CES 2021: HP’s 10 Coolest New Laptops And Convertibles

HP is using the tech show to debut updates to its ProBook and EliteBook laptop lineups, including both clamshell models and 2-in-1 convertibles.

Latest HP Laptops

On Tuesday, HP Inc. unveiled a second round of new laptops for business users at CES 2021—this time with AMD processors instead of Intel chips. The new laptops and convertibles are the next-generation updates to HP’s EliteBook 805 and ProBook lineups and are focused on meeting the needs of mainstream and SMB users during continued widespread remote work. Key themes of the new laptops include an emphasis on portability as well as strong performance via AMD Ryzen processors and AMD Radeon graphics. The new AMD-powered EliteBook 805 and ProBook laptops join the Intel-powered HP devices unveiled this week in connection with CES—including new laptops in the HP Elite Dragonfly series, updated models in the company’s EliteBook x360 1000 lineup and a new 2-in-1 HP Elite tablet.

What follows are HP’s 10 coolest new laptops and convertibles unveiled at CES 2021.

HP EliteBook 805 G8

Aimed at mainstream business users, HP’s new EliteBook 805 series features AMD processors and portable designs, along with key capabilities for enabling security and collaboration. The models include the 13.3-inch EliteBook 835 G8 (pictured), with a starting weight of 2.75 pounds and a thickness of 0.7 of an inch. The other two models are the 14-inch EliteBook 845 G8 (starting at 3.1 pounds) and the 15.6-inch EliteBook 855 G8 (starting at 3.85 pounds). All three models offer slim bezels around their FHD displays for an 85 percent screen-to-body ratio, as well as an optional HP Sure View Reflect integrated privacy screen to prevent visual snooping. Other security features include HP Tamper Lock intrusion detection technology, which automatically locks the PC if it has been physically opened. The EliteBook 805 G8 series notebooks are powered by the newest generation of AMD Ryzen Pro 5000 processors and integrated AMD Radeon graphics, and offer optional LTE connectivity. To assist with collaboration, the EliteBook 805 G8 models come with HP Dynamic Audio technology, which optimizes audio for speech, music or movies while reducing background noise.

The HP EliteBook 805 G8 series notebooks are planned for availability in March. Pricing was not disclosed.

HP ProBook 635 Aero G8

For HP’s SMB-focused ProBook lineup, HP is using CES 2021 to unveil a new model offering highly portable design—the ProBook 635 Aero G8. The 13.3-inch notebook has a starting weight of just 2.2 pounds, with a thickness of 0.7 of an inch. In terms of performance and connectivity, the ProBook 635 Aero G8 is powered by the latest generation of AMD Ryzen processors along with AMD Radeon graphics, while also offering optional LTE connectivity. Other key capabilities include an optional HP Sure View Reflect integrated privacy screen, a spill-resistant and quiet keyboard (with optional backlighting) and HP QuickDrop software, which enables wireless transferring of files and photos from a smartphone.

The HP ProBook 635 Aero G8 is planned for availability in April. Pricing was not disclosed.

HP ProBook 445 G8

HP is unveiling several additional ProBook models at CES—including the 14-inch ProBook 445 G8 and the 15.6-inch ProBook 455 G8. The company is calling the ProBook 405 G8 series its smallest and lightest 400 series ever—with a compact form factor enabled in part by slim bezels around the display (for an 87 percent screen-to-body ratio), and a starting weight of just 3.03 pounds for the ProBook 445 G8 and 3.83 pounds for the ProBook 455 G8. The notebooks feature aluminum exteriors and choices between HD resolution and FHD resolution for the display, as well as an optional Sure View Gen3 integrated privacy screen. On performance, the ProBook 445 G8 and 455 G8 feature options for the latest AMD Ryzen 5000 processors and integrated AMD Radeon graphics, and offer upgradeable dual channel memory (with an option for up to 32 GB of RAM).

The HP ProBook 405 G8 series notebooks are planned for availability in February. Pricing was not disclosed.

HP ProBook x360 435 G8

Along with the two clamshell models in the new ProBook 405 series, HP is also debuting a 2-in-1 model at CES with the ProBook x360 435 G8. The notebook features a convertible 13.3-inch touch screen with the optional Sure View Gen3 integrated privacy filter, as well as Gorilla Glass 5 for durability. In terms of portability, the ProBook x360 435 G8 has a starting weight of 3.19 pounds and measures 0.7 of an inch thick. And on performance, the convertible notebook is outfitted with AMD Ryzen 5000 processors, AMD Radeon graphics and upgradeable dual channel memory (configurable with up to 32 GB of RAM).

The HP ProBook x360 435 G8 is planned for availability in February. Pricing was not disclosed.

