HP, I'm Disappointed. - HP Dragonfly Pro

HP Dragonfly Elite vs. HP Dragonfly Pro: A Comprehensive Review

Overview of the HP Dragonfly Elite

• The speaker praises the HP Dragonfly Elite as an exceptional laptop, highlighting its fantastic features but notes its high price of $3,700, which limits recommendations.

• Key features appreciated include the rounded "pillow corners" for comfort and a variety of ports (USB Type A, HDMI), making it user-friendly for everyday tasks.

• The Elite comes with a 65-watt charger; however, the Pro model boasts a more powerful 96-watt charger for faster battery charging.

Transition to HP Dragonfly Pro

• The Pro model weighs 2.8 pounds due to magnesium construction, while the Elite is heavier at 3.4 pounds—an important consideration for portability.

• Despite being slightly heavier than expected for an ultra-light laptop, the Pro's AMD processor compensates with enhanced performance capabilities.

Design and Build Quality Concerns

• Criticism arises regarding design choices; specifically, the lack of a headphone jack in the Pro model is seen as a significant drawback compared to previous models that included this feature.

• The speaker expresses frustration over Bluetooth audio latency issues when editing video and audio simultaneously, emphasizing wired connections' advantages.

Physical Attributes and Display Features

• Initial impressions of build quality are positive; despite switching from magnesium alloy to aluminum, the chassis remains sturdy and well-built.

• The screen size increases from 13.5 inches on the Elite to 14 inches on the Pro; however, concerns about keyboard alignment arise due to shifting positions.

Additional Observations on Usability

• Fingerprint resistance is noted as superior in the Pro model's black finish compared to silver finishes on other devices.

• Aesthetic details such as tiny gold specks in the black finish add visual appeal without compromising functionality or usability.

Display Comparison: Glossy vs. Matte

• The speaker highlights glare issues with glossy displays versus matte options available in previous models like the Elite; this could affect usability in bright environments.

Keyboard and Features Review

Macro Keys and Usability

• The macro keys on the device are deemed largely ineffective, with the first key opening the MyHP center, while others lead to different tabs of the same software.

• One programmable key is noted as a positive feature, but overall, dedicated support keys are considered unnecessary.

Keyboard Quality Assessment

• The keyboard on the Elite model is praised as an "A plus plus" for its travel and feedback, which is crucial for a writer.

• Despite initial concerns about its quality compared to expectations set by the Dragonfly name, it turns out to be a fantastic keyboard with light and snappy keys that provide good support.

Media Keys and Touchpad Feedback

• A significant improvement in the Pro model includes dedicated media keys for play/pause and track navigation, addressing previous complaints about missing features.

• The touchpad offers adjustable feedback settings, allowing users to customize their experience; it performs well in tracking.

Display Comparison

• The display aspect ratio has changed from 3:2 in the Elite to 16:9 in the Pro; however, it now measures 14 inches instead of 13.5 inches.

• Both models have similar brightness levels (413 nits for Pro vs. 370 nits for Elite), but color accuracy favors the Pro with an average Delta E of 2.7 compared to 4.4 on the Elite.

Performance Metrics

• The Pro features a Ryzen 7 processor with eight cores and sixteen threads alongside fast RAM (6,400 MT/s).

• In performance tests against Intel's vPro in Elite, AMD's processor excels significantly across various benchmarks including Cinebench scores and encoding tasks.

Battery Life Evaluation

• Battery life testing shows impressive results: up to 14 hours and 15 minutes at full brightness for the Pro model—comparable to MacBook M1 levels.

• Users report being able to go an entire week without charging under normal usage conditions.

Audio Quality Insights

• Initial impressions suggest that while speakers on both devices perform well given their size, they lack clarity compared to those on the Elite model.

HP Dragonfly Pro Review: Performance vs. Connectivity

Initial Impressions and Performance

• The speaker critiques HP for not including essential I/O ports on the laptop, suggesting that they should at least provide necessary dongles like Dell does.

• Despite not being a gaming laptop, the device performs well with 53 FPS at 1200p resolution, indicating impressive performance for its size.

• The AMD U series is praised for its efficiency and power, outperforming the HP Elite in both gaming and overall performance.

Camera and Features

• The laptop features a five-megapixel camera that excels in exposure, providing clear visuals even in challenging lighting conditions.

• Windows Hello facial recognition is available alongside a fingerprint reader; however, it lacks a physical shutter found on other models.

Design and Battery Life

• A notable vapor chamber design contributes to good performance while maintaining battery life; rated at 14 hours and 15 minutes.

• While soldered RAM is acceptable due to space constraints, soldered SSD is criticized as it complicates repairs and upgrades.

Overall Assessment

• The reviewer expresses disappointment over missing I/O options (USB Type-A, HDMI, headphone jack), which detracts from an otherwise excellent laptop experience.

• Despite strong performance metrics comparable to MacBooks, the lack of connectivity options prevents full endorsement of the product.

Competitive Landscape