED display is also gorgeous, although HP will ship this laptop with a lower resolution LCD display option, too (I know which one I want to review).

While you can stay tuned for my OmniBook Ultra 14 review in the coming weeks, we're going to have to wait for the EliteBook X 14. HP hasn't revealed all the exact specifications, including the pricing information. That'll all come closer to launch I expect, which is currently slated for Dec. 2024.

HP's future is all AI PC, all the time

This is honestly one of the most exciting eras for Windows PCs we've seen in a long time thanks to the arrival of more competitive and advanced platforms from Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm. Laptops are getting better than ever at an alarming pace purely from a hardware perspective, and that's without considering the evolution of software features thanks to AI. I'll be the first to claim that most consumer-facing AI features are borderline useless and even occasionally actively detrimental, but that doesn't mean AI itself isn't incredibly important.

HP is clearly investing in AI from an enterprise perspective, which is where the growing technology has the most potential for impact. The HP EliteBook X 14 is one of the first laptops that will be able to take advantage of all of HP's AI investments, and that may be enough to convince a lot of enterprise customers to submit their orders. Consumers are also benefiting from massively improved performance and efficiency, though, and I'm very excited to get my hands on as many of these new laptops as I can. Watch out for my review of the HP OmniBook Ultra 14 (2024) with AMD Ryzen AI!

On a related note, both of these new laptops are well-equipped to take advantage of HP's other announcements, including new AI tools to help companies share GPU resources across all HP AI-powered workstations or make video conferences more collaborative, and a series of new professional HP monitors that borrow multiple AI and hardware features from HP's laptops.

A new generation of Windows laptops is upon us, riding on the back of a wave of new ARM-powered PCs from various companies. HP is among the initial groups leading the "ARM revolution," and the EliteBook Ultra G1q is among the very first enterprise-focused laptops with Qualcomm's new hardware inside. It's still too early to deliver my full thoughts on this laptop, but I have been using it all day and wanted to give you my initial impressions.

The HP EliteBook Ultra G1q embraces HP's new design language that arrives as a part of the company's complete consumer rebranding, and its accented, dark blue colorway perfectly compliments the sleek and smooth aluminum chassis. This is an attractive device, but what impressed me most was the responsiveness and performance when setting it up. It seems the Snapdragon X series of systems-on-chip (SoCs) will be amazing, if this first generation is anything to go by.

This hands-on review was made possible with a review sample provided by HP. The company did not see the contents of this article before publishing.

HP EliteBook Ultra G1q: Pricing and specifications

Pricing highlights

• The HP EliteBook Ultra G1q starts from $1,699.99 at HP, which is more expensive than other similarly equipped Copilot+ PCs.
• Additional security and remote management features like Windows 11 Pro, HP's Wolf Pro Security, extended 3-year warranty, MIL-SPEC durability testing, and Secured-Core are added costs.
• Non-enterprise users who don't need those features can get the very similar and much more affordable HP OmniBook X 14.

The first wave of Windows Copilot+ PCs has landed on the more affordable side of the spectrum, except for the HP EliteBook Ultra G1q. This 14-inch Ultrabook doesn't land in the same price range solely because it's aimed at businesses and enterprise users. This category of devices boasts additional security and remote management features not typically found in the consumer-grade laptops most people use, and that almost always results in a dramatically higher price tag.

As such, the HP EliteBook Ultra G1q starts at $1,699.99 at HP with a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite, 16GB of LPDDR5x RAM, 512GB of SSD storage, and a 2.2K touch display. Further down the line, HP will offer a higher-end configuration with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 instead of Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2, as well as up to 1TB of SSD storage, but that's not available yet at the time of writing.

What sets the EliteBook Ultra G1q apart from other Copilot+ PCs is the inclusion of Windows 11 Pro (usually an additional $100 on its own), which includes a bevy of enterprise-focused security and remote management features. On top of that, HP's Wolf Pro Security platform is here for added protection, and this is a Secured-Core PC for another layer of hardware security.

Finally, this version (versus the OmniBook) has a 3-year warranty (instead of one) and meets the 19 criteria for MIL-STD 810H durability.

Suppose you don't need any of those features. In that case, you may consider the HP OmniBook X 14 instead of the EliteBook Ultra G1q, as it boasts similar hardware and design but saves you a ton of cash in exchange for dropping those enterprise features.

• Back to the top ⤴

HP EliteBook Ultra G1q: Design and build quality

Design highlights

• The EliteBook Ultra G1q follows HP's newly refreshed design language, which features slim aluminum chassis with rounded edges and subtle accent colors.
• It looks and feels like a premium laptop, and the dark blue color is very fetching in person.
• The laptop is very thin and light, but it is a little light on ports; fortunately, USB4 is here to pick up some of the slack.

You only have to look at the critically acclaimed HP Spectre x360 14 (2024) to know that HP can make a well-built, attractive, aluminum-clad laptop. However, the EliteBook Ultra G1q is an evolution of HP's design language, trading all the sharp edges of the company's previous efforts for soft curves. The result is a slim (14.4mm at its thickest) and relatively light (2.97 lbs) all-metal laptop that looks sleek from every angle.

Frankly, I'm a massive fan of this design. The EliteBook Ultra G1q is a traditional clamshell affair. Still, the combination of the rounded chassis, this gorgeous dark blue colorway, and HP's new subtle blue accents make for a very attractive device. The touch display is flanked on either side by thin bezels, but the top makes way for the 5MP IR webcam, and the bottom houses the always-present HP logo, so there are laptops that impress more on the display front here.

In general, though, the EliteBook Ultra G1q is clean. The keyboard is excellent — the layout is comfortable and spacious, and the typing response is tactile and immediate. The touchpad may not be a haptic touchpad. Still, it's large, the glass surface is effortlessly smooth, the button action is tight and satisfying, and it uses Microsoft Precision drivers for excellent gesture support. There is some noticeable flex in the center of the keyboard deck, though, which may annoy some users, and I've had a few instances of the touchpad not registering scrolling as responsively as I expected.

There also aren't a ton of ports here, but there's enough to get the job done. You have a USB4 Type-C port (yes, it can use Thunderbolt 4 accessories) and a USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 port on the right edge, supporting Power Delivery for fast charging and DisplayPort output. You get a 3.5mm audio jack on the right edge, but the most surprising addition is the USB Type-A port. Despite this laptop's thinness, HP still squeezed in a legacy port using a dropjaw port design. I don't love dropjaw ports, but it's still better than not having that port.

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HP EliteBook Ultra G1q: Display quality

Display highlights

• The EliteBook Ultra G1q trades the OLED panels popular with many premium 14-inch Windows laptops for a sub-QHD WLED display.
• It's not the brightest or sharpest display and is limited to 60Hz, but the overall image quality seems high.
• This is a very comfortable display to view, and at first glance, color accuracy seems solid.

The EliteBook Ultra G1q's display is probably the most boring part of the entire laptop. It's not a bad panel, per se, but it's definitely less interesting than what we've seen on other premium 14-inch Ultrabooks. There's no OLED or Mini LED tech here — instead, HP opted for its White LED panel tech, which basically means a focus on viewing comfort and power efficiency over vibrancy, brightness, or responsiveness.

That translates to a 60Hz refresh rate and a maximum brightness of around 300 nits. That's fine for most business users who don't need a top-notch display, but I do already miss the pure image quality of an OLED panel and the brightness of modern IPS LCD displays. What I can say about this display is that it is very comfortable to look at, in a similar vein to how I felt about the HP ZBook Firefly 14 (G10). Colors are soft and neutral without appearing washed out or grainy, and white balance (at least at first glance) seems consistent across brightness levels.

