HP is asking a massive amount of money for its newest business laptop. The company recently refreshed its EliteBook 6 line, swapping out the usual Intel and AMD silicon for Snapdragon X2 processors. It is a bold move aimed at office workers who want long battery life and local AI processing. But the price tag is the real shocker. According to the configuration options on the official HP online store, the entry level model starts at a staggering 3540 dollars. That is deep into high end gaming desktop territory.
The machine goes by the name EliteBook 6 G2q. HP equips the laptop with either a 12 core Snapdragon X2 Elite chip, specifically the X2E 84 100 model reaching 85 TOPS of AI power, or the slightly tamer 10 core or 6 core X2 Plus chips hitting 80 TOPS. Memory options are generous. You can configure the system with 16, 24, 32, or even 64 GB of fast LPDDR5X RAM. Storage starts at a basic 256 GB but can be configured up to 2 TB if you have the budget.
Buyers can choose from several different versions of the 14 inch display. The basic screen is a 300 nits IPS panel with 62.5% sRGB coverage, which also comes in a touchscreen version. If you want better color, HP offers an OLED panel with 95% DCI P3 color reproduction at 300 nits. There are also high brightness IPS options reaching 400 nits or a sunlight readable 800 nits. The top tier display is a 400 nits IPS screen boasting 100% DCI P3 color space coverage.
The power setup relies on a 56 Wh battery. Depending on the exact hardware you choose, HP ships the laptop with a charger ranging from 65W to 100W. Wireless connectivity is handled by a Qualcomm Fast Connect system which supports Wi Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. If you work on the road, you can opt for the Qualcomm X72 modem to add 5G cellular connectivity. Other physical features include stereo speakers and a front camera with an infrared sensor for facial login.
Local ports include USB 4 Type C and USB Type A connections alongside HDMI 2.1. There is also a physical RJ45 Ethernet port for wired office networks and a 3.5 mm jack for your headphones. If you buy the 5G version, you will find a physical SIM card slot on the side of the chassis. This wide selection of ports means you can get work done without carrying a bag full of dongles.
Whether businesses will accept this high pricing remains to be seen. Arm based Windows laptops are finally getting good, but asking over 3500 dollars for a baseline configuration is a tough sell for IT departments. HP is betting that the promise of massive battery life and superior AI processing will convince corporate buyers to pay the premium.
