Ever since I joined Android Central in a full-time capability, I’ve been taking a more in-depth take a look at Chromebooks and the ChromeOS ecosystem. All over this time, there are a large number of various things that I’ve discovered — and am nonetheless studying — about how the Chromebook marketplace operates in comparison to others.
In contrast to the best MacBook or the best Windows laptop, the best Chromebooks aren’t going to price you an arm and a leg, and that’s more or less the purpose. ChromeOS has been optimized so as to get by way of with an affordable Chromebook for only $200, however the marketplace has been increasing rather hastily over the past 12 months.
A few of that is due to the leaps and limits that Intel made with its Eleventh-gen chipsets, carrying tough onboard graphics (Intel Iris Xe). Those enhancements made us extra excited after the Twelfth-gen SoCs had been introduced, promising even higher efficiency. Then, it turned into a ready sport, as Chromebook makers like HP, Acer, ASUS, and others needed to first announce, then unencumber, those new Chromebooks.
At this level, the floodgates are beginning to open a bit of, as we’ve observed with the hot unencumber of the brand new Chromebook Spin 714, and nowadays’s center of attention, the HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook.
HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook: Value and Availability
The HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook was once introduced at CES 2022, and was once at the start anticipated to release in April. On the other hand, the discharge date was once driven again for quite a lot of causes, however HP’s newest Chromebook is now in the stores. Pricing for the Elite Dragonfly Chromebook varies, however begins at $1,149 for the bottom fashion and is going all of the manner as much as $1,799, relying to your configuration.
Sadly, that is the place issues get a bit of strange if you happen to’re seeking to undergo HP at once to select this kind of up. There are in truth 3 other variants indexed on HP’s website online; a normal non-configurable fashion, a non-configurable Undertaking fashion, after which a “customizable” model.
| Class | HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook |
|---|---|
| Show | 13.5-inch, 3:2, 400 or 1000 nits height brightness |
| Answer | 1920×1280 / 2256×1504 |
| Processors | Intel Core i3-1215U / Intel Core i5-1235U / Intel Core i5-1245U / Intel Core i7-1265U |
| Graphics | Intel Iris Xe |
| RAM | 8GB / 16GB / 32GB |
| Garage | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB |
| microSD card slot | ✔ |
| Digital camera | 5MP w/ integrated privateness transfer |
| Ports | 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), 1x USB-A (USB 3.2 Gen 2), full-size HDMI, microSD card slot, SIM card slot, 2.5mm stereo combo jack |
| Further options | Haptic trackpad, backlit keyboard, fingerprint scanner |
| USI Stylus Toughen | HP USI Virtual Pen integrated (w/ wi-fi [magnetic] charging) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 or 5.3 (Undertaking), non-compulsory LTE |
| Battery | 4-cell, 50-WHr |
| Charging | USB-C, Speedy Fee (90% in 90 mins) |
| Colours | Dragonfly Blue |
| Dimensions | 294.5 x 221.85 x 16.6mm |
| Weight | 2.83 kilos |
| AUE date | June 2030 |
The primary model of which is for basic shoppers; carrying Intel’s Core i3-1215U chip, 8GB of RAM, and a 128GB SSD to head along side a 13.5-inch touchscreen show with a QHD+ answer.
With the non-configurable Undertaking fashion, this bumps the chipset as much as Intel’s Core i5 with vPro, however the show is bumped right down to WUXGA+ (1920 x 1200). At the upside, the inclusion of the Core i5 chip brings reinforce for Intel’s very good Iris Xe graphics, even with decreasing the show answer.
Finally, there’s a “customizable” fashion indexed on HP’s website online, beginning out with the similar Intel Core i3 and 8GB of RAM because the aforementioned basic user model. However issues most effective pass up, get extra spectacular, and a lot more pricey from there.
HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook: Top rate appears to be like
As any individual who hasn’t in reality regarded out of doors of the MacBook international for computer systems — save for the Floor Pc Studio and a few gaming laptops — I did not know that the “Dragonfly” moniker supposed one thing. Seems, that is HP’s flagship lineup of computing gadgets, as evidenced by way of the HP Dragonfly G3 that our sister web site, Home windows Central, was once ready to get their fingers on.
