HP EliteBook X G1a Review Solid Performance but Pricey Display

The HP EliteBook X G1a is a business laptop powered by AMD’s Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 processor, featuring 12 cores and 24 threads. It offers strong multi-core performance that competes well against Intel’s latest chips, making it a capable machine for demanding professional workloads.

Despite its performance, the EliteBook X G1a’s base 14-inch IPS LCD display with 1920x1200 resolution and 60Hz refresh rate feels underwhelming for its price. Text can appear fuzzy, and color accuracy is limited, covering only 73% of the P3 and AdobeRGB gamuts. This contrasts sharply with the EliteBook Ultra G1i’s 2.8K OLED panel, which offers sharper visuals and better color fidelity.

The laptop’s build quality is solid, with an all-aluminum chassis that feels durable but somewhat bulky. Weighing 3.3 pounds, it is heavier than many competitors, including the EliteBook Ultra G1i, which is thinner and lighter at 2.6 pounds. The design resembles a MacBook Pro with brushed silver surfaces and rounded corners.

One highlight is the keyboard, which offers a comfortable, firm typing experience with deep key travel, reminiscent of ThinkPad keyboards. However, the touchpad is smaller and lacks haptic feedback, which is a downgrade compared to the EliteBook Ultra’s more advanced touchpad.

Battery life is respectable, lasting nearly 15 hours on a YouTube streaming test, which is sufficient for a full workday. However, this advantage is partly due to the lower-resolution IPS display consuming less power than the Ultra’s OLED screen.

Port selection is excellent, including two Thunderbolt 4 ports (one on each side), USB-C and USB-A ports, and HDMI 2.1, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of peripherals without needing adapters.

Security features include a 5-megapixel webcam with IR sensor and a fingerprint reader integrated into the power button, providing versatile biometric login options suitable for business environments.

Ultimately, while the HP EliteBook X G1a is a solid business laptop with strong performance and build quality, its pricing and feature set make it less attractive compared to the EliteBook Ultra G1i. For a modest price increase, the Ultra model offers a lighter chassis, superior OLED display, and enhanced touchpad, delivering better overall value.

If you prioritize display quality and portability alongside performance, the EliteBook Ultra G1i is the smarter choice. However, if you need a robust AMD-powered laptop with a comfortable keyboard and extensive port options, the EliteBook X G1a remains a capable contender.