The all-digital CES 2021 gets underway today, but some manufacturers are keen to show off their new products ahead of time. Among them is HP, with the US company announcing a bumper range of new devices on the eve of the four-day event.
One of the highlights of its 2021 line-up is the new Elite Dragonfly G2, a business laptop which reflects HP’s growing emphasis on protecting the natural world. It’s the latest device to join what the company says is “the world’s most sustainable PC platform”, receiving Gold and Silver certification from green electronics regulator Epeat.
In a world where the manufacturing and disposal of laptops can have a significant negative effect on the environment, this is an important step. It’s far from the only HP hardware to focus on sustainability, with September’s Pavilion range of consumer PCs also made using recycled plastics.
Major upgrades over the original Elite Dragonfly are relatively few and far between, with the big one being the move to Intel’s latest 11th-gen processors. HP hasn’t specified exactly which chips will be available, but we’d expect there to be i3, i5 and i7 options once again.
The Bang & Olufsen-powered speakers are now powered by AI, with the aim of improving the audio experience across all scenarios. New HP TamperLock technology also means the Elite Dragonfly G2 can be protected against physical attacks.
Many of the other key selling points were already available on the original model. Integration with Tile tracking technology remains, making it easy to locate your device at any time. There’s also support for 5G or 4G connectivity, while it remains impressively lightweight at under 1kg.
Alongside this device, HP has also launched a brand new business convertible in the form of the Elite Dragonfly Max. This acts as a supercharged version of the standard model, with upgrades including four AI-enhanced microphones, a 5Mp IR webcam and low blue light display for reduced eye strain.
If you’re in the market for a more traditional clamshell device, the EliteBook 840 G8 Aero could be a great option. It’s also made the move to Intel 11th-gen processors, alongside Wi-Fi 6 and optional 5G support. The magnesium chassis is made from 90% recycled material, while a 720p HD camera and various audio features should make it a great work-from-home device. HP doesn’t quote a specific weight, but does claim the device is ‘the world’s lightest 14-inch mainstream business laptop’.
The new Elite Folio represents a slightly more left-field option. It’s described as a ‘pull-forward convertible’, with a 13.5in display which can be angled downwards to cover the keyboard. The device is powered by the Snapdragon 8cx compute platform, which support 5G and aligns with Qualcomm’s ‘always on, always connected’ vision for the future of computing. HP also claims you can get up to 24.5 hours of video playback on a single charge.
The new releases didn’t stop there, although HP didn’t seek to draw specific attention to any of the remaining devices. You can also expect two new models of EliteBook x360 convertible, as well as the Elite x2 G8 tablet.
The Elite Dragonfly G2 will start at £1,699 when it’s released in February, while the Elite Dragonfly Max will cost at least £1,899 when shipping begins in March. You’ll also be able to get your hands on the Elite Folio (from £1,399) in March, but you’ll have to wait until April for the EliteBook 840 Aero G8, which is the cheapest of the four with a starting price of £1,099.
At the same event, HP also announced the new Envy 14 laptop.
While you’re here, check out our round-up of the best laptops on the market to see what they’ll be up against.
Author: Anyron Copeman, Senior Staff Writer
As the resident expert on Windows, Senior Staff Writer Anyron’s main focus is PCs and laptops. Much of the rest of his time is split between smartphones, tablets and audio, with a particular focus on Android devices.