The HP Rechargeable Active Pen is a pen that's designed from the start to complement your HP EliteBook x360 1030 G3.
Who should buy this active pen?
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The EliteBook x360 1030 G3 doesn't come with an included pen, so if you'd like to take advantage of the touch display and convertible build of the laptop, you'll have to buy one separately. If you're interested in drawing, sketching, or jotting down notes without the need for a keyboard, an active pen should be the right accessory for you.
Is it a good time to buy this active pen?
This active pen was designed from the start to work with a select few HP EliteBook and Pro laptops. If you'd like to take advantage of inking capabilities on your x360 1030 G3, there's really nothing stopping you.
HP's Rechargeable Active Pen is your best bet for the EliteBook x360 1030 G3
The HP Rechargeable Active Pen — with part number 4KL69UT — is an ideal addition to the EliteBook x360 1030 G3 for anyone who wants to ditch the keyboard and turn their convertible laptop into a drawing pad. For the artists out there, this pen is based on Wacom AES technology and has 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity for a natural drawing experience, and it also has tilt support, making it far easier to shade in your creations.
With 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity, tilt support, and seven replacement nibs, you're going to get a lot of use out of this pen.
The pen comes with a total of seven replacement nibs — four made from polyacetal (POM) for a hard, durable feel, and three made from elastomer for more flexibility when writing — and a small tool that makes it easy to swap them out. A rechargeable battery is built into the pen and uses an included USB-C cable to recharge.
Much like the Surface Pen, HP's option has the same barrel shape with an eraser button on the back end, plus there are two buttons on the side that can be programmed to your liking through an included HP inking app. To help keep track of the pen when on the go, a magnet is built into the silo that allows you to snap it onto the side of your EliteBook x360 1030. Walk away without the pen? You'll be notified by sound before you get too far.
Alternative to the HP Rechargeable Active Pen
HP's pen is probably the best option for most people thanks to its design and compatibility, but if you're dropping the money on a pen and have more than just an EliteBook x360 1030 sitting around — like a Surface device or two — you might want to invest in something that works on both pieces of hardware.
The Bamboo Ink supports Wacom's Universal Pen Framework (UPF), making it compatible with Surface and EliteBook hardware. It has 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity, it comes with a set of three extra nibs of varying size, and it has two programmable buttons on the side. A pen clip at the top makes it easy to stow securely, and it has more of a triangular shape for anyone who dislikes the barrel build of HP's pen.
Bottom line
If you'd like an active pen to match your EliteBook x360 1030 G3, HP's own Rechargeable Active Pen is your best option. It works equally well for jotting down notes or for sketching and drawing (thanks to 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity and tilt support), and a built-in magnet keeps it attached to your laptop when on the move.
