For the higher a part of the final yr, I have been banging the drum about Google creating the “Pixel Excellent Ecosystem.” We have already got the Pixel 7, Pixel Watch, and the Pixel Pill must be touchdown any day now. All we’re lacking is a brand new Pixel-branded Chromebook, and the rumor mill instructed Google was engaged on simply that.
Sadly, my hopes and goals have been dashed following a report that Google ditched plans to launch the Pixelbook 2 as a part of “cost-cutting measures.” With out burying the lede any additional, I say all this to say that we would simply have the Pixelbook 2 with the HP Dragonfly Professional Chromebook.
HP Dragonfly Professional Chromebook: Worth and availability
The HP Dragonfly Professional Chromebook was introduced at CES 2023 and is on the market in a single configuration. For $999, the Dragonfly Professional is provided with the Intel Core i5-1235U, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. Moreover, HP is providing its newest Chromebook in two colours, because it is available in both Ceramic White or Glowing Black.
HP Dragonfly Professional Chromebook: Design and show
From the skin, the HP Dragonfly Professional Chromebook would not actually look all that particular. It incorporates a textured casing much like what we have seen with different choices in HP’s Chromebook lineup. That being stated, the Glowing Black mannequin that we have been testing is sort of as unhealthy at choosing up fingerprints because the 2022 MacBook Air in Midnight.
However as quickly as you elevate the lid on the Dragonfly Professional, you will utterly neglect concerning the fingerprints on the case. HP packed a surprising 14-inch touchscreen show with a 2560 x 1600 decision, and a 16:10 facet ratio.
Not solely is that this the best-looking display that I’ve used on a Chromebook, nevertheless it additionally will get fairly rattling vivid. In line with HP, the Dragonfly Professional can attain as much as 1200 nits of peak brightness, blowing just about the entire greatest Chromebooks out of the water.
There have been quite a lot of instances after I went to take a seat on the sofa at evening, and opened the lid, solely to get blinded earlier than the ambient gentle sensor kicked in. I can not correctly categorical how a lot I like the truth that HP did not skimp on the display and made one which can be utilized whether or not you are doing work at a park bench, on the espresso store, or at residence.
HP Dragonfly Professional Chromebook: Efficiency
Excluding a couple of, the HP Dragonfly Professional Chromebook shares the identical Core i5-1235U chipset discovered on among the greatest Chromebooks. All this actually means is that you are going to have the ability to take pleasure in enjoying Steam video games and dealing with a bunch of Chrome tabs and home windows open, all without having to fret about issues slowing down.
| Class | HP Dragonfly Professional Chromebook |
|---|---|
| Show | 14-inch, 16:10, 1200 nits peak brightness, touchscreen |
| Decision | 2560 x 1600 |
| Processors | Intel Core i5-1235U |
| Graphics | Intel Iris Xe |
| RAM | 16GB |
| Storage | 256GB |
| microSD card slot | ❌ |
| Digital camera | 8MP |
| Ports | 4x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) |
| Extra options | Haptic trackpad, RGB backlit keyboard, fingerprint scanner |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6En, Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Battery | As much as 11.5 hours |
| Charging | 96W USB Kind-C Energy Adapter included, Quick Cost (50% in half-hour) |
| Colours | Ceramic White, Glowing Black |
| Dimensions | 12.4 x 8.7 x 0.7 inches (314.96 x 220.98 x 17.78mm) |
| Weight | 3.3 kilos |
| AUE date | June 2030 |
One thing that helps on this division is HP’s determination to pair the Core i5-1235U with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of NVMe storage. I might’ve appreciated to have the choice for extra storage, however beggars cannot be choosers as HP opted to maintain issues easy this time round.
