Enhanced repairability: HP's "gold standard" business laptops with a new design, new name and new CPUs
Everything new in 2025: HP releases its enterprise laptop series with a new name and new design. Following the new HP naming scheme, the EliteBook 800 becomes the EliteBook 8. This means that the successor of the popular HP EliteBook 845 G11 will be called HP EliteBook 8 G1a 14, for example. In total, HP releases four new EliteBook platforms, which will be available with many different CPUs. This creates a rather huge complexity for the enterprise laptop lineup:
| Old name 2024 generation | New name 2025 generation | CPU options |
|---|---|---|
| HP EliteBook 830 x360 G11 | HP EliteBook 8 Flip G1i (13") | Intel Arrow Lake U15 / H28 |
| HP EliteBook 830 G11 | HP EliteBook 8 G1i (13") | Intel Arrow Lake U15 / H28, Intel Lunar Lake |
HP EliteBook 835 G11 | HP EliteBook 8 G1a (13") | AMD Krackan Point, AMD Hawk Point Refresh |
| HP EliteBook 840 G11 | HP EliteBook 8 G1i (14") | Intel Arrow Lake U15 / H28, Intel Lunar Lake |
| HP EliteBook 845 G11 | HP EliteBook 8 G1a (14") | AMD Krackan Point, AMD Hawk Point Refresh |
| HP EliteBook 860 G11 | HP EliteBook 8 G1i (16") | Intel Arrow Lake U15 / H28, Intel Lunar Lake |
| HP EliteBook 865 G11 | HP EliteBook 8 G1a (16") | AMD Krackan Point, AMD Hawk Point Refresh |
HP EliteBook 8: Easier replaceable keyboard and USB-C on both sides
Compared with the 2024 EliteBooks, HP has completely redesigned the new models of the EliteBook 8 series. A central new feature is the new keyboard: It is much easier to replace it, as it is no longer fused with the palmrest assembly. In the case of a defect, the result is a reduction in waste. Also, it is easier for users to change their keyboard to a different language layout. The keyboard also looks different, adopting the same design we already know from the EliteBook X G1a. Very nice: Instead of a second USB-A port, there is now a third USB-C port, enabling charging from both sides.
Modularity is also practiced in other aspects of the new HP EliteBook laptops: Wi-Fi, SSD and WWAN modules are replaceable M.2 cards. The 14 inch and 16 inch models offer modular RAM as well, as they have two SO-DIMM slots - except for the Lunar Lake variant.
HP is upgrading the batteries of the EliteBooks, with the capacity increasing from 56 to 62 Wh. Only for the 16-inch version, there still is a bigger 77 Wh battery. No changes are taking place when it comes to the screens, where HP still offers a choice of 800 cd/m² SureView LCDs, 400 cd/m² Low Power displays and simply 300 cd/m² base panels with a worse color gamut. All screens have the WUXGA resolution (1,920 x 1,200), only the 14 and 16 inch models are available with an optional WQXGA screen (2,560 x 1,600), which also covers 100 percent AdobeRGB and DCI P3. OLED is still not available in the HP EliteBook laptops.
Pen in the garaged in the chassis: HP EliteBook 8 Flip G1i with "nested pen"
Another interesting new feature is only available on the HP EliteBook 8 Flip G1i, which replaces the EliteBook 830 x360. While the predecessor had a pen that magnetically attached to the outside of the chassis, HP gives the digitizer pen a secure place inside the case this time. HP calls this the "nested pen", as the pen has a nesting-place like a bird.
Slightly surprising to us is that HP's EliteBook laptops are still rather heavy, at a time when the competition from Lenovo gets much more lightweight. The HP EliteBook 8 with a 13-inch screen starts at 1.3 kg, the 14-inch model weighs 1.4 kg. Even heavier is the 16-inch model, which puts 1.7 kg onto the scales. In this regard, HP probably has to pay the price for using aluminum instead of more lightweight materials like carbon fiber or magnesium. At least, buyers get a lot of connectivity options in return, like optional 5G, Wi-Fi 7 and USB-A as well as HDMI. The HP EliteBook 8 G1 laptops also have a Smartcard reader and a 5 Mpix webcam, so business folk should definitely be happy with them in this regard.
Source(s)
HP (via a press release)
