What you need to know
- HP is refreshing its premium Elite Dragonfly business laptops for CES 2021.
- Besides the new 'G2' edition, HP has a new 'Max' model with a 5MP webcam for collaborators.
- The laptops Intel 11th Gen with vPro tech and AI enhancements.
- Both editions ship in late January.
The HP Elite Dragonfly landed in early 2020 as a cross between its premium consumer Spectre series and the more business-focused EliteBook line. With a dramatic blue color, 2-in-1 design, optional LTE, and all the enterprise features, it piqued our interest.
For 2021, HP is giving its customers an official "Gen 2" (there have been some minor revisions already) and a new "Max" edition that is aimed at those who need a robust multi-media notebook for work.
Here is what you need to know about both.
HP Elite Dragonfly G2 with 11th Gen vPro
HP is not bringing any dramatic changes to the G2 model, but the internal hardware is being updated to reflect current editions of processors, RAM, and more.
The radiant "Dragonfly Blue" for the CNC magnesium chassis, thankfully, remains the same. But the processor is finally getting bumped to Intel 11th Gen with vPro. HP initially launched the Elite Dragonfly with an 8th Gen processor because it needed Intel vPro for its enterprise customers, and it wasn't yet available in 10th Gen.
That's now fixed. Intel 11th Gen brings up to 30 percent faster CPU performance, up to 80 percent improved GPU (thanks to Iris Xe graphics), and a few hours more battery life.
RAM is being increased from 16GB LPDDR3 with G1 to a max of 32GB of LPDDR4 in the new G2.
Because of that new 11th Gen chipset, HP can turn on many new smart features that weren't available in the Elite Dragonfly G1, including:
- Onlap detection
- New modernized keyboard layout
- Intrusion detection
- HP Context-Aware (Motion AI)
- Quick Drop
- HP Dynamic Audio (AI content)
- HP Sound Calibration (Earcal)
- AI Noise reduction (Cancellation)
Things like HP Sound Calibration uses AI to "tune headphones for an immersive sound experience" while HP Dynamic Audio "tunes audio to speech, music, and movies while suppressing background noise."
Like the EliteBook 1040 G7, HP is also replacing the physical privacy shutter with its new (and much better) Sure Shutter. With a dedicated keyboard switch, users can block or unblock the camera for extra security.
And like the previous version, the new Elite Dragonfly G2 contains "ocean-bound plastics" in the speaker enclosure, and the "outer box packaging is 100-percent sustainably sourced."
Finally, besides the option for 4G LTE that came to a revision of the Elite Dragonfly G1, the G2 variant gets that plus the option for 5G.
Look for the Elite Dragonfly G2 to become available in late January. Pricing will be announced closer to availability.
HP Elite Dragonfly Max for 'professional collaboration'
The new Elite Dragonfly Max is simply a variant of the new Elite Dragonfly G2, bringing a few significant changes.
The Max edition focuses on the new trend of remote meetings and collaboration. Simply put, if you're in video meetings all day and you want the best audio and visual experience, the HP Elite Dragonfly Max is going to be your laptop.
Here are the main differences between the HP Elite Dragonfly Max and Elite Dragonfly G2:
- Colors: Dragonfly Blue OR new Sparkling Black
- Slightly heavier: 2.49lbs (1.1kg)
- Camera: 5MP + IR (versus 1.2MP at 720P)
- Extra world-facing microphone (four mics total vs. three)
- HP Elite Wireless Earbuds included
- HP Sure View Reflect (G4) privacy screen is standard
- HP Eye Ease (EyeSafe Certification)
The 5MP front-facing camera is a massive jump from the 1.2 MP of the Elite Dragonfly. Visual clarity matched with that extra microphone for four in total should make the Elite Dragonfly Max, a killer laptop for Microsoft Team or those Zoom meetings.
Even the display, which now includes HP's creative Sure View Reflect technology, is standard with the Max instead of just an option. And presuming you will be on the Max all day in meetings, the display is also tuned with HP Eye Ease to filter out harmful blue light without yellowing the screen.
| Category | HP Elite Dragonfly G2 | HP Elite Dragonfly MAX |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 Pro | Windows 10 Pro |
| Processor | 11th Gen Intel Core i3, i5, i7 Optional vPro | 11th Gen Intel Core i5, i7 Optional vPro |
| RAM | 8GB, 16GB, 32GB LPDDR4 | 16GB, 32GB LPDDR4 |
| Graphics | Intel Iris Xe Intel UHD | Intel Iris Xe |
| Storage | Up to 2TB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD | Up to 2TB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD |
| Display | 13.3 inches Touch FHD, 400 nits, low power FHD, 1000 nits, Sure View 4K UHD, HDR400, 550 nits | 13.3 inches Touch, IPS FHD, Sure View Anti-Sparkle, 1000 nits Ambient light sensor |
| Pen | HP Rechargeable Pen G3 | HP Rechargeable Pen G3 |
| Ports | Two Thunderbolt 3 HDMI 1.4b Nano SIM USB-A 3.1 | Two Thunderbolt 3 HDMI 1.4b Nano SIM USB-A 3.1 |
| Audio | Four top-firing speakers HP Audio Boost Three microphones | Four top-firing speakers HP Audio Boost Four microphones |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6 Intel XMM 7360 LTE Snapdragon X55 5G | Wi-Fi 6 Bluetooth 5.0 4G LTE 5G eSIM support |
| Camera | Front-facing 720p HP Sure Shutter | Front-facing 5MP HP Privacy Camera |
| Keyboard | 1.3mm key travel | 1.3mm key travel |
| Battery | TBD | 56.2Wh |
| Security | IR camera Fingerprint reader HP Sure Start HP Sure Run HP Sure Recover HP Sure Click | IR camera Fingerprint reader HP Sure Start HP Sure Run HP Sure Recover HP Sure Click |
| Dimensions | 11.98 x 7.78 x 0.63 inches (304.3mm x 197.5mm x 16.1mm) | 11.98 x 7.78 x 0.63 inches (304.3mm x 197.5mm x 16.1mm) |
| Weight | From 2.2 pounds (<1kg) | From 2.49 pounds (1.13kg) |
| Color | Dragonfly Blue | Sparkling Black Dragonfly Blue |
Interestingly, HP includes its new HP Elite Wireless Earbuds, which HP claims "are the world's most advanced earbuds for collaboration." The earbuds have "personalized audio tuning, adjustable noise cancellation, and sound situation presets." As expected, the earbuds can pair and switch between the Elite DragonFly Max and iOS and Android smartphones.
While the Elite Wireless Earbuds are included with the Elite Dragonfly Max, HP will also sell them separately.
Look for the Elite Dragonfly Max to become available in late January. Pricing will be announced closer to availability.