HP Elite Dragonfly G2

HP’s premium commercial notebook lineup, the Elite series, is also getting a major update at CES—starting with the company’s follow-up to the Elite Dragonfly. With the Elite Dragonfly G2, HP has added 5G connectivity, integrated Tile tracking (in the event the laptop goes missing) and the company’s Tamper Lock intrusion detection technology. The 2-in-1 notebook continues to offer the Dragonfly Blue magnesium chassis along with a 13.3-inch display with FHD or UHD resolution and a weight of just 2.2 pounds, making it the “world’s lightest compact business convertible,” according to HP. On performance, the second-generation Elite Dragonfly moves up to 11th-generation Intel Core vPro processors and will offer up to 32 GB of RAM, up from 16 GB on the original model. Other new features include the Sure Shutter privacy shutter on the webcam, which is operated using a dedicated key on the keyboard rather than the manual slider on the first-generation model of the notebook.

The HP Elite Dragonfly G2 is planned for availability in January. Pricing was not released.

HP Elite Dragonfly Max

HP is also expanding its Elite Dragonfly portfolio with a brand-new model, the Elite Dragonfly Max. The model aims to stand out with an emphasis on advanced collaboration features, HP said, including a 5-megapixel camera (compared with a 1.2-megapixel camera on the Elite Dragonfly G2) and four wide-range microphones that are optimized for conferencing (compared with three on the G2 model). Meanwhile, the 13.3-inch display on the Elite Dragonfly Max will include HP’s Eye Ease technology for reduced blue light. The notebook will also be available in a “Sparkling Black” color in addition to Dragonfly Blue, and other key elements include 5G connectivity and 11th-generation Intel Core processors.

The HP Elite Dragonfly Max is expected to be available in January. Pricing was not released.

HP Elite Folio

Building on the concept that HP debuted with the Spectre Folio, the company is launching a new business device at CES featuring a similarly distinctive design—the HP Elite Folio. Like on the Spectre Folio, HP’s Elite Folio features a “pull-forward” mode where the 13.5-inch screen can come forward and magnetically lock into position closer to the user’s viewing. The Elite Folio features a magnesium chassis (rather than the leather covering on the Spectre Folio) and includes an integrated digital pen in the keyboard. The notebook is also powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 5G processor, enabling optional 5G on the device. Other key features on the Elite Folio include up to 24.5 hours of battery life, an optional integrated Sure View Reflect privacy display, a 76-degree field of view webcam, a dual microphone array and high-definition Bang & Olufsen speakers.

The HP Elite Folio is planned for availability in February. Pricing was not released.

HP EliteBook 840 Aero G8

HP is bringing an upgrade to its midrange EliteBook notebooks with the debut of the EliteBook 840 Aero G8. The notebook features a starting weight of 2.5 pounds—a half pound lighter than the standard EliteBook 840 G8—as well as optional 5G connectivity and numerous other notable features. Those include an optional Sure View Reflect integrated privacy screen on the 14-inch display; integrated Tile tracking; an HD camera and three microphones; and optional 11th-generation Intel Core processors.

The HP EliteBook 840 Aero G8 is expected to be available in March. Pricing was not released.

HP EliteBook x360 1030 G8 and 1040 G8

HP is also taking the opportunity at CES to unveil the next-generation models of its EliteBook x360 business convertibles, with the launch of the EliteBook x360 1030 G8 and 1040 G8. Key upgrades on the notebooks include the addition of optional 5G connectivity and 11th-generation Intel Core vPro processors. The 13.3-inch EliteBook x360 1030 G8 will offer an optional UHD OLED display, while the 14-inch EliteBook x360 1040 G8 will include an option for a UHD HDR display with up to 550 nits of brightness. Both notebooks will offer slim bezels around their displays, which will help enable the 1030 G8 model to have “the world’s smallest footprint in a 13-inch business convertible,” according to HP.

HP said the EliteBook x360 1030 and 1040 G8 are expected to be available in January. Pricing was not released.

HP Elite x2 G8

Along with expanding its ProBook and EliteBook laptop portfolios at CES, HP is updating its 2-in-1 tablet lineup with the debut of the HP Elite x2 G8. The 13-inch tablet features display options that include resolution of up to 3,000 x 2,000 (and up to 450 nits of brightness) or 1,920 x 1,280 resolution with the Sure View Gen 3 integrated privacy screen (and up to 1,000 nits of brightness). The Elite x2 G8 also offers an optional 11th-generation Intel Core processor, integrated Tile tracking and AI-based technology for suppressing background noise.

The HP Elite x2 G8 is planned for availability in April. Pricing was not released.