Latest news with #EliteBookXG1i
Mint
22-04-2025
- Business
- Mint
HP EliteBook X G1i laptop review: A solid and secure business laptop with a hefty price tag
HP EliteBook X G1i is a business‑class laptop that, on paper, is impressive. For anyone looking for a powerful, secure, and lightweight device, this laptop delivers everything you need: a high‑performance processor, a compact design, and HP Wolf security for peace of mind. The EliteBook Ultra G1i costs over ₹ 2 lakh, which is a significant investment. So, let us see whether this machine is truly worth the price. When choosing a business laptop, four factors matter most: weight, performance, security and battery life. We will split this review into those four sections and examine how well the EliteBook X G1i fares in each. Category Specification Display 14 inch WUXGA (1920 × 1200), IPS, anti-glare, 800 nits brightness, touch-enabled, 100% sRGB, HP Sure View 5 integrated privacy screen CPU Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 268V (up to 5.0 GHz Max Turbo frequency, 12 MB L3 cache, 8 cores, 8 threads) GPU Intel® Arc™ Graphics RAM 32 GB LPDDR5x-8533 MT/s (onboard, non-upgradable) Storage 1 TB PCIe® NVMe™ SSD Ports 2 × Thunderbolt™ 4 (USB-C, 40 Gbps, PD, DisplayPort™ 2.1, HP Sleep and Charge) 1 × USB-C (10 Gbps, PD, DisplayPort™ 1.4) 1 × HDMI 2.1 1 × USB-A (5 Gbps, powered) 1 × Combo headphone/microphone jack Connectivity Intel® Wi-Fi 7 BE201 (2x2) and Bluetooth® 5.4 Battery 68 Wh Li-ion polymer, 6-cell, Fast charging: 50% in 30 minutes Price ₹ 2,23,456 The EliteBook X G1i is an impressive device; it looks great and is very lightweight. Despite its 14‑inch display, it weighs just 1.18kg, making it one of the lightest in its class. The deep AtmosphereBlue colour and finish look fantastic, and at roughly 15mm thick, it can slide into any backpack with ease. The chassis is constructed predominantly from magnesium alloy, which keeps the laptop sturdy while maintaining a low overall weight. Much of the metal used is recycled, as are the plastic components and even the packaging. The build feels solid throughout, with minimal flex on the lid, deck and keyboard area. You will notice a slight wobble at the hinge when opening, but otherwise the construction is robust and reliable. The display features thin side bezels, though the top and bottom borders are wider to house the 5 MP IR wide‑angle camera and Windows Hello support. The keyboard and trackpad are straightforward in layout yet comfortable to use; the keys offer good travel, and the trackpad responds accurately. The inclusion of dedicated PageUp and PageDown keys is a small but much‑appreciated addition when scrolling through long documents. Connectivity is well catered for on both sides of the laptop. You get two Thunderbolt 4 ports, one USB‑C port, an HDMI 2.1 output, a USB‑A port and a combined headphone/microphone jack. In everyday business scenarios, you're unlikely to need any adapters. In terms of design, the EliteBook X G1i is a solid device that offers all the practical features required of a modern business laptop. Check out more HP laptops on Amazon Intel's Core Ultra series processors are the finest x86 chips Intel has produced for mobile computing. They deliver substantial power, are highly efficient and include an integrated GPU capable of tackling everyday graphics tasks. The processor is also AI‑ready, thanks to a dedicated NPU that can accelerate machine‑learning workloads. I'm no business user, so I couldn't replicate every enterprise scenario, but after two weeks of real‑world testing, I'm confident this laptop can handle most workloads without breaking a sweat. Whether juggling numerous Chrome tabs, analysing data in spreadsheets, or even running GPU‑intensive applications, the EliteBook X G1i performed flawlessly. HPWolfSecurity is HP's multi‑layered defence solution, operating over, within and beneath the operating system. The privacy camera features a manual shutter to block the webcam lens, protecting your privacy from unauthorised access. The 14‑inch LCD display also sports a matte overlay that narrows the viewing angle, making over‑the‑shoulder snooping much more difficult than on a regular panel. Besides these hardware safeguards, HP's software suite delivers further protection and enhanced privacy. HPSureSense uses deep‑learning models to secure the Windows environment, detecting malicious files and ransomware before they can launch an attack. HP SureClick isolates web sessions in secure containers to guard against malicious websites; it supports all major browsers, so your choice of browser