The Sleek and Efficient HP EliteBook Ultra G1q: A Powerful Compact PC
Refreshed HP EliteBook Ultra 14 G1q Evaluation: Outstanding in All Aspects Except for Its Lackluster Display
Embrace the future with the HP EliteBook Ultra G1q, a Windows 11 PC designed for high-performance and productivity. Dive into the world of coding and programming with this AI-powered device that boasts a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite (12 cores) processor, 16GB LPDDR5X RAM, Qualcomm Adreno graphics, and a 1 TB SSD. The device's plush 14-inch IPS HDR display makes it a delight to work on, while its compact dimensions and lightweight build (2.98 lbs or 1.35 kg) make it highly portable.
The HP EliteBook Ultra G1q's striking design features an elegant Atmospheric Blue finish that contrasts effectively with the practical trackpad and keys. This sleek device is one of the thinnest 14-inch laptops on the market, measuring just 12.32 x 8.80 x 0.44 in (31.3 x 22.4 x 1.1 cm) when closed and 31.3 x 22.4 x 1.1 in (79.5 x 56.9 x 2.8 cm) when opened.
Stylish and Compact Design
The HP EliteBook Ultra G1q's sophisticated design, smooth curves, and compact dimensions set it apart in the crowded 14-inch laptop category. Its slim 0.44-inch (11.2 mm) thickness and trendy pastel keyboard (especially the multi-toned top row and power button) contribute to a premium and stylish aesthetic, perfect for both work and play.
The recycled aluminum and plastics used in the construction may affect the chassis feel slightly, but the laptop remains relatively lightweight when compared to competing models in the market.
Display: A Bright and Vibrant Palette
The EliteBook Ultra 14 G1q delivers a low-power screen with a 2,240 x 1,400-pixel resolution. Although it's not the most impressive display, it does the job well for most tasks, especially those that don't require intensive graphical work.
While the screen's brightness could be improved, its impressive color accuracy shines through, with a 99.9% coverage of the sRGB spectrum, 74.6% coverage of the Adobe RGB spectrum (ideal for photo editing), and 83.7% on the DCI P3 spectrum (great for video editing).
Keyboard and Touchpad: Just the Right Touch
Working on the EliteBook Ultra G1q is a breeze thanks to its comfortable keyboard with decent spacing and satisfying tactile feedback. The extra-large touchpad offers smooth and responsive navigation, ensuring seamless interaction with the device.
Performance and Battery: The Best of Both Worlds
Arm-based Windows 11 AI PCs equipped with Qualcomm Snapdragon hardware deliver zippy performance and excellent energy efficiency. The HP EliteBook Ultra G1q is no exception, with its Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite CPU, Adreno graphics, and Hexagon NPU ensuring smooth multitasking and day-to-day tasks with ease.
With a powerful battery life of up to 26 hours and 45 minutes, the EliteBook Ultra G1q keeps up with your demanding lifestyle, rivaling or surpassing many other laptops in its class.
Ports, Features, and Pricing: Room for Improvement
Although the EliteBook Ultra G1q boasts a handful of ports, including two USB-C ports, one USB-A port, and a 3.5 mm audio jack, it could benefit from additional features such as an SD Card reader or USB-C ports on either side.
Wireless connectivity is standard with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, making it accessible but not particularly future-proof compared to competitors.
Should I Buy it?
The HP EliteBook Ultra G1q offers a compelling blend of performance, portability, and style. While its display could be brighter, its excellent battery life, powerful performance, and sleek design make it an attractive option for those looking for a productive AI-powered device.
If you're seeking a more budget-friendly alternative or require a more powerful processor for heavy coding and programming work, consider the HP OmniBook Ultra 14 with its Intel Core processor.
Whether you're a coder, developer, or anyone in need of a reliable and stylish laptop, the HP EliteBook Ultra G1q is an impressive choice.
Enrichment Data:
Overall:
The HP EliteBook Ultra G1q offers two major variants for the 14-inch AI PC line, each with different processors impacting coding and programming performance distinctly.