You'll have to wait until I can fully test this display and put it through its paces, but my initial impressions are that it's sharp enough at sub-QHD (1400p) and feels good to use, even if it's not terribly exciting. One thing I can say now, though, is that the anti-glare coating on this display doesn't seem to do a very good job of actually combatting glare and reflections.

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HP EliteBook Ultra G1q: Performance

Performance highlights

• The EliteBook Ultra G1q is fast and responsive in everything I've thrown at it, and feels very performant for real-world usage.
• Performance does seem to decrease (alongside max display brightness, oddly) when unplugged, but not enough to deteriorate the experience.
• Overall, Snapdragon X seems to be delivering on its promises, although we'll have to wait for our full review for all the in-depth benchmarks and tests.

The top issue with past generations of Windows on ARM devices has famously been performance, but Qualcomm promised to make that concern one of the past with the Snapdragon X series. We're still running our in-depth tests and benchmarks to see how new laptops like the HP EliteBook Ultra G1q run, but my early impressions are very positive. This laptop is more responsive and performant than any other Windows on ARM machine I've used... Even if, admittedly, that's not a very high bar to cross.

When it comes to booting up, waking from sleep, logging in with Windows Hello, opening a mixture of x86, ARM64, and web-based apps, and managing various browser tabs, the EliteBook Ultra G1q feels just as fast as any of the recent thin-and-light Intel Core Ultra laptops I've tested. That's a substantial and much-needed leap in performance over past Windows on ARM devices, and it means the EliteBook Ultra G1q immediately feels completely useable for most people.

The Snapdragon X series also means almost non-existent fan noise, as it takes a sizeable load to nudge the fans on at all, and even then, they're very quiet. It's still too early to make a definitive claim on high-end and graphical performance, but what I've seen so far makes me optimistic that the Windows on ARM woes of the past are just that: the past. Battery life is another area that will require more in-depth testing from me, but an entire day of setup, installing updates and programs, and logging into all my accounts still didn't kill this laptop, so things are looking good on that front, too.

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HP EliteBook Ultra G1q: Our impression so far

I've been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Snapdragon X series since the day it was first announced. No, it was never about AI PCs or the addition of Neural Processing Units (NPUs) and all the TOPS they're capable of; I've long believed that ARM is the future of mobile computing, and we're starting to see that now. It's a new wave of Windows laptops with true all-day battery life, thin-and-light designs with quiet and cool thermals, and excellent performance that can handle everything you can throw at them.

The HP EliteBook Ultra G1q is among those first-wave products, and my first impressions of it are very positive after a day or so of using it. I still have some questions about performance and battery life that will require much more testing, and I'm reserving judgment on this display until I've spent more time with it. Still, at least initially, Qualcomm, Microsoft, and Windows OEM partners like HP finally got this right.

The EliteBook Ultra G1q is more expensive than its comparable Copilot+ PCs because of its enterprise-specific features and capabilities. Still, this laptop may be one of the best Windows on ARM PCs for those who need that added peace of mind. For those who want to save money, alternatives like the HP OmniBook X 14 (basically this laptop but for consumers) and even the Surface Laptop 7 look like extraordinary values. I'm excited to dive deeper into what this laptop is capable of and compare it to many other machines in the future, so stay tuned for that.

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What you need to know

• HP killed all its consumer and commercial PC branding, ditching Spectre, Pavilion, Dragonfly, and more.
• Under the new branding, consumer PCs are now identified as Omni, while business laptops are labeled as Elite, marking a significant shift in HP's product portfolio.
• HP OMEN, however, remains HP’s gaming brand for laptops and desktop PCs.
• The shift in naming is simply the lineup, and it ushers in a new era of computer power thanks to the advent of AI and new Copilot+ PCs.
• While Qualcomm-based laptops are the first with the new branding, forthcoming Intel and AMD devices are also part of the rebranding.

The Windows PC industry is having a major moment with the launch of Copilot+ PCs, laptops that currently meet the standard of a 45 TOPS neural processing unit (NPU). HP is seizing the chance to make a bold move by renaming its entire PC lineup except for its OMEN gaming division.

HP's press release clarifies the rationale behind this change, stating, “… as AI PCs quickly transform the personal computing landscape, we saw an opportunity to take increasingly complex technology and communicate it in a strikingly simple way.”

Leaving HP’s portfolio are Spectre (prosumer), Envy (upper tier), Pavilion (budget), and Dragonfly (top-level business) names, which are no longer being used. Instead, the new (and old) Omni prefix applies to all consumer laptops and desktops, while the Elite prefix applies to all commercial laptops.

The new naming scheme is relatively straightforward: Laptops are either OmniBooks (consumer) or EliteBooks (commercial). All-in-one PCs (AIOs) are now OmniStudio or EliteStudio, and traditional desktop PCs are OmniDesk or EliteDesk.

Each category has different tiers. For consumer PCs, the tiers are 3, 5, 7, X, and U(ltra). HP explains that as “…the numbers increase, so do the design, device features, and overall performance mix.” The business PC side has even numbers with 2,4, 6, 8, X, and U(ltra).

For instance, HP today unveiled its new OmniBook X AI PC and HP EliteBook Ultra G1q AI PC. That means HP could eventually launch a more premium laptop called the OmniBook Ultra or a more affordable business laptop called the EliteBook 6.

The use of OmniBook resonates with PC nerds. Created by Hewlett-Packard in 1993, OmniBooks were originally business laptops but discontinued in 2002 when HP acquired Compaq. However, the name is more than just a callback to HP’s OmniBook heyday; it also conveys an all-powerful image for its consumer PCs, specifically, this new era of AP PCs. HP detailed its reasoning for this name choice:

“In a hybrid world where we’re constantly blending work and play, the prefix ”Omni” embodies this mindset and represents HP’s diverse array of products that cater to every need. HP is, after all, a company built on a partnership that redefined the relationship between people and work. This reinvigorated brand reflects our strong belief in the universality of our consumer PC offerings and reaffirms our commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions as diverse and adaptable as consumers’ own lives.”

Besides renaming its PCs with a simpler naming schema, HP is also introducing its new AI Helix logo. Similar to DNA structure, while spelling out “AI,” the logo “indicates devices and services across our portfolio built with trusted HP AI Engineering to deliver powerful, meaningful, and secure AI experiences.”

This definition also sounds like not all PC laptops will get the logo, at least not right away, or if they do not have an NPU built-in to meet the 40+ TOPS performance standard. Budget laptops do not meet the standard for Copilot+ PCs as they lack NPUs (e.g., Intel Core chips versus its Core Ultras) and the more premium Snapdragon X Plus and Elite chips.

As to what you should expect to get when you see this AI Helix logo on your laptop deck and rear hinge, HP says this:

“The next-gen AI PCs announced today carry the HP AI Helix, meaning they are unlike any PCs to date. The HP AI Engineering on these devices means they are built with unique HP AI experiences, such as HP AI Companion and Poly Camera Pro, and are equipped with protection against AI- generated threats – all on a powerful platform including a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) at 40+ trillions of operations per second (TOPS) and a next-gen OS. They’re purpose-built for the breakthrough AI experiences—local or on the cloud—that the industry has been buzzing about.”

“When you see the HP AI Helix logo on any HP product, it indicates that device is at the forefront of AI innovation. But it's not just a logo; it's a symbol of HP AI Engineering and a promise to empower users through the power of AI. In the future, HP will use the Helix logo wherever we are delivering new AI experiences for our customers.”

Overall, HP’s new branding is a good move for simplicity and nostalgia, and it has a nice ring to it (who wouldn’t like the name of an OmniBook?). We should also praise the smart and stylish AI Helix logo, which embraces the futuristic, leading-edge image HP is aiming for.