does not compromise security. The HP SureView privacy‑screen feature limits the display's viewing angle to shield sensitive data. It can be set to activate automatically if the system detects someone approaching from behind, or toggled manually via a dedicated function‑row shortcut on the keyboard. Altogether, these features combine to provide a robust defence framework, ensuring your device and data remain secure in any business environment. Check out HP gaming laptops The EliteBook X G1i comes with a 68Wh battery, which is possibly the biggest battery you'll find on a laptop this slim and lightweight. And since it runs on an efficient Core Ultra series processor, it manages to deliver at least 10 hours of battery life under typical usage. Here's how a regular workday went for me with this machine: I charged the device to about 90% before heading to work. My day began with writing stories, which involved jumping between multiple tabs in Google Chrome for research. At the same time, I had over 25 Chrome tabs running in the background. During lunch, I watched a few YouTube videos. Later, I fired up Forza Horizon 5 and played for around 20 to 30 minutes just to take a break and refresh my mind before getting back to work. By the time I was wrapping up for the day, there was still around 20% battery left, which is quite impressive. And throughout the day, not once did I feel like the laptop was running on battery; it didn't feel underpowered or restricted. Even while gaming, I didn't need to plug it in to get smooth, playable frame rates. The HP EliteBook X G1i comes with a solid set of AI features that actually make a difference in everyday use. It runs on an Intel Core Ultra processor that includes a built-in NPU, which takes care of AI tasks without stressing the CPU or GPU. This means features like background blur, auto framing, and spotlight during video calls run smoothly and don't drain the battery. HP Smart Sense is another handy AI tool that adjusts performance and fan noise based on what you're doing. So if you're just browsing or working on documents, the system stays cool and quiet, but when needed, it ramps up performance without you lifting a finger. There's also background performance tuning happening all the time. The AI learns how you use the laptop and keeps things running smoothly in the long term. One of the standout features is the AI Companion app. It can help you summarise or rewrite content, and even suggest ideas. You can upload your own files into the app and get answers or generate drafts from them, which is really helpful for reports or articles. Poly Camera Pro is another smart addition. It gives you full control over your video settings like auto framing, background blur, and virtual backgrounds—all powered by the NPU to save battery. Audio is also taken care of with AI. The laptop can automatically level your voice and cut out unwanted background noise, so you sound clear even in noisy places. All in all, the AI features on this laptop aren't just there for the name, they actually make working on it smoother and more efficient. Lightweight and premium build Strong Intel Core Ultra performance Long battery life with fast charging Robust HP Wolf Security suite Wide port selection Non-upgradable RAM A bit pricy The HP EliteBook X G1i is a powerful, lightweight and secure business laptop that gets almost everything right. It's built well, performs great, and lasts all day on battery. If you're looking for a premium machine that blends power with portability, this one won't disappoint. That said, it does feel a bit expensive for the specs it offers. More business laptops on Amazon Disclaimer: Mint has an affiliate marketing partnership, which means we may get some commission on purchases you make through the retailer sites links provided. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content, which is free from any bias or marketing pitch. We strive to provide accurate and unbiased information to help you make informed decisions. We recommend verifying details with the retailer before making a purchase. First Published: 22 Apr 2025, 10:09 AM IST
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
HP's EliteBook X 14 (G1i) balances security with AI functionality — "The momentum is real, and it's being unleashed"
