HP’s new EliteBook X G2 series isn’t trying to reinvent the business laptop, but it is trying to quietly raise expectations.
Announced at CES 2026 and already picking up an Innovation Award, the EliteBook X G2 positions itself as a future-facing work machine built around AI performance, mobility and serviceability, rather than flashy consumer features.
At first glance, the design does much of the talking. HP has managed to package the EliteBook X G2 into an ultra-thin chassis weighing under 1kg, which immediately puts it among the lightest premium business laptops available.
It’s offered in restrained colourways — Glacier Silver, Atmospheric Blue and Eclipse Grey — that feel deliberately conservative, but still modern enough for executives who want something that looks premium without drawing attention in a meeting room.
That focus on restraint carries over to the hardware choices. Rather than locking buyers into a single silicon strategy, HP is offering Intel, AMD and Qualcomm configurations on the same platform that gives IT departments and power users genuine flexibility.
Qualcomm-powered models promise headline-grabbing AI numbers, with up to 85 TOPS of NPU performance on the Snapdragon X2 Elite, while Intel and AMD variants aim for more familiar compatibility with demanding creative and enterprise software.
HP is clearly leaning into the idea of “intelligent work,” but it does so in a relatively grounded way. Features like HP Smart Sense, which dynamically adjusts power and thermals in real time, feel like a natural evolution of performance tuning rather than a gimmick.
Likewise, the EliteBook X Flip G2i’s convertible form factor — with laptop, tent, tablet and stand modes — is positioned as a practical tool for collaboration, not a replacement for a tablet.
Security and serviceability also remain central to the pitch. HP’s Wolf Security for Business brings hardware-level protection designed to function even offline, while the new top-mount internal design reportedly reduces keyboard replacement time by up to 80 percent.
That’s not the kind of feature that excites consumers, but it matters a great deal in large deployments where downtime equals lost money.
Display options include 3K Tandem OLED panels, which should offer a noticeable upgrade in clarity and colour over standard IPS screens, particularly for professionals working with visual content. Battery life is claimed to last all day, though HP hasn’t yet shared concrete figures.
The EliteBook X G2 lineup will roll out gradually across early 2026, with Intel-powered models arriving first, followed by AMD and Qualcomm variants later in the spring. Pricing hasn’t been announced yet, which suggests HP is still fine-tuning where this series will sit relative to rivals like Lenovo’s ThinkPad X1 and Dell’s Latitude range.