What this implies for HP’s flagship Chromebook is that you are getting the most efficient construct high quality that HP has to provide. The Dragonfly Blue end is solely chic, however you’ll be able to without a doubt need to stay a microfiber fabric round as it captures fingerprints like no different. At the out of doors of the case, HP’s shiny brand is embossed at the lid, with a refined “Chromebook” brand close to the ground hinge.
As for port variety, the Dragonfly Elite Chromebook definitely may not disappoint. There are twin Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C ports), a unmarried USB-A Gen 3.2 port, full-size HDMI, microSD, 3.5mm audio combo jack, or even a SIM card slot.
And within the field, HP contains its USI Virtual Pen, which just like the HP Chromebook x2 11, magnetically attaches to the facet. When hooked up, the stylus may also be charged up, making sure that your stylus has numerous juice for each time you want it.
Coming as a slight marvel, and one thing that we virtually forgot about in reality, is that the Virtual Pen is now not a USI 2.0 stylus. However not like the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3, this is not an issue, because the Dragonfly Elite Chromebook does not use a unique form of show and works with the entire best USI stylus pens which might be these days to be had.
Bearing in mind that one of the most new requirements for USI 2.0 is magnetic charging, there have been hopes that the Virtual Pen was once “upgraded,” however it is without a doubt now not a deal breaker or anything else.
Opening up the lid, and you are greeted with a fantastic 13.5-inch touchscreen show, whole with a 5MP webcam embedded within the peak bezel. And kudos to HP for together with a privateness transfer this is discovered proper above the digicam, so you’ll bodily “disable” your webcam if you end up now not the usage of it. There are other variations of the show to be had, with a WUXGA+ (1920×1280) or QHD+ (2256×1504) answer.
And whilst the commonest fashions max out at 400 nits of height brightness, there is an “HP Positive View” model to be had maxing out at a whopping 1,000 nits. We were not ready to check that fashion out, as ours is the QHD+ variant with 400 nits.
HP packed a full-size backlit keyboard into the deck of the Dragonfly Elite, and it is straight away obvious that this is among the maximum at ease keyboards in the market. The keys themselves have a cushy contact, however there is without a doubt an opportunity that some other folks would possibly suppose the keyboard is a bit of “soft.”
It isn’t a nasty factor, however one thing to bear in mind if you happen to are not keen on keyboards with shorter go back and forth. There may be additionally a fingerprint scanner at the proper facet of the wrist-rest, which is superb for temporarily unlocking, however that is it. We are nonetheless conserving our arms crossed that Google makes it so you’ll have an built-in scanner to free up such things as Google Passwords or different apps.
HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook: That candy, candy trackpad
As any individual who makes use of a 16-inch 2021 MacBook Pro every day, the keyboard and trackpad revel in is top-notch, and I had but to search out one thing that would come shut.
So when the Elite Dragonfly Chromebook was once introduced carrying a haptic trackpad, I in reality sought after to take a look at this out to peer the way it stacks up in opposition to the MacBook Professional. Apple is infamous for having an ideal trackpad, even after the corporate took some distance too lengthy to mend its damaged butterfly keyboard.
With out beating across the bush, the Dragonfly’s haptic trackpad is the whole thing I used to be hoping for, and extra. Necessarily, a haptic trackpad does not come with any transferring portions, which is excellent for a couple of causes. You’ll be able to push down actually anyplace at the trackpad and can get a reaction, but additionally gets rid of the potential of particles to intrude, making improvements to the total sturdiness and longevity.
HP even took issues a step additional, running with Google to enforce some useful device tweaks to ChromeOS. Now not most effective are you able to flip the haptic comments on or off, however you’ll additionally alter the “click on energy” (how onerous you need to “push”).
If you find yourself doing such things as snapping home windows or switching between desks, the Dragonfly supplies the slightest little bit of comments, which is solely chic and downright fulfilling.
In observe, the usage of this trackpad simply additional cemented my hope for an organization to make a Magic Trackpad designed for Chromebooks. The issue is that once you wish to have to make use of the Dragonfly with an exterior track hooked up to a docking station, you fail to spot the entire trackpad amusing. This is to hoping that HP or any individual else takes up the mantle within the close to long run and brings an exterior haptic trackpad to the hundreds.
HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook: Efficiency
Whilst you take a look at the spec sheets and spot Intel’s Twelfth-gen processors onboard, you are expecting nice efficiency. Fortunately, the Dragonfly does not disappoint, I have most effective in reality run into a couple of hiccups right here and there.
Docking the Dragonfly to my 34-inch ultrawide monitor is solely as nice as you can be expecting. However when you have a track with quicker refresh charges, you will want to soar into Chrome settings to make changes.
In contrast to one of the most Chromebooks that I have just lately examined, the Dragonfly does come with a couple of enthusiasts to assist stay the whole thing from overheating. However one thing I have come to note is that once I fan the flames of a couple of tabs when hooked up to my exterior track, the enthusiasts get started spinning up and it is like a jet engine commencing. This most effective lasts for possibly a minute, earlier than the enthusiasts pass right down to a lifeless roar, however it is without a doubt jarring while you pay attention it for the primary time.
There are not all that many Chromebooks to be had powered by way of an Intel Twelfth-gen chip, so we do not have a lot in the best way of direct comparability. As a bit of of a teaser, the Chromebook Spin 714 simply landed within the administrative center, however we’ve not began hanging that via its paces but.
However what we will be able to do is supply a comparability to the ASUS Chromebook CX9 that we have got within the administrative center, powered by way of Intel’s Eleventh-gen Core i7. For reference, the next benchmarks had been recorded with those configurations:
- ASUS Chromebook CX9: Intel Core i7-1165G7 with 16GB of RAM
- HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook: Intel Core i5-1245U with 8GB of RAM
| Take a look at | HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook | ASUS Chromebook CX9 |
|---|---|---|
| Octane | 77136 | 22190 |
| Speedometer | 109 | 56.5 |
| Jetstream | 196.311 | 144.393 |
| MotionMark | 663.30 | 528.36 |
If you are having a look at those effects and making an attempt to determine what every one is, here is a fast synopsis:
- Octane 2.0: A benchmark that measures a JavaScript engine’s efficiency by way of operating a set of checks consultant of positive use circumstances in JavaScript programs.
- Speedometer: A browser benchmark that measures the responsiveness of Internet programs.
- Jetstream: A JavaScript and WebAssembly benchmark suite targeted at the maximum complex internet programs.
- MotionMark: A graphics benchmark that measures a browser’s capacity to animate complicated scenes at a goal body charge.
Essentially the most sudden distinction that we discovered got here in Octane 2.0, because the Twelfth-gen Intel Core i5 plays virtually 250% higher than the Eleventh-gen Core i7. We ran those checks a couple of other instances simply because we could not imagine what we had been seeing.
The Speedometer benchmarks represented a couple of 97% build up, additionally reasonably sudden. However MotionMark and Jetstream at 25% and 35%, respectively, had been enhancements we anticipated to peer.
Regardless, it is transparent that Intel has discovered some magic to paintings with when growing its newest processors, and that is the reason excellent information for customers.
HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook: Back off to Earth
From a efficiency perspective, there was once in reality just one hiccup that I needed to care for now and again. Every so often, I might have the Chromebook hooked up to my aforementioned ultrawide track, with a couple of home windows open. And for no matter explanation why, the Dragonfly simply restarted all on its own.
The enthusiasts spun up, however the whole thing labored nice till each my track and the Chromebook’s show simply went clean. It is one thing that has took place simply two or thrice, nevertheless it was once nonetheless a bit of strange.
Sooner than diving into the largest caveat of all of them, you have to communicate concerning the Dragonfly’s battery existence. Given the entire energy that is to be had on this narrow, light-weight, and downright spectacular shape issue, the battery existence does not rather fit up. Maximum days, I discovered myself desiring a charger after simply 3 or 4 hours, with the longest I used to be ready to push issues to about six hours.
It is without a doubt a stark distinction from one thing just like the Kompanio 828-powered Chromebook 514, or the Chromebook Duet 5. And most likely HP knew that this could be the case with its flagship Chromebook, because the Dragonfly counteracts the subpar battery existence by way of providing fast charging.
You’ll be able to plug within the Dragonfly to a USB-C charger and can have the ability to get 90% of battery existence in proper round 90 mins. It is without a doubt a pleasing contact, however clearly, I might have most well-liked longer battery existence.