What you need to know

• Today, Microsoft and Windows PC OEM partners are announcing the next generation of ARM-powered, AI-centric Windows laptops.
• HP is no exception, with its new EliteBook Ultra G1q directly targeting businesses with its thin-and-light design and stellar battery life.
• It's a gorgeous, sleek premium laptop with impressive capabilities, and is available to preorder from $1,699.99 at HP ahead of its June 18, 2024 release.
• HP also revealed the OmniBook X 14, the consumer-focused version of the EliteBook Ultra with a lower starting price and more configuration options.

It's a big day for Windows PCs, particularly laptops. Microsoft has partnered with Qualcomm and a ton of various Windows PC manufacturers to unveil the next generation of Windows PCs built around ARM processors and AI features. It's one of the biggest shifts we've seen in Windows computing in decades, and HP has joined the growing list of partners with two initial laptop announcements: the HP OmniBook X 14 and the HP EliteBook Ultra G1q.

We have a separate post for the HP OmniBook X 14 announcement, as well as an explainer on why HP has dumped all its consumer PC brands in favor of reviving the long-dead OmniBook name. For now, let's focus on the HP EliteBook Ultra G1q, and why it's one of the most exciting enterprise laptops we've seen in a long time.

• Check out our in-depth live coverage of the Microsoft Surface and Windows 11 AI event

The first thing you're likely to notice about the HP EliteBook Ultra G1q is its distinctive design. The aluminum chassis, made of 50% recycled aluminum, is a shade of blue so dark it's nearly black, with a unique tri-tone keyboard. It's also incredibly thin and light, coming in at a staggeringly slim 8.5-14.4mm and less than 3lbs. On the lid you'll find HP's iconic, minimalist logo, and on the keyboard deck you'll spot the EliteBook branding as well as HP's new blue AI logo reserved for next generation Windows AI PCs.

Once you get past the initial design, you'll soon realize that this isn't your typical Intel or AMD-powered Windows laptop. The EliteBook Ultra G1q is among the very first Windows laptops powered by the new Qualcomm Snapdragon X-series ARM chipsets. More specifically, it boasts the more powerful Snapdragon X Elite with 12 cores and a 45 TOPS neural processing unit (NPU). This all-new ARM platform is what enables the EliteBook Ultra G1q to be as thin and light as it is, without sacrificing the performance or compatibility enterprises need.

This laptop is helping to usher in a new wave of Windows on ARM PCs, which boast significantly more power than ever before. Microsoft has invested a significant amount of work into ensuring Windows 11 (and all of your apps and programs) work seamlessly on the new Snapdragon X chips, so that users can fully benefit from the absurd power and efficiency in laptops more compact than are possible with traditional x86 CPUs. Case in point, HP is quoting up to 26 hours of battery life, tested with continuous video streaming at 200nits display brightness.

Actual real-world usage is bound to affect that battery life, but that's still an incredibly impressive starting point when many laptops struggle even to hit 8-10 hours of continuous video streaming. All of that's on top of having enough power to run all the apps (and even some games, thanks to that potent Adreno GPU), even when using the programs that still aren't compiled for ARM and need to be run through Microsoft's advanced emulation layer.

So, what sets the HP EliteBook Ultra G1q apart from its consumer-friendly OmniBook X sibling? Well, aside from the different chassis color, the EliteBook will have fewer configurations from which to choose and a higher starting price. That's typical of an enterprise laptop, because the trade-off is gaining more advanced security and remote management features. You can get the EliteBook Ultra G1q with Windows 11 Pro, and by default will come equipped with Microsoft Pluton Security and HP's Wolf Pro Security platforms, as well as various HP management applications.

Windows on ARM going big in Enterprise with HP 

I've been very excited for these new Windows on ARM PCs to arrive with Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon X-series chips, and there are a lot of good reasons for that. In fact, you can check out our Windows on ARM FAQ for more information on the subject. The HP EliteBook Ultra G1q is specifically exciting to me, however, because of its positively gorgeous blue-shaded design. I've long loved HP's laptop design language, and Snapdragon X allows the company to make its laptops even thinner and lighter without compromising on features or endurance.

Specs-wise, though, this isn't the most interesting laptop in the world. You're limited to 16GB of soldered RAM, no matter how fast it is, and the laptop tops out at 1TB of speedy SSD storage. There's also no option for 5G cellular connectivity in this laptop, sadly. It would've been nice to see a USB4 port, too, for faster data transfer speeds and more docking options. Finally, I'm reserving judgement for the quality of the EliteBook Ultra G1q's unique White LED display until I can see it for myself; WLED displays are supposed to be more power efficient, but a max brightness of 300nits isn't what I want to see in a brand-new Windows laptop.

That being said, most people will likely be better served by the HP OmniBook X 14, which shares the exact same foundation as the EliteBook Ultra G1q (and the same Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite chip), but trades some advanced security and management features for a lower starting price and more configurations. You're also limited to more boring gray or silver colorways, but that's the way of the world.

For the enterprises interested in exploring the next generation of Windows on ARM PCs, which also benefit from exclusive Windows 11 AI features, the HP EliteBook Ultra G1q has everything it needs to be one of the best Windows on ARM PCs you can buy. It shows every sign of being powerful, efficient, and capable enough to smash any task you throw at it, on top of being so portable it'll disappear in a bag.

The HP EliteBook Ultra G1q is available to preorder now from $1,699.99 at HP, and is expected to release on June 18, 2024.

Explaining AI PCs and Copilot+

Previously, AI PCs were defined by Windows 11, the presence of an NPU, and a dedicated key for Windows Copilot on the keyboard. This meant Windows PCs powered by Intel Core Ultra or the latest generation of AMD Ryzen CPUs, often accompanied by manufacturer-specific AI features or applications. However, the new generation of Windows on ARM PCs ushers in an equally new generation of AI features for the Windows ecosystem, which Microsoft is dubbing Copilot+.

Unlike current AI PCs, Copilot Plus requires an NPU capable of at least 45 tera operations per second (TOPS), which neither Intel Core Ultra nor AMD Ryzen can approach in their current iteration. Qualcomm's Snapdragon X-series of chips are the first on the market with 45 TOPS NPUs, meaning the next-gen Copilot+ Windows 11 is exclusive to these Windows on ARM PCs until Intel and AMD catch up (expected later this year).

So, what do these new NPUs enable? Well, brand-new Windows 11 features like Recall and Auto Super Resolution, as well as upgraded versions of Live Caption translations, Cocreator image and text generation, and Windows Studio effects. Copilot+ PCs also enable new AI features from manufacturers, such as HP's new AI Companion app for its OmniBook X 14 and EliteBook Ultra G1q. All of this, and much of it can be done on-device now, without relying on the cloud for processing.

Recall offers an advanced timeline of everything you do on your Windows PC, accessible with natural language — Return to any previous task, bring up any information or file with a query, and compare and contrast different data in moments. Live Caption can translate over 40 languages in real time, Cocreator can now generate more advanced text and images on-device, and Windows Studio can further improve your video and audio recording. It's all very impressive, and for now Windows Copilot+ PCs is synonymous with Qualcomm Snapdragon X Windows on ARM PCs.

HP's 13.3-inch EliteBook x360 1030 G3 is one gorgeous convertible laptop with a focus on business. It would be a shame for it to get scratched up moving between home, office, and meetings, which is why we recommend grabbing a sleeve. Here are the best in a variety of styles that'll fit your laptop.

If we're making some suggestions

All of these sleeves can certainly complement your HP EliteBook x360 1030 G3, but you might still be wondering what to buy. If you'd like something to match the branding on your laptop, the HP Premium Leather sleeve adds protection and style, while WaterField's Sleevecase is another step up in quality. Just need something affordable that gets the job done? The AmazonBasics sleeve is always a safe bet.

