Category: HP

On April 23rd, HP unveiled a series of AI-enhanced PCs in New Zealand, marking a significant shift towards integrating artificial intelligence into everyday computing.

Recognising the growing reliance on AI in various software and systems, HP has integrated its Core Ultra/Meteor Lake system with its Neural Processing Unit in these devices to optimise AI performance, compatibility, and efficiency.

The new range includes the HP Elite/Pro series laptops tailored for business users, Z by HP workstations for creative professionals, Pavilion PCs for budget-conscious consumers, Spectre 2-in-1 devices, and the OMEN Transcend 14 Gaming Laptop, which is ideal for both gaming and creative endeavors.

This article will cover everything you need to know about HP’s latest AI-enhanced PCs.

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What is Intel’s Neural Processing Unit?

Late last year, Intel unveiled its Core Ultra chip, named Meteor Lake, which focuses on enhancing AI capabilities in PCs. Intel describes this development as its “biggest architectural shift in 40 years.”

The chip introduces several new technologies, with the most significant being the inclusion of a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) in its system-on-a-chip architecture. This is the first time Intel has integrated an NPU, which is specifically designed to handle AI workloads.

As a result, the NPU can carry the bulk of the workload when performing AI tasks, allowing the CPU and GPU to manage other functions. This integration is expected to improve application performance, extend battery life, and increase overall efficiency.

The majority of the device’s HP announced are equipped with Core Ultra chips meaning they have dedicated NPUs for enhanced AI integration. See below:

HP AI-Devices Released in New Zealand

HP Elite/Pro Series

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HP has released new PC solutions within its Elite and Pro series, now featuring AI capabilities powered by Intel vPro technology.

These systems are equipped with Intel Core Ultra 5 and 7 processors, and additionally, HP has integrated its Smart Sense technology, which automatically adjusts the PC’s settings based on user behaviour to optimise performance and power consumption.

At the top of the range are the HP Elite 1040 Series Notebook PCs which offer up to 21 hours of battery life and significant improvements due to AI integration including 80% better graphics performance, 38% less power consumption for AI tasks, and 132% faster AI video editing than previous models.

Below that is the 840 Notebook range which is marketed as a device for enterprise workers in managerial-type positions. And at the bottom of the range is the 640-range designed for corporate and public sector organisations.

HP Pavilion
The latest HP Pavilion PCs are targeted towards Gen Z customers. They include built-in AI engines and are developed with performance, mobility and quality in mind.

Z by HP

HP’s ZBook range is designed with creatives in mind. These mobile workstations are equipped with Intel Core Ultra 5,7 and 9 processors and dedicated AI units, they’re designed to ensure reliability, security, and mobility for creative professionals.

The devices released include the ZBook Power G11 designed to support demanding workflows such as 3D modelling and AI-powered content creation. It features a 16-inch premium design and is equipped with an NVIDIA RTX 3000 Ada Laptop GPU. The device can also be configured with NVIDIA RTX 500 and 1000 Ada Generation Laptop GPUs.

And the ZBook Firefly G11 which aims to combine professional performance with portability. Equipped with the NVIDIA RTX A500 Laptop GPU for AI-accelerated performance and features dynamic power efficiency and long battery life.

HP Spectre

The HP Spectre x360 14-inch and 16-inch 2-in-1 Laptops are powered by Intel Evo with Intel Core Ultra processors.

They include a 9 MP camera with low-light adjustment, built-in security with walk away lock and privacy alerts, adaptive screen adjustments for power efficiency, and automatic performance optimisation.

They also have powerful AI technology for efficient content creation and collaboration, audio tuning by Poly for clear sound, and a 2.8K OLED screen with IMAX Enhanced Certification for vibrant visuals.

OMEN Gaming Laptops

HP released its latest OMEN Transcend 14 Gaming Laptop which is not only designed for gaming but creative tasks like video editing as well.

It features an IMAX Enhanced Certified 2.8K 120Hz VRR OLED display and a lattice-less sky printed RGB keyboard. It weighs 1,637 grams and offers up to 11.5 hours of battery life, equipped with a type-C PD 140W adapter.

The device is powered by an Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU. It also includes an NPU for AI task

The chassis has been redesigned to incorporate a vapor chamber and Intel’s dual channel flow technology for heat management, all within a 12 mm base. And the audio system is tuned by HyperX.

