HP EliteBook X Flip G1i review: A stylish 2-in-1 for professionals

            <h3 class="review-best-price" id="best-prices-today-hp-elitebook-x-flip-g1i">
        Best Prices Today: HP EliteBook X Flip G1i      </h3>
            <div class="wp-block-price-comparison price-comparison ">

    <div id="New" class="new_products_tab tabcontent">
        <div class="price-comparison__record price-comparison__record--header">
            <div>
                <span>Retailer</span>
            </div>
            <div class="price-comparison__price">
                <span>Price</span>
            </div>
        </div>
                                <div class="price-comparison__record check_on_amazon">
                        <div class="price-comparison__image">
                                                        <img decoding="async" src="https://www.pcworld.com/wp-content/themes/idg-base-theme/dist/static/img/amazon-logo.svg" alt="amazon" loading="lazy" />
                                                        </div>
                        <div class="price-comparison__price"></div>
                        <div>
                            <a class="price-comparison__view-button" href="https://www.amazon.de/s?k=HP+EliteBook+X+Flip+G1i">Check</a>                         </div>
                    </div>

                            <div class="price-comparison__record price-comparison__record--footer">
                <span class="price-comparison__footer-text">
                                                Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide                                              </span>
                                </div>
                    </div>
    <div id="Refurbished" class="refurbished_products_tab tabcontent">
        <div class="refurbished-padding price-comparison__record price-comparison__record--header">
            <div>
                <span>Product</span>
            </div>
            <div class="price-comparison__price">
                <span>Price</span>
            </div>
        </div>
                        <div class="price-comparison__record price-comparison__record--footer">
                <span class="price-comparison__footer-text">
                Price comparison from Backmarket                        </span>
                                </div>
    </div>
    </div>
            <div class="review-software-price">
        <div class="software-product-chart-main">
            <div class="software-product-chart-pricing">
                <div class="product-chart-item__pricing-details">
                    <div class="software-product-chart-pricing">
                        <span class="product-chart-item__pricing-details--links-wrapper">
                            <span class="not-amp">
                            <div class="software-product-chart-buttons "><div class="item-pricing-details"></div></div>                             </span>
                        </span>
                    </div>
                </div>
            </div>
        </div>
    </div>

The HP EliteBook X Flip G1i joins the EliteBook X G1i in HP’s new lineup of business laptops. The company has done an impressive job keeping the 2-in-1 remarkably close to the non-flip model in appearance, though 2-in-1s always come with some trade-offs. This 2-in-1 laptop is a heavier version of the non-flipping EliteBook X G1i, and it comes with a higher price alongside (often) slightly lower performance. It’s still a decent laptop, but once you factor in the added cost of HP’s business features, it won’t make sense for anyone who doesn’t need the whole corporate package.

HP EliteBook X Flip G1i: Specs and features

• Model number: B89B7UA#ABA
• CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 268V
• Memory: 32GB LPDDR5x-8533
• Graphics/GPU: Intel Arc Graphics 140V
• Display: 14-inch 1920×1200 IPS, Anti-glare
• Storage: 512GB PCIe Gen4 SSD
• Webcam: 5MP + IR
• Connectivity: 2x Thunderbolt 4 / USB-C with Power Delivery and DisplayPort 2.1 Alternate Mode, 1x USB-C 10Gbps with Power Delivery and DisplayPort 1.4 Alternate Mode, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x USB-A 5Gbps, 1x 3.5mm combo audio
• Networking: WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
• Biometrics: Windows Hello fingerprint, facial recognition
• Battery capacity: 68 watt-hours
• Dimensions: 12.36 x 8.66 x 0.7 inches
• Weight: 3.17 pounds measured
• MSRP: $2,869 as-tested ($2,689 base)

The HP EliteBook X Flip G1i has a base price of $2,689, and this comes with an Intel Core Ultra 5 226V chip, 16GB of memory, and 512GB of storage. Our test unit upgrades the CPU to an Intel Core Ultra 7 268V and doubles the memory while bumping the price up to $2,869, though it’s also available from CDW for $2,449.

HP also offers configurations with 1TB of storage and 5G modems. The prices get more than a little confusing as you dig deep though. The prices mentioned so far are the “MSRP” for pre-configured models.

HP also allows customization, but this comes with an even lower starting spec and a much higher starting price of $3,755. To make matters even more confusing, the pre-configured models are already steeply discounted despite having just launched. Though our test configuration shows an MSRP of $2,899, it was just $1,699 at the time of testing (and an otherwise identically spec’d 5G modem-equipped model was somehow even $200 cheaper), and the base specification sat at $1,349, almost half of its MSRP.

Just to add a pinch of extra spice, HP also offers separate configurations that are technically the same as other configurations but come with three-year warranties and Wolf Pro Security packages (instead of the one year that comes with other models).

HP EliteBook X Flip G1i: Design and build quality

IDG / Mark Knapp

The HP EliteBook X Flip G1i has a bit of sleeper design that won’t stand out in a work environment but does offer some subtle elegance. It combines smooth curves and a consistent color scheme, looking polished but not extravagant. It mostly looks thoughtfully done while in its laptop mode, though the extra bit of display below the screen bezel and thicker top bezels detract somewhat from the design.

HP designed a few things thoughtfully for the laptop being used in tablet mode, as well. The lid and base snap together magnetically to prevent them from flopping around. The stylus can also latch magnetically to the lid or over on the left edge when not in use. All that said, the base and lid don’t line up when the laptop is folded open. I think 2-in-1s always look a little odd folded open anyway, but this only makes it look a little bit weirder. 