This all brings us to the largest “downside” with the HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook, and that is the reason the fee. At its base configuration, with an Intel Twelfth-gen Core i3, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of garage, HP lists its retail worth at $1,149.
That is rather a hefty price ticket, even taking into consideration the whole thing that is integrated within the package deal. And if you wish to max the whole thing out, with a Core i7 chip, 32GB of RAM, and 512GB of garage, you are looking at a whopping $3,243, in step with HP’s configuration software. However there is a catch with this, too.
There is not any precise consumer-grade fashion of the Dragonfly the usage of a Core i7 chip. As a substitute, you will have to spring for an Undertaking fashion, or even then, the above configuration may not send till January 2023.
There are quite a lot of listings to be had at a couple of outlets but even so HP, particularly B&H Photograph, however even with the Core i7 processor, you might be “caught” with 16GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD.
HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook: The contest
If you are on the lookout for an instantaneous comparability to the Dragonfly Elite Chromebook, you will have to pass out of doors the ChromeOS international to search out it.
Apple’s 2022 MacBook Air M2 is more than likely the nearest, as essentially the most equivalent configuration to the among the best Dragonfly is priced at $2,099. That is with 24GB of RAM and 1TB of garage. Then there is the query of whether or not you can need to transfer from ChromeOS to macOS, which is a comparability for over again.
Within the Chromebook area, the ASUS Chromebook CX9 is the nearest in worth, if you’ll organize to search out one in inventory anyplace. However that is the usage of Intel’s Eleventh-gen chips, and now not the newest Twelfth-gen iterations. As a substitute, the one present providing from ASUS the usage of the Twelfth-gen is the Chromebook Flip CX5, which is to be had from Highest Purchase, however is most effective to be had with an Intel Core i3 processor.
As for Acer, its new Chromebook Spin 714 may be now to be had from Highest Purchase, for a considerably cheaper price. However even with its garaged USI stylus, there is just one configuration to be had, which makes use of the Twelfth-gen Core i5, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD.
From an Undertaking point of view, Lenovo’s ThinkPad C14 Chromebook is to be had and suits up rather neatly at the spec sheet. On the other hand, the one fashion that you’ll acquire at this time is the Intel Core i5 model, with 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. Similar to the opposite competition discussed, we are anticipating extra configurations to be made to be had, we simply have no idea when.
HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook: Will have to you purchase it?
You will have to purchase this if:
- Cash is not an object
- You need essentially the most tough Chromebook ever launched
- You need a Chromebook (or computer) with a haptic trackpad
- You are bored with macOS and Home windows
You should not purchase this if:
- You are on the cheap
- You want all-day battery existence
Whilst you take a look at the whole thing that the HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook has to provide, it is definitely, essentially the most top rate Chromebook that has come throughout our table.
There are a large number of highlights right here, such because the sublime-to-use haptic trackpad, the multitude of configurations, and integrated USI Virtual Pen. And the efficiency is the whole thing you’ll want to need from a Chromebook being powered by way of Intel’s newest chipset. Plus, it is most probably just a topic of time earlier than the Dragonfly will get “white-listed” for the Steam Alpha program.
However simply for the reason that Dragonfly has all of those further options, does that essentially imply that it is the best possible? That is a tricky argument to make as a result of except you in reality need to evaluate it to the Apple MacBooks and Microsoft Surfaces of the arena, you do not want the Core i7 with 32GB of RAM to get issues completed on a Chromebook. Or any computer for that topic.
The Elite Dragonfly Chromebook is an outlier, and whilst it is transparent this was once designed with the Undertaking marketplace in thoughts, there is extra to it than that. HP is appearing the arena that you’ll believe a Chromebook along a MacBook or Floor Pc if you end up on the lookout for top rate laptops. All of the ins and outs are there, and there are sufficient further options to warrant a 2d glance.
And truthfully, that is the primary Chromebook that I have in truth regarded as promoting my MacBook Professional for. However I am an outlier, identical to the Dragonfly.
HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook
Implausible and dear
The HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook has nearly the whole thing you’ll want to need in a high-end computer. It is in a position to difficult the most efficient MacBooks and Home windows laptops, nevertheless it additionally comes with a hefty price ticket and complicated configurations.
