One of these laptops is the HP Elite Dragonfly G3 (which also comes with a 5G upgrade as an option). For the past eight weeks, I’ve utilized it for both personal use and extended travel, such as the trip to Israel that I took with Intel. At the time of its announcement at CES 2022, I regarded it as an unusual departure from the earlier Elite Dragonfly models (more on that below). But now that I’ve used it, I see what HP is trying to accomplish: A laptop that is incredibly portable has a battery life that lasts for an extremely long time and is extremely light.
Therefore, even though I am aware that the Elite Dragonfly G3 may be priced out of reach for the typical user, it is an excellent option for the executive who is looking for the very finest Windows 11 laptop for their professional needs. I’ll explain why.
Specifications
| Category | HP Elite Dragonfly G3 |
|---|---|
| Display | 13.5-inch 3:2 WUXGA (1920×1280) or 3K2K OLED (400 nits) |
| Processor | Intel 12th Gen Intel vPRO, Intel Evo |
| Graphics | Intel |
| Memory | Up to 32GB LPDDR5 (soldered) |
| Storage | Up to 2TB PCIe SSD |
| Front Camera | 5MP (separate RGB and IR sensors) with HP Sure Shutter |
| Security | Windows Hello IR and fingerprint |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E Bluetooth 5.2 Optional: 4G LTE, 5G, NFC, Tile |
| Ports | 1x USB-A 3.1 (charging port) 2x USB-C (Thunderbolt 4) HDMI 2.0 Nano SIM slot Combo Headphone/Mic |
| Audio | Quad speakers with discrete amplifiers |
| Battery | HP Long Life 4-cell 45WHr and 6-cell 68WHr Fast Charge Up to 100W Type-C charger |
| Dimensions | 297.4 x 220.4 x 16.4 mm (16.9mm in AG) 11.71 x 8.68 x .65 in (.35 in AG) |
| Weight | Starting at 2.20 lbs. / .99 kg (Weight will vary by configuration) |
| Colors | Slate blue or Natural Silver Hybrid Mg/Al |
HP Elite Dragonfly G3 design and connectivity
HP’s Elite Dragonfly series is a hybrid product that bridges the gap between the company’s high-end consumer laptops (Spectre) and its business-class personal computers (EliteBooks). It has the most up-to-date technology and is equipped with all of the bells and whistles. However, it also places an emphasis on being as light as humanly possible, which is where the high cost comes from.
The Elite Dragonfly G3, which weighs in at just 2.2 pounds, is so light that it almost seems empty. Some people will interpret this as feeling cheap, but once you start using the laptop, these misconceptions will disappear. In addition, the laptop is quite thin; nonetheless, the inclusion of a sizable 68WHr battery was prioritized over breaking any records for thinness. You made the right call, HP. One of the reasons I continue to choose it for my travels is because it is lightweight.
The build quality is exceptional, and the Slate Blue coloring included in this review device is a subdued grayish blue that provides a touch of flair while yet maintaining a professional appearance. The overall appearance is one that is uncluttered and simple, and the addition of the HP mirror logo lends it some flair.
Any person who uses a PC will be envious of the port selection. To begin, there is a complete HDMI connector, which is unusual to see in a laptop of this size in this day and age. In addition, a drop-jaw USB-A port is available for use with thumb drives on HP computers. Additionally, there are two Type-C Thunderbolt 4 ports, one located on each side of the device. This configuration is referred to as the “right way to do Type-C ports” because it provides the user with additional flexibility when it comes to charging or using peripherals.
In conclusion, there is a jack for headphones on the right side, and the SIM card slot, which can be accessed without the use of a special tool, is located on the left (you press in, and it pops out). This is ideal for the road warrior who despises dongles and adapters because it eliminates the need for both.
Display and webcam
This year, the Elite Dragonfly G3’s 13.5-inch display has switched from a 16:9 aspect ratio to a 3:2 ratio, which is the same as the one seen on Surface Laptops. Because it is thinner and taller than the more typical 16:10 aspect ratio, 3:2 is used by very few computers. On the other hand, I think HP made the right decision here because an Excel sheet or a Word document displays a great deal more information.
Despite having a resolution that is toward the lower end of the spectrum, the full HD display is crisp and a pleasure to work on. Full HD resolution results in a lower price point and a longer battery life as a tradeoff.
