After the pandemic, businesses have switched to different work models to ensure survival, including remote work and hybrid work models. However, this transition has not been smooth due to the limitation of resources and technologies. One of the main aspects of working remotely or via a hybrid model involves having to communicate with your team over video conferencing.

This can be pretty challenging. For instance, you may have a lot of background noises during a meeting, or you may have changing lighting conditions that may affect your video quality. These issues are common for working from home.

To tackle this, HP has recently released their all-new Chrome OS-based HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook, which is specially designed for people working from home. The HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook is a stylish computer that offers improved voice and face tracking, AI-controlled battery optimization, and noise-canceling, which are all much-needed features for today’s workforce.

The first HP Elite Dragonfly laptop was quite popular, and after being released only a few years ago, HP released a second-generation convertible model. During CES 2022, HP announced their third-generation Elite Dragonfly, which is basically a Chromebook.

Until this year, all the HP Elite Dragonfly laptops used to be powered by Windows. However, with Chrome OS being popular in the business world, HP decided to make the third version of the series a Chromebook.

Read on to find out everything we know so far about the HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook, which may very well be one of the most impressive Chromebooks we have seen so far.

HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook: Everything We Know So Far

Specifications

The all new HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook has the following specs:

• CPU: 12th gen Intel Core
• GPU: Intel Xe integrated graphics
• Display: 13.5 inches (1920 x 1280, 400 nits), 13.5 inches (1920 x 1280, 1000 nits), 13.5 inches (3000 x 2000, 400 nits)
• RAM: Up to 32GB
• Storage: Up to 2TB
• Size: 11.71 x 8.68 x 0.65 inches
• Ports: 2 Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), 1 HDMI 2.0, 1 USB Type-A (charging port), 1 Nano SIM slot, 1 Combo headphone/Mic.
• Weight: 2.20 pounds
• Price: Starting at $2,165

Since HP Elite Dragonfly is the first-ever Chrome OS-powered version, we can’t really compare it to any of its previous versions. However, there are still many things to compare it to. The most obvious difference is definitely the operating system, which is way different than Windows 10 or 11. And since it is a Chromebook, it heavily relies on cloud technology and the web.  

Let’s see what else HP Elite Dragon has in store for us.

Display

Being a business laptop and the newest addition to HP’s lineup, this Chromebook has a 3:2 aspect ratio display and a base resolution of 1920 x 1280. While all the earlier Elite Dragonfly models featured traditional displays of 16:9 aspect ratios, this one has made the transition to a 3:2 aspect ratio. It has a 13.5-inch display panel that offers really sharp results. But if you are looking for the ultimate experience, get the Quad HD+ display with 2256 x 1504 pixels.

Webcam

Another great improvement in this model is the all-new webcam that offers a fairly sharp 5MP resolution. It’s a huge upgrade from most of the earlier Elite Dragonfly models as it supports 1080p video. However, HP Elite Dragonfly Max also supported 1080p video. The only thing missing from the Elite Dragonfly Chromebook’s webcam is the IR-based facial recognition, as it is only compatible with Windows.

Processor

The HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook features 12th-generation Intel processors, which are the latest processors from Intel. These new systems come with a hybrid architecture that combines efficient cores with high-performance cores to offer surprisingly promising results. This means that we could be getting higher performance with a much better battery life. According to HP, this computer is also the world’s first Chromebook with support for vPro, which provides additional security and performance features for businesses.

Design

Made using aluminum, the HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook does not look like a cheap Chromebook at all. It has a sleek body, slim side bezels, and is quite portable. It is also pretty thin and only weighs 2.20 pounds. What’s more, it features a 36-degree hinge which makes it quite versatile.

Trackpad

The most prominent feature you will notice in HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook as compared to its previous models is the haptic trackpad it comes with. While all the previous versions of the Elite Dragonfly featured a traditional ClickPad with buttons built into the trackpad, this one does not have any buttons whatsoever. It solely relies on haptic feedback.

So instead of actually clicking down on it, you will feel a vibration that simulates a click. According to HP, it is the first-ever Chromebook in the world with a haptic trackpad. However, not everyone may prefer a  haptic trackpad over the traditional one.

Charging

The HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook comes with various configurations of batteries. It comes with an HP Long Life 4-cell 45WHr. There’s also an HP 6-cell 68WHr battery. The device also has a USB-C with a power delivery of 65W along with a USB-C with a power delivery of 100W with USB-A charging.

What’s more, the Elite Dragonfly Chromebook also comes with built-in features to improve its battery life so that you can rely on it during an important meeting. It memorizes your work patterns and improves power consumption by optimizing it. For instance, if you get away from your laptop for some time, a built-in feature with AI will know that you are away and adjust your Chromebook’s power consumption automatically.

It will also recognize that you are sleeping and will minimize power consumption so that you can make the most of its battery life. Thanks to this battery-saving feature, you don’t have to worry about your laptop giving up on you when you need it the most.

Pricing

A starting price tag of $2,165 may seem really insane for a Chromebook, but it’s not the first one with a price tag of this magnitude. In fact, Dell’s Enterprise Latitude Chromebooks that were released a few years ago retailed for a huge price tag of $2,155 and only had 8GB of RAM and a 10th Gen Core i5 processor.

Although they weren’t a total failure, these Chromebooks were really not worth the price tag. Moreover, they did not have any of the high-end features that an enterprise laptop should have for its customers. It lacked a premium feel, and all the features it had could have cost half the price.

So is HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook even worth it at this price tag? Well, it actually depends on your personal preferences and your usage. Being an enterprise machine, it is definitely not a laptop for average consumers. They can easily find a good laptop for under $700. However, considering the performance and the premium features that the HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook has to offer, it is definitely going to be the top choice for many businesses.

Convertible

The first few versions of HP’s Elite Dragonfly lineup were all convertible models that could be used both as tablets and as traditional laptops. But HP decided to change that for the Elite Dragonfly G3- their Windows 11-powered laptop that was announced alongside HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook.

Fortunately for us, the Chromebook iteration does have the convertible form factor. So you can make the most of both the forms in a 3:2 display which comes with touch support in all the variants. You can also use the magnetically charged stylus that comes with this Chromebook to doodle or take notes in a fun way when using it as a tablet.

Where to Buy the HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook?

You can buy the HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook at HP’s official website. Although it is not widely available for purchase right now, you may spot it at traditional retailers like Best Buy or Amazon. Since it is a business laptop, it comes with multiple configurations that you may only get from HP directly.

Conclusion

Now that HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook is out, you can make the most of all these amazing features. However, considering how big the price tag is, many people may not be comfortable buying a Chromebook. It all comes down to personal preference.

For businesses that follow a hybrid work model, this enterprise Chromebook may be worth a shot as it is designed for the hybrid workforce. You can combine various specs and buy your desired configurations according to your liking.

If you are looking for more reviews on Chromebooks or want to learn about the best ChromeOS tips, tricks, and features, check out our website.