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. When is a business laptop more than just a business laptop? HP launched three new EliteBook business laptops at CES 2025, featuring new Intel Core Ultra 200V "Lunar Lake" vPro chipsets. In conjunction with all the benefits of the "Lunar Lake" architecture, the vPro series adds security features built onto the silicon. At CES in Las Vegas earlier this month, Laptop Mag met with representatives from HP and Intel to discuss the co-engineering that went into these new EliteBook laptops. Cory McElroy, Vice President of Commercial Project Management at HP, explained to Laptop that "The vPro value proposition with the HP commercial and elite value proposition is very important." And from that combination of the Lunar Lake vPro and HP enterprise mindset, we get the EliteBook X. I've been using the EliteBook X 14 for the last few weeks to experiment with its AI capabilities, as AI for business and the IT Workforce Experience Platform were two of HP and Intel's main focus points for the updated EliteBooks. But what's new beyond the silicon? HP EliteBook X G1i's starting price is $1,999. This model likely features an Intel Core Ultra 5 200V-series processor, 16GB of memory, 256GB of storage space, and a 14-inch (1920 x 1200) LED panel. The EliteBook X G1i can be configured with an Intel Core Ultra 5 or 7 200V series vPro CPU, up to 32GB of memory, and up to 512GB of storage space. Display panel options include a 14-inch (1920 x 1200) LCD panel, a 14-inch (1920 x 1200) touchscreen, a 14-inch (1920 x 1200) low-power LED panel, or a 14-inch 120Hz (2560 x 1600) LED panel. The pre-production test sample I have currently won't be available for sale as it features a 1TB SSD. The prices for all other configurations have yet to be announced. The EliteBook X G1i is expected to launch in March 2025. HP's EliteBook line maintains a minimalist business aesthetic but with new quirky colors for the AI PC generation. The EliteBook X G1i comes in either Atmospheric Blue or Glacier Silver. The Atmospheric Blue reads as a deep navy, while the Glacier Silver reads more white. While these colors aren't exactly eye-catching, they are a nice twist on the standard business laptop choices, which range from silver to dark gray or gunmetal. The EliteBook uses up to 90% recycled Magnesium in its chassis, more than 20% recycled cooking oil in the bezels, 30% ocean-bound plastic in the speakers, and 30% post-consumer plastic and recycled fishing net materials in the keyboard. So, at least 70% of the major parts of the EliteBook X G1i are recycled materials. Impressive sustainability figures for HP. Our EliteBook X 14 pre-production configuration also weighs just 2.81 pounds, while some configurations will weigh as little as 2.6 pounds. Coming in below 3 pounds is optimal for a business laptop, especially for those with lengthy commutes. Image 1 of 2 Image 2 of 2 Based on our hands-on time with the EliteBook and HP's product brief provided to the press before CES, we've pieced together the full list of ports on the EliteBook X 14: 2x Thunderbolt 4 (40Gbps signaling rate, USB power delivery, DisplayPort 2.1) 1x USB Type-C (10Gbps signaling rate, USB power delivery, DisplayPort 1.4) 1x USB Type-A (5Gbps signaling rate) 1x HDMI 2.1 1x Audio combo jack 1x nano SIM That should be enough ports for most professionals, but you may want to invest in a laptop docking station or USB-C hub if you plan to power your office workstation using the EliteBook X 14. Our preview configuration of the EliteBook X 14 G1i features a 60Hz (1920 x 1200) LED touchscreen panel with a matte finish. HP rates the EliteBook X G1i FHD panel options at 100% sRGB color gamut coverage, and based on what my eyes can tell, the EliteBook X 14 meets that claim. I pulled up the trailer for the upcoming suspense film Drop and was pleasantly surprised by the vibrance and deep contrast on the EliteBook's display, as much of the trailer takes place in dim and low-lit environments. The tense dinner scene between Meghann Fahy's Violet and Brandon Sklenar's Henry is dark enough to create a sense of tension, but, the colors on the EliteBook X 14's display were vibrant enough to catch the bright red details of Violet's date outfit. HP rates the LED touchscreen at 800 nits. While we didn't get a chance to test this claim in the lab, based on how eye-searingly bright the Google homepage appeared when the display brightness was set to 100%, I'm inclined to believe the brightness comes close to HP's claim. With an Intel Lunar Lake vPro processor onboard, we expect the EliteBook X to offer solid productivity performance. However, the Intel Core Ultra 200V series is designed for thin and light laptops that can last for a full day or more on battery life, so don't expect record-breaking performance scores. While the vPro line differs slightly from the consumer-level Core Ultra 