HP EliteBook X G1i Review: A Lightweight Powerhouse for Professionals

The new HP EliteBook X G1i is now available, starting at $1,549 for the base model. This laptop is designed for professionals seeking a lightweight option that can last throughout a demanding workday. With an impressive battery life of up to 18 hours and a high-quality 5MP webcam, the EliteBook X G1i aims to make a strong impression, despite some lingering issues from its predecessor.

In July 2025, HP rolled out the second generation of its rebranded laptop portfolio, featuring the Elite series tailored for businesses. The EliteBook X G1i shares several similarities with the EliteBook X G1a, which was released last year, but offers notable improvements in key areas.

Design and Display Enhancements

The most apparent upgrade is the design. The EliteBook X G1i has a slightly larger footprint, measuring 12.36 x 8.66 x 0.59 inches, but weighs in at just 2.6 pounds. This makes it particularly appealing for users who travel frequently and prefer a lightweight device.

The laptop features a WUXGA (1,920 x 1,200 pixel) resolution touchscreen that covers the entire sRGB color gamut, resulting in vibrant visuals. The anti-glare coating enhances usability in bright environments, though the thick bezels surrounding the display can detract from the overall experience. While the screen remains a 14-inch display, the bezels make it appear smaller than it could be.

Windows 11 introduces a layout that aims to maximize the available screen space, hiding the taskbar by default. Above the display, the 5MP IR camera stands out with its balanced color representation and a video resolution of 2,880 x 1,620. This webcam is one of the most commendable features of the laptop, particularly for professionals who engage in frequent video calls.

Performance and Battery Life

While the EliteBook X G1i excels in design and battery life, its performance presents a mixed bag. Equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 7 268V CPU, it does not outperform the previous EliteBook X G1a, which utilized an AMD Ryzen AI 7 Pro 360 processor. Benchmark comparisons highlight these differences:

– Cinebench 24 MC:
– EliteBook X G1i: 650
– EliteBook X G1a: 954
– Dell 14 Plus: 554

– Geekbench 6.2.2 SC:
– EliteBook X G1i: 11,140
– EliteBook X G1a: 14,585
– Dell 14 Plus: 10,812

During practical tests, such as editing images in Pixlr while multitasking with multiple tabs open, the laptop showed some performance quirks. It struggled with real-time editing but managed to handle up to 50 unique tabs running video streams and other applications without significant slowdown.

The EliteBook X G1i retains a tendency to run warm under heavy loads, particularly during benchmarking. While the keyboard does get warm, it remains comfortable for use. Users should be cautious about placing the device on their laps due to heat dissipation through the bottom vents.

Despite its performance limitations, the battery life remains a strong selling point. Users can enjoy up to 18 hours on a single charge, and a quick 35-minute recharge can restore up to 50% of the battery.

Overall, the HP EliteBook X G1i is a solid choice for business professionals needing a lightweight laptop with exceptional battery life. While it does not outperform its predecessor significantly, it offers a well-rounded package for everyday use. For those prioritizing performance, the EliteBook X G1a remains a viable alternative, priced at $1,999.