What you need to know

• HP announced the HP EliteBook 840 G8 Aero, EliteBook x360 1030, and EliteBook x360 1040 G8 at CES 2021.
• The EliteBook 840 G8 Aero has HP Privacy Camera, optional HP Sure View Reflect, and other security features.
• The EliteBook 840 G8 should ship in March, and the other EliteBooks should be available this month.

As part of CES 2021, HP announced several new EliteBook laptops. The HP EliteBook 840 G8 Aero should start shipping in March, while the EliteBook x360 1030 and EliteBook x360 1040 G8 are set to come out this month. HP has not shared pricing details for the upcoming EliteBook laptops at this time.

The EliteBook 840 G8 is a 14-inch business laptop with optional 5G support and several security features. It has an HP Privacy Camera and has an option for HP Sure View Reflect, which helps prevent people from spying on your screen.

If you ever lose your EliteBook 840 G8, the laptop has integrated Tile capabilities, which allows you to locate your laptop.

The EliteBook 840 G8 runs on up to an 11th Gen Intel Core i7 processor with optional vPro.

Apart from hardware specifications, HP hasn't share many details about the EliteBook x360 1030 G8 or the EliteBook x360 1040 G8 laptops. They both have optional 5G support, and HP highlights their security features.

What you need to know

• HP announced EliteBook 800 series PCs, the ZBook Firefly 14, and the ZBook Firefly 15 today.
• The laptops feature 11th Gen Intel Core processors and have several features aimed at business users.
• The new laptops from HP should be available in December 2020.

HP announced several EliteBook 800 series PCs, the ZBook Firefly 14 and ZBook Firefly 15 today. The laptops run on 11th Gen Intel Core processors and include several features that help people work from anywhere, including AI-based noise reduction to reduce the sound of keyboards during video calls and HP QuickDrop, which helps people transfer files between phones and PCs. Pricing details aren't available for the new laptops at this time, but all of the newly announced laptops should start shipping in December 2020.

The HP EliteBook 800 G8 series features laptops with 13.3-inch, 14-inch, and 15.6-inch screens. There's also an HP EliteBook x360 830 G8 that features a 360-degree hinge and a 13.3-inch touchscreen display. These new EliteBook laptops follow on the heels of the refreshed G7 series devices that HP unveiled earlier this year.

All of the EliteBook 800 G8 series laptops feature 11th Gen Intel Core processors, and 11th Gen Intel Core vPro processor-based systems should arrive in January 2021. All of them also feature Intel Iris Xe Graphics. On the 15.6-inch model, you can opt to get the more powerful NVIDIA GeForce MX450 graphics instead.

Select configurations from the EliteBook 800 G8 series meet the requirements for the Intel Evo Platform, which means they meet tests for responsiveness, battery life, fast charging, and instant wake.

The EliteBook x360 830 G8 also has an optional HP Rechargeable Active Pen G3 that has a proximity alert that lets you know if you leave the pen behind.

HP EliteBook 830 G8 13-inch

HP EliteBook 830 G8 14-inch

HP EliteBook 830 G8 15-inch

HP EliteBook x360 830 G8

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The HP ZBook Firefly G8 has two size options, 14-inches, and 15.6-inches. They have enough power inside to design 2D work and to review 3D work, according to HP. The ZBook 14 starts at only 2.98 lbs, which makes it the world's lightest mobile workstation with a color-accurate display, according to HP.

The HP ZBook Firefly G8 laptops have DreamColor displays that are PANTONE validated. On the inside, they feature NVIDIA T500 professional graphics with 4GB GDDR6 VRAM. HP states that the new ZBook Firefly G8 laptops get up to three times better graphics performance than the previous generation.

HP ZBook Firefly 14-inch G8

HP ZBook Firefly 15.6-inch G8

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All of these newly-announced laptops are Tile-enabled. This makes it easy to find your device if you've misplaced it. For the first time, Tile comes preinstalled on the HP EliteBook 800 G8 series and the ZBook FireFly G8 laptops. In addition to being preinstalled, the Tile technology doesn't require any additional hardware. As a result, people can use the Tile Mobile app to find their laptops. The Tile integration even works if a laptop is in sleep, hibernate, or soft-off mode.

What you need to know

• HP today announced its new EliteBook 700 G6 series business laptops.
• The pair of notebooks pack processing power from AMD's 2nd Gen Ryzen chips with Vega graphics.
• The PCs are expected to launch later this month starting at $930.
• HP's current EliteBooks are available to order starting at $950.

HP announced a new pair of laptops for its EliteBook lineup today, both of which feature AMD's 2nd Gen Ryzen Pro processors. The new EliteBook 700 G6 series includes the EliteBook 735 G6 and EliteBook 745 G6, which are built for business with a slim metal design and HP's usual suite of security features.

At the heart of these laptops is the upgrade to the 2nd Gen Ryzen Pro processors, which come equipped with integrated Vega graphics. That's a step up from the 700 G5 series, which packed AMD's previous generation of chips.

At the top end, the laptops can be outfitted with the Ryzen 7 3700U, along with up to 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. There's also the option for LTE connectivity for those that need to get work done on the go.

As for what differentiates the two models, the 735 G6 comes with a 13.3-inch screen, while the 745 G6 includes a 14-inch panel. They're designed to be relatively portable as well, with the 735 weighing 2.9 pounds and the 745 coming in at 3.3 pounds. No matter which model you go with, both can only be equipped with a 1080p screen.

Being business laptops, HP has included its usual round of security features as well. Those include self-healing and hardware-enforced security capabilities to protect against malware, a privacy shutter for the webcam, and more. There are also collaboration keys on the keyboard to make interacting with calls as simple as possible.

The new EliteBook 700 G6 series is expected to launch later in June starting at $930 for the 745 and $1,200 for the 735. If you've had your eye on an EliteBook, you can grab any one of HP's currently available models starting at $950.

Affordable accessories that'll pair perfectly with your PC

Every one of these awesome PC accessories will enhance your everyday experience — and none cost more than $30.

KLIM Aim RGB gaming mouse ($30 at Amazon)

Whether you're a gamer or not, this is an absurdly good mouse for the price. It's ambidextrous, has a responsive sensor, a braided cable, tank-like build quality, and, yes, it has RGB lighting, though you can turn it off if that's not your thing.

AmazonBasics USB speakers ($16 at Amazon)

These neat little speakers may only pack 2.4W of total power, but don't let that fool you. For something so small you get a well-rounded sound and a stylish design. And they only cost $16.

Razer mouse bungee ($20 at Amazon)

Use a wired mouse? You need a mouse bungee to keep your cable tidy and free of snags. You get no drag on the cable, and this one has subtle styling, a rust-resistant spring and a weighted base, all for $20.

What you need to know

• HP showed off a fresh set of updates to its business EliteBook lineup at Computex 2019.
• Taking a cue from HP's work on the Spectre Folio, the new Elite x2 G4 sports a leather-clad detachable keyboard.
• If you're into squeaking out every last bit of battery on the go, the EliteBook x360 1040 G6 sports up to 24 hours of battery life.

HP took to Computex 2019 with a load of new stuff to show off, but some of the most impressive additions were to its business EliteBook lineup. All told, HP is adding a bit of leather and some extra-long battery life to portions of its updated EliteBook 1000 series.

First up is the new Elite x2 G4, which borrows from the Spectre Folio to bring a leather finish to the detachable keyboard. Available with up to an Intel Core i7-8665U vPro processor, 16GB of RAM, and 2TB of storage, the Elite x2 G4 sports displays ranging from 12.3 inches to 13 inches, maxing out at a 3000x2000 resolution.

Because it's built for business users on the go, the Elite x2 G4 also includes HP's usual round of enhanced security features. Those include an integrated dual-camera privacy shutter and a privacy screen to prevent prying eyes from viewing your work. Also tagging along here is 4G LTE connectivity.

