HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook: Full Review of the latest ChromeOS Laptop

We’ve been looking forward to the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook since we first saw it at CES earlier this year. Expectations were high, especially with the rumors we were hearing about the high price tag. Now that it’s finally here, we’re diving in and taking a close look at the specs, features, and build quality.

While cheap Chromebooks have been the norm for years, high-end Chromebooks are a relatively untouched market segment. Who is buying these pricey systems? And what are they using them for that a full-fledged laptop can’t achieve?

Let’s find out!

HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook: Overview

Release date and price

HP released the Dragonfly Pro Chromebook just days ago, as of this writing. One thing that we’re not surprised to discover is the lofty price tag. Coming in at $999, this system is nothing to sneeze at.

You can order it through HP now, and the models will begin shipping on March 24, 2023. 

Features

Are you tired of the same old boring laptops that seem to blend in with every other corporate drone in the room? Well, the HP Dragonfly Pro is here to shake things up! This laptop has all the premium features you need to get your work done, like a pro – a powerful 12th Gen i5 processor, a whopping 16GB of RAM, and a stunning 14-inch QHD touchscreen that can handle any lighting condition. 

Gone are the days of low-quality webcams. – the Dragonfly Pro also has an 8MP webcam that will make you look like a superstar during all those Zoom chats and video calls. And for those moments when you need to go undercover, this laptop has a few tricks up its sleeve to help you blend in seamlessly.

Let’s discuss the specs and features in a little more detail.

Specifications

HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook: Full Review

Design

The first thing that strikes you about this Chromebook is that it’s impossibly thin and light. It might sound cliché, but it’s like holding a feather in your hands. Whether you’re working from home, commuting to the office, or flying around the world, this Chromebook is the perfect companion.

The materials used in the construction of this machine are top-notch, with a hybrid of magnesium and aluminum that gives it a luxurious feel without being too flashy. While it may not be as ostentatious as a MacBook or Dell XPS 13 Plus, it more than holds its own against the competition, and you’ll be proud to show it off to anyone who happens to glance your way. The color options available for this Pro Chromebook include both black and white, currently.

Display

Chromebooks have never been known for their displays. HP is aiming to change that. The Dragonfly Pro Chromebook has a top-of-the-line display that is sure to impress even the new user. The 14-inch multitouch-enabled IPS screen features a resolution of 2560 x 1600, an impressive 87.6% screen-to-body ratio, and a 100% sRGB color gamut.

But what really sets this display apart is its brightness. Most Chromebooks can only reach a maximum brightness of 300 nits, but the Dragonfly Pro can hit 1200 nits, making it a game-changer for content creators and anyone who needs to work in bright environments.

This means you can enjoy crystal-clear visuals, vibrant colors, and stunning clarity no matter where you are. Not only that, but the device is also smart enough to adapt to its surroundings. Its ambient light sensor tweaks the brightness automatically, so you don’t have to constantly adjust it yourself. This means you can focus on your work without worrying about the brightness of your screen.

So whether you are working on a creative project, streaming your favorite shows, or just browsing the web, this laptop’s display is sure to provide an exceptional viewing experience.

Camera

HP has raised the bar by introducing an 8MP user-facing camera – a first for Clamshell Chromebooks. With such high quality, you will never have to worry about looking pixelated or blurry during Zoom, Skype, or Teams calls. HP is known for including 5MP webcams on their Windows devices, but this jump to 8MP is huge. You will appear bright, clear, and detailed, making it feel like you are in the same room as your colleagues and loved ones.

Other Chromebooks typically max out at just 2.1MP, leaving you with a subpar video conferencing experience. But with the HP Dragonfly Pro’s webcam, you will look your best no matter where you are. And best of all, you won’t have to worry about using an external webcam or finding the perfect lighting.

Keyboard

HP is bringing some serious style to the mainstream with the world’s first customizable RGB keyboard on a non-gaming consumer Chromebook.

Surely, we have seen RGB keyboards before on gaming Chromebooks, but the Dragonfly Pro is breaking new ground with a keyboard that lets you add a little personality to your work. HP is targeting this system towards freelancers and the mainstream audience, and this customizable keyboard is surely different. 

Performance

Regarding performance, the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook delivers an amazing experience that won’t disappoint you. With its standard 16GB LPDDR5 memory and 256GB SSD storage, you will have plenty of room to store all your essential files and applications. And with a custom 12th-gen Intel Core i5-1235U processor and Intel UHD graphics chip, this Chromebook is ready to handle even the most demanding tasks.

We can’t talk about performance without mentioning the software. This laptop also comes with Chrome OS software, which means you will have access to all the productivity tools and apps you need to complete your work. And with the H1 secure microcontroller, you can rest assured that your data is safe and secure. But what makes Chrome OS really desirable is its blazing-fast performance.