HP also announced that its OMEN Transcend 16.1-inch Gaming Laptop PC has been upgraded with a 2.5K 240Hz OLED display option. Additionally, the OMEN 16.1-inch Gaming Laptop PC and Victus 16.1-inch Gaming Laptop PC have been updated with Intel® Core™ i7 HX processor (14th gen).

          Verdict 

Chrome OS’ speediness combined with a funky blue case makes this one fun notebook to use.

Pros
+Excellent keyboard and trackpad
+Chrome OS is speedy and responsive
+Crisp, vivid screen
Cons
-Not as powerful as some higher-end Chromebooks
-Average battery life

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Introduction and Design

In fact, with all the features and steady performance of the Chromebook 14, you might decide to make the leap. If you just need a computer to get you online, check emails, do some basic work, and binge some Netflix, this extremely affordable device is more than up to the job. Add in a great keyboard, excellent trackpad, and a beautiful 14-inch screen, and you end up with a machine that offers a lot more value than just its low price tag.

HP’s Chromebook isn’t exactly a high-end PC, but it’s a slick, streamlined piece of kit nonetheless. The tapered enclosure measures 0.7 inches (about 18mm) thick at its thickest point. At 3.74 pounds (1.7kg), it’s also reasonably light, though not as much as the 13.3-inch, 2.97-pound Toshiba Chromebook 2. That extra weight gives you a slightly larger screen, though, and the Chromebook 14 doesn’t feel at all heavy in hand.

The case itself is entirely plastic, and it does flex and creak some as you adjust the screen or pick it up one-handed. On the bright side, the case doesn’t have any exposed screws, so you don’t need to worry about a loose screen dropping out randomly.

Oh. And it’s blue. Very blue. The shade of blue, which HP calls Sky Blue, looks cool.

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Stellar keyboard and trackpad

As a writer, I’m picky when it comes to keyboards, and I was pleasantly surprised by the typing experience on the Chromebook 14. The keyboard feels responsive with clicky keys and plenty of key travel.

The keyboard flexes ever so slightly when I pound heavily on it, but under normal use, it isn’t mushy at all. My gripe is there’s no dedicated Caps Lock key; a Search key takes its place and must be triggered while holding the alt key. It isn’t a big deal, but it makes it more difficult to impulsively tweet in all caps.

The trackpad is equally excellent. It’s big and spacious, with plenty of room to mouse around. The whole trackpad is a button, so you don’t have to fiddle around to find the left- and right-click buttons.

The button itself depresses with a satisfying click, but it’s much stiffer the closer to the keyboard you go. If you’re accustomed to the trackpad on, say, a MacBook Air, you’ll feel right at home on the Chromebook 14.

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Ports and Webcam

HP’s put a security lock slot, an HDMI port, a USB 3.0 port, a headphone jack and a microSD reader on the Chromebook 14’s left side, and a pair of USB 2.0 ports on its right side.

Performance

Armed with a 1.8-GHz Intel Celeron N2940 CPU, 4GB of RAM and a 16GB eMMC drive, the HP Chromebook 14 provides enough power for multitasking. When I split my screen between a dozen tabs and a streaming YouTube video and opened Cut The Rope and Google Keep, the system stayed speedy, with no lag as I typed in a Google Doc and moved from tab to tab.

The HP Chromebook 14 did poorly on Google’s Octane 2.0 performance benchmark, which gave it a score of 7,869. The Celeron 3205U-powered Dell Chromebook 13 (14,453) and Celeron 3215U-powered Toshiba Chromebook 2 (17,044) earned better scores.

Battery Life (5/5)

The Chromebook’s battery life is impressive. I can easily go through a full day of work or classes without needing to recharge. It’s a relief not to be constantly hunting for power outlets.

Performance (5/5)

Powered by an Intel Celeron processor and 4GB of RAM, this Chromebook handles multitasking with ease. Whether I’m working on Google Docs, streaming videos, or browsing multiple tabs, it doesn’t lag or stutter. The 64GB eMMC storage is sufficient for storing documents and essential files, and you can always expand it with cloud storage if needed.

conclusion
The HP Chromebook 14 is an economical laptop with good durability and good enough performance for the usual Chrome OS productivity tasks. Thanks to AMD’s Radeon R4 GPU, it has its own edge when it comes to graphics.