While everyone may be drooling over HP's latest refresh of its Spectre x360 lineup, the company is also bringing a bit more flexibility to its business customers. That's thanks to the new EliteBook x360 1040 G5, a 14-inch convertible targeted squarely at professionals with security and durability in mind.
This isn't the first time we've seen HP adopt a feature popularized by its Spectre PCs to the EliteBook line. Namely, the EliteBook x360 G2 had that on lock a year ago. But the 1040 G5 steps things up a notch by increasing the screen size to 14 inches while fitting everything into a chassis the size of a typical 13-inch laptop.
Inside the EliteBook x360 1040 G5, you'll find Intel's 8th Generation processors, ranging from the Core i5-8250U up to the Core i7-8650U. The workhorse can also be fitted with up to 32GB of RAM and up to 512GB of SSD storage, including an optional 118GB Intel Optane SSD. The 14-inch display is also available in multiple flavors, with resolutions starting out at 1080p and moving up to 4K with optional Sure View privacy and HP's BrightView tech for better viewing in direct sunlight.
The real focus here, however, is on durability and security. HP says the EliteBook x360 1040 G5 has passed MIL-STD testing, so it can stand up to knocks and drops. On the security front, you'll snag a slew of hardware-enforced security features, as well as self-healing BIOS and embedded reimaging, which can restore a PC "in minutes."
For those who need an "always connected PC" you can now configure the EliteBook x360 1040 with Intel's latest XMM 7360/7560 4G LTE for Gigabit 4G LTE speeds wherever your journey may take you.
Another welcome change is the front-facing web camera. For too long companies have paid little attention to the quality of the web camera, which is odd for a business Skype machine. No worries as HP is now using a higher quality full HD webcam up from the previous subpar 720P found in previous EliteBooks.
Finally, personalization is now a highlight for companies looking to add their logos to their fleet of PCs. As of the launch of the EliteBook x360 1040 G5, HP is teaming with Zazzle to give companies and users access to custom, laser cut notebook skins for most of the Elite lineup.
| Category | Specification |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i7-8565UIntel Core i7-8550UIntel Core i5-8350UIntel Core i5-8250U |
| RAM | Up to 32GB |
| Storage | M.2 Solid-state drive128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 118GB Intel Optane |
| Display size | 14 inchesTouch |
| Display resolution | 1920x10801920x1080 w/ Sure View4K |
| Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics 620 |
| Ports | 2x USB 3.1 Type-C with Thunderbolt2x USB 3.1 Gen 13.5mm headphone jack1x HDMI 1.41x external Nano SIM slot |
| Wireless connectivity | Intel Wireless-AC 9560 802.11b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth 4.2 ComboOptional Intel XMM 7360/7560 4G LTE |
| Biometrics | IR camera for Windows Hello |
| Security | Fingerprint readerHP BIOSphereHP Device Access ManagerHP DriveLock and Automatic DriveLockHP Password ManagerHP Secure EracePreboot authenticationTPM 2.0Nano Security lock slotHP Sure Start |
| Battery | Up to 17 hours |
| Dimensions | 12.65 inches x 8.46 inches x 0.66 inches |
| Weight | From 2.99 pounds |
The HP EliteBook x360 1040 G5 is expected to launch in November starting at $1,390. Best Buy stores are expected to start stocking the laptop in December.
HP EliteDisplay Docking Monitor
Rounding out HP's new professional slate is the EliteDisplay E243d Docking Monitor. The highlight here is the display's pop-up 720p webcam, which allows you to stow it away within the display for added privacy. The 24-inch display comes in at a 1080p resolution and can be powered over a single USB-C cable.
Because it's meant to act as a dock and monitor in one, there are a few port options here. On the input side of things, you'll find one HDMI 1.4 port, along with USB-C and VGA ports. Additionally, the EliteDisplay includes one audio port, one RJ-45, and four USB 31. ports (three with 4.5W power delivery and one with 7.5W power delivery).
The EliteDisplay E243d Docking Monitor is expected to launch in December starting at $329.
Quick thoughts EliteBook x360 1040
For the last few years, I've been enamoured with HP's EliteBook range, which has a very consistent design language between models making them fun to compare. While Lenovo is the fallback "king of the keyboard" HP's EliteBook series gives those ThinkPads a run for their money – and often more features too.
Everything about this new EliteBook x360 1040 is great. It has a beautiful and bright Full HD display at 14-inches – the ideal screen size – and a choice for HP Sure View for privacy. If you want a 4K panel, there's that too and HP's new 'etched glass' method for anti-glare is very interesting.
But it's the ability for the EliteBook 1040 now to transform into a tablet – or just to view media that is to be applauded. Customers increasingly want flexible devices that don't feel like a compromise. This does that for the 14-inch business laptop. Toss in optional 4G LTE and Intel's new Gigabit modem and an excellent HP Pen (that can recharge via Type-C, natch) and the HP EliteBook x360 1040 really is an all-around "can do everything" business laptop that is still fun to use.
