This HP laptop isn't perfect, but AMD gives it the edge

Price When Reviewed

$1,799

Best Prices Today: HP EliteBook 8 G1a

$1790.93

$1799

The HP EliteBook 8 G1a is a 16-inch Copilot+ PC laptop computer aimed toward companies and professionals. It has an AMD CPU, so it marries a speedy CPU with a neural processing unit that may ship Copilot+ PC options on some fashions. Plus, in contrast to a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Arm PC, it is a conventional x86 PC that’s assured to run current enterprise apps and drivers that will not run completely on an Arm PC.

But, though HP proudly markets this as a “next-generation AI PC,” it’s not nearly AI options. Overall, it’s a strong laptop computer that most individuals could be pleased to make use of for work, though the show doesn’t preserve tempo with the remainder of the expertise.

HP not too long ago redesigned its product names, and the EliteBook is HP’s line of laptops aimed toward enterprise customers. The 8 Series is the entry-level line of EliteBooks, and the “G1a” right here means it is a first-generation mannequin within the new lineup with an AMD CPU.

HP EliteBook 8 G1a: Specs

The HP EliteBook 8 G1a has an AMD Ryzen AI processor — our overview mannequin included AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 350 {hardware}. That’s an x86 processor with a 50 TOPS NPU for AI options. However, it’s value noting that not all of the fashions have an NPU quick sufficient for Copilot+ PC features. HP has a wide range of G1a fashions, and machines like the bottom AMD Ryzen 5 230 machine ship as much as 16 TOPS. That means they’ll’t run Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC options and, if what you are promoting does have an NPU-powered AI software, it’ll run a lot slower than on the fashions with quicker NPUs.

But the processor isn’t the one factor that differs from machine to machine. HP affords a variety of configuration choices in the course of the buy course of, so you will get a mannequin that’s very completely different from the beneath specs.

Our overview mannequin had AMD Radeon 860M graphics. While AMD produces a number of robust discrete GPUs, that is nonetheless built-in graphics and it’s not notably quick.

The RAM on this machine is user-upgradable and swappable, which is nice to see on a enterprise laptop computer. (The Intel-powered EliteBook 8 G1i I reviewed on the similar time has soldered RAM.)

• Model quantity: HP EliteBook 8 G1a 16-inch
• CPU: AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 350
• Memory: 32GB DDR5 RAM
• Graphics/GPU: AMD Radeon 860M
• NPU: AMD NPU Compute Accelerator Device (as much as 50 TOPS)
• Display: 16-inch 1920×1200 IPS show with 60Hz refresh price
• Storage: 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD
• Webcam: 1440p webcam
• Connectivity: 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB Type-C 40 Gbps), 1x USB Type-C (10 Gbps), 1x HDMI 2.1 out, 1x combo audio jack, 1x safety lock slot, 1x USB Type-A (5 Gbps)
• Networking: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
• Biometrics: Fingerprint reader and IR digital camera for facial recognition
• Battery capability: 77 Watt-hour battery
• Dimensions: 14.13 x 9.84 x 0.61 inches
• Weight: 3.73 kilos
• MSRP: $1,799 as examined

HP EliteBook 8 G1a: Design and construct high quality

Foundry / Chris Hoffman

The 16-inch HP EliteBook 8 G1a has a premium-feeling metallic chassis in a “Glacial Silver” shade. At 3.73 kilos, it’s somewhat heavier than some laptops, nevertheless it feels strong and sturdy due to that metallic construct.

The design right here is minimal: Dark grey keyboard, black bezel, and silver metallic elsewhere. There are a number of HP logos (on the lid and slightly below the display screen) and that’s about it. The hinge feels good to make use of, though I had to make use of a second hand to carry down the entrance of the laptop computer whereas opening it. It’s a strong hinge and the display screen doesn’t transfer round whilst you kind.

HP bundles HP Wolf safety with this machine, and that shall be handy for companies who need to remotely handle this laptop computer in a fleet. As a person information employee, nonetheless, I didn’t just like the end-user expertise. I needed to click on by way of further safety dialogs to run PCWorld’s regular benchmark instruments, for instance — many individuals will need to disable this, or companies will need to tune it so it doesn’t nag workers about their enterprise apps.