The screen has a color gamut that is 98% sRGB, 74% AdobeRGB, and 78% DCI-P3 when it is first turned on, although it has the capability of being calibrated to reach 100% sRGB. That works nicely for photo editing, and the colors appear good, particularly if you turn on the Adaptive Color sensor, which modifies the color of the display based on the lighting conditions in the surrounding area.
If you have HP BrightView, then the screen will likewise be glossy; however, HP provides an option to reduce glare, so you really have no need to complain. The maximum brightness is measured at 407 nits, which is somewhat higher than the 400 nits stated by HP.
The 5-megapixel front-facing camera from HP, which has separate sensors for IR and RGB, is fantastic. A good piece of software will automatically frame the shot, optimize the lighting, blur the background, and apply filters to enhance your appearance (skin smoothing). It is without a doubt one of the best cameras that I have ever used. The only webcams that can compete with it are the HP Dragonfly Folio G3, which has a large 8MP front camera, and the upcoming Surface Pro 9 5G. (ARM). In addition to that, there is noise suppression, which is effective enough.
The privacy shutter for the webcam on an HP computer can be turned on and off with a button on the keyboard that is specifically designated for that purpose. If you tap it, a tiny internal shutter will open and cover the lens. This functionality is exclusive to HP and it is fantastic. There is also a key that is specifically designed to mute your microphone, and an LED will illuminate to let you know when it is active. Face recognition or the fingerprint reader can be used to log into Windows, which is excellent if you always keep the privacy shutter activated on your device. Alternatively, you can type in your password. Additional protection against malware while using software and visiting the web is provided by HP’s Wolf Security features.
Keyboard, touchpad, and audio system
In addition, the keyboard and touchpad on the Elite Dragonfly G3 are the finest I have ever encountered. Although the keyboard is somewhat softer (mushier) than the one found on HP’s normal EliteBooks, I did not experience hand tiredness even after typing for extended periods of time. It’s one of those keyboards that you’ll get used to right away, but at first, it could seem a little strange.
The touchpad is enormous, and despite the absence of haptic feedback, it provides lethal accuracy, silky smoothness, and a pleasurable gentle click when it is pressed. When the light hits it just so, the tiniest bit of chrome chamfer that surrounds the trackpad looks just stunning.
Rich sound is produced by four B&O-tuned speakers, each of which has its own independent amplifier (amp). Two of them are located on top of the laptop, and the other two are located on the bottom front of the device, at an area where the laptop is slightly curved and provides some clearance. These are fantastic speakers, and the software that comes with them, Audio Playbook Tools, has a 10-band equalization and HP Dynamic Audio (auto, music, movie, or speech), so you can customize the sound to your preferences.
Performance and battery life comparison of the HP Elite Dragonfly G3
In the results of our benchmarks, the Dragonfly does not significantly outperform its rivals; nonetheless, performance is superior to the raw processor speed because it is the sum of the components that ultimately matters. Despite the fact that it is not the fastest processor I have ever used, the Intel 12th Generation Core i7-1265U is nonetheless incredibly quick and responsive thanks to its 10 cores. When I used Adobe Photoshop Elements or performed other chores typical of an “information worker,” such as extensive web browsing, intensive email, and email client usage, heavy use of browsers, Microsoft Office, Slack, etc., I never ran into any problems.
When the i7 is set to run at more moderate rates, both the cooling system and the fan produce an experience that is more agreeable and less noisy. Despite its frequent use, the laptop never overheated and maintained a comfortable temperature at all times.
The 512GB PCIe 4.0 SSD is also ridiculously quick, with read speeds of 6,863 MB/s and write speeds of 4,480. This makes it one of the quickest storage devices I have ever used.
With its lightning-fast LPDDR5 RAM, this laptop competes favorably with the Dell XPS 13 Plus on PCMark 10. (which measures overall system performance). Given that context is essential, it is noteworthy that the premium laptop offered by Dell utilizes a somewhat beefier Core i7-1280P processor.
The battery life is satisfactory, lasting between seven and eight hours of actual use over the course of a few months. The Intel 12th Generation Mobile Processors have a poor battery life, but in exchange, they provide tremendous performance, especially when compared to the 11th Generation Mobile Processors that came before them. Because of these factors, it was a good decision on HP’s part to utilize a processor from the U-series rather than the power-hungry P-series.
The HP Elite Dragonfly G3 supports both 4G LTE and 5G networks.