On the traditional laptop side of things, HP has rolled out the EliteBook x360 1040 G6. At 14 inches, the laptop comes in at under three pounds and the display can be rotated between laptop and tablet modes. That 14-inch display is available in 4K and is also designed to be viewed outdoors with clarity thanks to a maximum brightness of 1000 nits.

Impressively, HP touts the EliteBook x360 1040 G6's battery life at up to 24 hours. That lengthy battery life is complemented by up to 32GB of RAM, up to 2TB of SSD storage, and up to an Intel Core i7-8665U vPro processor.

Again, HP's usual array of security features are packed in here, including AI-trained anti-malware tech, a built-in privacy camera, and a privacy screen. HP has also tucked in 4G LTE connectivity for when you need to work on the go.

Rounding out the EliteBook line is the new x360 1030 G4, which is a smaller, lighter version of the 1040 G6. The 13.3-inch display can be equipped with resolutions ranging up to 4K, while the RAM is capped at 16GB. Otherwise, you'll find the same features as the 1040 G6 here.

The HP Elite x2 G4 is expected to launch in August, with a starting price of $1,500. The EliteBook x360 1040 G6 and 1030 G4, meanwhile, are expected to launch in July starting at $1,500 and $1,450, respectively.

Affordable accessories that'll pair perfectly with your PC

Every one of these awesome PC accessories will enhance your everyday experience — and none cost more than $30.

KLIM Aim RGB gaming mouse ($30 at Amazon)

Whether you're a gamer or not, this is an absurdly good mouse for the price. It's ambidextrous, has a responsive sensor, a braided cable, tank-like build quality, and, yes, it has RGB lighting, though you can turn it off if that's not your thing.

AmazonBasics USB speakers ($16 at Amazon)

These neat little speakers may only pack 2.4W of total power, but don't let that fool you. For something so small you get a well-rounded sound and a stylish design. And they only cost $16.

Razer mouse bungee ($20 at Amazon)

Use a wired mouse? You need a mouse bungee to keep your cable tidy and free of snags. You get no drag on the cable, and this one has subtle styling, a rust-resistant spring and a weighted base, all for $20.

Yes, you can divide these two similarly-sized laptops into business and non-business, but the differences run deeper than classification. Let's take a close look at what really sets the two devices apart to help you decide which you should buy.

HP EliteBook x360 1030 vs. HP Spectre x360 13 tech specs

Two premium laptops stacked with features

These two convertible laptops feature 13.3-inch touchscreens in a similarly-sized chassis. The EliteBook x360 1030 has a slightly smaller footprint than the Spectre x360, but it's also slightly thicker at 0.62 inches compared to 0.57 inches. In either case, you're getting a laptop that can be easily toted with you.

The EliteBook x360's silver aluminum chassis has undergone MIL-STD-810G testing because of its primary use in the business sector, giving it some extra durability if you're hard on your laptop. It has two hinges just like the Spectre x360 that allow for the display to be rotated around for tent, stand, and tablet modes. The top of the lid has an antenna line and a microphone that points away from the laptop in order to help with noise-canceling, ideal if you're stuck in a noisy cafe when a conference call is set to be held.

For ports, both laptops offer up dual Thunderbolt 3 and a single USB-A 3.1, but only the EliteBook x360 holds onto an HDMI 1.4 port for easier video out. Due to the unique gem-cut design of the Spectre x360, one of the Thunderbolt 3 ports is placed diagonally, keeping any cable — likely belonging an external mouse — plugged in out of the way. On the other angled edge, HP has placed the Spectre x360's power button, a welcome change that prevents it from being accidentally pressed when the laptop is in tablet mode. As for the EliteBook x360, ports and power button remain on the flat edge. Both laptops have optional LTE-connectivity options so that you can stay connected just about anywhere, and there's a physical spot for a SIM card to go along with it.

When it comes to typing, either laptop delivers a comfortable all-day experience. You get multiple levels of backlight, plenty of key travel, and decent spacing between keys. The touchpad on both laptops is large with plenty of room for gestures, but know that they're not using the same drivers. Those partial to Microsoft's Precision touchpad drivers will be happy with what the EliteBook x360 offers, while those with a Spectre x360 will be stuck with Synaptics drivers that don't offer the same quality experience.

For a business laptop, the EliteBook x360 has surprisingly good sound. It has a speaker on either side of the keyboard for unmuffled audio while using it as a notebook, but there are also two speakers on the bottom of the chassis to boost audio when using it in converted modes. The Spectre x360 also has a four-speaker setup, though its primary speakers are located above the keyboard with two more on the bottom.

Finally, for the most client security features beyond an IR camera and fingerprint reader, you'll want to check out the EliteBook x360 1030. It comes with available vPro Intel processors (CPU), the displays have optional Sure View privacy screens, there's a TPM 2.0 chip, and it's loaded with security management features like HP DriveLock, SureStart, Sure Run, password manager, and more. If you're going to be dealing with sensitive data, this is the laptop for you.

The Spectre x360 has some security features as well, like an IR camera to go along with the 1080p webcam and a fingerprint reader set into the right palmrest. There's likewise a physical switch on the side of the laptop that cuts power to the webcam, essentially disabling it completely without having to place a shutter in the slim bezel above the display.

Displays, active pens, and privacy screens

There are a number of displays available for both the EliteBook x360 and Spectre x360, with some extra options available for the former laptop due to its business nature. The 13.3-inch Spectre x360 display comes in glossy (no matte option) 1920x1080 (FHD) or 3840x2160 (4K) resolutions, and you can choose to add an integrated privacy screen to the FHD model to keep onlookers from seeing over your shoulder. You get near-perfect sRGB color reproduction and plenty of brightness, especially with those using HP's BrightView technology.

The EliteBook x360, on top of standard glossy FHD and 4K touch options, has available matte finishes for the FHD models with and without HP Sure View privacy filters. Like the Spectre x360, displays with BrightView tech go way beyond what most need unless working in direct sunlight. Also like the Spectre x360, you're getting slim bezel along the sides and thicker bezel along the bottom and top, where the IR camera and FHD webcam are housed.

Both laptops are compatible with active pens thanks to having touch displays, but the technology used is different. The Spectre x360, which has a pen included in the price, uses an N-Trig pen that delivers 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity and has tilt support. It's great for casual active pen users who want to jot down some notes or do up a quick sketch, but the EliteBook x360's setup is much better geared toward a better inking experience. HP's Rechargeable Active Pen delivers the same pressure sensitivity and does include tilt support, but you should find better palm rejection and less jagged lines with Wacom AES 2.0 tech behind the scenes. It also has a built-in magnet that snaps the pen to the side of the EliteBook x360 when it's not in use.

Bottom line? If you prefer a matte finish on your touch display or you just want the best inking experience possible between these two laptops, the EliteBook x360 should be your choice. If all you really need is a solid touch display in either FHD or 4K resolution, the Spectre x360 does deliver a screen that's very easy to look at.

Performance to easily handle a day's work

Both laptops are available with 8th Gen Intel Core i5 and Core i7 CPUs, though the EliteBook x360 uses Kaby Lake R models while the Spectre x360 uses newer Whiskey Lake hardware. The focus on business also brings vPro Intel CPUs into the mix for the EliteBook x360, giving you four different options — Core i5-8250U, Core i5-8350U, Core i7-8550U, and Core i7-8650U — to choose from. The Spectre x360, on the other hand, has Core i5-8265U and Core i7-8565U options, generally delivering a higher Turbo frequency but a lower base frequency. No matter what, you're getting four cores and enough processing power to handle any standard job you throw at it, even getting into some light editing.

