HP’s Spectre replacement is here, and a new AMD-powered, Thunderbolt-equipped AI PC is coming later this year

HP's Spectre replacement is here, and a new AMD-powered, Thunderbolt-equipped AI PC is coming later this year

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.

As a tech enthusiast who has been following the PC industry for over two decades now, I can confidently say that we are currently witnessing one of the most thrilling periods in Windows PC history. The arrival of more advanced and competitive platforms from Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm is pushing laptop performance to new heights at an astonishing pace – not just in terms of hardware, but also software features thanks to AI.


As an enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share the news about HP unveiling their latest AI-focused PC, specifically the EliteBook X 14 tailored for progressive businesses. Powered by the cutting-edge AMD Ryzen PRO AI processors, these enterprise-grade chips are essentially advanced counterparts to the AMD Ryzen AI processors, slated to join the Copilot+ PC family later this year.

It’s noteworthy that the HP EliteBook X 14, powered by AMD, surprisingly features Thunderbolt 4 ports, a rarity among similar PCs. This high-end business laptop is set to be released later this year, although its price remains undisclosed. In the interim, you can now buy the HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14, previously announced as a replacement for the Spectre x360 flagship line, from HP for $1,449.99 and up.

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

HP's Spectre replacement is here, and a new AMD-powered, Thunderbolt-equipped AI PC is coming later this year

HP's Spectre replacement is here, and a new AMD-powered, Thunderbolt-equipped AI PC is coming later this year

The HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 (2024) is among the initial laptops to utilize the Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) line of processors, touted for exceptional efficiency in terms of performance-to-power ratio. Essentially, it can be considered the successor to the HP Spectre x360 14 (2024), a model I adored, with improvements including being slimmer, lighter, and boasting claims of enhanced power and battery life.

The OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 is set to receive an upgrade to Copilot+ PCs this year, thanks to its advanced 48 TOPS NPU that allows on-device AI capabilities and improvements. Additionally, HP is incorporating a variety of their own AI features such as the new HP AI Companion, Human Presence Detection (HPD), and others. Moreover, this laptop also offers HP’s Wolf Security suite for consumers, which blends hardware and software components to elevate security and privacy beyond typical PC standards.

The upcoming HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 (2024) is a highly anticipated device, but let me clarify that it’s not a brand-new model. Excitingly, as of today, you can finally buy the OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 directly from HP for $1,449.99 and up. This price point gets you an Intel Core Ultra 5 (Series 2) processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD drive for storage. While it’s undeniably pricy, this laptop represents the pinnacle of what HP has to offer in terms of performance across all areas.

A new commercial PC with AMD and Thunderbolt

HP's Spectre replacement is here, and a new AMD-powered, Thunderbolt-equipped AI PC is coming later this year
HP's Spectre replacement is here, and a new AMD-powered, Thunderbolt-equipped AI PC is coming later this year

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.

Among HP’s initial lineup of AI-focused PCs is this full-fledged model, serving as a foundation for HP to unveil AI workforce solutions tailored for enterprises. This PC makes a striking impression, following the pre-existing HP EliteBook Ultra G1q. It offers the option between an LCD or OLED display, boasts up to 64GB of RAM and 2TB of SSD storage, and is equipped with the comprehensive security and remote management features offered by Windows 11 Pro and HP’s Wolf Pro Security ecosystem, including advanced hardware security enhancements.

In the enhanced HP environment, powered by the advanced NPU, we have additional features such as Poly Camera Pro, which upgrades the 5MP FHD webcam with a host of AI-driven capabilities like Auto Frame, background blurring, HPD, and others. The Poly Studios, integrated into HP, further fine-tunes the quad speakers alongside the webcam. This year, the new AI assistant will join the EliteBook X 14 before it transforms into a Copilot+ PC.

Among the many features that make this laptop stand out for me as a tech enthusiast, one particularly captivating aspect is the dual USB Type-C Thunderbolt 4 ports it boasts. These aren’t your average USB ports; they come equipped with USB Power Delivery and DisplayPort 2.1 support, in addition to the standard USB Type-C and USB Type-A ports.

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

HP's Spectre replacement is here, and a new AMD-powered, Thunderbolt-equipped AI PC is coming later this year

We’re experiencing a particularly thrilling period for Windows PCs, not seen in a while, largely due to the entry of more competitive and sophisticated hardware from companies like Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm. Laptops are progressing at an astonishing rate in terms of hardware, and this rapid improvement doesn’t even take into account the advancements being made in software, particularly AI. While many consumer-facing AI features may be questionable or even harmful, it’s important to recognize that AI technology is crucial and valuable overall.

It’s evident that HP is heavily investing in AI, particularly from an enterprise standpoint, recognizing its immense potential for significant impact. The upcoming HP EliteBook X 14 will be among the first laptops to leverage these AI advancements, potentially persuading numerous enterprise clients to place their orders. Meanwhile, consumers stand to gain significantly from enhanced performance and efficiency. I can’t wait to get my hands on as many of these new laptops as possible, so stay tuned for my review of the HP OmniBook Ultra 14 (2024) featuring AMD Ryzen AI!

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2024-09-24 19:39