HP, I'm Disappointed. - HP Dragonfly Pro
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Promos
Thanks to Secret Lab for sponsoring today's video! Check them out at lmg.gg Alex has been loving the HP Dragonfly Elite he's been daily driving, but the price tag is pretty steep. Luckily, HP just refreshed the Dragonfly Pro and though the specs look pretty good, it seems like there may be a critical error. Can HP snuff out the competition in the thin and light space or does Alex think MacBooks and XPSs still stand a chance? Want us to unbox something? Make a suggestion at lmg.gg Buy a HP Dragonfly Pro Laptop: lmg.gg Buy a HP Dragonfly Elite Laptop: lmg.gg Buy a HP Spectre 2-in-1 Laptop: lmg.gg Buy a HP ENVY x360 2-in-1 Laptop: lmg.gg Purchases made through some store links may provide some compensation to Linus Media Group. ► GET MERCH: lttstore.com ► LTX 2023 TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW: lmg.gg ► GET EXCLUSIVE CONTENT ON FLOATPLANE: lmg.gg ► SPONSORS, AFFILIATES, AND PARTNERS: lmg.gg ► PRODUCTS WE USE ON THE SHORTCIRCUIT SET: lmg.gg FOLLOW US ELSEWHERE --------------------------------------------------- Twitter: twitter.com Instagram: @shortcircuityt TikTok: @linustech Facebook: @ShortCircuitYT CHAPTERS --------------------------------------------------- 0:00 Alex loves his Dragonfly Elite 1:06 Unboxing 1:41 Weight, design/ports, and build quality 6:00 Sponsor - Secretlab 6:23 The glossy display and macro keys 7:55 Keyboard and trackpad impressions 9:57 Display testing results and impressions 11:30 Specs, battery life, and labs testing 13:32 Speaker impressions 14:42 Gaming - Valheim 15:56 Webcam/mic test 16:53 Teardown 18:06 Overall thoughts and pricing 19:53 Outro
HP, I am Disappointed. - HP Dragonfly Pro delivers a nuanced take on HP's refreshed ultra portable. The video opens with a contrast between the Dragonfly Elite and the new Dragonfly Pro, highlighting a substantial price delta and the promise of similar core capabilities at a lower cost. The host, Alex, dissects the Pro’s design language, noting the chassis rigidity and the use of magnesium versus aluminum, while weighing the impact of slightly higher weight on portability. He calls out the IO configuration, praising some aspects such as USB Type A, HDMI, and a robust 96W charger, but immediately flags a critical departure from the Elite and typical expectations: the Dragonfly Pro ditches the 3.5 mm headphone jack, USB-C only porting, and soldered SSD, which he argues limits upgradability and external accessory flexibility. The section on keyboard layout reveals a mixed reception: the Pro reintroduces macro keys and moves the keyboard off center, which the host views as a design misstep relative to the Elite’s renowned typing experience. Throughout, the host compares the Pro to the Elite, stressing tradeoffs in display format, panel choices, and color accuracy, while also acknowledging AMD-based performance and battery life advantages in real-world tasks. The opening build-up culminates in a strong verdict that while the Dragonfly Pro is technically impressive in power, battery, and display quality, the IO decisions and soldered components severely hamper its appeal for professionals who rely on expandability and legacy ports, leaving the door open for competition from MacBooks, XPS devices, and other HP lines.
Topics · technology · laptops · hardware_review · computer_performance · display_technology · battery_life · design_and_build
Questions answered
- What are the main IO compromises on the HP Dragonfly Pro compared to the Dragonfly Elite?
- The Dragonfly Pro removes the 3.5 mm headphone jack and shifts to USB-C only, while also soldering the SSD which reduces upgradability and serviceability.
- How does the Dragonfly Pro perform in battery life tests?
- Lab testing shows the Dragonfly Pro achieving about 14 hours and 15 minutes in battery tests at full brightness, which is competitive with MacBook M1 levels in longer tasks.
- Does the Dragonfly Pro improve on display quality relative to the Elite?
- The Pro uses a 14 inch 16:9 display with 1920x1200 resolution; color accuracy is better on the Pro, but brightness and contrast are similar to the Elite, with some tradeoffs in vertical real estate.
- What is the user's stance on the keyboard and trackpad in the Pro?
- The keyboard on the Pro is positioned awkwardly due to macro keys, and although the trackpad is praised as responsive, the keyboard changes from the Elite are viewed negatively by the host.
- Is the Dragonfly Pro recommended given its price and features?
- Recommendation depends on the importance of IO and upgradability; if USB-A, HDMI, and a headphone jack are essential, the Pro falls short, whereas if raw performance and battery life are paramount, it is compelling.