HP EliteBoard G1a is missing the one feature that every other keyboard has

The HP EliteBoard G1a is a first generation product that essentially stuffs a PC motherboard into a desktop keyboard. While it may look and feel like your everyday keyboard, it hides a PC inside complete with an AMD Zen 5 CPU, Li-Ion battery, and both removable storage and RAM. As versatile as it may be, the EliteBoard curiously lacks a basic feature found on any regular keyboard that's just a fraction of the price.

As noted in our review of the system, the EliteBoard G1a keyboard can only be used with the PC that's inside of the model. Other keyboards can be used as inputs for the EliteBoard G1a PC if desired, but the keyboard on the EliteBoard G1a cannot be used as an input for other PCs. A simple feature to toggle the keyboard between two or three different PCs — something that many Bluetooth keyboards and mice already have — would have arguably made the EliteBoard more multi-functional, adaptable, and reusable.

As to why the EliteBoard G1a lacks the function in the first place, HP was likely laser-focused on optimizing the PC-in-a-keyboard experience before considering any auxiliary features. For $1500 retail, however, a few extra features wouldn't hurt. Future updates or revisions would likely address the shortcomings or "barebones" feel of the first general model.