The Intel modem that combined 4G and 5G connectivity functioned without a hitch. Simply insert a real SIM card, and you’ll be able to use this laptop with any network. Do you lack a SIM card or are you currently traveling? When I was in Israel, I made use of the eSIM function. It’s amazing that as soon as I step off the plane, this laptop is immediately linked to 4G data, giving me the freedom to work from any location while I’m on the Intel tour.
Never once did I experience any problems with the reception or performance.
The fact that HP does not require a SIM tool is also a positive for the company. Instead, the slot is located on the left side of the device, and you need to press in to eject the SIM tray, insert the SIM card, and then put the tray back into place.
Software and additional capabilities of the HP Elite Dragonfly G3
I claimed that this laptop has all the bells and whistles, and some of those features are human presence detection (HPD), Tile, and HP QuickDrop.
If you have HPD activated on your Elite Dragonfly G3, your laptop will lock itself if you are away from it for more than 30 seconds. As soon as you walk back into the room, the screen will turn itself back on by itself, and Windows Hello will sign you in just where you left off.
Additionally, it has the ability to identify if someone is looking over your shoulder and will notify you if they are there.
Tile is a free device finder that is integrated into the motherboard of your computer. Again, this is something that is solely offered by HP, and it enables you to track your laptop on a map using the phone app. If you subscribe to the premium service, your phone will send you a notification in the event that you forget your computer at home.
Tile’s “tags,” which can be purchased separately, make it possible to attach the tracking software to virtually any item (such as a purse, wallet, or set of keys), but having the software pre-installed on your laptop is an invaluable asset. In addition to this, it functions independently of the laptop, which means that even when the computer is in Airplane Mode, it can still be used.
The QuickDrop application can be used on both your personal computer and your mobile device (iOS or Android). It enables the transfer of photographs, documents, or text between the devices in your possession. It is even capable of processing SMS messages. Although Microsoft’s Phone Link is capable of doing many of the same functions, HP’s QuickDrop is far more efficient because it makes use of Wi-Fi Direct and is also quite adorable.
Even an app named HP Easy Clean is included with every HP computer. If you run it, it will turn off the keyboard and touchpad for two minutes and fifty seconds, allowing you to wipe down, clean, and disinfect your laptop without having to turn it off completely. Even though it is such a trivial thing, I feel that this tool is really beneficial, particularly if you want to maintain the pristine condition of your laptop.
The Downsides of the HP Elite Dragonfly G3
To tell you the truth, if I don’t feel like being picky, there’s really nothing to complain about.
Although the Elite Dragonfly G3 is on the pricier side, HP frequently holds deals that bring the price down. In addition, this laptop is intended for executives and not for average customers shopping at Best Buy. HP is aware of the fact that large corporations have the financial resources to pay their executives.
Even though the touchpad is one of the nicest features, I think it would be even more awesome if it had haptic feedback. Ironically, HP included one in its Dragonfly Chromebook; hence, I have no idea why it didn’t include one in this model.
Being an x86 Intel-based laptop, I’d never say more about added battery life or even quieter fans, but I believe HP reached the limit of what it was able to accomplish with the technology and design goals of today.
The matte plastic bezel has a somewhat shoddy appearance. In order to reduce the overall weight of the device, HP decided not to implement a seamless glass experience; yet, adding some shine wouldn’t harm in this case.
I’m also confused as to why the fingerprint scanner isn’t just a reader built into the deck but rather a special key that needs to be depressed. It performs the same function but in a peculiar manner.
To conclude, and this is just a general gripe about HP, I find it strange that HP equips its laptops with a three-pronged, 65W charger. This is a laptop that is marketed to the mobile professional, so it seems counterintuitive. If you have flown before, you are aware that finding a three-pronged AC outlet on an airplane is exceedingly hard, despite the fact that this charger is beautiful and incredibly small with a corded rope style. On the other hand, Lenovo included a 65W two-pronged charger with every ThinkPad it delivers out, and I really wish HP would do the same. (As a result of this, when I fly, I use a charger made by Lenovo for my HP computer, but HP prefers HP-branded chargers, and it will inform you of this preference when you plug it in.)
Does it really matter about any of these “complaints”? I don’t care about them because they’re just odd design details, but I felt like I needed to include something in this part.