HP EliteBook 8 G1a: Keyboard and trackpad

Foundry / Chris Hoffman

The HP EliteBook 8 G1a has a full-size keyboard full with a quantity pad. It’s spacious and feels prefer it has an excellent quantity of key journey — greater than the 13-inch HP EliteBook 8 Flip G1i I reviewed on the similar time. It’s quiet and doesn’t click on with the snap of a mechanical keyboard, nevertheless it’s nonetheless snappy. This is an efficient keyboard which you can get a number of typing completed on. But I all the time want the arrow keys on laptops have been full-size.

This machine has a big trackpad that feels clean to glide your finger over and clicks down with a clear “thunk.” I would favor seeing a haptic touchpad, however this trackpad is strong. This isn’t a glass trackpad — these really feel smoother, however these are premium touches reserved for higher-end laptops. Both the keyboard and trackpad are pretty quiet, which is essential for a enterprise laptop computer.

HP EliteBook 8 G1a: Display and audio system

Foundry / Chris Hoffman

The HP EliteBook 8 G1a has a 16-inch 1920×1200 IPS show with a 60Hz refresh price and 400 nits of brightness. That’s simply nothing particular, and that decision stings on a 16-inch show, particularly one on this worth vary. It’s an anti-glare show, which is sweet to see. But HP affords the bottom mannequin with 300 nits of brightness, which I’d suggest avoiding.

HP does provide a variant of this laptop computer with a 2560×1600 show with a 120Hz variable refresh price, and I’d like to see what that machine seems to be like. But it seemingly received’t have as a lot battery life and it’ll be dearer.

The show right here is the one function that feels essentially the most missing on this laptop computer, particularly in comparison with client laptops in an analogous worth vary.

The stereo audio system on this machine are okay for a enterprise laptop computer however, just like the show, they really feel extra serviceable than particular. They can get fairly loud, and the sound is evident, however the audio lacks some depth. They’ll do a advantageous job in video conferences. I take a look at every laptop computer I overview by taking part in Steely Dan’s Aja and Daft Punk’s Get Lucky. The instrument separation in Aja was cheap, however a number of the excessive notes weren’t notably crisp. In Get Lucky, the sound was fairly enjoyable, however extra bass would’ve been good. Pack an excellent pair of headphones for music.

HP EliteBook 8 G1a: Webcam, microphone, biometrics

The HP EliteBook 8 G1a has a 1440p webcam. Business laptops are likely to have strong webcams, so I used to be anticipating a bit extra right here. It’s nothing particular for a enterprise laptop computer: It’s somewhat noisy and appears to do a lot better in perfect lighting. This is the sort of webcam that may look advantageous in a enterprise assembly, however you’ll need to get an exterior webcam should you’ll be recording movies for YouTube or social media. HP additionally in-built a privateness shutter above the show, and you’ll slide it to dam the webcam.

The dual-array microphone setup on this machine was clear and did an excellent job of eradicating background noise. It’s strong for a enterprise laptop computer, nevertheless it’s not notably high-end. If you’re collaborating in conferences all day and also you need the very best voice high quality doable, you should still need an exterior mic.

The EliteBook 8 G1a has each facial recognition {hardware} and a fingerprint reader within the energy button on the keyboard. You can use Windows Hello to signal into Windows with both your fingerprint or your face, and each work nicely.

HP EliteBook 8 G1a: Connectivity

Foundry / Chris Hoffman

The HP EliteBook 8 G1a affords an excellent variety of ports, together with three USB Type-C ports and two of them are Thunderbolt 4 ports.

On the left facet, this laptop computer has an HDMI 2.1 out port, two Thunderbolt 4 (USB Type-C 40 Gbps) ports, and a combo audio jack. On the correct facet, there’s a 3rd USB Type-C port (10 Gbps), a USB Type-A (5 Gbps) port, and a safety lock slot.

Since both sides of the laptop computer has a USB Type-C port, you possibly can plug this laptop computer’s USB-C charger into different facet of the laptop computer. That’s the sort of factor that’s simple to miss on a spec sheet however makes the laptop computer a lot nicer to make use of in the actual world.

You may also get fashions of this laptop computer with optionally available further ports: RJ-45 Ethernet, a Smart Card reader, and a nano SIM card slot for mobile connectivity. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have an SD card reader possibility.

Our overview unit had future-proof Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 wi-fi networking, and I had no issues with it.

HP EliteBook 8 G1a: Performance

The HP EliteBook 8 G1a has an AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 350 processor, and it carried out nicely in net browsers, communication apps, productiveness instruments, and the apps you’d run on a Windows desktop.

