Sep 2022

It looks like yearly there is a new Chromebook that basically strikes the class ahead. Google’s Pixelbook, Samsung’s Galaxy Chromebook, Lenovo’s Chromebook Duet and Acer’s Chromebook Spin 713 all come to thoughts. The HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook is now on that listing. HP, Google and Intel got down to create an entire Chromebook for enterprise greater than two years in the past and the Elite Dragonfly Chromebook is the outcome, a legit ChromeOS dream machine for hybrid employees. 

However regardless of the Elite Dragonfly Chromebook’s greatness, it is most likely not for you. Once more, that is primarily designed for companies. In fact, for client Chromebook converts who already know the best combo of net, Android and Linux apps wanted to get their work achieved, the Elite Dragonfly is ideal for being productive anyplace. 

Except your IT division is handing one in every of these beauties over to you, although, the value is probably going going to be a deterrent. The Elite Dragonfly Chromebook begins at $1,149. The customized configuration HP despatched us for assessment is greater than $1,500, nonetheless, and it is an enterprise mannequin with an Intel Core i5 vPro processor — a primary for Chromebooks — to extend safety (which is already robust on Chromebooks). Enterprise variations additionally get a yr of Parallels for Chromebook for many who may want legacy software program. For business use, you may want a vPro chip however in any other case, the bottom mannequin goes to be a lot for many Chromebook customers. It would not embody HP’s wonderful wi-fi rechargeable pen and it additionally would not help the pen obtainable for HP’s Chromebook x2 11. 

8.5

HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook

$1,519 at HP

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Like

• Nice feel and appear
• Implausible video conferencing expertise
• Thunderbolt 4
• 4G LTE/5G wi-fi obtainable
• Haptic touchpad and spill-resistant keyboard
• Further safety with vPro

Do not Like

• USI pen not included with all configurations
• Palm rejection could possibly be higher
• Made for enterprise and priced that approach

Full collaborative expertise

One of many most important issues HP, Google and Intel centered on with the Elite Dragonfly Chromebook was the collaborative expertise. Most producers previously yr bumped up the webcam decision on premium Chromebooks from 720p to 1080p aka HD to full HD. HP did that, placing a 5-megapixel webcam within the Dragonfly. Nevertheless it additionally makes use of picture processing developed initially for Google Pixel telephone cameras. There’s HDR processing occurring within the background to steadiness out robust shadows in addition to blown-out highlights.

For instance, the image above is a screenshot of the Dragonfly’s webcam. I am sitting in a room solely lit by the window behind me. Whereas the picture is barely smooth and noisy due to the low-light circumstances of the room, it is in no way dangerous. Extra importantly, the colour is correct and I am not shrouded in shadows and the constructing exterior the window is seen, not fully blown out by daylight. Do this with nearly every other built-in webcam and also you’d by no means get a picture like this. 

And whereas many laptops will kick on their followers a number of seconds right into a convention name, the Elite Dragonfly stays silent due to how optimized it’s for the duty. Add in robust noise cancellation for the built-in mics and clear, clear audio from its top-firing audio system and video calls are literally pleasurable. Plus, there is a bodily privateness shutter on the digicam and a mic mute button on the keyboard for when you do not need to be seen or heard. 

Efficiency to get you thru the day

The 12th-gen Intel Core i5 processor is a champ, getting me by means of typical workdays utilizing a mixture of Chrome and progressive net apps for Microsoft Workplace and Zoom, Adobe Inventive Cloud apps from the Play retailer and the Linux app for Slack. As I discussed earlier that that is the primary VPro Chromebook, however it’s an Intel Evo laptop computer, too. The 2 mixed imply the Dragonfly meets sure requirements for design and efficiency.  

Evo is actually a assure the Chromebook has a thin-and-light physique (it weighs lower than three kilos), has all-day battery life (10 hours, 56 minutes on our streaming video take a look at), instant-on efficiency whenever you raise the lid and quick wi-fi. With VPro it provides enhanced safety, specifically whole reminiscence encryption (TME) and KeyLocker. HP additionally included a fingerprint reader on the keyboard deck for added safety, although I’d somewhat have it built-in into the facility button on the left facet of the physique for when the two-in-one is in pill or stand mode.

Haptic touchpad, spill-resistant keyboard, tall show

HP began speaking with Google greater than 4 years in the past about including a haptic touchpad to Chromebooks. Coincidentally, the talks dovetailed with Google’s need to enhance the keyboard and trackpad expertise general for Chromebook customers. The fundamental thought: create a premium system with a touchpad so good you will not want to hold round a journey mouse. 

The Elite Dragonfly’s haptic touchpad (one other first for Chromebooks) looks like a conventional click on and never like a vibration you’d get from a telephone or pill show. Plus you get the identical click on really feel no matter the place you press on the pad. The energy is adjustable however even maxed out it isn’t aggressive. I do want there was some strategy to improve palm rejection, although, as a result of I usually ended up dragging the cursor on the display screen whereas typing. 

The haptics work for different ChromeOS actions, supplying you with somewhat buzz whenever you change between digital desktops, for instance, or whenever you snap a window to 1 facet of the show. Google additionally has plans to construct out haptic integration into different areas reminiscent of Google Workspace apps. Having this touchpad makes the Elite Dragonfly Chromebook that rather more enticing for work.

There’s not a lot to say in regards to the backlit keyboard past that it is spacious and cozy to sort on for an prolonged time. I additionally recognize that HP made the perform keys somewhat smaller to squeeze in buttons for the keyboard backlight, enjoying/pausing media and muting the mic. 

As I discussed earlier, my Dragonfly included a superb USI pen for taking notes or drawing on the show. It wirelessly prices on the best facet of the Chromebook. It magnetically snaps to the facet and begins charging and it attaches strongly sufficient to retailer that approach. 

The three:2 show is near the scale of a typical sheet of paper, making it good for note-taking. It is also tall so you possibly can match extra vertically on the display screen for much less scrolling when you work. It wasn’t fairly shiny sufficient to make use of open air with out preventing reflections however it was manageable. HP does supply a 1,000-nit panel which might be the best way to go for continuously working open air. Plus, it options HP’s privateness display screen to dam folks from seeing what’s on the show from an off angle. 

Whereas the show, keyboard and touchpad are wonderful, typically it is simply extra comfy to work on a giant show and use a full-size keyboard and mouse. The Elite Dragonfly Chromebook has a Thunderbolt Four port on either side. Which means you cannot solely cost from both facet however hook up with a docking station just like the HP Elite Thunderbolt Dock G4 for a single cable connection to all of your peripherals for rapidly attending to work. 

The dock provides an Ethernet port for the Dragonfly for a wired net connection whereas working at a desk. However the Chromebook has top-flight wi-fi, too, with Wi-Fi 6E in addition to non-obligatory 4G LTE and even 5G help (yet one more first for a Chromebook). 

A Chromebook crystal ball

Chromebooks had been considerably indistinguishable for a number of years after they first arrived in 2011. However as ChromeOS matured, higher-end Chromebooks began to indicate up extra usually. Though, even these premium fashions topped out at round $500, apart from the occasional showpiece. The HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook is a showpiece, loaded with a number of design and know-how items that may discover their approach into future Chromebooks for each enterprise and private use. It carries a hefty price ticket that’s seemingly an excessive amount of for most individuals contemplating a Chromebook, even a premium mannequin. Nevertheless it’s additionally price each penny. 

Nonetheless, if it is an excessive amount of, the subsequent greatest choices proper now are the Acer Chromebook Spin 714 or the marginally inexpensive Spin 513. You can even take a look at our listing of high Chromebooks that we have examined. 

Orbit Brain

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