If you're looking for the best Chromebook on the market, the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook is a worthy contender. Developed in partnership with Google, it's the closest you'll get to a Pixelbook these days. We'll take a closer look at this device and why it stands out from other Chromebooks on the market.
The HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook, designed in close collaboration with Google, is the best Chromebook on the market. With Google no longer producing Pixelbooks, HP has partnered with the search giant to create a premium ChromeOS experience that rivals the Pixelbook. The Dragonfly Pro Chromebook is not the first time HP has teamed up with a tech giant; the Spectre x360 was created in collaboration with Microsoft, and it aimed to compete with the Surface laptop.
The Dragonfly Pro Chromebook has an RGB keyboard, one of the best displays of any non-OLED laptop, and a phenomenal webcam. The 2560 x 1600 display has a brightness of 1,200 nits, which makes it easy to use in any lighting condition. The RGB keyboard is the first in a non-gaming Chromebook, adding a unique touch to the laptop. Additionally, the webcam is 8MP, better than most laptop webcams, and was specifically tuned by HP to meet Google's expectations.
With four Thunderbolt 4 USB4 Type-C ports, the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook has ample connectivity. It runs on a 12th-Gen Intel Core i5 -1235U processor with 16GB of LPDDR5 memory and a 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD. The laptop weighs 3.33 pounds and has dimensions of 12.4 x 8.7 x 0.7 inches. The laptop comes in Ceramic White and is powered by a 4-cell battery that provides 51.3 Wh Li-ion polymer. The laptop is priced at $999, which is an excellent value considering the price of other laptops with similar specs.
The HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook outperforms its Windows-powered counterpart in almost every way. The display is better, the RGB keyboard is delightful, and the webcam is fantastic. Google and HP have paid attention to the small features that delight users, and it shows. The 1,200-nit display is custom to the laptop, and you won't find it on the Windows variant. The RGB keyboard, while not necessary, adds a unique touch to the laptop. Additionally, the laptop is priced lower than other laptops with similar specs, making it an excellent value for the price.
HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook Specifications
Keyboard: Haptic trackpad, RGB backlit keyboard
Color: Ceramic White
Storage: 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD
CPU: 12th-Gen Intel Core i5 -1235U (12 threads, 3.67GHz) processor
Memory: 16GB LPDDR5
Operating System: ChromeOS
Battery: 4-cells (2S2P), 51.3 Wh Li-ion polymer
Ports: 4 Thunderbolt 4 USB4 Type-C
Camera: 8MP user-facing camera
Display (Size, Resolution): 14” 16:10 display, LCD (2560X1600), 87.6% screen to body ratio, 1,200 nits
Weight: 3.33 pounds
GPU: Iris Xe
Dimension: 12.4 x 8.7 x 0.7 inches
Speakers: Audio by B&O; Four speakers (Two up-firing, two down-firing)
Adaptor and Battery: 96 W USB Type-C power adapter, PD 3.0
Design and Build Quality
The HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook is an attractive device that comes in a sleek ceramic white finish. At 3.33 pounds, it's not the lightest Chromebook on the market, but it's still relatively portable. Its dimensions measure 12.4 x 8.7 x 0.7 inches, which is slim enough to slip into most bags.
One of the standout features of the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook is its build quality. The laptop is sturdy and well-built, thanks to the use of high-quality materials. The lid, for instance, is made of magnesium, which makes it durable and lightweight. HP has also ensured that the laptop meets military-grade durability standards (MIL-STD-810H) for drop, shock, and vibration resistance.
Display
The HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook boasts one of the best displays on any non-OLED laptop. Its 14-inch, 16:10 LCD display has a resolution of 2560 x 1600, and an 87.6% screen-to-body ratio. This display offers sharp, clear visuals with excellent color accuracy. However, what makes it stand out is its 1,200-nit brightness, making it usable even in direct sunlight. The screen is also touch-enabled, which is a nice touch for those who prefer to use the touchscreen interface.
Keyboard and Trackpad
One of the standout features of the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook is its keyboard. It's a full-size backlit keyboard with an RGB lighting system, which is a first for a non-gaming Chromebook. The keyboard is a pleasure to type on, with well-spaced keys that offer good feedback. The RGB lighting adds a touch of personality to the laptop, and you can customize it to your liking using the ChromeOS settings.
The trackpad on the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook is also impressive. It's a haptic trackpad, which means it uses vibrations to simulate the feel of physical buttons. This makes it easy to use, with smooth and precise tracking.
Performance
Under the hood, the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook is powered by a 12th-Gen Intel Core i5-1235U processor, which has 12 threads and a clock speed of 3.67GHz. This is a powerful processor that can handle most day-to-day tasks with ease, including web browsing, video conferencing, and light photo and video editing.
The laptop comes with 16GB of LPDDR5 memory, which is more than enough for most users. It also has a 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD, which provides fast read and write speeds. The HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook boots up quickly and runs smoothly, thanks to its combination of powerful hardware and ChromeOS.
Ports
The HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook is well-equipped when it comes to ports. It has four Thunderbolt 4 USB4 Type-C ports, which offer fast data transfer speeds and support for external displays. The laptop also has a 3.5mm headphone jack and a microSD card reader.
Webcam
The HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook has one of the best webcams on any laptop. The 8MP user-facing camera offers excellent image quality and color accuracy, even in low-light conditions. HP has also spent a lot of time tuning the camera.
Battery Life and Performance
Battery life is another area where the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook impresses. It comes with a 4-cell, 51.3 Wh Li-ion polymer battery, which provides up to 11 hours of battery life on a single charge. This is quite impressive, considering the brightness of the display and the powerful hardware inside the laptop. With regular use, you should easily be able to get through a full day of work without needing to plug in.
In terms of performance, the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook is no slouch either. It is powered by the 12th-Gen Intel Core i5 -1235U processor, which has 12 threads and a clock speed of 3.67GHz. This is a powerful processor that can handle most tasks with ease, whether it's web browsing, video conferencing, or running multiple applications simultaneously. The laptop also comes with 16GB LPDDR5 memory, which ensures smooth multitasking and speedy performance.
The laptop also has Intel Iris Xe graphics, which is a step up from the integrated graphics found on most Chromebooks. This means that you can run more demanding applications and even some light gaming without any issues. The 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD storage is also fast and reliable, providing ample space for all your files and applications.
Design and Build Quality
The HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook has a sleek and elegant design, with a ceramic white finish that looks both stylish and professional. The laptop is also incredibly thin and lightweight, weighing just 3.33 pounds and measuring 12.4 x 8.7 x 0.7 inches. This makes it easy to carry around and use on the go.
The laptop also has a premium build quality, with a durable magnesium chassis that can withstand everyday wear and tear. The keyboard and trackpad are both responsive and comfortable to use, making typing and navigation a breeze. The audio quality is also impressive, with four speakers (two up-firing, two down-firing) that provide powerful and clear sound.
Conclusion
Overall, the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook is an excellent laptop that offers a premium ChromeOS experience. It has a stunning display, a comfortable keyboard, and a powerful webcam, making it a great choice for video conferencing and online meetings. The laptop is also fast and responsive, with a long battery life and ample connectivity options. The only downside is that it is a bit heavier than some other Chromebooks, but this is a small price to pay for such a feature-packed laptop.
If you are in the market for a new Chromebook and want the best of the best, then the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook is definitely worth considering. It is priced at $999, which is a bit steep compared to some other Chromebooks, but the premium features and performance make it well worth the investment. Whether you are a professional who needs a reliable and powerful laptop for work, or a student who wants a versatile and stylish device for school, the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook is sure to impress.
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