Both laptops have 8GB and 16GB RAM options, though the Spectre x360 has faster DDR4 options compared to the DDR3 RAM in the EliteBook x360. RAM is soldered in both laptops, so upgrades in the future are essentially not an option. The M.2 solid-state drive (SSD), however, can be upgraded in both if you'd like to save money at checkout. For the Spectre x360, HP offers four M.2 PCIe SSD storage options ranging from 256GB to 2TB, while the EliteBook x360 goes much further with eight total storage options. Choose from a standard or self-encrypting SATA SSD, or up performance with a standard or self-encrypting PCIe SSD. Sizes range from 128GB to 2TB, so you can get the same large storage as in the Spectre x360.

Though the batteries aren't the same size, you can expect to get all-day life out of both laptops. In our testing, we saw about 10 hours of life with a Core i7 EliteBook x360 with FHD display, plus the charger delivered about seven hours of life with just 30 minutes plugged in. A 4K display would no doubt drop this lifetime down, but you should nevertheless be able to go about eight hours without a charge. The Spectre x360 gets essentially the same battery life, hitting the eight-hour mark with a Core i7 model with 4K display.

With both laptops, you're going to get performance that can easily handle a day's work. Standard productivity tasks — including use of Office apps, video watching, and web browsing — won't pose a problem, and you should even be able to get into some photo editing without the integrated UHD Graphics 620 in both models hitting its limit. In the evening, light gaming shouldn't be a problem either, but if you want something that can play modern games, you'll no doubt want to look at something with a more specialized focus.

Don't pay for business features you don't need with the Spectre x360

The 13-inch Spectre x360 doesn't come with nearly as many business bells and whistles as the EliteBook x360, but it also starts at a price that's less than $1,000. And that's impressive because it's still a premium convertible laptop that's full of great features.

HP's EliteBook x360 1030 G3 is best suited for the business sector

The HP EliteBook x360 1030 G3 starts at about $1,698, which is considerably more than what you'd pay for an introductory Spectre x360 model. Still, that price brings MIL-STD-810G durability testing and a large set of robust security features that are invaluable to those who will bring this laptop with them wherever there's business to be done.

Along with a new set of Spectre, gaming, and monitor announcements at CES 2019, HP is beefing up its workplace lineup with a couple of new Elite PCs and its first EliteDisplay with an integrated privacy screen. All three pack the standard array of security features HP is known for in the workplace, along with the company's new third-generation Sure View privacy screens.

Leading the pack is the EliteBook x360 830 G5, which comes packed with Intel's 8th Generation Core i3, i5, and i7 U-series processors, up to 32GB of RAM, and up to 512GB of storage. The 13.3-inch 1080p display also packs an integrated Sure View privacy screen, which can shield your display from prying eyes with the touch of a button.

In addition to Sure View, the EliteBook x360 830 G5 bolsters its security with hardware-enforced self-healing BIOS, extra protections to guard against malware, ransomware, and viruses. A physical shutter also safeguards the webcam. Additionally, you can take advantage of Windows Hello thanks to an integrated IR webcam and a fingerprint sensor.

As for ports, HP has included two USB Type-C ports with Thunderbolt, two USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports, an optional Smartcard reader, one HDMI 1.4b port, and one external Nano SIM slot for LTE connectivity.

The HP EliteBook x360 830 G5 is expected to launch in March with pricing to be set closer to availability.

If a desktop PC is more your style, HP has also introduced the EliteOne 800 G5, a 24-inch 1080p all-in-one that packs all of the same hardware-enforced security features as the EliteBook x360 830 G5, a Sure View screen, and a pop-up webcam with Windows Hello authentication.

In terms of specs, HP has packed in a range of Intel Core processors, up to 64GB of RAM, and up to 500GB of storage. Graphics options include integrated Intel UHD 630 graphics or AMD's Radeon RX 560 as a discrete option.

Ports include one DisplayPort 1.2, one HDMI, Ethernet, two USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports, four USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports, one USB Type-C port, and an optional SD card reader.

The EliteOne 800 G5 is expected to launch in June, with pricing to be revealed later.

Lastly, HP has announced its first 23.8-inch display with an integrated privacy screen, the EliteDisplay E243p. The sleek monitor can keep prying eyes from viewing your work via Sure View Gen 3. The monitor also works with HP's Display Assistant, allowing you to section off partitions of the screen to keep your work separated in specific regions.

The display's resolution comes in at 1080p running at 60Hz with a 14ms response time. Inputs tagging along include one DisplayPort 1.2, one HDMI 1.4, and one VGA. Rounding things out are three USB 3.0 ports (one upstream, two downstream).

The HP EliteDisplay E243p Sure View monitor is expected to launch in February for $380.

How much does adding 4G LTE support cost?

If you'd like to add the ability to connect to mobile broadband from just about anywhere, you're looking at paying either $139 or $149 depending on the LTE modem you choose. Intel's XMM 7360 is the cheaper option, while Qualcomm's Snapdragon X12 is costlier.

Once you've picked out an LTE modem, you'll be prompted to choose a service provider. Whether you choose Verizon, AT&T, or no provider — you can set something up with either provider later on — you'll add $2 onto your total bill. This laptop is already relatively expensive, starting at $1,706, so this extra price doesn't seem as big of a jump as, say, on the Surface Go where LTE connectivity adds about $130 onto a device that only costs about $399.

What's the difference between available modems?

Both of these LTE modems are going to achieve the same thing; you're going to be able to connect to mobile broadband just about anywhere you go, allowing you to stay up-to-date when you can't find a coffee shop or that airport Wi-Fi is poor.

Without getting into the gritty tech specs, Qualcomm's Snapdragon X12 is capable of hitting theoretical download speeds of 600 Mbps, while Intel's XMM 7360 will hit theoretical down speeds of 450 Mbps. Your EliteBook x360 1030 likely won't see these speeds in real usage, but the Snapdragon X12 will still hit faster speeds most of the time.

Considering the Qualcomm Snapdragon X12 is just $10 more than the Intel XMM 7360, it's no doubt tempting to spend the extra money for a bit of extra speed. No matter which LTE modem you choose, you can opt for service through Verizon or AT&T.

Who is the EliteBook x360 1030 intended for?

Due to its price and design, HP's EliteBook x360 1030 G3 isn't really intended for a large audience. It's best suited for anyone who likes business-oriented features like tested durability, extra security and privacy, and tons of configuration options including LTE connectivity.

If you're a regular consumer looking for a secure laptop that can stand up to a bit of abuse on the road while still looking like a premium convertible, this is no doubt a top choice right now. Pen support, modern port selection, and up to a 4K touch display really make this laptop shine.

What customization options does HP offer?

HP seems to have gone all out in offering a ton of customization options for its EliteBook x360 1030, starting with the operating system and moving right through to mobile broadband. It's a business laptop, so most will stick with Windows 10 Pro, but there are also Windows 10 Home and FreeDOS 2.0 options.

Internal hardware is grouped into the processor (CPU), RAM, and graphics (GPU), starting with an 8th Gen Intel Core i5-8250U CPU, 8GB of RAM, and integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620. You can go all the way up to an 8th Gen vPro Intel Core i7-8650U CPU, 16 GB of RAM, and the same integrated graphics, as well as included OS recovery.

The 13.3-inch touch display is available in 1920x1080 (FHD) or 4K resolution, and there's an option to add HP's Sure View privacy screen to keep bystanders from seeing what you're viewing when out in public.

Internal storage ranges from a 128 GB M.2 SATA solid-state drive (SSD) all the way up to a 2 TB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD, with plenty of options in between. There's even a 512 GB M.2 PCIe NVMe self-encrypting SSD for a bit of extra protection.

Finally, if you'd like to add the ability to stay connected to the internet just about anywhere, choose between a Qualcomm Snapdragon X12 or an Intel XMM 7360 LTE modem. If you're worried about longevity — especially if you're using the device on the go — there are 1-year and 3-year limited warranties available that will cover parts and labor.

