A 16-inch Windows Laptop Competes with MacBook Pro

HP EliteBook 8 G1i (16-inch)

Overview from ZDNET

HP's latest in the EliteBook series, formerly known as the EliteBook 800 line, offers various configurations with either AMD or Intel chips. The laptop emphasizes energy efficiency, maintaining a cool temperature, and high performance. The model I reviewed came with a 16-inch screen, 32GB of DDR5-5600 RAM, 512GB of internal storage, and an AMD Ryzen Pro 350 processor clocked at 5 GHz. This setup is robust for a professional setting, handling multitasking, productivity applications, local AI tasks, and features a commendable array of ports.

The series is highly configurable, with options starting at $849 and exceeding $2,400, catering to business and enterprise users' varied needs. However, the design is rather plain and lacks a premium aura, despite a comfortable keyboard and trackpad.

Advice on the Best Laptop Deals

The laptop's flexibility begins with its assortment of ports, which include two Thunderbolt 4 USB4, each supporting power and DisplayPort 2.1 with a fast 40Gbps rate, an HDMI, a USB-A, a third USB-C at 10Gbps, a nano SIM slot, and a 3.5mm audio jack. I appreciate how the port speeds are differentiated by their placement, demonstrating thoughtful design. Ports on the left can seamlessly connect external monitors, while the right can manage peripherals like a mouse.

The laptop's esthetics are bland and practical, featuring rounded edges and a spacious keyboard. However, I initially noticed a slight misalignment of the trackpad, which was easily fixed. The display is a 16-inch IPS with 400 nits brightness and WUXGA resolution (1920 x 1200). The anti-glare screen is effective, although it's not the most vibrant display considering the price point, aimed more at business utility. The audio, powered by HP's Poly Studio, is delivered through dual stereo speakers with adequate output but nothing extraordinary.

The 5MP IR webcam is generally reliable, best when used at 720p. Under low light conditions, the image tends to become grainy. Weighing 3.7 pounds, it's fairly light for a 16-inch laptop, with a slim design that fits easily into a backpack.

This model is one of the coolest running laptops I've tested this year. It barely generates any heat, even with demanding tasks, and the fans are relatively quiet. The battery life is impressive, supporting up to 17 hours as advertised. I found it could last a full workday with residual power left.

In benchmark tests, the laptop performed better than expected compared to similar models from HP. It excels in multitasking across various productivity apps and browser tabs without significant battery drain. For content creation, it has sufficient power but may not meet high-end requirements due to its display quality.

While capable of running casual games or older titles smoothly, it won't optimize newer, resource-intensive games. It's not a gaming laptop by any means.

Buying Recommendations from ZDNET

In its niche, the EliteBook 8 G1i excels as a versatile, cool-running, and long-lasting laptop suitable for office or home use. If you are searching for a sizable, 16-inch laptop focused on productivity with numerous ports, this fits the description.

However, with a price starting upwards of $1,500, competition is fierce. For instance, an Apple's latest MacBook with 16GB RAM is available for $1,549. Other similar 16-inch laptops might offer additional features for slightly higher prices.