For the higher a part of the final yr, I have been banging the drum about Google creating the “Pixel Perfect Ecosystem.” We have already got the Pixel 7, Pixel Watch, and the Pixel Tablet ought to be touchdown any day now. All we’re lacking is a brand new Pixel-branded Chromebook, and the rumor mill advised Google was engaged on simply that.
Sadly, my hopes and goals had 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: Value and availability
The HP Dragonfly Professional Chromebook was introduced at CES 2023 and is accessible in a single configuration. For $999, the Dragonfly Pro 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 surface, the HP Dragonfly Professional Chromebook does not actually look all that particular. It incorporates a textured casing just 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 dangerous at choosing up fingerprints because the 2022 MacBook Air in Midnight.
However as quickly as you raise the lid on the Dragonfly Professional, you will utterly neglect concerning the fingerprints on the case. HP packed a shocking 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 screen that I’ve used on a Chromebook, but it surely additionally will get fairly rattling brilliant. In keeping with HP, the Dragonfly Professional can attain as much as 1200 nits of peak brightness, blowing just about the entire finest Chromebooks out of the water.
There have been quite a lot of instances after I went to sit down on the sofa at evening, and opened the lid, solely to get blinded earlier than the ambient gentle sensor kicked in. I am unable to correctly specific how a lot I really like the truth that HP did not skimp on the display screen and made one which can be utilized whether or not you are doing work at a park bench, on the espresso store, or at dwelling.
HP Dragonfly Professional Chromebook: Efficiency
Except a number of, the HP Dragonfly Professional Chromebook shares the identical Core i5-1235U chipset discovered on among the best Chromebooks. All this actually means is that you are going to have the ability to take pleasure in playing Steam games and dealing with a bunch of Chrome tabs and home windows open, all while not 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 Sort-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 resolution to pair the Core i5-1235U with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of NVMe storage. I’d’ve preferred to have the choice for extra storage, however beggars cannot be choosers as HP opted to maintain issues easy this time round.
For those who’re searching for some comparisons, effectively, I’ve received simply the ticket. Here is how the HP Dragonfly Professional stacks up in opposition to the Acer Chromebook 516 GE and Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition:
| Benchmark Check | 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’ll anticipate finding with this chipset in a Chromebook, and as alluded to earlier than, it does not disappoint. However that is not the meat and potatoes of what HP is specializing in right here, at the least not in its entirety.
The truth is that I haven’t got rather more to supply on this entrance as a result of I anticipated HP to comply with by way of with glorious efficiency. As an alternative, the thrilling factor concerning the Dragonfly Professional Chromebook is the whole lot 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 difficulty right here as this dangerous boy will simply make it by way of a few days earlier than you want to plug it in. And if you do want to search out attain for the charger, you will be pleasantly stunned.
Within the field, HP is together with an enormous 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 really comes with a braided cable. Positive, this won’t be an enormous deal to some, but it surely 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 with Chromebooks, the Dragonfly Professional contains fast charging capabilities. You can go from 0-50% in about half-hour, which is very nice if 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, at the least to a sure extent, with regards to the trackpads on a number of laptops and different Chromebooks.
That is merely resulting from the truth that they’re “serviceable” at finest, and “horrendous” at worst, with nearly all of trackpads falling someplace in between. For those who learn my overview of the Elite Dragonfly Chromebook, you seemingly observed how a lot I gushed over the unbelievable haptic trackpad.
HP completely nailed the trackpad on the Dragonfly Professional Chromebook, together with the delicate and adjustable haptics.
Properly, it is again once more with the Dragonfly Professional Chromebook, and simply as satisfying as ever. Severely, that is the one trackpad that I’ve used that makes me want I may rip it out of the Chromebook’s chassis and use it the entire time.
There are nonetheless delicate haptics if you drag a window to 1 aspect or the opposite. All of the whereas, eradicating the necessity to fear about transferring elements as a result of there are not any. It is merely only a pleasure.
Rounding out my career of affection for the Dragonfly Professional Chromebook is the keyboard. Like many, I assumed it was a bit odd to see HP implement RGB backlighting on a Chromebook that is not positioned as being “for players.”
Nonetheless, it is simply one other method that HP is making an attempt to assist its flagship Chromebook stand out from the pack. You’ve gotten the entire similar customization choices as you’ll discover on the best gaming Chromebooks.
These embody 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 will probably be even higher as soon as Material You lastly makes its technique to the ChromeOS steady channel. Hopefully, it’s going to come sooner relatively than later, however we’ll simply should hold ready for Google to dot the I’s and cross the T’s.
HP Dragonfly Professional Chromebook: A couple of 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. Nonetheless, there are a number of compromises or considerations that I’d be remiss if I did not at the least level out.
For one, the largest resolution 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 unbelievable switch speeds, compatibility with the best docking stations and USB-C hubs, and rather more.
Having 4 Thunderbolt 4 ports is great till you notice that you will have to seize a docking station or be ready to stay with dongles.
However evidently we have entered a little bit of an alternate actuality as a result of the draw back is that you will have to 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 most likely 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 unbelievable and brilliant touchscreen show is nice and all, if you happen to had been hoping for a convertible, you will be out of luck. I am not precisely positive 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 ultimately, and at the same time as I kind this out, it appears 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 folks about how nice the Framework Laptop computer Chromebook is, solely to inform them it is $999.
It is true, you will get virtually 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. By way of what it could actually do, there’s virtually no distinction. And that is going to be a troublesome capsule to swallow for lots of potential consumers.
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 brand on the lid as a substitute of HP’s.
The Dragonfly Professional combines energy and velocity with a kick-ass touchscreen show, a haptic trackpad that is untouchable, and a keyboard that is a dream to kind on. I am unable to consider one other Chromebook, and just a few laptops, that may even come near that. So if you happen to had been to ask me if I feel the $999 is warranted, my reply is a convincing sure.
HP Dragonfly Professional Chromebook: The competitors
HP’s Dragonfly Professional Chromebook is in a little bit of a troublesome 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 finest 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 contains a superb 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 number 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 system. Having the flexibleness to swap out a USB-A enlargement card for HDMI or microSD continues to impress me. The actual check will probably be to see if the Dragonfly Professional replaces the Framework over time.
HP Dragonfly Professional Chromebook: Must you purchase it?
You can 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 unbelievable display screen.
- You need a Chromebook with a haptic trackpad.
You should not purchase this if:
- You are on a price range.
- You do not wish 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. For those who’ve made it this far, thanks and I need to apologize. The final system that received 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 could be a Chromebook that would come near assembly what I assumed would come of the Pixelbook 2. By some means, ultimately, HP has completed simply that with the Dragonfly Professional Chromebook.
HP Dragonfly Professional Chromebook
“The One”
Similar to Neo from the Matrix, the HP Dragonfly Professional Chromebook may be “The One.” It is good in a number of alternative ways, offering the whole package deal for a premium Chromebook.