Review of the HP EliteBook X G1a

      "The HP EliteBook X G1a is designed for business professionals."

      **Pros**

      - Exceptional build quality

      - Subtle yet appealing design

      - Outstanding productivity performance

      - Management and security features tailored for enterprises

      - Impressive OLED display

      **Cons**

      - High price point

      - Battery life declines without the IPS display

      I first encountered the HP EliteBook X G1a a few weeks ago, and even without testing it, I found it to be a robust addition to the best business laptops. It's visually appealing, well-constructed, and generally aligns with what business users seek in a laptop. After testing it, I can confirm it meets my initial expectations. It's very efficient and packed with features suitable for commercial use. I evaluated it with the excellent OLED display, but if extended battery life is a priority, the IPS panel is the better choice.

      **Specifications and Configuration**

      **HP EliteBook X G1a**

      - **Dimensions**: 12.29 x 8.45 x 0.52 inches

      - **Weight**: 3.3 pounds

      - **Display Options**:

       - 14.0-inch 16:10 FHD+ (1920 x 1200) IPS, 60Hz

       - 14.0-inch 16:10 2.8K (2880 x 1800) OLED, 120Hz

      - **CPU Options**:

       - AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 360

       - AMD Ryzen AI 9 PRO 375

      - **GPU Options**:

       - Radeon Graphics 880M

       - Radeon Graphics 890M

      - **Memory Configurations**: 16GB, 32GB, 64GB

      - **Storage Options**: 512GB SSD, 1TB SSD

      - **Ports**:

       - 1 x USB-C

       - 2 x USB-C with Thunderbolt 4

       - 1 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1

       - 1 x HDMI 2.1

       - 1 x 3.5mm headphone jack

      - **Camera**: 5MP with infrared for Windows 11 Hello

      - **Wi-Fi**: Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4

      - **Battery**: 74.5 watt-hour

      - **Operating System**: Windows 11

      - **Price**: Starting at $2,099

      There are various configurations for the EliteBook X G1a available on HP’s web store, with one configuration currently priced at $2,599, down from $3,949. This configuration features an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 chipset, 32GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and a 14.0-inch 2.8K OLED display. The base model costs $2,099, equipped with a Ryzen AI 7 PRO 360, 16GB RAM, a 512GB SSD, and a 14.0-inch FHD+ IPS display. However, businesses often acquire these laptops under contracts that typically offer more favorable pricing.

      **Design**

      HP is adept at manufacturing durable laptops, and the EliteBook X G1a is no exception; it feels solid with no bending, flexing, or twisting in its lid, keyboard deck, or chassis. This durability is essential for the commercial audience it targets.

      In terms of design, the EliteBook X G1a is ideal for business users seeking a laptop that is attractive without being ostentatious. HP has softened some design elements found in its consumer products while ensuring the EliteBook retains a sleek and cohesive appearance, making it feel more refined than typical business machines.

      Though the display bezels are not the slimmest, the laptop maintains a reasonable width and depth. Its 0.52-inch thickness is comparable to the ultra-thin MacBook Air 15, while its weight of 3.3 pounds gives it a dense feel, making it somewhat less portable.

      **Keyboard and Touchpad**

      HP has a history of producing excellent keyboards, successfully carrying over this quality to the EliteBook lineup. The keyboard features large keycaps, clear lettering, and ample spacing, with consistent switches that provide a light, responsive feel. It's among the best I've used, rivaling Apple’s Magic Keyboard.

      The touchpad, however, does not reach the same level; while it's sufficiently large and offers quiet, firm clicks, a haptic touchpad would have been a welcomed addition. HP has a superior version available in some of its OmniBook laptops, and it would be a great enhancement for the EliteBook.

      **Connectivity and Webcam**

      The EliteBook X G1a provides a generous selection of modern and legacy ports, aligning with its business focus, including high-speed wireless connectivity. An SD card slot would have been a nice inclusion, and the absence of an always-connected internet