Review of the HP Elite Dragonfly G4

Choosing the right laptop is one of the most important decisions a digital nomad can make. After all, they need a machine they can rely on at airports, coffee shops, co-working spaces and, of course, at home. Thankfully, there are some pretty decent ones to choose from on the market.

Released in 2024, the HP Elite Dragonfly G4 is one such device. It is a premium Ultrabook that is built specifically for professionals who work remotely and are often on the go.

Indeed, HP has packed this model with thoughtful features that cater to the modern remote lifestyle, such as powerful Intel Core i7 processor, lightweight frame, long battery life, and 5G connectivity. Add in robust security tools and a best-in-class webcam, and it’s clear that HP are not messing about with this beauty.

In fact, this may be the best laptops out there for digital nomads who want enterprise-level performance in a travel-friendly package. Here is our detailed review of it.

Specs Overview

The HP Elite Dragonfly G4 packs impressive hardware in a super‑portable 2.2‑lb chassis. This makes it a great fit for digital nomads who work remotely, travel frequently, or juggle hybrid setups.

Here’s a snapshot of its top‑tier specs:

• CPU & GPU: Intel Core i7‑1365U (13th Gen) with Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 integrated GPU
• RAM: 16 GB LPDDR5 (up to 32 GB)
• Storage: 512 GB NVMe SSD (TLC)
• Display:5″ WUXGA+ (1920×1280) IPS touchscreen (OLED optional)
• Battery Life: Claimed ~13 hrs; real‑world around a full workday
• Weight & Build:99 kg (2.2 lb); magnesium alloy chassis
• Ports: 2× Thunderbolt 4 USB‑C, 1× USB‑A, HDMI 2.1, audio jack, nano‑SIM slot, Wi‑Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
• OS: Windows 11 Pro (Home/Pro/Edu options)

Portability & Build Quality

The HP Elite Dragonfly G4 is notable for its portability and build quality. Measuring in at about 297 × 220 × 16 mm and weighing just 2.2 pounds (1.0 kg), it’s barely noticeable in a backpack or carry-on bag.

However, despite this, the device feels solid and premium, thanks largely to it being constructed with a magnesium alloy chassis. This means, it is unlikely to creak or flex anywhere, even around the lid, unless you really mistreat it.

In addition, HP has reinforced its hinge mechanism to give it some extra sturdiness, which enables it to hold up well to bumps, travel wear, and frequent openings.

When it comes to typing and navigating, you should find it pretty smooth. The spill-resistant backlit keyboard offers up quiet keys, while the roomy clickpad is responsive and supports multi-touch gestures. This makes it easy to work anywhere without extra peripherals.

Battery Life

The HP Elite Dragonfly G4 offers a reassuringly long battery life for digital nomads. Although the numbers will vary depending on the amount of work you subject it to.

HP makes claims of up to around 13 hours of battery life under typical conditions. However, independent testing paints a broader picture. Tom’s Guide, for instance, recorded nearly 12 hours and 44 minutes in their mixed-use battery benchmark, which includes browsing and video streaming. On the other hand, PC World saw an even more ambitious 17½ hours in their WLAN test. However, this is likely due to them submitting it to light productivity tasks.

What you can expect is the following:

• Browsing & video calls: Expect around 12–13 hours in realistic usage.
• Productivity/editing (Google Docs, spreadsheets, light photo work): Around 10–12 hours is typical.
• Heavy workloads (video rendering or extensive multitasking): The runtime drops closer to 8–10 hours.

One of the great things about the G4 is that it supports HP Fast Charge via USB‑C (65 W). It gets you to about 50% in 30 minutes, and up to 90% in 90 minutes when shut down. Handily, you can charge from either side of the laptop, which is great for left and right-handed users.

Performance

If your day involves juggling browser tabs, Office apps, and Zoom meetings, you should find the HP Elite Dragonfly G4 will handle it effortlessly.

Powered by a 13th‑Gen Intel Core i7‑1365U (2 Performance + 8 Efficiency cores) and 16–32 GB LPDDR5 RAM, the unit scores around 5,690 in PCMark 10. This puts it on a par with higher-end ultrabooks like the Dell Latitude 9440 and Framework Laptop 13.5, yet delivered in a much lighter chassis.

For creative work, the integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 can handle light Photoshop, Figma mockups, and even short video edits. Meanwhile, in 3D benchmarks, it achieves roughly 39 fps in 1080p Medium presets, which makes it more than capable for casual visual work. That said, it’s not cut out for heavy video rendering or gaming. Unfortunately, this would test the integrated GPU limits.

