HP EliteBook vs. Dragonfly G4: A Detailed Comparison

A bewildering array of business laptops caters to busy British professionals. If you’ve landed on this post, chances are you’ve already refined your search to two enticing options: the HP Elitebook vs Dragonfly.

So, which of these two sought-after devices is the best business laptop for you?

It depends on your budget and unique needs. In this post, we’ll review both laptops and outline their key differences. We’ll also serve up a side-by-side comparison and discuss which business laptop best suits specific user types.

HP Dragonfly vs EliteBook: What’s the difference?

How exactly do these two laptop products differ?

Technically, they’re one and the same. The Dragonfly is a subclass of the EliteBook. But the EliteBook isn’t necessarily a Dragonfly. You’ll find a solid selection of non-Dragonfly EliteBook laptops on the HP UK Store.

HP created the Dragonfly as a high-end, ultra-portable offshoot of its EliteBook series. Coming in at a smidgen under 1 kg, it’s among the lightest laptops on the market. Think of the Dragonfly as an ultrabook - it caters to highly mobile business users with demanding computational requirements.

The HP EliteBook

The EliteBook is HP’s flagship business laptop family. As such, it comes in various models with distinct hardware specifications catering to unique user needs. Consumers also get an excellent selection of sizes, with units ranging from 13 to 16 inches.

To keep the sticker price low, HP doesn’t incorporate a dedicated GPU in its EliteBook laptops, including the Dragonfly. After all, these devices aren’t aimed at animators or 3D designers. Typical users include project managers, software developers, finance executives, and other similar professionals.

But that’s not to say the EliteBook is a budget laptop. Most business users don’t need a pricey NVIDIA® graphics card. Forgoing an unnecessary GPU lets you get better hardware and materials to bolster durability and lower weight.

Speaking of weight, portability is a pivotal part of the EliteBook’s appeal. Weighing less than a workstation, these petite little units are a breeze to whisk between meetings. A long-lasting battery and fast-charging technology further enhance productivity on the road.

Finally, some EliteBooks come in 2-in-1 form factors to cater for creatives and multi-media users.

The HP Dragonfly G4

The HP Dragonfly laptop, as we know, is essentially a premium subclass of the EliteBook. Like its well-known cousin, the Dragonfly is a portable, high-performing business laptop with an integrated GPU.

The fundamental difference, however, is the Dragonfly boasts next-level portability. At present, you won’t find a Dragonfly G4 with a display larger than 13.5 inches. This petite package, combined with premium lightweight materials, lets the device sneak in at just under one kilo. Expect your shiny new Dragonfly G4 to weigh 0.99 kg - that’s about as light as a laptop gets.

While not every Dragonfly is superior to every EliteBook, the former usually has better hardware under the hood. A faster processor, plus more storage and RAM, make the Dragonfly attractive to resource-hungry users.

What the EliteBook & Dragonfly have in common

We know what sets these two popular laptops apart. But what do the EliteBook and Dragonfly have in common?

• Business-orientated laptops: Both laptops are aimed at the business user, whether they’re an IT guru or a finance professional.
• Lightweight design: While the Dragonfly invariably weighs less, both laptops boast a slimline, lightweight design for optimal portability.
• Excellent battery life: No need to hunt down a plug socket anytime soon. Both laptops feature a beefy, long-lasting battery to bolster productivity on the move.
• C-Suite-ready design: Whether you’re in a boardroom or coffee shop, both laptops exude a professional, down-to-business aesthetic.
• Premium specs: Forget about sluggish performance and frustrating load times. Both laptop products sport high-end specs to optimise productivity.
• Advanced security features: On each option, always-on, end-point protection comes courtesy of HP Wolf Security for Business.
• Crisp, wide-screen displays: No need to squint all day as you struggle with sub-par resolution. Both laptops come with a high-definition display, usually WUXGA or 3K2K.
• Top-notch collaborative tools: Both products make conference calls a cinch thanks to a 5MP Autoframe webcam and dual microphones with in-built AI noise reduction.
• Crisp, high-quality audio: High-fidelity sound comes from best-in-class Bang & Olufsen speakers.
• A plethora of ports: Whichever laptop you choose, you’ll be free to plug in all the peripherals you could need.
• Durable design: Despite their lightweight profiles, each of these products uses quality, long-lasting materials to optimise durability. Both pass rigorous MIL-STD 810H strength tests.

Who should purchase the HP EliteBook?