The construction is nicely done with aluminum across much of the build. The display is surprisingly sturdy, flexing far less than I see on most laptops. The keyboard deck also has surprisingly little give. Underneath, the laptop stands on simple rubber feet to provide clearance for the bottom grille, which covers up two fans — surprising to see paired with a low-power processor. 

It’s also satisfying to see a laptop that doesn’t play tricks. The grilles beside the keyboard have speakers in them (even if it’s just a small section, as do the slots at the front of the base. The vents in the rear also actually exhaust heat (mostly). After testing an HP laptop that had aesthetic grilles and a Dell that had a faux exhaust port, I can’t take any of that for granted.

HP also made solid use of the available space. Though the arrow keys are crammed in, HP squeezed in Page Up and Page Down keys. It also kept the function row compact to make space for Home, End, Insert, and Delete keys (though F12 and Home have to share a space).

The webcam at the top of the display is somewhat unfortunately positioned. I find I’m always touching it when I open the laptop. And with a built-in privacy shutter there, I often manage to close the shutter by mistake, too. On the plus side, HP made a little cutout to help with opening the lid — something it omitted on the recent OmniBooks much to my dismay in attempts to open those laptops. The base of the HP EliteBook X Flip G1i isn’t heavy enough to make one-handed opening possible, though.

The HP EliteBook X Flip G1i measures 0.7 inches thick and weighs in at 3.17 pounds, so it’s not ultra-thin or ultralight, but it’s not terribly heavy, and it still remains thin enough to slip easily into bags. It adds a bit of weight next to the standard model, which uses magnesium in its construction and weighs just 2.72 pounds, yet it otherwise has almost the exact same measurements, even ending up a hair thinner. 

The HP EliteBook X Flip G1i also comes with a compact 65W charger that weighs under a half pound and separates out into three pieces, essentially letting you choose your own USB-C cable (or replace it if something goes wrong). 

HP EliteBook X Flip G1i: Keyboard, trackpad

IDG / Mark Knapp

The HP EliteBook X Flip G1i doesn’t exactly boast my dream keyboard, but it’s still good. The keycaps don’t have much contour to them, so it can be a little tricky to make sure I’m centering my fingers on them. They also feel a little soft, failing to provide much tactile sense of having pressed them. That said, they are quick and poppy, making speedy typing fairly easy. They’re also stabilized well, which helps counteract their largely flat design. I was quickly able to get up to speed typing at 118 words per minute, which is about as fast as I get without a truly exceptional keyboard. Occasionally I’d botch my hand position after shifting around, but most of the time my accuracy was on point. 

The trackpad is plenty large for a 14-inch laptop. It’s not super wide, but it’s tall and fills most of the available space. The gliding surface is wonderfully smooth, and there’s a gentle physical click that doesn’t feel cheap at all. 

HP EliteBook X Flip G1i: Display, audio

IDG / Mark Knapp

HP hasn’t opted for the prettiest or sharpest display, but the HP EliteBook X Flip G1i gets a very useful one. One of its highlights is the anti-glare finish, which is incredibly effective and makes viewing the screen very easy. The 1920×1200 resolution isn’t too bad on a 14-inch panel, but plenty of systems are offering greater resolution. It would have been nice to see a faster refresh rate to smooth out visuals though. On the bright side, the screen hits an admirable 424 nits and bests most IPS panels with a 1460:1 contrast ratio. It’s also a respectably colorful screen with 100% coverage of the sRGB color space. 

Since this is a 2-in-1, the screen also supports touch and stylus input. The touch is responsive, but not as responsive as it might have felt with a faster refresh rate. The anti-glare finish of the display helps give the screen a pleasantly smooth feel to swipe across, and it helps hide finger oils. The stylus can also prove a powerful input tool, offering accurate input with pressure and tilt sensitivity, though how useful it is will depend on the software you use. How well you can avoid palm inputs while inking will also depend on your software. Unfortunately, there’s no quick toggle to lock out touch controls. 

HP has squeezed surprisingly good speakers into the HP EliteBook X Flip G1i. It has a set of four speakers, giving it more than enough volume (too much for close listening when maxed out) and surprising depth. The speakers put out more bass than I’ve come to expect from most laptops. They can be a little harsh with overly crisp high-end, but are generally pleasant to listen to with the volume kept below 50%. 

HP EliteBook X Flip G1i: Webcam, microphone, biometrics

The 5MP webcam on the HP EliteBook X Flip G1i can look good, but it’ll take a bit of work. Regular lighting will still leave you dealing with a grainy, noisy image as the camera struggles with anything less than a bright, directly lit subject. If you set up in front of a bright window, you should be looking great though. 

You can also use the camera for easy sign-on with Windows Hello facial recognition. Since this laptop may be folded over into tablet mode without the keyboard immediately accessible, that can prove especially handy. There’s also a fingerprint scanner integrated into the power button. Both options prove quick and easy. 

The HP EliteBook X Flip G1i has a great pair of microphones for handling video calls. They capture my voice very clearly while eliminating background noise from fans or air conditioners and even removing the sound of me clapping in the middle of a recording. This was a pleasant surprise after the mics on the non-flipping version of this laptop performed so much worse. 

HP EliteBook X Flip G1i: Connectivity