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PC World - 16 Jul (PC World)

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Long battery life Anti-glare display is easy on the eyes Good, clean build Quiet operation Cons High and variable pricing Performance falls short of competition Our Verdict The HP EliteBook X Flip G1i is a solid 2-in-1. However, its performance could be better and it could be a little lighter. Additionally, the added cost of its business features hampers its overall value. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: HP EliteBook X Flip G1i Retailer Price Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best Prices Today: Check today’s prices The HP EliteBook X Flip G1i joins the EliteBook X G1i in HP’s new lineup of business laptops. The company has done an impressive job keeping the 2-in-1 remarkably close to the non-flip model in appearance, though 2-in-1s always come with some trade-offs. This 2-in-1 laptop is a heavier version of the non-flipping EliteBook X G1i, and it comes with a higher price alongside (often) slightly lower performance. It’s still a decent laptop, but once you factor in the added cost of HP’s business features, it won’t make sense for anyone who doesn’t need the whole corporate package. HP EliteBook X Flip G1i: Specs and features Model number: B89B7UA#ABA CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 268V Memory: 32GB LPDDR5x-8533 Graphics/GPU: Intel Arc Graphics 140V Display: 14-inch 1920×1200 IPS, Anti-glare Storage: 512GB PCIe Gen4 SSD Webcam: 5MP + IR Connectivity: 2x Thunderbolt 4 / USB-C with Power Delivery and DisplayPort 2.1 Alternate Mode, 1x USB-C 10Gbps with Power Delivery and DisplayPort 1.4 Alternate Mode, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x USB-A 5Gbps, 1x 3.5mm combo audio Networking: WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 Biometrics: Windows Hello fingerprint, facial recognition Battery capacity: 68 watt-hours Dimensions: 12.36 x 8.66 x 0.7 inches Weight: 3.17 pounds measured MSRP: $2,869 as-tested ($2,689 base) The HP EliteBook X Flip G1i has a base price of $2,689, and this comes with an Intel Core Ultra 5 226V chip, 16GB of memory, and 512GB of storage. Our test unit upgrades the CPU to an Intel Core Ultra 7 268V and doubles the memory while bumping the price up to $2,869, though it’s also available from CDW for $2,449. HP also offers configurations with 1TB of storage and 5G modems. The prices get more than a little confusing as you dig deep though. The prices mentioned so far are the “MSRP” for pre-configured models. HP also allows customization, but this comes with an even lower starting spec and a much higher starting price of $3,755. To make matters even more confusing, the pre-configured models are already steeply discounted despite having just launched. Though our test configuration shows an MSRP of $2,899, it was just $1,699 at the time of testing (and an otherwise identically spec’d 5G modem-equipped model was somehow even $200 cheaper), and the base specification sat at $1,349, almost half of its MSRP. Just to add a pinch of extra spice, HP also offers separate configurations that are technically the same as other configurations but come with three-year warranties and Wolf Pro Security packages (instead of the one year that comes with other models). The HP EliteBook X Flip G1i is built to be a modest but not mind-blowing performer. HP EliteBook X Flip G1i: Design and build quality IDG / Mark Knapp The HP EliteBook X Flip G1i has a bit of sleeper design that won’t stand out in a work environment but does offer some subtle elegance. It combines smooth curves and a consistent color scheme, looking polished but not extravagant. It mostly looks thoughtfully done while in its laptop mode, though the extra bit of display below the screen bezel and thicker top bezels detract somewhat from the design. HP designed a few things thoughtfully for the laptop being used in tablet mode, as well. The lid and base snap together magnetically to prevent them from flopping around. The stylus can also latch magnetically to the lid or over on the left edge when not in use. All that said, the base and lid don’t line up when the laptop is folded open. I think 2-in-1s always look a little odd folded open anyway, but this only makes it look a little bit weirder. The construction is nicely done with aluminum across much of the build. The display is surprisingly sturdy, flexing far less than I see on most laptops. The keyboard deck also has surprisingly little give. Underneath, the laptop stands on simple rubber feet to provide clearance for the bottom grille, which covers up two fans — surprising to see paired with a low-power processor. It’s also satisfying to see a laptop that doesn’t play tricks. The grilles beside the keyboard have speakers in them (even if it’s just a small section, as do the slots at the front of the base. The vents in the rear also actually exhaust heat (mostly). After testing an HP laptop that had aesthetic grilles and a Dell that had a faux exhaust port, I can’t take any of that for granted. HP also made solid use of the available space. Though the arrow keys are crammed in, HP squeezed in Page Up and Page Down keys. It also kept the function row compact to make space for Home, End, Insert, and Delete keys (though F12 and Home have to share a space). The webcam at the top of the display is somewhat unfortunately positioned. I find I’m always touching it when I open the laptop. And with a built-in privacy shutter there, I often manage to close the shutter by mistake, too. On the plus side, HP made a little cutout to help with opening the lid — something it omitted on the recent OmniBooks much to my dismay in attempts to open those laptops. The base of the HP EliteBook X Flip G1i isn’t heavy enough to make one-handed opening