Hands-on: HP's new Elite Dragonfly G3 with 3:2 display is one light, good-looking laptop

Hp Elite Dragonfly G3 Versus G HP Aristocracy Dragonfly G1 (rear) vs. Elite Dragonfly G3 (front). Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central

CES 2022 was a busy fourth dimension if you're into the world of laptops and PCs (run into our all-time of CES for a epitomize). Between Intel and AMD announcing adjacent-gen processors and the sheer number of new laptops revealed, this yr's CES was easily one of the most PC-centric CES events in modernistic history.

HP had plenty of devices, as well, mainly focused on the enterprise segment, but it was the refreshed Aristocracy Dragonfly G3 that caught our attention. Ditching a 16:9 display for a taller 3:ii and delivering a completely new design language, this Elite Dragonfly could be one of the more interesting professional Ultrabooks for 2022.

HP sent us a (mostly) working prototype of the Aristocracy Dragonfly G3, and I compared it to the original model. Here's what you need to know.

HP Elite Dragonfly G3: Who's it for and what'southward new

Hp Elite Dragonfly G3 Hero Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central

The Aristocracy Dragonfly is unique amongst HP's laptop lineup. HP has its Spectre line (high-end consumer products like the Spectre x360 14), while the 1000 series EliteBooks are its premium business organisation laptops.

The Elite Dragonfly fits in between those ii production lines.

With a full HDMI port, Sure View privacy screen, Intel vPro, and HP's security suite of software, the Elite Dragonfly is enterprise-friendly and brings some prosumer flair to its pattern like discrete amplified quad speakers, Intel Evo, and optional high-res OLED.

For 2022, HP made the post-obit meaning changes to G3 from G2:

3:two display instead of 16:9
Non-touch instead of touch
No longer an "x360" convertible laptop
Intel 12th Gen P-series processors
5MP Full Hard disk camera (upward from 1MP 720p)
Larger bombardment: 48WHr or larger 68WHr (versus 56WHr)
Dragonfly Blue colorway is now a darker Slate Blueish
Optional OLED brandish

There are as well a lot more changes to the overall design language. For instance, one complaint I've had, in general, with laptops is when OEMs create precipitous edges near the palm rest. While the angles wait skillful on a short keyboard deck, they can dig into your palms, causing discomfort. That was the case with the original Elite Dragonfly and G2 versions. With G3, the edges of the laptops are all now smooth and rounded, making them much more comfortable to use.

Interestingly, HP has shifted from a very blueish colorway to a darker blueish that looks like a mix betwixt the original Dragonfly Blueish and the Sparkling Black of 2022's HP Elite Dragonfly Max. There's besides a Natural Silver selection, which matches HP's EliteBook product line.

Category	Dragonfly G3	Dragonfly G2	Dragonfly MAX
Display	13.five-inch 3:2 Non-touch WUXGA (1920x1280) or 3K2K OLED (400 nits) Sure View	xiii.3 inches 16:9 Touch on FHD, 400 nits, depression power FHD, 1000 nits, Sure View 4K UHD, HDR400, 550 nits	xiii.three inches xvi:nine Bear upon, IPS FHD, Sure View Anti-Sparkle, grand nits
Processor	Intel 12th Gen vPro, Evo	Intel 11th Gen vPro, Evo	Intel 11th Gen vPro, Evo
Graphics	Intel	Intel	Intel
Memory	Upward to 32GB LPDDR5 (soldered)	Up to 32GB LPDDR4 (soldered)	Up to 32GB LPDDR4 (soldered)
Storage	Upwardly to 2TB PCIe 4.0 SSD	Upwardly to 2TB PCIe 3.0 SSD	Upward to 2TB PCIe 3.0 SSD
Front Photographic camera	5MP (divide RGB and IR sensors) with HP Sure Shutter	720p HP Certain Shutter	5MP HP Privacy Photographic camera
Security	Windows Hullo IR and fingerprint	Windows Hello IR and fingerprint	Windows Hello IR and fingerprint
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 6E Bluetooth 5.2 Optional: 4G LTE, 5G, NFC, Tile	Wi-Fi vi Bluetooth five.0 Optional: 4G LTE, 5G	Wi-Fi half dozen Bluetooth 5.0 Optional: 4G LTE, 5G
Ports	1x USB-A 3.i 2x USB-C (Thunderbolt 4) HDMI 2.0 Nano SIM slot Philharmonic headphone/mic	1x USB-A 3.1 2x USB-C (Thunderbolt four) HDMI 1.4b Nano SIM Combo headphone/mic	1x USB-A 3.1 2x USB-C (Thunderbolt 4) HDMI 1.4b Nano SIM Combo headphone/mic
Audio	Four B&O-tuned speakers with discrete amplifiers	Four B&O-tuned height-firing speakers	Four B&O-tuned top-firing speakers
Battery	45WHr or 68WHr Fast Charge Up to 100W Type-C charger	56.2Wh	56.2Wh
Dimensions	11.71 x 8.68 x 0.65 inches (297.4mm x 220.4mm x xvi.4mm)	11.98 ten seven.78 x 0.63 inches (304.3mm ten 197.5mm x 16.1mm)	11.98 ten 7.78 10 0.63 inches (304.3mm x 197.5mm x sixteen.1mm)
Weight	From 2.2 pounds (< 1kg)	From 2.2 pounds (< 1kg)	From 2.49 pounds (ane.13kg)
Colors	Slate Blue Natural Silver (Hybrid Mg/Al)	Dragonfly Blue	Dragonfly Blue Sparkling Black

The iv speakers have moved slightly, with 2 at present on the bottom front end edge and the others behind the keyboard. Audio is booming and clear thanks to all iv featuring discrete amplifiers.

The most significant change, however, is that much taller three:2 display. I've been arguing for this screen aspect ratio since 2022, not merely because you run across and then much more than content, but likewise considering of the resulting design changes, including the need for a more extended keyboard deck to friction match that taller screen. That gives you 2 substantial benefits:

More room for your palms to balance while typing
More space for a larger (taller) touchpad

With the Elite Dragonfly G3, we go merely that. The new touchpad is massive, and this laptop is simply more comfortable on which to type compared to the cramped older i.

The other major deviation is shifting from a ii-in-1 convertible laptop with pen back up to a not-impact clamshell. I tin't recall many times where an OEM has completely shifted a laptop's pattern and so much and kept the aforementioned name. I'one thousand going to assume that HP saw that data, and nearly of its customers were OK with it just being a regular laptop (HP still offers the brand-new EliteBook x360 1040 G9 to fill up that niche).

HP Aristocracy Dragonfly G3: More than to come

Hp Elite Dragonfly G3 Versus G2 Front Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central

Overall, the feel of the Aristocracy Dragonfly G3 is radically different from the G2 model, but in a expert way. Weighing just 2.two pounds and with that larger 13.five-inch screen, this is 1 of the lightest laptops I've used with this many ports and features.

Of class, this is simply a epitome, so things like the 12th Gen Intel processor are not withal optimized or ready for testing. In that location are also features non working, like the 5MP webcam, and then it is also early for more than in-depth comparisons.

We'll exist doing more on HP'southward refreshed production line in the coming months. As to when you lot can become the new Aristocracy Dragonfly G3, HP says information technology is expected to be available in March (bold in that location are no supply constraints). Pricing will be available closer to product availability, merely the Elite Dragonfly usually begins at around $2,000.

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