Overall, its thermal management is impressive. Even under sustained load, fans stay relatively quiet, with HP Command Center allowing you to switch thermal modes between performance or silent operation.

Display & Audio

One of the most notable aspects of the HP Elite Dragonfly G4 is that its 13.5-inch display is mightily impressive. Offering sharp clarity and professional-level color accuracy, its standard IPS panel hits around 364–391 nits brightness with a strong contrast ratio (~1,400:1). This means it remains easy to view even outdoors.

Additionally, its color coverage measures about 90% sRGB and 72% DCI‑P3, which is ideal for photo editing and design work. Moreover, a high-end OLED variant is also available for deeper blacks and even richer visuals, although the IPS model already delivers clean, crisp images.

The device’s audio comes from a 2.2-channel Bang & Olufsen-tuned setup. These two top-firing tweeters and bottom woofers are powered by four discrete amps, which results in clear and balanced sound.

As a result, voices come through crisply during Zoom calls, while music and video playback have decent fullness. It might not be booming theater-level audio, but for a travel-sized laptop, the clarity and separation are nonetheless impressive.

Ports & Connectivity

The HP Elite Dragonfly G4 offers a well-rounded mix of modern ports and wireless options, although truth be told, legacy support is somewhat limited.

On the right side, you’ll find a USB‑A 3.2 Gen 1, a 3.5 mm headphone/mic jack, and one Thunderbolt 4/USB‑C port. The left side holds the second Thunderbolt 4/USB‑C, HDMI 2.1, and a nano‑SIM slot for 5G models.

Notably, there’s no SD card reader, so photographers should budget for a dongle. On the plus side though, connectivity is future-proofed with Wi‑Fi 6E (Intel AX211) and Bluetooth 5.3. However, if you use older peripherals, like Ethernet or SD, you’ll likely need a USB‑C hub or adapter.

Software & Features

As this device runs Windows 11 Pro, it offers security and stability right out of the box. Out of the gate, it includes HP Support Assistant, which streamlines maintenance. Therefore, you have diagnostics, driver updates, and self-help tools, all tucked neatly into one app.

On the collaboration front, HP has integrated Presence software which feature AI-based enhancements like Auto Frame, Natural Tone, noise reduction, and multi‑camera support that creates a highly polished Zoom or Teams call experience.

Some of its other unique features include Proximity Lock & Awake, which secures your session when you walk away, and HP Wolf Security, a built-in AI-driven suite that protects against malware from BIOS through the cloud.

Another good optional feature is HP Sure View privacy screen, which adds another layer of defense. Thankfully, none of them feels like bloatware.

Pricing & Value

Given the state of the US economy at the moment, prices for the HP Elite Dragonfly G4 are prone to vary. As of mid‑2025, the HP Elite Dragonfly G4 starts around $2,200 USD for the base Intel Core i5, 16 GB/512 GB model. However, some flagship configurations (i7, 32 GB, 1 TB, 5G) can reach $3,800–$4,000

Granted, that is a lot steeper than ultraportables like the Dell Latitude 7340 or HP Spectre x360 14, which typically run $1,600–$2,200. However, the Dragonfly delivers top security, a premium magnesium chassis, 5G option, and enterprise features.

Ideal Use Cases

All things considered, the HP Elite Dragonfly G4 is ideal for digital nomads, remote professionals, and business travelers who value portability, security, and all-day battery life. That said, it’s not well suited for gamers or heavy video editors who need dedicated graphics or ultra-high performance.

Pros & Cons

While the HP Elite Dragonfly G4 offers a polished experience for mobile professionals, it won’t suit everyone. Here’s a quick breakdown of what many perceive to be its main pros and cons:

Pros:

• Ultra-light and durable build
• Excellent webcam and keyboard
• Long battery life with fast charging
• Strong security features

Cons:

• Expensive compared to competitors
• No SD card slot
• Limited GPU for creative workloads

Final Verdict

Overall, the HP Elite Dragonfly G4 well and truly delivers on performance, portability, and polish.

While the price tag is steep, it is a thoughtfully designed tool for professionals who live a hybrid or travel-heavy lifestyle. Essentially, you’re paying for reliability, build quality, and productivity features that should genuinely add value to you.

For this reason, if you’re looking for a sleek machine that won’t weigh you down but can keep up with your workflow, this is a smart investment.