possible, though. The HP EliteBook X Flip G1i measures 0.7 inches thick and weighs in at 3.17 pounds, so it’s not ultra-thin or ultralight, but it’s not terribly heavy, and it still remains thin enough to slip easily into bags. It adds a bit of weight next to the standard model, which uses magnesium in its construction and weighs just 2.72 pounds, yet it otherwise has almost the exact same measurements, even ending up a hair thinner. The HP EliteBook X Flip G1i also comes with a compact 65W charger that weighs under a half pound and separates out into three pieces, essentially letting you choose your own USB-C cable (or replace it if something goes wrong). HP EliteBook X Flip G1i: Keyboard, trackpad IDG / Mark Knapp The HP EliteBook X Flip G1i doesn’t exactly boast my dream keyboard, but it’s still good. The keycaps don’t have much contour to them, so it can be a little tricky to make sure I’m centering my fingers on them. They also feel a little soft, failing to provide much tactile sense of having pressed them. That said, they are quick and poppy, making speedy typing fairly easy. They’re also stabilized well, which helps counteract their largely flat design. I was quickly able to get up to speed typing at 118 words per minute, which is about as fast as I get without a truly exceptional keyboard. Occasionally I’d botch my hand position after shifting around, but most of the time my accuracy was on point. The trackpad is plenty large for a 14-inch laptop. It’s not super wide, but it’s tall and fills most of the available space. The gliding surface is wonderfully smooth, and there’s a gentle physical click that doesn’t feel cheap at all. HP EliteBook X Flip G1i: Display, audio IDG / Mark Knapp HP hasn’t opted for the prettiest or sharpest display, but the HP EliteBook X Flip G1i gets a very useful one. One of its highlights is the anti-glare finish, which is incredibly effective and makes viewing the screen very easy. The 1920×1200 resolution isn’t too bad on a 14-inch panel, but plenty of systems are offering greater resolution. It would have been nice to see a faster refresh rate to smooth out visuals though. On the bright side, the screen hits an admirable 424 nits and bests most IPS panels with a 1460:1 contrast ratio. It’s also a respectably colorful screen with 100% coverage of the sRGB color space. Since this is a 2-in-1, the screen also supports touch and stylus input. The touch is responsive, but not as responsive as it might have felt with a faster refresh rate. The anti-glare finish of the display helps give the screen a pleasantly smooth feel to swipe across, and it helps hide finger oils. The stylus can also prove a powerful input tool, offering accurate input with pressure and tilt sensitivity, though how useful it is will depend on the software you use. How well you can avoid palm inputs while inking will also depend on your software. Unfortunately, there’s no quick toggle to lock out touch controls. HP has squeezed surprisingly good speakers into the HP EliteBook X Flip G1i. It has a set of four speakers, giving it more than enough volume (too much for close listening when maxed out) and surprising depth. The speakers put out more bass than I’ve come to expect from most laptops. They can be a little harsh with overly crisp high-end, but are generally pleasant to listen to with the volume kept below 50%. HP EliteBook X Flip G1i: Webcam, microphone, biometrics The 5MP webcam on the HP EliteBook X Flip G1i can look good, but it’ll take a bit of work. Regular lighting will still leave you dealing with a grainy, noisy image as the camera struggles with anything less than a bright, directly lit subject. If you set up in front of a bright window, you should be looking great though. You can also use the camera for easy sign-on with Windows Hello facial recognition. Since this laptop may be folded over into tablet mode without the keyboard immediately accessible, that can prove especially handy. There’s also a fingerprint scanner integrated into the power button. Both options prove quick and easy. The HP EliteBook X Flip G1i has a great pair of microphones for handling video calls. They capture my voice very clearly while eliminating background noise from fans or air conditioners and even removing the sound of me clapping in the middle of a recording. This was a pleasant surprise after the mics on the non-flipping version of this laptop performed so much worse. HP EliteBook X Flip G1i: Connectivity IDG / Mark Knapp The HP EliteBook X Flip G1i offers respectable connectivity. It doesn’t squeeze in a ton of ports, but it has enough. On the left side, you’ll find a pair of Thunderbolt 4 ports, an HDMI 2.1 port, and an audio combo jack. Both Thunderbolt ports can handle video output and charging as well. Surprisingly, the right side of the system also has a USB-C port, though it’s just a 10Gbps port. But the perk of that extra USB-C port is that you can use it for charging, too, letting you conveniently charge the device on either side. The right edge also includes a 5Gbps USB-A port and a little lock slot. If you get one of the 5G models, there’s also a SIM card slot over there, though that space is filled in on our test unit. Wireless connectivity is solid with Wi-Fi 7 on deck and Bluetooth 5.4 Both have proven fast and reliable in testing. Even in less-than-ideal conditions, with 5GHz Wi-Fi having to go through a few walls, the HP EliteBook X Flip G1i was able to take good advantage of my fiber internet connection. And Bluetooth was quick to pair and re-connect to devices. HP EliteBook X Flip G1i: Performance The HP EliteBook X Flip G1i is built to be a modest but not mind-blowing performer. That just comes with the terrain when using a low-power processor. But the price of the machine really adds up, and at $2,899, it’s wide open to competition from all sorts