As all the time, although we ran the HP EliteBook 8 G1a by way of our standard benchmarks to see the way it performs.

Foundry / Chris Hoffman

First, we run PCMark 10 to get an concept of general system efficiency. With an general PCMark 10 rating of 7,605, this AMD-powered machine surpassed comparable laptops with latest Intel Core Ultra processors. (And, as we’ll see beneath, it had comparable battery life.)

Foundry / Chris Hoffman

Next, we run Cinebench R20. This is a closely multithreaded benchmark that focuses on general CPU efficiency. It’s a fast benchmark, so cooling below prolonged workloads isn’t an element. But, because it’s closely multithreaded, CPUs with extra cores have an enormous benefit.

With a multithreaded Cinebench R20 rating of 6,160, the AMD {hardware} right here ran quicker than Intel Arrow Lake and Lunar Lake chips.

Foundry / Chris Hoffman

We additionally run an encode with Handbrake. This is one other closely multithreaded benchmark, nevertheless it runs over an prolonged interval. This calls for the laptop computer’s cooling kick in, and plenty of laptops will throttle and decelerate below load.

The HP EliteBook 8 G1a accomplished the encode course of in a mean of 924 seconds — that’s over 15 minutes. This machine can put out some critical CPU efficiency when it must, and it’s an excellent compromise of efficiency and energy effectivity.

Foundry / Chris Hoffman

Next, we run a graphical benchmark. This isn’t a gaming laptop, nevertheless it’s nonetheless good to test how the GPU performs. We run 3DMark Time Spy, a graphical benchmark that focuses on GPU efficiency.

With a 3DMark Time Spy rating of 3,052, the AMD Radeon 860M graphics on this machine weren’t notably spectacular. It’s slower than Intel’s Arc graphics and is on the decrease finish for AMD’s graphics {hardware}.

To be sincere, I feel most individuals — together with enterprise customers — would favor a laptop computer with a quicker GPU. Lots of companies use GPU-accelerated instruments. I’d desire to see a quicker GPU right here, even on the expense of NPU options.

Overall, the HP EliteBook 8 G1a exhibits how robust AMD’s choices are proper now: Solid CPU efficiency and an NPU quick sufficient for Copilot+ PC options at a really aggressive worth. But this machine cuts a nook in the case of the GPU, and anybody who makes use of a GPU-accelerated skilled software will need to look elsewhere.

HP EliteBook 8 G1a: Battery life

The HP EliteBook 8 G1a has a 77 Watt-hour battery, which is an efficient measurement for a 16-inch laptop computer. It delivered an excellent mixture of battery life and efficiency.

Foundry / Chris Hoffman

To benchmark the battery life, we play a 4K copy of Tears of Steel on repeat on Windows 11 with airplane mode enabled till the laptop computer suspends itself. We set the display screen to 250 nits of brightness for our battery benchmarks. This is a best-case state of affairs for any laptop computer since native video playback is so environment friendly, and actual battery life in day-to-day use is all the time going to be lower than this.

The HP EliteBook 8 G1a lasted a mean of 936 minutes in our benchmarks — that’s practically 16 hours. While you’ll get much less in day-to-day laptop use, that is seemingly sufficient juice for all-workday battery life, which is what actually issues for a enterprise laptop computer.

HP EliteBook 8 G1a: Conclusion

The HP EliteBook 8 G1a combines a premium metallic construct high quality with AMD Ryzen AI 7 PRO 350 {hardware}. In some ways, the outcome is a wonderful, well-balanced machine.

AMD’s chips are extremely underrated proper now. They don’t match the CPU efficiency you’ll discover in a high-end workstation or the battery life you’ll discover in a thin-and-light laptop computer, however they provide a wonderful mixture of each. Plus, this delivers an NPU quick sufficient for Copilot+ PC options, so the AI options right here aren’t simply advertising. If apps ever begin taking extra benefit of NPUs, you’ll desire a quick one just like the 50 TOPS NPU right here — not the 12 TOPS NPU Intel continues to be delivering in most PCs.

But this isn’t the be-all, end-all enterprise laptop computer. The show drags down the general expertise, and the graphics efficiency simply isn’t up there with the CPU and NPU efficiency. While it’s an excellent laptop computer, it’s not the correct choose for everybody. But I’m pleased my overview mannequin had AMD {hardware}, and I feel you’d desire the AMD {hardware} right here to Intel’s present choices, too.