Recently, HP has been catching my eye more frequently, and I must say, mostly positively. The company’s ventures into AI PC technology have given it a unique edge in the market, and its laptops have shown remarkable development. I recently evaluated the HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 (2024), and I must admit, it ranks among the finest laptops I’ve assessed in recent times. However, HP’s business endeavors are starting to pique my interest away from their consumer-oriented devices.
Before CES 2025, HP provided me with a preliminary version of the HP EliteBook Ultra 14 (G1i), one of the three professional laptops unveiled at the most recent Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. These devices, including the EliteBook Ultra 14, are equipped with Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) processors, making them robust work computers with impressive artificial intelligence capabilities. My initial experience with the EliteBook Ultra has been very promising, and I must admit that my enthusiasm for it is greater than it has been for OmniBook in recent times.
Ever since HP graciously handed me an advance unit of the EliteBook X 14 (G1a), post HP Imagine 2024, I’ve been captivated – and now, after thorough exploration, it ticks more features off my wishlist than ever before!
An impressive hardware package
The HP EliteBook Ultra 14 (G1i) undeniably exudes premium quality, enclosed in a streamlined, dark blue magnesium shell. Unlike some of HP’s high-end OmniBook models with their angled corners, the EliteBook Ultra boasts a harmonious blend of rounded edges and sharp corners.
This particular HP laptop design, subtly altered, stands out among my favorites due to its exceptional construction and evident care in craftsmanship. The refinement extends even upon opening the lid, showcasing HP’s innovative two-toned keyboard, expansive glass haptic touchpad, and captivating OLED display with minimal bezels. It boasts a sleek profile overall, measuring just 14.9mm thick, weighing approximately 1.22kg with a touch panel, and sporting an over 90% screen-to-body ratio.
HP’s high-quality products don’t compromise their sustainability promises. In fact, about 90% of the magnesium chassis is made from recycled industrial waste, while over half of the keycaps, bezels, and speaker enclosures are crafted from post-consumer recycled materials or ocean-bound plastic. Additionally, all packaging is completely recyclable.
Apart from being high-end, compact, and eco-friendly, the EliteBook Ultra 14 boasts a functional design. It offers three USB Type-C Thunderbolt 4 ports that support Power Delivery and DisplayPort functions, a less preferred drop-jaw USB Type-A port for added versatility, a standard 3.5mm audio jack, and a Kensington Nano lock slot to enhance physical security.
Inside, the EliteBook Ultra 14 resembles the contemporary lineup of top-tier Windows laptops. It boasts an Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) processor, delivering significant advancements in battery life and AI capabilities, albeit with a slight compromise on multi-core performance. However, this is not a drawback for this laptop, as it operates smoothly, although I’m unable to provide benchmark results for this pre-release model.
As a tech enthusiast, I can confidently say that the new Intel silicon in the HP EliteBook Ultra 14 (G1i) equips it with a powerful Neural Processing Unit (NPU), capable of up to 48 TOPS. This makes the EliteBook Ultra 14 more than just a PC; it’s like having a Copilot+ by your side, ready to handle AI tasks efficiently.
With Windows 11 continuously growing its AI features, the EliteBook Ultra 14 is set to reap the benefits of HP’s AI investments. This includes advancements in the AI Companion, optimizations for background power and performance management, and significant efficiency improvements for HP’s reliable Wolf Security suite.
Just as anticipated, HP’s comprehensive Wolf Security platform is included, offering enterprises advanced multi-layered security and extra management tools. Excitingly, Wolf Security is now integrated into HP’s premium consumer laptops, but it’s the EliteBooks that continue to lead in terms of security. It’s worth noting that the EliteBook Ultra 14 will be equipped with Intel vPro and Windows 11 Pro configurations, further enhancing remote management and security capabilities.
Completing the top-notch experience are features such as a high-definition 9MP front camera enhanced by Poly Studio technology and AI capabilities, a four-speaker setup, two microphones that reduce background noise, and two biometric authentication methods using facial recognition or a fingerprint scanner. Additionally, HP’s keyboards never disappoint, and the responsive touchpad is a delight to use. In summary, this laptop truly checks all the boxes for me.
Making me a big fan of HP’s EliteBook offerings
It’s surprising for me to admit, but I find myself looking forward to HP’s business offerings, like the EliteBook family, more than their mainstream consumer products. While everyone values increased security, the latest HP EliteBook models have also caught my eye with their appealing designs, making them some of the most attractive laptops I’ve seen recently.
As a researcher exploring technology, I’m eagerly anticipating my hands-on experience with the final version of the EliteBook Ultra 14 (G1i). So far, I’ve been working with an early pre-production model, and I must say, HP is quickly winning me over as an EliteBook enthusiast. The EliteBook Ultra 14, with its sleek design, OLED screen, and responsive haptic touchpad, has certainly caught my attention.
The Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) has also left a positive impression, although it’s worth noting that its multi-core performance seems to have slightly regressed compared to the initial Core Ultra platform. Despite this minor setback, I’m looking forward to delving deeper into its capabilities when I can test the final product.
It’s important to note that, despite not completely captivating me, AI PCs as a whole have not impressed me significantly. However, among all the tech giants investing heavily in artificial intelligence for personal computers, HP appears to be heading in the right direction towards success. Their All-in-One AI Companion, which is beneficial to a wide range of users, along with tangible enhancements in efficiency and security, and a rapidly expanding platform for reliable and secure AI development, make HP an exciting contender in this field.
The HP EliteBook Ultra 14 (G1i) enjoys these features and is designed to leverage the artificial intelligence advancements that HP will introduce in the future. It’s worth noting that this applies to all the HP EliteBook models unveiled during CES 2025 as well.
Two more Intel-powered EliteBooks to look out for
Alongside the HP EliteBook Ultra 14 (G1i), we’re introducing two new models in the EliteBook X lineup: the EliteBook X 14 (G1i) and the EliteBook X Flip 14 (G1i). Just like their name suggests, these computers continue to use Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) processors and share many common features with the EliteBook Ultra. However, there are significant distinctions between them as well.
First off, the EliteBook X devices in question are slightly less luxurious compared to the Elitebook Ultra models, featuring thicker and heavier builds, offering different LCD display options along with lower resolution 5MP front cameras. However, they make up for it by providing a more extensive array of ports and an optional 4G LTE connectivity – a highly useful feature for many users. It can be challenging to identify distinct differences between the X 14 and the X Flip 14 models, aside from the Flip’s notable 360-degree hinge design and multi-touch capabilities on all its displays.
At CES 2025, I hadn’t had a chance to personally handle either of these devices yet, which means I can’t offer detailed thoughts on their user experience. However, their sleeker designs and impressive feature sets are likely to catch the eye of many tech enthusiasts. Notably, much like the EliteBook Ultra 14 (G1i), these EliteBook X models will come with the added advantage of being Copilot+ PCs, along with all HP’s AI improvements. Additionally, they will have HP’s Wolf Security built-in by default.
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2025-01-06 23:26