If you happen to’re on the lookout for some comparisons, effectively, I’ve bought simply the ticket. Here is how the HP Dragonfly Professional stacks up towards the Acer Chromebook 516 GE and Framework Laptop computer Chromebook Version:
| Benchmark Take a look at | HP Dragonfly Professional Chromebook | Acer Chromebook 516 GE | Framework Laptop computer Chromebook Version |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wirple HTML5 3D Benchmark | 8814 | 8657 | 8368 |
| Octane 2.0 | 84122 | 83697 | 73572 |
| Speedometer 2.1 | 193 | 185 | 128 |
| Jetstream | 236.448 | 237.639 | 179.327 |
| MotionMark | 939.93 | 279.72 | 864.28 |
It is just about what you’d anticipate finding with this chipset in a Chromebook, and as alluded to earlier than, it would not disappoint. However that is not the meat and potatoes of what HP is specializing in right here, not less than not in its entirety.
The fact is that I haven’t got far more to supply on this entrance as a result of I anticipated HP to comply with by with glorious efficiency. As an alternative, the thrilling factor concerning the Dragonfly Professional Chromebook is every part else.
Battery life can be one space the place I used to be a bit involved, because the Dragonfly Elite did not actually fairly hit the mark for me over time. Fortunately, that is not a problem right here as this unhealthy boy will simply make it by a few days earlier than you want to plug it in. And while you do want to search out attain for the charger, you will be pleasantly stunned.
Within the field, HP is together with a large 96W energy adapter, together with a USB-C to USB-C cable. This is not simply any USB-C cable although, because the Dragonfly Professional Chromebook truly comes with a braided cable. Positive, this may not be a giant deal to some, nevertheless it simply speaks to the eye to element that we’re seeing to assist present the “full package deal.”
Oh, and in a development that we have been seeing increasingly more with Chromebooks, the Dragonfly Professional consists of fast charging capabilities. You’ll go from 0-50% in about half-hour, which is very nice while you want a fast top-off earlier than heading out the door.
HP Dragonfly Professional Chromebook: What makes this nice
There are two extra “defining” options of the Dragonfly Professional Chromebook that I have not touched on but; the keyboard and trackpad. I often maintain again my ideas, not less than to a sure extent, relating to the trackpads on numerous laptops and different Chromebooks.
That is merely on account of the truth that they’re “serviceable” at greatest, and “horrendous” at worst, with nearly all of trackpads falling someplace in between. If you happen to learn my evaluation of the Elite Dragonfly Chromebook, you doubtless seen how a lot I gushed over the unimaginable haptic trackpad.
HP completely nailed the trackpad on the Dragonfly Professional Chromebook, together with the refined and adjustable haptics.
Nicely, it is again once more with the Dragonfly Professional Chromebook, and simply as satisfying as ever. Critically, that is the one trackpad that I’ve used that makes me want I might rip it out of the Chromebook’s chassis and use it the entire time.
There are nonetheless refined haptics while you drag a window to 1 facet or the opposite. All of the whereas, eradicating the necessity to fear about shifting parts as a result of there are no. It is merely only a pleasure.
Rounding out my occupation of affection for the Dragonfly Professional Chromebook is the keyboard. Like many, I believed it was a bit odd to see HP implement RGB backlighting on a Chromebook that is not positioned as being “for players.”
Nevertheless, it is simply one other approach that HP is making an attempt to assist its flagship Chromebook stand out from the pack. You may have the entire similar customization choices as you’d discover on the most effective gaming Chromebooks.
These embrace with the ability to have the keyboard backlight match the colour of your wallpaper for extra of a uniform expertise. And I think about this might be even higher as soon as Materials You lastly makes its option to the ChromeOS steady channel. Hopefully, it’s going to come sooner fairly than later, however we’ll simply must preserve ready for Google to dot the I’s and cross the T’s.
HP Dragonfly Professional Chromebook: Just a few compromises
To this point, I’ve spent fairly a little bit of time gushing over how a lot I’ve fallen in love with a Chromebook. Nevertheless, there are a couple of compromises or issues that I might be remiss if I did not not less than level out.
For one, the largest determination that HP made that I am not a fan of is the port choice. On one hand, that is the primary Chromebook to launch with FOUR Thunderbolt 4 ports. So you will get unimaginable switch speeds, compatibility with the most effective docking stations and USB-C hubs, and far more.
Having 4 Thunderbolt 4 ports is fantastic till you notice that you’re going to must seize a docking station or be ready to reside with dongles.