200V series, we expect similar performance to the Asus ExpertBook P5 (P5405). In my hands-on testing, I had no trouble loading multiple AI programs and running them simultaneously, even with a cluster of 15-20 Chrome tabs open. In general, the Intel Core 200V series has kept cool under pressure, even in ultra-thin systems like the Zenbook S 14. In my hands-on testing, the ExpertBook X 14 G1i remained cool, even after extended use with the display set to 100% brightness. The keyboard was a comfortable temperature, and the underside was just a bit warm but not unbearable to leave on your lap for extended periods. AI features that could help businesses were one of the major points of my talk with Intel and HP about the new EliteBooks. McElroy tells Laptop Mag, "As we look at manageability, security, productivity, name your application, it's really great to see the right workload on the right XPU." The AI for Business solutions showcased by Intel and HP do work across the CPU, GPU, and NPU as different software developers target different hardware accelerators. Some of the demos shown by Intel and HP included video conferencing software that can use an existing recording and sync your mouth movements to new audio. Or Poly Camera Pro, which can control your video settings across multiple applications so you get a quality video feed regardless of whether you're using Zoom or Microsoft Teams. The two companies also showcased LLMWare, a private AI software for Intel PCs. "It's really been great to see the flywheel really going... We put out a goal last year to try to get about 300 AI-enabled features, and we surpassed that. And, you know, we didn't do that alone. It took partners, the ecosystem team, and a lot of them doing on their own," enthused Carla Rodriguez, Vice President and General Manager of Client Software Ecosystem at Intel. McElroy explained the decision to utilize the vPro line of Intel processors was mainly a response to the kind of users targeted by the EliteBook. "The EliteBook X is our flagship premium product for these kinds of managed IT environments. So it needs to have all the security and manageability and everything you need to deploy and support these devices, yet at the same time, it's really catering to highly mobile users." Indeed, the Intel vPro line comes with additional security features including, built-in security on the CPU itself, faster on-chip security operations, isolation of sensitive operations and data to the processor for increased security, and a dedicated security engine for third-party firmware. The Intel Core Ultra 200V vPro chips have MITRE ATT&CK framework validation, meaning the chips have proven protection against over 150 real-world cyber-attack techniques. HP has optimized the EliteBook X for its Workforce Experience Platform, designed to increase IT fleet control, offer better self-help solutions for employees, provide a collaborative work environment, and offer better endpoint security for companies upgrading to the EliteBooks. HP has also included a TPM 2.0 embedded security chip, and Wolf Security for Business on the EliteBook X 14. That includes the BIOSphere, a 5th Gen Endpoint Security Controller, Sure Start, Sure Admin, Sure Recover (Cloud), Sure Click (Basic), Secure Erase, Privacy Camera, Tamper Lock, Seamless Firmware Updates, and Sure Run. The EliteBook X 14 G1a comes with either Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro, with the standard Microsoft applications pre-loaded like Edge, Copilot, and Clipchamp. HP proprietary software like Poly Camera Pro and HP AI Companion have also been pre-loaded. Intel's vPro line of processors aims to increase security for employees and for IT departments, and HP has its own security solutions baked into the Wolf Security program and the Workforce Experience Platform. And with Intel's Lunar Lake vPro chips offering a powerful NPU, employees can use more in-depth AI while maintaining on-device security for those functions. AI applications and AI features built into existing apps has seen exponential growth in the last year alone. While some of that AI exists in a legal gray-area like image generation, other AI features like video conferencing tools have become more needed than ever in a hybrid working environment. As Rodriguez wrapped up for me during our discussion at CES, "the momentum is real, and it's being unleashed." HP EliteBook Ultra review: It makes a good case for ARM business laptops I'm a veteran laptop reviewer. Here are my top 10 laptops of CES 2025. I loved the Summit 13 AI Evo before, but a new add-on makes it a must-buy
