The HP EliteBook Ultra 14-inch G1q is HP’s clearest statement yet on where it believes business laptops are heading. Built around Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite platform, this is a Windows-on-ARM system designed for long battery life, quiet operation, and predictable performance rather than raw power. It fits squarely within HP’s EliteBook lineage, with a focus on mobility, security, and day-long usability.
Physically, the device is restrained and professional. The 14-inch chassis weighs about 1.34kg and uses a rigid aluminium build that feels durable without being heavy. There is little flex across the lid or keyboard deck, and the overall finish aligns with what you would expect from a premium enterprise notebook. It looks purpose-built for constant travel and daily handling rather than visual flair.
The display is a 14-inch 2240 × 1400 touchscreen with a 16:10 aspect ratio. Resolution is well chosen for productivity, offering more vertical space than traditional Full HD panels while keeping scaling sensible. Text is sharp and touch input is accurate. Brightness and colour reproduction are acceptable for office work, but this is not a panel aimed at creative tasks. Outdoor visibility is limited, and colour accuracy falls short of what designers or editors would expect.
At the core of the EliteBook Ultra G1q is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite processor, paired with 16GB of LPDDR5x memory and fast NVMe storage. This configuration reflects a design that prioritises efficiency and sustained responsiveness. In typical business workloads—web browsing, email, document editing, presentations, and video conferencing—the system performs smoothly. It handles multitasking well within that scope, though performance headroom becomes apparent when pushing heavier applications or less-optimised software.
Thermal behaviour is well controlled. The cooling system remains quiet even under sustained use, and surface temperatures stay comfortable. This contributes to the overall sense of the G1q being a laptop designed for real work environments, where noise and heat matter as much as speed.
Battery life is one of the strongest aspects of this AI PC. In mixed usage, it comfortably lasts a full workday and often extends beyond it. Long video playback and extended productivity sessions highlight the efficiency benefits of the ARM-based platform. Charging is reasonably quick, though real-world results are more modest than headline figures suggest.
Input devices are competent but conservative. The keyboard offers shallow travel with a firmer feel than earlier EliteBook and Dragonfly models. It is accurate and quiet, but less comfortable for extended typing sessions. The trackpad is responsive and well sized, with consistent tracking and reliable palm rejection.
Port selection reflects modern designeBook design priorities. USB-C ports dominate, supported by a single USB-A port and a headphone jack. HDMI is absent, which may be inconvenient for frequent presenters. The layout assumes adapters or docking solutions will fill the gap.
For collaboration, the 5MP IR webcam is a notable upgrade over standard business laptop cameras. Image clarity is strong, and combined with solid microphone quality, it performs well for video calls. Audio output is clear and sufficiently loud for meetings, though not designed for media consumption.
Security is a core strength, as expected from an EliteBook. Hardware-backed protection, biometric authentication, and enterprise-focused security features are integrated without complicating everyday use.
The HP EliteBook Ultra 14-inch G1q’s strengths lie in efficiency, endurance, and stability. For professionals whose workloads revolve around productivity tools, communication, and mobility, it delivers a consistent and dependable experience.
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