However it appears that evidently we have entered a little bit of an alternate actuality as a result of the draw back is that you’re going to must get accustomed to the #DongleLife. There aren’t another ports to be discovered on the Dragonfly Professional, not even a microSD card slot, not to mention an HDMI port. This can in all probability be the second-biggest hurdle for potential homeowners, with the primary being the $999 price ticket.
Whereas HP opting to make use of such a implausible and vivid touchscreen show is nice and all, in case you have been hoping for a convertible, you will be out of luck. I am not precisely certain why HP opted to stay with a “conventional” design, particularly after the Dragonfly Elite was not solely a convertible but additionally included a magnetic USI pen. I can solely surmise that it is cost-related indirectly, and whilst I kind this out, it seems like nit-picking.
HP Dragonfly Professional Chromebook: An argument about worth
The final hurdle that the HP Dragonfly Professional Chromebook has to cowl is the worth. It has been robust making an attempt to inform individuals about how nice the Framework Laptop computer Chromebook is, solely to inform them it is $999.
It is true, you may get nearly the identical efficiency with a convertible design and a built-in USI pen, all for lower than what the Dragonfly Professional Chromebook is priced at. When it comes to what it will possibly do, there’s virtually no distinction. And that is going to be a tricky tablet to swallow for lots of potential patrons.
However hear me out. That is actually the most effective Chromebook that I’ve ever used. I am not sitting right here making an attempt to make some kind of gross sales pitch, however this is what I imagined from a Pixelbook 2, simply with Google’s emblem on the lid as a substitute of HP’s.
The Dragonfly Professional combines energy and pace with a kick-ass touchscreen show, a haptic trackpad that is untouchable, and a keyboard that is a dream to kind on. I can not consider one other Chromebook, and only some laptops, that may even come near that. So in case you have been to ask me if I believe the $999 is warranted, my reply is a powerful sure.
HP Dragonfly Professional Chromebook: The competitors
HP’s Dragonfly Professional Chromebook is in a little bit of a tricky spot, just because there are such a lot of nice Chromebooks on the market. Till now, our favourite has been Acer’s Chromebook Spin 714, with the Chromebook 516 GE taking the highest spot for greatest gaming Chromebooks.
Each of those choices share the identical Intel Core i5-1235U chip discovered within the Dragonfly Professional however include half the RAM. The Chromebook 516 GE consists of a wonderful 120Hz show and RGB keyboard however lacks a little bit of polish. In the meantime, the Chromebook Spin 714 has the polish however lacks a couple of of the “intangibles” of what the Dragonfly Professional has to supply.
Then, there’s the Framework Laptop computer Chromebook Version which comes on the similar worth however is unquestionably designed with “tinkerers” in thoughts. Till the Dragonfly Professional landed on my doorstep, this has been my go-to machine. Having the pliability to swap out a USB-A enlargement card for HDMI or microSD continues to impress me. The actual check might be to see if the Dragonfly Professional replaces the Framework over time.
HP Dragonfly Professional Chromebook: Must you purchase it?
You should purchase this if:
- You need the most effective Chromebook that cash can purchase.
- You need a Chromebook with an RGB keyboard with out the gamer vibes.
- You need an unimaginable display.
- You need a Chromebook with a haptic trackpad.
You should not purchase this if:
- You are on a funds.
- You do not need to fear about dongles or hubs for including ports.
- You need a Chromebook with a convertible design.
Let me get this out of the best way first. If you happen to’ve made it this far, thanks and I need to apologize. The final machine that bought me this excited was the Galaxy Z Fold 4, and it is an absolute dream to have the ability to use each the Fold 4 and Dragonfly Professional Chromebook side-by-side.
Again after I wrote about Google killing my dream of the Pixel-perfect ecosystem, I had no concept that there can be a Chromebook that would come near assembly what I believed would come of the Pixelbook 2. One way or the other, indirectly, HP has performed simply that with the Dragonfly Professional Chromebook.
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HP Dragonfly Professional Chromebook
“The One”
Identical to Neo from the Matrix, the HP Dragonfly Professional Chromebook may be “The One.” It is good in numerous other ways, offering the whole package deal for a premium Chromebook.
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