This 2-in-1 laptop is a total throwback with a 13-inch screen, a built-in stylus, and every optional feature you can think of

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.

My HP EliteBook 8 Flip 13 (G1i) review

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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.

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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).

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