Processor and Performance Variants
- Snapdragon X Elite Variant (G1q model) This model features a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite 12-core processor paired with 16GB RAM and a 512GB SSD. The Snapdragon X Elite is an ARM-based processor designed for excellent power efficiency and AI tasks. The 12-core CPU with integrated Qualcomm Adreno GPU supports multitasking and local AI acceleration, beneficial for software development involving AI or machine learning workloads. However, traditional coding and programming environments that rely heavily on x86 architecture might face compatibility or performance limitations compared to Intel counterparts. The device runs Windows 11 Pro, capable of supporting development environments but may require ARM-native or emulation support for some tools[1][5].
- Intel Core Ultra 7 258V Variant (G1i model) This higher-end EliteBook Ultra G1i model includes an Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 258V processor with 8 cores and 8 threads, capable of reaching speeds up to 4.8 GHz with Intel Turbo Boost Technology. It is equipped with 32GB LPDDR5x RAM and a fast 1TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD, alongside Intel Arc integrated graphics. This version is more suited for intensive coding and programming tasks, including compiling large codebases, running virtual machines, containers, or IDEs that benefit from high single-thread and multi-thread performance. The OLED 2.8K display also enhances developer comfort with high resolution and accurate colors. The robust Intel setup ensures compatibility with a wide range of programming tools and platforms native to Windows 11 Pro[2].
Coding and Programming Suitability
- For lightweight to moderate programming tasks, AI app development, or projects optimized for ARM architecture, the Snapdragon X Elite G1q provides a thin, energy-efficient option with AI engine support and long battery life. It is ideal for portable coding on the go, especially if your development involves AI or cloud-connected workflows.
- For heavy development workloads such as app compilation, virtualization, containerization, and running complex development environments, the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V G1i variant is better suited. Its stronger CPU performance, larger RAM capacity, and fast SSD ensure smooth multitasking and responsiveness.
Additional Features Beneficial for Programmers
- Both models run Windows 11 Pro, which supports a broad ecosystem of software development tools and terminal environments.
- The G1i model’s 14" 2.8K OLED touchscreen with 400 nits brightness provides clear visuals reducing eye strain during long coding sessions.
- Both models have multiple ports including Thunderbolt 4 (Intel variant) or USB-C with Power Delivery and DisplayPort support, beneficial for connecting external monitors and peripherals common in programming setups.
- The AI capabilities on the Snapdragon model enhance productivity in AI-specific coding tasks.
- Long battery life and fast charging maintain productivity during extended work sessions.
Summary
| Feature | Snapdragon G1q Variant | Intel Core Ultra G1i Variant ||----------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------|| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite, 12 cores ARM | Intel Core Ultra 7 258V, 8 cores x86 || RAM | 16GB | 32GB LPDDR5x || Storage | 512GB SSD | 1TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD || Graphics | Qualcomm Adreno GPU | Intel Arc Integrated Graphics || Display | 14" 2.2K touchscreen | 14" 2.8K OLED touchscreen || OS | Windows 11 Pro | Windows 11 Pro || Coding Performance Suitability | Good for AI-focused, ARM-optimized coding; lightweight multitasking | Excellent for heavy multitasking, compilation, virtualization, full x86 compatibility || Battery Life | Long battery life, efficient ARM architecture | Long battery life with powerful CPU |
In conclusion, the HP EliteBook Ultra G1q Snapdragon variant is suitable for AI-enhanced coding workflows and lightweight development, whereas the EliteBook Ultra G1i Intel variant delivers superior performance for high-demand programming tasks, offering a more versatile and powerful development environment[1][2][5].
The HP EliteBook Ultra G1q's sophisticated design and compact dimensions, featuring an ARM-based Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite (12 cores) processor, make it an ideal device for AI-focused, ARM-optimized coding and lightweight multitasking. On the other hand, the Intel Core Ultra G1i variant boasts an x86-based Intel Core Ultra 7 258V processor, which provides excellent performance for heavy multitasking, compilation, virtualization, and full x86 compatibility.