The Competition for the HP Elite Dragonfly G3
When compared to other high-end laptops with screen sizes ranging from 13 to 14 inches, the Dragonfly G3 faces a great deal of competition in the premium laptop market. However, if you add 4G and 5G as a prerequisite as well as an emphasis on enterprise security and features, then that list becomes much shorter.
The ThinkPad X1 Carbon from Lenovo checks off a lot of boxes with its options for 5G, and it unquestionably lives up to its billing as a professional notebook. Because of Lenovo’s long history in the industry, this remarkable piece of hardware is frequently recognized as the best laptop for conducting business. Having used both, I can say that the HP Dragonfly has a display that is taller, with an aspect ratio of 3:2 rather than 16:10, superior audio and a webcam, a touchpad that is significantly larger, and I favor its keyboard. However, the ThinkPad X1 Carbon comes equipped with Touchpoint, which is represented by the red nub, and many people enjoy the grin key layout of the keyboard. The X1 Carbon may frequently be found at steep price reductions, which makes it a more budget-friendly alternative.
The Dell Latitude 9420 and 9430 should not be disregarded as options. A stunning display with a resolution of 2560 by 1600 and a 16:10 aspect ratio, the option of a 2-in-1 configuration with support for pens, a sizable battery with a capacity of 60 WHr, an abundance of ports including full HDMI, processors from the 12th generation of Intel, excellent speakers, up to 32 GB of RAM, and the choice between 4G and 5G connectivity. The Latitude 9420 is the best challenger in terms of features for the HP Dragonfly, but it does it at the expense of being a pound heavier, coming in at 3.2 pounds (1.45kg). Therefore, while the Latitude 9420 is not at all hefty in comparison to other devices in its category, the Dragonfly is noticeably lighter than both of those.
Microsoft’s Surface Laptop 5 now comes equipped with the latest Intel 12th Generation processors. In comparison to the prior generation, the fourth one, this one is a very little upgrade, but it still has superior audio and a display of higher quality. The 720P camera is nonetheless outstanding even though it is a significant step down from HP’s 5MP one, as is the keyboard and touchpad, which are both of exceptional quality. You also do not receive the bells and whistles that I described in the previous sentence, such as human presence detection (HPD) or Tile built-in. The dearth of options for ports is a constraining factor for the road warrior, and neither 4G nor 5G is available as choice.
Finally, if you enjoy the HP Dragonfly G3 but you wish it had a convertible form factor, have a look at HP’s Dragonfly Folio G3, which is just as amazing as its predecessor. It shares many of the same characteristics, such as being extremely lightweight, having excellent audio quality, 5G connectivity, a touchpad, and a keyboard. However, it has a front-facing camera with 8 megapixels and a unique design that allows you to bring it forward, making it the most adaptable laptop. It is every bit as amazing as the Dragonfly that is displayed on this page.
HP Elite Dragonfly G3 price and availability
The Elite Dragonfly G3, just like many other business laptops from HP, is available in pre-configured configurations in addition to having the flexibility to be customized according to the user’s choices regarding display, CPU, and connectivity (not to mention controlling for price).
The starting price for the base model is $1,394 (after a discount), and it has a WUXGA+ touch panel, a 12th Generation Core i5 U-series processor, 16GB RAM, and 512GB storage space. In addition, it is equipped with Windows 10 Pro instead of Windows 11 Pro, which is an essential feature for a number of organizations.
If you opt for the most expensive configuration of the Elite Dragonfly G3, you will pay a hefty $2,971.50 $2,122.50 to receive the following features: 32 GB of RAM, a Core i7-1265U processor, an Anti-Glare WLED UWVA WUXGA+ (1920×1280) Touchscreen with Sure view reflect privacy, 1000 nits of brightness, 1 TB of storage, Intel 5G, and NFC (HP is now running some excellent sales on it).
It is possible to equip the Elite Dragonfly G3 with an OLED UWVA 3k2k Touchscreen, which has a resolution of 3000×2000 pixels, for those individuals who desire a premium display with a greater resolution.
Core i5 processors and 16 gigabytes of random access memory are included in the $2,000 entry-level 5G option.
The price of our evaluation device, which includes a Core i7-1265U vPro processor, 16 gigabytes of random access memory (RAM), 512 gigabytes of storage space, Intel 5G, and a BrightView WLED UWVA WUXGA+ (1920×1280) non-touch display, is slightly less than $2,500 (after a discount of $1,769).
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