HP Is Aiming To Upgrade Your Computing Needs This CES 2021

Creating, collaborating, connecting. These are some of the things we do day to day with our PC. HP understands this and so they are launching quite a few new products here at CES 2021. Let’s start with laptops!

HP Elite Dragonfly G2

We did have a brief hands-on with the previous Elite Dragonfly and it was honestly a really great laptop. We were especially in love with the Dragonfly Blue colour, reminiscent of a deep dark blue of the ocean.

It is now back with the second revision and just like before, it looks stunning as well. Interesting points to note would be that the chassis does include bits which are made using recycled materials, including ocean-bound plastics. It also goes without saying that the laptop is a convertible 2-in-1. Laptop or tablet mode? Use it however you may.

The Elite Dragonfly G2 will be powered with the latest 11th-Gen Intel Core processors with the new Intel integrated graphics, up to 32GB of soldered RAM, up to 2TB of NVMe SSD storage along with support for 5G or 4G LTE connectivity. Other new features include a new set of speakers powered with Audio by Bang & Olufsen which is AI-enabled to help maximize the audio experience for speech, music and movies. It’ll also include HP Tamper Lock, which is a function whereby the PC will automatically lock should it have been physically opened or compromised by a stranger, and it will notify you, the user.

As for display panel options, there are a few to choose from. Starting from a basic 13.3-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS touch panel that can output roughly 400 nits in brightness, to a 13.3-inch UHD (3840 x 2160) IPS touch panel that can reach roughly 550 nits in brightness.

Final specifications are not confirmed as of yet, but it is definitely looking to be really interesting. Just like before, the laptop will also have a starting weight of below 1kg (2.2 lbs). The HP Elite Dragonfly G2 is expected to be available in March 2021. Pricing will be disclosed nearer to availability.

HP EliteBook 840 G8 Aero

Featuring a pretty sleek and elegant design with a chassis made out of magnesium, the EliteBook 840 G8 Aero is able to achieve a starting weight of under 1.15kg (2.5 lbs). The laptop will come equipped with the latest 11th-Gen Intel Core processors, Wi-Fi 6 as well as optional 5G or 4G LTE connectivity options.

Additional features include an integrated 720p HD webcam with a privacy shutter, a world-facing third microphone, top-firing speakers and AI-based audio.

It is expected to be available in the second half of 2021. Pricing will be disclosed nearer to availability.

HP Envy 14

Part of the Envy lineup, the Envy 14 is aiming to be your mobile personal creative studio.

It can be configured with up to a WUXGA (1920 x 1200) IPS multi-touch display panel in a 16:10 aspect ratio. 16:10 has long been the creative aspect ratio, and it will provide roughly 11% more viewing area compared to the standard 16:9. HP also claims that this is their first 14-inch laptop to feature a colour calibration with a Delta E <2 for colour accuracy right out of the box.

Powered with an 11th-Gen Intel Core processor for the CPU and up to NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti Max-Q Design for graphics, this will certainly provide ample performance for creativity. HP also integrates an advanced thermal solution using an IR thermopile sensor within HP Performance Control, which works in tandem with HP Dynamic Power, where power can be allocated between the CPU and GPU depending on the creative task. Despite all that performance, HP claims up to 16.5 hours of battery life.

Additional features include a privacy shutter for the webcam, a dedicated mute microphone key on the keyboard and AI Noise Removal, which intelligently mutes background noise when using speakers, headphones or the microphone during video or audio calls and recordings.

It is expected to be available in January 2021 with a starting price of S$2,299.

HP M-Series FHD Monitors

If you are at your desk all day using your PC, a good monitor is definitely always a worthwhile investment.

The HP M-Series FHD Monitors include the M24f, the M27f and the M32f. 23.8-inch, 27-inch and 31.5-inch respectively.

All the monitors feature a FHD (1920 x 1080) resolution with 99% sRGB coverage, runs at a 75Hz refresh rate and can get up to about 300 nits in brightness. All the monitors also include additional features such as low-blue light technology with Eyesafe certification and an integrated cable management system along the back of the stand. The M24f will have 1x HDMI 1.4 and 1x VGA while the M27f and M32f will feature an additional HDMI 1.4.

Oh, and HP claims that the M-Series FHD Monitors are the world’s first Eyesafe certified monitor series made with recycled ocean-bound plastics. Just a bit of interesting trivia for you.

The HP M-Series FHD Monitors are expected to be available in March 2021 with a starting price of S$179.

HP E24u G4 & HP E27u G4 USB-C Monitors

The HP E24u G4 and E27u G4 USB-C monitors are 23.8 and 27-inch monitors respectively, powered with USB-C that can also power a connected laptop up to 65W. The E24u G4 features an FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS panel running at 60Hz while the E27u G4 features a QHD (2560 x 1440) IPS panel running at 60Hz as well. Both will reach a maximum brightness of about 250 nits.

These displays will offer daisy-chaining and multi-port connectivity with a single USB Type-C, a DisplayPort 1.2 input and a separate DisplayPort 1.2 output as well as HDMI 1.4. It will also support four-way ergonomics and HP Eye Ease for always-on blue light protection for long hours of productivity.

The HP E24u G4 and E27u G4 USB-C monitors are expected to be available in February 2021 for S$339 and S$499.

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Written by Soon Kai Hong