Dragonflies are a symbol of change, and the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook is perfectly suited for its name. The HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook is one of the newest editions from the company, and I am a bigger fan of the Chromebook than its sister product. Sporting a 14” touch screen and a 12th Generation Intel Core i5 processor, the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook offers the size and power to stand amongst its counterparts. Let’s review the specifics and determine if this laptop is bringing about the right kinds of change.
Pricing
The make or break moment for just about any purchase is the price point. The HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook is a cheaper alternative to its more powerful kin. This is an impressive machine worth its price. Keep in mind, prices may vary depending on where you purchase this device. The price listed below is directly from HP’s official store.
16GB memory; 256GB SSD Storage: $999.99
The HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook comes in Sparkling Black and Ceramic White. Price does not vary depending on color.
Design & Features
The HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook weighs 3.33lbs, slightly lighter than its non-Chromebook brethren, but a little heavier than expected for this type of machine. It features a ceramic white or sparkling black color. I tested the ceramic white. It has a smooth finish and is a pretty machine. More importantly, the cover remains clean of stains from fingerprints. Although, the ceramic white might be more inclined to appear dirty after extended use.
Opening the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook can be done with one hand, and it feels solid. You know you are dealing with a well constructed machine upon opening it. The keyboard is pretty, and is free of the support buttons found on the HP Dragonfly Pro. This is a welcome difference. It offers a fingerprint reader for additional security and the click of the keys is a satisfying sound.
One place this laptop is lacking is in its ports. Much like the Dragon Fly pro, this Chromebook offers 4 Thunderbolt 4 with USB Type-C 40Gbps signaling rate ports. For many, you will need additional equipment to connect anything outside of those ports. As a teacher, I use HDMI cables for just about everything. Were I to use the Dragonfly Pro Chromebook as my primary laptop, I would need additional cords for it to be useful at work. I know there are a lot of us out there who would look at the ports available here and frown.
Keyboard & Touchpad
The keyboard for the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook is my happy place. It is pretty to look at, the sound of the keys makes them feel perfect. There is a definiteness to each keystroke. Moreover, the touchpad is a smooth, well-oiled addition.
In addition to the keyboard and touchpad, the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook also sports a fluid touch screen. This custom panel is soft yet sturdy to the touch.
Performance
The HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook works like a dream. It provides above standard performance in regard to watching movies, attending meetings and completing a myriad of tasks. It maintains its performance over an extended period of time and provides a series of ques to the user which are a useful addition. For example, users will hear a slight buzz when they slide windows into a split screen. It’s a nice assistant ensuring a finality to screen placement.
Most of all, the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebooks is a speedy bugger that is sure to keep up with just about anything you throw at it. Its Intel Core i5-1235U processor with Intel Evo performance technology keep this laptop running like Usain Bolt in the olympics. The HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook is setting the standard for Chromebook performance.
You will be spending a lot of time on this machine and will need a strong battery to keep up. The battery life on this laptop is advertised at 11 and 1/2 hours. I found this to be accurate, give or take an hour. The quick charger can restore 50% of your battery life in 30 minutes. I found this to be accurate and useful.
Camera & Speakers
The 8MP camera with integrated dual array digital microphone provides a high-res webcam that is perfect for meetings. It captures square, 16:9 full HD or 4:3 images along with 1080p videos. Images are well-lit and full of color given its sharp resolution. The HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook borrows from Google Photos for its Real Tone image processing which helps display accurate skin tones. It’s an impressive display producing a quality appearance for every image.
HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook offers HP Quad Speakers similar to its more powerful relative. The speakers rest on either side of the keyboard and produce a crisp sound perfect for streaming movies.
Final Verdict
There is a lot to love about the HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook. Even more than I mentioned here. For example, the RGB backlit keyboard can be set to pair with your background and tech support is easily accessible thanks to the my HP app. Overall, I am extremely impressed with this machine and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a high quality Chromebook. I do believe the price is a bit steep, but rest assured you are getting a quality laptop for the price.
Is It Hardcore?
Absolutely!
The HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook is a speedy, gorgeous machine with crisp images and clear sound that stands head-and-shoulders about its competitors.
