ZDNET's key takeaways The HP EliteBook X G1i is on sale with prices starting at $1,549 for the base model.
It is a sleek laptop with an outrageous 18-hour battery life and very nice 5MP webcam.
However, it's pricey, and it shares a few of the same problems as last year's model, namely, a tendency to run hot. $1,559.95 at B&H Photo-Video $1,945.05 at Amazon more buying choices
Back in 2024, HP announced that it was simplifying its laptop portfolio and combining everything into two new commercial lines: Omni for regular consumers and Elite for businesses. I've had the opportunity to try both sides, and I think HP has done a standout job in both differentiating the lineups and hitting the right notes so far.
As of July 2025, the second generation of the rebrand is rolling out. I recently had the opportunity to try out the HP EliteBook X G1i, a laptop that is remarkably similar to the EliteBook X G1a from last year, with some differences in key areas.
Also: The best HP laptops you can buy
Its design is the first notable improvement you can see (and feel). The EliteBook X G1i is a little bit bigger, measuring 12.36 x 8.66 x 0.59; however, it is much lighter at 2.6 pounds. I've spent the last couple of months carrying around hefty laptops, so traveling with this featherweight machine was a nice change of pace.
Office boss
Overall, the display is okay. It has a WUXGA (1,920 x 1,200 pixel) resolution touchscreen that covers the entire sRGB gamut, so colors are vibrant. I appreciate the anti-glare coating over the glass, as it made working under the sun a lot better. My biggest problem with the display is the bezels. The glass is surrounded by these thick black bars, restricting what could've been a large screen area. It still has a 14-inch display, but to me, the screen looks small.
Also: This compact laptop dock streamlined my workspace - and it's buy one get one
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