Who is the EliteBook x360 1030 G3 intended for?

The EliteBook x360 1030 definitely isn't for everyone due to the hardware included and, ultimately, the starting price. It has a knockout battery that lasts well through a workday, it has business-oriented hardware, there are a bunch of security features included, and it's built to premium standards complete with durability testing.

If you're just looking for a convertible laptop to use around the house, this is no doubt overkill. However, if you're a standard user who needs a reliable business partner to help run the show and can appreciate extra security and premium features, this is no doubt one of the best options out there right now.

Grab the accessories you need at checkout

HP offers quite a selection of accessories compatible with the EliteBook x360 1030 G3 that you can add before checkout, including wireless mice, USB-C and HDMI adapters, cases, backpacks, and USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 docking station.

While everyone may be drooling over HP's latest refresh of its Spectre x360 lineup, the company is also bringing a bit more flexibility to its business customers. That's thanks to the new EliteBook x360 1040 G5, a 14-inch convertible targeted squarely at professionals with security and durability in mind.

This isn't the first time we've seen HP adopt a feature popularized by its Spectre PCs to the EliteBook line. Namely, the EliteBook x360 G2 had that on lock a year ago. But the 1040 G5 steps things up a notch by increasing the screen size to 14 inches while fitting everything into a chassis the size of a typical 13-inch laptop.

Inside the EliteBook x360 1040 G5, you'll find Intel's 8th Generation processors, ranging from the Core i5-8250U up to the Core i7-8650U. The workhorse can also be fitted with up to 32GB of RAM and up to 512GB of SSD storage, including an optional 118GB Intel Optane SSD. The 14-inch display is also available in multiple flavors, with resolutions starting out at 1080p and moving up to 4K with optional Sure View privacy and HP's BrightView tech for better viewing in direct sunlight.

The real focus here, however, is on durability and security. HP says the EliteBook x360 1040 G5 has passed MIL-STD testing, so it can stand up to knocks and drops. On the security front, you'll snag a slew of hardware-enforced security features, as well as self-healing BIOS and embedded reimaging, which can restore a PC "in minutes."

For those who need an "always connected PC" you can now configure the EliteBook x360 1040 with Intel's latest XMM 7360/7560 4G LTE for Gigabit 4G LTE speeds wherever your journey may take you.

Another welcome change is the front-facing web camera. For too long companies have paid little attention to the quality of the web camera, which is odd for a business Skype machine. No worries as HP is now using a higher quality full HD webcam up from the previous subpar 720P found in previous EliteBooks.

Finally, personalization is now a highlight for companies looking to add their logos to their fleet of PCs. As of the launch of the EliteBook x360 1040 G5, HP is teaming with Zazzle to give companies and users access to custom, laser cut notebook skins for most of the Elite lineup.

The HP EliteBook x360 1040 G5 is expected to launch in November starting at $1,390. Best Buy stores are expected to start stocking the laptop in December.

HP EliteDisplay Docking Monitor

Rounding out HP's new professional slate is the EliteDisplay E243d Docking Monitor. The highlight here is the display's pop-up 720p webcam, which allows you to stow it away within the display for added privacy. The 24-inch display comes in at a 1080p resolution and can be powered over a single USB-C cable.

Because it's meant to act as a dock and monitor in one, there are a few port options here. On the input side of things, you'll find one HDMI 1.4 port, along with USB-C and VGA ports. Additionally, the EliteDisplay includes one audio port, one RJ-45, and four USB 31. ports (three with 4.5W power delivery and one with 7.5W power delivery).

The EliteDisplay E243d Docking Monitor is expected to launch in December starting at $329.

Quick thoughts EliteBook x360 1040

For the last few years, I've been enamoured with HP's EliteBook range, which has a very consistent design language between models making them fun to compare. While Lenovo is the fallback "king of the keyboard" HP's EliteBook series gives those ThinkPads a run for their money – and often more features too.

Everything about this new EliteBook x360 1040 is great. It has a beautiful and bright Full HD display at 14-inches – the ideal screen size – and a choice for HP Sure View for privacy. If you want a 4K panel, there's that too and HP's new 'etched glass' method for anti-glare is very interesting.

But it's the ability for the EliteBook 1040 now to transform into a tablet – or just to view media that is to be applauded. Customers increasingly want flexible devices that don't feel like a compromise. This does that for the 14-inch business laptop. Toss in optional 4G LTE and Intel's new Gigabit modem and an excellent HP Pen (that can recharge via Type-C, natch) and the HP EliteBook x360 1040 really is an all-around "can do everything" business laptop that is still fun to use.

HP has introduced a trio of new models to its professional EliteBook lineup, each of which is part of its 700 series.

At the top of the lineup is the new EliteBook 755 G5, which available with up to 32GB of RAM, up to 256GB of storage, and a 15.6-inch display. Meanwhile, the EliteBook 745 G5 and 735 G5 are available with the same RAM and storage options but with, a 14-inch display and 13.3-inch display, respectively.

All three devices are powered by AMD's Ryzen Pro mobile processors with integrated Vega graphics. Options include the Ryzen 3 2300U (2 GHz base, up to 3.4 GHz burst), Ryzen 5 2500U (2 GHz base, up to 3.6 GHz burst), and Ryzen 7 2700U (2.2 GHz base, up to 3.8 GHz burst).

Each PC can be equipped with an optional privacy camera, which includes a physical shutter. Support for LTE connectivity can also be added, and optional fingerprint and facial recognition sensors can help keep things secure. And if you often pop into remote meetings, dedicated collaboration keys can help manage calls while the world-facing, noise-canceling microphone can help to keep your voice clear for others.

HP says that the new EliteBook 700-series notebooks will be available this month starting at $999. They'll also be joined by a new 14-inch HP ProBook 645 with similar configurations starting at $759.

See at HP

Early every year the tech industry and press descends upon Barcelona for Mobile World Congress. This year's iteration of the world's largest mobile-focused tech show was dominated by expectations of the Galaxy S9, which in past years drowned out other announcements, so it seemed like most other manufacturers dialed back their expectations for the show. It made for a quiet MWC, but there were still some quality new announcements that stood out.

These are our favorites, our top picks, our Best of MWC 2018 Awards!

Huawei MateBoook X Pro: Best of MWC 2018, Best Design, Most Innovative

While the Galaxy S9 was busy cleaning up and clearing out the smartphone category, Huawei came in and unexpectedly knocked things out of the park for laptops with the beautiful, powerful, and innovative Huawei MateBook X Pro. This 14-inch laptop that trimmed away bezels not just on the top and sides of the screen, but also the bottom, packs the latest Intel processors, a decent NVIDIA MX150 GPU, incredible Harman Kardon speakers, and more. Lopping off all the bezels did come with one question, though: where to put the webcam? Huawei's solution was to stick it on a pop-up key slipped between F6 and F7 — it's a it more of a nosecam than other options, but still a clever solution nonetheless.

Hands-on: Huawei MateBook X Pro ditches every bezel

Lenovo Yoga 730 15-inch: Best of MWC 2018

Lenovo's convertible Yoga 700 series has always had a bit of a dual personality thing going, with the 15-inch version packing substantially more capability than the 13-inch, though at the expense of weight and thickness. The new Yoga 730 15-inch is no different, bringing a 15.6-inch 4K touchscreen, the latest Intel Core i5 or i7 processors, and an option to upgrade to a quite powerful NVIDIA GTX 1050 graphics card. You want a big-screened convertible laptop packing big power? The 15-inch Lenovo Yoga 730 is a great option.

