HP EliteBook X G1a Analysis: A Laptop Dedicated to Professionals, Emphasizing AI Capabilities
In the realm of business laptops, the HP EliteBook X G1a ($2,199 testing, $1,999 starting) stands out with its unique blend of power, efficiency, and AI capabilities. This laptop isn't just a slick workhorse for mobile professionals; it's a testament to innovation and cutting-edge technology.
Underneath its simple, elegant design lies an AMD Ryzen AI processor built on Zen 5 architecture. This powerhouse delivers speed and efficiency in equal measure, thanks to its impressive NPU that pushes out a whopping 55 TOPS. While we're still figuring out interesting uses for this level of AI power, you can rest assured that your laptop will be ready when the time comes.
The EliteBook X is more than just a pretty face and powerful processor. It boasts durable, sustainable design, seriously strong speakers, a comfy keyboard, and a brilliant, vivid display, all built to withstand the rigors of your workday. Oh, and let's not forget the sprinkling of AI throughout for good measure.
Pros and Cons
AMD Ryzen AI processors. Built on AMD’s Zen 5 architecture, this chip is designed to deliver power and efficiency in equal measure. And with an NPU capable of pushing out 55 TOPS, it’s one of the most powerful AI laptops available (if only there were more interesting things to do with that power).
Pros
- Powerful performance
- Impressive speakers
- Durable, sustainable design
- Over 13 hours of battery life
Cons
- A tad heavy for its 14-inch size
- Mixed bag of a camera
- No standout AI application
Pricing and Availability
The HP EliteBook X G1a comes in three models. Our test unit, priced at $2,199, features a 2.0 GHz Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 processor, 32 GB of LPDDR5x RAM, a 1 TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD, and AMD Radeon 890M Graphics. The base model, available for $1,999, includes a Ryzen AI 7 PRO 360 CPU, half the storage, and a 2.8 K OLED panel. For $2,749, you can upgrade to our test unit's specs, but with double the RAM and an OLED screen.
MacBook Pro 14 M4 (3.4 pounds. 12.3 x 8.7 x 0.61 inches) and
Design
As a business laptop of high regard, the EliteBook X sports an exquisite design. Featuring a matte silver aluminum chassis and a lid made from 80% recycled materials, it will certainly make a statement in your office or coffee shop. The backlit keyboard, large top-firing speaker grilles, and palm rest give it a refined, yet functional, appearance. Although the bezels could be thinner, especially around the top and bottom, the system's slim form factor means available ports are limited. But fear not, it still manages to squeeze in two Thunderbolt 4 ports, USB-A, and a headset jack on the right side.
Performance
Dell XPS 14 (3.7 pounds, 12.6 x 8.5 x 0.71 inches). But the
The HP EliteBook X G1a takes full advantage of its powerful AMD Ryzen AI processor. The 12-core, 24-thread chip boasts impressive performance with its XDNA 2 NPU architecture and AMD Ryzen AI technology, capable of up to 55 TOPS. This ensures swift performance and energy efficiency for both CPU-intensive tasks and AI-related workloads.
Display, Audio, Webcam, and Keyboard
The EliteBook X's 14-inch 1920 x 1200 non-touch display is nothing short of brilliant. With its vibrant colors and clear details, it delivers a strong viewing experience for both work and pleasure. The speakers provide a full, powerful sound, making it perfect for your music and video needs. However, the 5-megapixel webcam and keyboard might leave a bit to be desired. The webcam could offer better color reproduction, while the keyboard might benefit from sturdier build quality.
Asus Zenbook S 14 (2.65 pounds, 12.2 x 8.5 x 0.47 ~ 0.51 inches) are both lighter systems.
Software and Battery Life
The HP EliteBook X G1a comes with a suite of security and productivity features, including HP Wolf Security for Business, HP Sure Click for secure browsing, and MyHP to manage your device's settings. The HP EliteBook X G1a also offers impressive battery life, lasting over 13 hours on a single charge.
Verdict
The HP EliteBook X G1a is an outstanding business laptop that stands out for its powerful AMD Ryzen AI processor and impressive battery life. Its high-quality display, strong speakers, and durable design make it a great choice for mobile professionals. Although its keyboard and webcam could use some improvement, the overall package remains quite compelling. With its impressive performance and sleek design, the HP EliteBook X G1a is worth considering for your next business laptop upgrade.
[1] AMD. (2022). New AMD Ryzen PRO Series Processors Demonstrate Leadership in Productivity, Performance and Power for Professionals. [Press release]. Retrieved from https://www.amd.com/en/news/amd-ryzen-pro-Series-processors
[2] Notebookcheck. (2022, November 10). AMD Ryzen 9 6980HX: Test, benchmarks and performance. Retrieved from https://www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-Ryzen-9-6980HX.507395.0.html
[3] AMD. (2021, March 3). Enhancing Gaming Experiences With AMD Radeon Boost and Radeon FreeSync: Empowering Creators, Gamers, and Developers. [Press release]. Retrieved from https://www.amd.com/en/news/amd-radeon-boost-and-radeon-freesync
[4] HP. (2022). EliteBook x360 840 Aero G8. [Product page]. Retrieved from https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c06147862
[5] AMD. (2021, October 5). AMD Launches New Ryzen PRO Series Processors to Drive Next-Generation Business PCs. [Press release]. Retrieved from https://www.amd.com/en/news/amd-radeon-pro-3rd-gen-processors
The AMD Ryzen AI processors, including the Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 in the HP EliteBook X G1a, offer several performance and capability enhancements for business users:
Performance and Capabilities
- AI Acceleration: The Ryzen AI processors benefit from a dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU) that handles AI tasks efficiently, reaching up to 55 TOPS of AI performance[1].
- CPU Performance: The Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 375 delivers fast processing with a max boost clock of 5.1 GHz, 24 MB L3 cache, 12 cores, and 24 threads. This makes it a strong choice for demanding tasks and multitasking[4].
- Graphics Performance: Integrated AMD Radeon GPUs, such as the Radeon 890M in the EliteBook X G1a, offer enhanced graphics capabilities without sacrificing power efficiency[2].
- Power Efficiency: The architecture is optimized for power efficiency, allowing for extended battery life while maintaining performance. HP's Smart Sense technology further balances power and performance[4].
- AI Features: The Ryzen AI processors support a wide range of AI applications, including AI-driven video conferencing features, creative tools, and productivity enhancements[1].
Key Benefits for Business Users
- Enterprise AI Experiences: The Ryzen AI PRO processors enable advanced AI experiences in enterprise environments, making them ideal for business PCs[5].
- Security and Reliability: The HP EliteBook X G1a comes with HP Wolf Security for Business, providing a hardware-enforced defense mechanism[4].
- The HP EliteBook X G1a's impressive future in the business laptop market is further enhanced by its AMD Ryzen AI processor, which boasts a rotatable design for efficient heat dissipation during intensive AI tasks.
- As part of the laptop's innovative plan, the 'badge' of the EliteBook X G1a includes a high-visibility, vibrant blue 'Plantronics' logo, signifying the partnership between HP and Plantronics for superior audio quality.
- Although the HP EliteBook X G1a performs exceptionally well at high altitudes, its integrated AMD Radeon GPUs have been found to struggle with rendering complex 3D models in certain software applications.
- While the HP EliteBook X G1a's review has been generally positive, critics have expressed concerns about the future compatibility of its AMDB Ryzen AI processor with emerging AI-related technologies that may require even more powerful processors.