The HP EliteBook is generally more affordable than the Dragonfly G4. That’s not to say every EliteBook laptop costs less than every Dragonfly; but the EliteBook tends to cost less. This lower price point makes it an enticing option for businesses with modest company coffers.

Despite costing less, the EliteBook still boasts impressive specs. Under the hood, you’ll find a speedy processor, stacks of storage, and ample RAM. The EliteBook easily meets or exceeds the computational requirements of almost every fast-paced professional.

The exception, of course, is the GPU, or lack thereof. While its dedicated GPU is sufficiently speedy for standard office tasks, the EliteBook isn’t suitable for rendering 3D images - and for the same reason, neither is the Dragonfly. Video editors, animators, and other GPU-hungry professionals should instead look at a workstation series like the ZBook.

The precise hardware specifications vary widely between models, of which there are many. One of the great advantages of Elitebook is choice. Consumers can choose between a wide range of options to find the perfect screen size and hardware configuration for their needs. The Dragonfly, on the other hand, only comes in a small selection of models.

Although the EliteBook is notably nimble, it’s not quite as light as the Dragonfly. On-the-move workers may reap massive benefits from this petite alternative.

Who should purchase the Dragonfly?

Agile professionals seeking a powerful, ultra-portable laptop may opt for the Dragonfly over the EliteBook. Weighing less than 1 kg, this feather-light device is among the most agile laptops from HP. A slimline design and near-eternal battery life further enhance its portability prowess.

This next-level manoeuvrability makes the Dragonfly a worthy investment despite its higher price. Many frequent business travellers and hybrid workers will happily spend more to take some weight off their shoulders.

Regarding hardware, the Dragonfly has enough grunt to handle all your everyday tasks. On the whole, the processor, RAM, storage, and GPU are superior to what you’ll find inside an EliteBook. Having said that, the lack of a dedicated graphics card makes the Dragonfly unsuitable for 3D modelling pros.

Another Dragonfly downside is limited choice. While the EliteBook ships in a solid selection of options, you’ll only find a handful of Dragonfly models on the HP UK Store. The Dragonfly also only has a 13.5-inch display - big-screen lovers must look elsewhere.

EliteBook vs Dragonfly: A side-by-side comparison

We’re up to speed on these speedy business laptop products. Now, let’s do a quick side-by-side comparison of two popular models. Note these aren’t your only choices. You’ll find plenty more EliteBook and Dragonfly laptops on the HP UK Store.

HP EliteBook 1040 G10

Designed with high-level executives in mind, the HP EliteBook 1040 G10 has sufficient power to blow through your everyday workflows. Thanks to its Intel® Core™ i7 and 32GB RAM, you won’t suffer any slowdowns while performing standard computational tasks.

Shop HP EliteBook 1040 G10 Laptop Now

The crisp 14-inch WUXGA display has HP Sure View, a reflective copper finish that stops prying eyes snooping from the side. A slew of other robust security features come courtesy of HP Wolf for Business.

• Processor: Intel Core i7 1355U (13th Generation)
• Memory: 32GB RAM
• Storage: 1TB SSD
• Display: 35.6 cm (14”), WUXGA (1920 x 1200)
• Graphics: Intel Iris® Xe Graphics

HP Dragonfly G4

On-the-move professionals seeking a lightweight, ultrabook-like device should look no further than this version of the HP Dragonfly G4. As you can see from the specs, this slender little unit comes with similar hardware to the aforementioned EliteBook - it’s plenty powerful enough for demanding business users.

Shop HP Dragonfly G4 Laptop Now

The big advantage here is portability. The Dragonfly is smaller, slimmer, and lighter than a similarly-sized EliteBook. This petite stature makes it the business laptop of choice for highly mobile workers with a frantic travel schedule.

• Processor: Intel Core i7 1355U (13th Generation)
• Memory: 32GB RAM
• Storage: 1TB SSD
• Display: 35.6 cm (14”), WUXGA (1920 x 1200)
• Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics

Summary

Brimming with high-end hardware inside a slimline case, the EliteBook and Dragonfly G4 are among the best lightweight business laptops from HP.

Users who value portability should invest a bit extra on the feather-light Dragonfly G4. If you don’t mind lugging a little extra weight, the EliteBook is only slightly bulkier and sells at a more wallet-friendly price.

Whichever option you opt for, you’re guaranteed to get a stylish and functional business laptop that will serve you well for many years to come.