One of the standout features of the HP Chromebook is its 24/7 concierge support. That’s right – you will have access to expert agents specifically trained on the Chromebook’s hardware and software. They will be able to assist you with any issues you may have, whether it’s with the device itself or any peripherals you have connected to it.

In short, it is the ultimate productivity machine for freelancers, students, and anyone who needs to get work done on the go. With its powerful performance, advanced security features, and 24/7 concierge support, you can be confident that you’re getting the best Chromebook on the market today.

Connectivity

Get ready to connect like a pro with the new HP Chromebook. While other Chromebooks like the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 and Acer Chromebook 514 have had Thunderbolt 4 ports in the past, HP has taken things up a notch. The Dragonfly Pro Chromebook has not just one, not two, not three, but four Thunderbolt 4 ports – two on the right and two on the left.

That means you will have several options for connecting to displays and other modern Thunderbolt docks.

Of course, with all those Thunderbolt 4 ports, sacrifices had to be made elsewhere. There’s no USB-A on board, so you will need to invest in a dongle if you want to connect any other devices. Or if you are used to plugging in your headphones directly to your laptop, you will have to switch to a wireless headset or use a USB-C adapter.

Speakers

While the speaker grills may give the impression that this clamshell Chromebook only has stereo up-firing speakers, there’s actually more to the story.

In addition to the up-firing speakers, this device also has a second set of speakers facing down towards the desk. This means that when you are using the Chromebook at a desk, you can enjoy even louder and more detailed sound as the speakers bounce off the table. And unlike other laptops, you won’t have to worry about your typing muffling the sound, owing to the unique design of the speakers.

But what does this mean for your everyday use? Well, whether you are typing away during a video call or enjoying a movie on Disney+, you will really be blown away by the sound quality.

Battery

We can honestly say that battery life is one area that this laptop falls a little short. With 8 hours of stated run-time, according to HP, you might think this is enough. However, knowing manufacturers, this is an extremely generous estimate, and you can expect more along the lines of 5 to 6 hours, depending on your usage.

For a Chromebook, this is disappointing. It’s 2023, and we’ve been seeing Chromebooks with better battery life for years now. However, the high performance and features might make it worth it for you.

Moreover, this laptop supports fast charging and can charge up to 50% in just 30 minutes from zero, making it even more convenient for those on the go. HP is also launching a Windows version alongside this Chromebook model. Once it is available, we will give you our final verdict.

HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook: Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Ultra-bright 14-inch IPS touchscreen display
• Customizable RGB keyboard
• Stylish design

Cons:

• Lacks USB-A and headphone jack
• Not competitive battery life

HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook: Is It a Buy?

Buy it if…

• If you prioritize a bright and vibrant display – The HP Chromebook’s 14-inch IPS touchscreen is ultra-bright, with the ability to hit up to 1200 nits of brightness. This makes an amazing choice for content creators or freelancers who are working on a sunny day.
• If you want a unique Keyboard – While most non-gaming Chromebooks come with white backlighting, the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook has a customizable RGB keyboard that exhibits some extra style. This is a great feature for anyone who wants a little bit of flair on their laptop.
• If you value top-of-the-line performance – The HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook comes with 16GB LPDDR5 memory, 256GB SSD storage, and a 12th-gen Intel Core i5-1235U processor, making it a powerful machine that can handle even difficult tasks with ease.
• If you prioritize security – The HP Chromebook includes all the security features of Chrome OS, owing to its H1 secure microcontroller. You can easily save your data and information.
• You want top-notch customer support – The HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook has 24/7 concierge support, which means you can get help from agents who are trained on the device’s hardware and software. This is a great feature for anyone who needs extra help troubleshooting or navigating the device.

Don’t buy it if…

• If you want more storage – The storage and memory on the HP Chromebook are not upgradeable, which means you can’t upgrade them down the line. While 256GB of storage may be sufficient for most users, it may not be enough for those who store tons of videos, pictures, or apps.
• If you want USB-A and a headphone jack – The Dragonfly Pro Chromebook only comes with Thunderbolt 4 ports and lacks USB-A and a headphone jack. This means you may need to invest in a dongle or adapter to connect to certain devices.
• If you want discrete graphics – The Intel UHD graphics chip on the Dragonfly Pro Chromebook is good enough for most everyday tasks, but it may not be sufficient for heavy-duty graphics-intensive tasks like gaming or video editing.
• If you don’t want ChromeOS limitations – While ChromeOS is great for basic tasks like web browsing and word processing, it may not be the best option if you need to use certain applications that are only available on Windows or macOS. Moreover, if you rely heavily on offline applications, you may need to look elsewhere.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©CC Photo Labs/Shutterstock.com.