In a world where Chromebooks are typically seen as small, budget-friendly alternatives to more powerful laptops, the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook stands out as a high-end contender. Unlike its plastic, low-cost counterparts, the Dragonfly Pro Chromebook is a 14-inch machine that sits alongside the Acer Chromebook Spin 714 and the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 in the upper echelons of the Chromebook market. It shares many similarities with the HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook but comes at a slightly lower price, albeit still a steep $1,000, making it a questionable choice for those seeking a cheaper alternative to Windows laptops or MacBooks. However, for always-connected freelancers and contract workers who use their devices daily, this could be a worthwhile investment.
The Dragonfly Pro Chromebook boasts a stellar chassis, an impressive haptic touchpad, and a slightly larger 14-inch display with a 2,560×1,600-pixel resolution, capable of an astonishingly bright 1,200 nits. A unique feature is the 8-megapixel camera, a first for a Chromebook according to HP. With these features, it has quickly ascended to one of the top spots in our list of best Chromebooks, offering an exceptional ChromeOS experience. The HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook won a CNET Innovation Award last year, and this year’s Dragonfly Pro Chromebook has clinched our Editors’ Choice Award. Despite the Acer Chromebook Spin 714 remaining the top choice for most buyers, the Dragonfly Pro Chromebook could be worth the added cost for those willing to shell out a premium for the best in class.
A Premium Chromebook: The HP Dragonfly Pro
Chromebooks are often associated with a smaller size, plastic construction and a lower cost. However, the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook is breaking the mold, offering a higher-end experience for users. It’s part of a select group of premium Chromebooks, alongside the Acer Chromebook Spin 714 and Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2. Priced at $1,000, it may be too expensive for those looking for a cheap alternative to a Windows laptop or MacBook, but it’s ideal for freelancers and contract workers who need a reliable machine for daily use.
A New Era of Chromebooks
The Dragonfly Pro Chromebook has a 14-inch display with a 2,560×1,600-pixel resolution, providing a bright and crystal-clear image. It also features an 8-megapixel camera, a first for Chromebooks. These features, coupled with its superior chassis and haptic touchpad, make it one of the best Chromebooks on the market, offering an exceptional ChromeOS experience. The device won an Editors’ Choice Award, following in the footsteps of its enterprise predecessor, the HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook, which won a CNET Innovation Award last year.
Technical Specs and Performance
HP offers only one model of the Dragonfly Pro Chromebook, featuring an Intel Core i5-1235U processor, 16GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. The device performed well on ChromeOS benchmarks, scoring high on the 3DMark test and offering a battery life of over eight hours, making it a top contender among premium Chromebooks. Despite not having the latest Intel chip, the powerful Core i5 CPU and ample RAM give this Chromebook plenty of power for multitasking and handling numerous open browser tabs.
The Design and Features
The Dragonfly Pro Chromebook stands out with its magnesium-and-aluminum enclosure, matte-black finish, and sturdy, smooth display hinge. It offers a premium 14-inch display that’s spacious, bright, and sharp, with accurate color. The keyboard provides a firm response with shallow travel and is quiet when pressed. An added fun feature is the single-zone RGB lighting, which lets you customize the laptop’s look.
Premium Sound and Minimal Ports
Accompanying its premium design, the Dragonfly Pro Chromebook features quad speakers that deliver rich, full sound. The port selection is minimal, with only four Thunderbolt 4 ports, but the design extends to the charger, featuring a small, square power brick and a braided cable that resists twisting and knotting.
Conclusion
While a $1,000 Chromebook might seem counterintuitive for those seeking a low-cost laptop, the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook is a game changer for those who spend most of their day working on Gmail and Google Drive. It offers a meticulously designed system with a stunning display, fantastic keyboard, and touchpad, an unmatched webcam, and ample power and battery life. It may be pricey, but it delivers an extraordinary experience that’s worth every penny.
My Takeaways
The HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook highlights the potential of Chromebooks evolving beyond budget-friendly alternatives to Windows laptops or MacBooks, and instead becoming a premium choice for professionals. Its performance, design, and features set a new standard for what a Chromebook can be. However, the price point might be a deterrent for some prospective buyers. Overall, the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook is a bold step forward in the evolution of Chromebooks and a sign of what could be on the horizon for this range of devices.