of machines. The non-flipping HP EliteBook X G1i is available for $2,283 with the same internal specs. The $1,749 Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition may not be designed as an enterprise laptop, but it’s still similarly equipped. HP’s own OmniBook X Flip 14 boasts a similar design and a much lower $1,509 price tag. And for heavy workloads, the $1,699 Asus ProArt PX13 includes a high-performance AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 and a discrete Nvidia RTX 4050. Aside from that other EliteBook, all of these competitors also feature 2880×1800 OLED displays and 2-in-1 designs to match the HP EliteBook X Flip G1i. IDG / Mark Knapp The HP EliteBook X Flip G1i offers good overall performance. PCMark 10 is a holistic office benchmark that tasks the system with a wide variety of common workloads, and a score above 5,000 is generally indicative of a well-rounded machine that will keep up with everyday computing. As good as the system performs here, it’s not leading the crowd by any means. It performs neck-in-neck with the non-flip model, and it lags behind the other three systems. The key culprit in that shortfall appears to be the storage used in the system, as the other three systems all performed significantly better in the App Startup and Spreadsheets portions of the test, where SSD speed can give a leg up. IDG / Mark Knapp The HP EliteBook X Flip G1i’s CPU performance isn’t helping it much. The Intel Core Ultra 7 268V isn’t bad, offering excellent single-core performance and modest multi-core performance, though it falls well behind the multi-core speeds offered by the AMD chips in the OmniBook and Asus ProArt systems. The HP EliteBook X Flip G1i also tends to get less out of its chip than its non-flipping counterpart, and it even manages to fall behind the Lenovo system using what should be a slower Core Ultra 7 258V. Across four versions of Cinebench, the Yoga 9i leads the HP EliteBook X Flip G1i in multi-core performance despite trailing in single-core performance, suggesting it’s better able to handle the heat of all-core workloads than the HP EliteBook X Flip G1i. Handbrake can hammer a CPU in the large encoding test we conduct, especially in thin-and-light machines that tend to struggle with the heat a time-consuming multi-core workload produces. Sure enough, we see the HP EliteBook X Flip G1i lag behind the pack. Its non-flipping sibling again pulls ahead, continuing to confirm one of the shortcomings of 2-in-1s compared to traditional laptops. And the Lenovo Yoga 9i once again gets the best of the HP EliteBook X Flip G1i. The AMD chips in the OmniBook and ProArt systems again show their great raw performance here. Intel still has the edge in integrated graphics, and that helps the HP EliteBook X Flip G1i claw back some ground against the OmniBook at least. It performed far better than that system in our 3DMark tests. But it continued to lag behind the Lenovo Yoga 9i, a shortcoming that is hard to excuse more than once. And though the HP EliteBook X Flip G1i may have a lead on the integrated graphics of the OmniBook, it doesn’t get a similar lead against the Asus ProArt PX13, which wields its RTX 4050 (a weak GPU, mind you) to show that there’s still a massive gulf between integrated and discrete GPUs. HP EliteBook X Flip G1i: Battery life The HP EliteBook X Flip G1i recovers some of its credibility when it comes to battery life. I always hope to see a weaker-performing machine turn things around in the battery life department, and the HP EliteBook X Flip G1i largely does. Offering over 20 hours of runtime in our 4K offline video playback test, it trounces the AMD-powered OmniBook and ProArt laptops. It keeps pace with its non-flipping sibling in this test as well, which should come as little surprise since the two machines have the same processor, same battery capacity, and offer very similar displays. Shamefully, the HP EliteBook X Flip G1i loses to the Yoga 9i yet again, and by almost three hours. It’s worth noting that the Yoga 9i’s OLED display gives it some advantages in this specific test, as OLEDs don’t use much power to display the black letterboxing in the video. The HP EliteBook X Flip G1i fares well in everyday use as well. You probably won’t get away with working for 20 hours on a charge while keeping the display at 250 nits, but it’s easy enough to get through a full workday browsing, replying to emails, and drafting up documents. Better still, thanks to the anti-glare display, I find I can get away with extra battery conservation by lowering the display brightness considerably while still enjoying easy visibility of the display. The same can not be said of the Lenovo Yoga 9i’s glossy OLED panel, which not only will need to be run brighter to offer a similar level of visibility but also won’t get the same black-pixel advantage it had in the video playback test. So, depending on ambient lighting conditions, the HP EliteBook X Flip G1i could regain some ground in real-world battery life. HP EliteBook X Flip G1i: Conclusion When you’re paying nearly $3,000 for specs you might expect to find in a $1,000 laptop, you probably should expect that the system will pull out all the stops and make the most of what it packs in. While the HP EliteBook X Flip G1i performs decently, it still lags behind substantially cheaper systems in many key areas. I love the display, 1200p and bezel-flanked though it may be. But a screen alone won’t save this system from being tough to recommend. If it were hugely discounted, I’d hop on it, but as long as the Yoga 9i and ProArt PX13 are cheaper, they’ll make far more sensible buys for folks who don’t need the enterprise extras but need more performance or way more performance (at the cost of battery life), respectively. Read...

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