Hands-on: The Lenovo Yoga 730 brings power and style to 15-inch convertibles

Lenovo Flex 14: Best of MWC 2018

While we're typically enamored with the high-end portables that check all of the specs boxes, there's a place for quality entry-range laptops. Lenovo's updated Flex 14 (or, as it's known outside the USA, Yoga 530) is one such laptop. At the starting price of $599.99 you won't be wowed by the processor, RAM, or SSD storage, but if you really want you can configure it with power powerful specs (though then you should probably consider a different model). What the Flex 14 offers is value — you're getting a solid convertible laptop from a company that makes some of the best in the business, and you're not paying a lot for it.

Hands-on: Lenovo's Flex 14 is a convertible for the masses

HP EliteBook 800: Best of MWC 2018

Whoever said business laptops have to be boring black slabs apparently didn't tell HP. Their new EliteBook 800 series of laptops is bucking the design trend of computers made for the corporate space, offering a silver aluminum body, flowing lines, and all the power you could ask for. It also packs a bunch of business-centric features, like a sliding camera cover, a full selection of ports (including HP's Dock Connector alongside Thunderbolt 3 and a fold-down Ethernet port), and HP's slick actived-at-the-touch-of-a-button display privacy filter.

Hands-on: HP's EliteBook 800 brings high fashion to the business crowd

Lenovo Yoga 730 13-inch: Best of MWC 2018

The 15-inch Yoga 700-series wasn't the only one to get an update — the more compact 13-inch convertible also received an overhaul in the form of the Yoga 730. It carries over a lot of the great design from last year, though with some refinement over the 720. Also on tap are improved specs, including a beautiful 4K IPS LCD panel, Intel's 8th Gen Core i5 and i7 processors, and Intel HD 620 Graphics, all in a slim 14.1-mm, 2.46-pound package that starts at $879.99.

Hands-on: The new Lenovo Yoga 730 convertible is tamely competent

Earlier this week I did a twofer with recent reviews for HP's refreshed Spectre x360 13 now with a 4K display and active pen, and the business-focused (but hella awesome) EliteBook x360 G2 – which has an excellent Wacom pen.

Due to timing, we didn't get the video reviews up with the written article. That's fixed now so if you're on a coffee break, make sure you check them out below.

Both laptops are quite stunning which demonstrates, in my opinion, the new renaissance in laptops for 2017. Between HP, Dell, Razer, and Lenovo some exciting things are happening.

Full reviews

• HP EliteBook x360 G2 review: A stylish and powerful business laptop with active pen support
• HP Spectre x360 13 review: A real Surface Book rival with 4K display and pen

Speaking of, next week look for my Lenovo X1 Carbon 5th Gen review (yes!).

I'll also be taking a look at CHUWI's ultra-budget Hi13 2-in-1 and Lenovo Legion Y520 (and $800 gaming laptop, sweet) in the coming weeks as well. I'll toss in another Dell Latitude business laptop (14" 5480 for good measure too.

If you want to catch up on all my laptop reviews make sure you bookmark our home page for them right here: windowscentral.com/laptop-reviews and don't forget about our Laptop Buyers Guide for more recommendations. Don't forget to subscribe to our awesome YouTube channel as well.

HP's latest business-class beauty is now up for grabs, but you'll have to be willing to pony up some serious cash to jump in. The HP EliteBook x360 1030 G2 is available to purchase direct from HP starting at a pretty hefty $2,349. For your money, though, you'll score a business-centric notebook with all of the bells and whistles you could want.

As the x360 in its name implies, this EliteBook model can leverage its 360-degree hinge to flip and turn into tablet mode, tent mode, laptop mode, and everything in-between. On the inside, you can kit the EliteBook x360 1030 G2 out with up to Intel Core i7 processors (Kaby Lake, of course), 16GB of RAM, and up to 512GB of SSD storage. Also included are a bevy of ports, including USB-C, Thunderbolt, HDMI and micro SD.

One of the biggest features, however, is the inclusion of HP's Sure View integrated privacy screen. With a touch of a button the display makes it near impossible for people to see what you are doing on the laptop, which is helpful for companies who want to protect their data.

Lastly, the 13-inch notebook packs Wacom pen support, letting you ink away with an optional pen. There's also a fingerprint sensor on board with Windows Hello support to make securing your stuff that much easier.

Interested? If so, you can configure your own EliteBook x360 1030 G2 at HP's online store now.

See at HP

HP's consumer lineup is being flanked by its professional-class of laptops and PCs meant for enterprise usage. The EliteBook x360 1030 G2 is the latest version of this brand to bring Intel's latest along with some Wacom pen support, Windows Hello (fingerprint and facial), and a bevy of options to hit various price points and performance.

Like all x360 devices the 1030 G2 lets users switch between tent and tablet modes as well as lying flat or just being used as a standard laptop. That ability is also necessary for its included Wacom pen and Windows Ink support – something HP seems to be embracing in many of its recent releases.

HP EliteBook x360 1030 G2 specifications

For young professionals, the HP EliteBook looks like a fantastic choice for meeting the demands of the modern workplace while embracing Windows 10's signature features. Being a 'pro' device, it is not surprising to see HP boasts about the EliteBook's ports, which include a USB Type-C port with Thunderbolt, two USB 3.1 ports, one full-size HDMI port, a MicroSD card reader and a smart card reader.

Finally, HP's innovative Sure View integrated privacy screen is a neat feature that lets users flick a switch to help hide sensitive information from onlookers.

Update: The Elite Book 1030 is now available to purchase

See at HP

No exact word on a release date though the new EliteBook is expected to hit markets later this month starting at the $1500 price point.

HP has officially taken the wraps off of its new EliteBook 705 G4 series of notebooks. Targeted at business users, the 705 G4 series includes three models — the 725, 745 and 755 — that feature a thin and light design and AMD's latest 7th generation processors.

The major differentiator between the three models is the screen size. The 725 packs a 12.5-inch display, while the 745 and 755 come in at 14-inches and 15.6-inches, respectively. Each model is also configurable with up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. If you're concerned about speed, you can also opt for up to 512GB of M.2 SSD storage.

HP is also touting the 705 G4 series' battery life, noting that it's 30% longer than previous generation EliteBook notebooks. The laptops also pack fast charging, making it much quicker to get back up and running. Add in Bang and Olufsen audio and security features from both HP and AMD, and the EliteBook 705 G4 series looks like an interesting option.

All three models are expected to start shipping in December and will start out at $769. If you're interested, you can learn more about each model at HP.

• See EliteBook 725 at HP
• See EliteBook 745 at HP
• See EliteBook 755 at HP

In order to help protect sensitive info from prying eyes, HP has a new option for laptop customers called "Sure View". Available for the HP EliteBook 840 G3 and EliteBook 1040 G3 Sure View is an integrated privacy screen will make the display's content appear dark to those around the laptop. Users simply press the fn + f2 keys to immediately transition the PC to privacy mode, which reduces up to 95 percent of visible light when viewed at an angle. Watch our hands-on video to see it in action!

HP Sure View helps users work more confidently from public locations without fear of data on the screen being exposed to others. There are existing solutions which let you add a separate layer on top of displays for added privacy, but Sure View is more convenient since it's already built-in and can be switched off when not needed. This solution will be handy especially in the healthcare, public sector, and finance industries.

We like that the privacy mode can be enabled or disabled with the function keys. Since the screen noticeably gets darker (even when viewed straight on) when Sure View is enabled, you can easily turn it off when heightened security isn't required.

Sure View was developed in partnership with 3M, which has more than 20 years of optical films technology experience. It is expected to be available in September as an option on the HP EliteBook 1040 Full HD touch and non-touch versions and the HP EliteBook 840. They will be the world's first PCS with integrated privacy screens.

See at HP

How do you feel about HP Sure View? Would you want an integrated privacy screen on your next laptop? Let us know in the comments!