HP EliteBook 14" G1i 2025, Core Ultra 7 268V, 32GB, 512GB SSD, atmospheric blue

A stunning 800-nit display and 5G connectivity make this a road warrior's dream, but the price tag feels like a prank. Great laptop, wrong price.

The Core Ultra 7 268V surprised us. It's not going to win any rendering contests, but for the stuff this laptop is actually for, spreadsheets, browser tabs, video calls, it feels snappy and stays cool. The 32GB of LPDDR5X is a standout, landing in the top tier of our database and giving you serious headroom for multitasking. The integrated Arc 140V graphics are fine for light photo work and streaming, but don't expect to game on this thing. Our gaming score puts it near the bottom of the barrel, which is fine if you're buying it for work, but worth knowing before you hand over your credit card.

The MacBook Pro M4 Max is the elephant in the room. It crushes the EliteBook in raw performance and battery life, though you'll pay more and lose the touchscreen and 5G option. The Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro is a closer match, with a gorgeous OLED screen and similar portability, but it lacks the EliteBook's cellular connectivity and that insane 800-nit brightness. If you want something with actual graphics muscle, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 will run circles around this HP for less money, but it's heavier and aimed at a different crowd. For pure business travel, the EliteBook holds its own, but it's not the obvious winner in any single category.

At $2,500 USD, this is a tough sell. You're paying a premium for portability, that incredible screen, and always-on connectivity, but HP skimps on storage and gives you integrated graphics. For the same money, you can get a MacBook Pro with a faster chip and more storage, or save a chunk of cash on a ThinkPad that does 90% of the same job. The value proposition only makes sense if you absolutely need 5G cellular and that specific display in one package.

The HP EliteBook X G1i is a business laptop that gets the fundamentals right and then charges you a premium for the privilege. The headline here is that 800-nit display. It's absurdly bright, covers full sRGB, and makes this thing a joy to use anywhere except a dark bedroom. You're also getting 32GB of RAM, Wi-Fi 7, and a Core Ultra 7 268V that sips power while handling everyday work without breaking a sweat. But at $2,500, HP is asking MacBook Pro money for a machine with integrated graphics and a 512GB SSD. That's a bold move.

If you're looking for a do-everything laptop with gaming chops or serious creative performance, this isn't it. Go get a MacBook Pro or a Zephyrus G14 instead. And if you just need a solid business machine without the 5G and crazy bright screen, save yourself a grand and buy a ThinkPad.

The EliteBook X G1i is a very good business laptop with one killer feature, that display, and one glaring weakness, the price. If your job involves constant travel, outdoor work, or you just refuse to squint at a dim screen, this is a compelling option. But for most people, the math doesn't work. You can get more performance, more storage, and better reliability for less money elsewhere. Buy it for the screen and the 5G, not for the overall package.