HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook sale: Base model is $979.99
We already knew the base model of the HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook starts at $1,149. What we didn’t know that is that before widespread availability, this model would be discounted. Today I noticed an HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook sale price of $979.99 with delivery expected around the end of July.
This sale price is direct from HP and I was able to add the Chromebook to my cart, as shown:
Frankly, I’m a bit surprised, albeit in a good way.
Since the introduction of the HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook in January, I’ve said it’s likely to cost more than most people expect. And based on the official pricing for all configurations, that thought is justified. The mid-range models are around $1,500. And if you want the best configurations, you’re looking at spending more than $1,700.
So this is an early chance to get a capable model with 12th-gen Intel Core i3 processor at a discount. I’m sure there will be more opportunities like this in the future.
Along with the Core i3-1215U process and Iris Xe graphics, the base model packs 8 GB of memory and 128 GB of local storage. Like all models, it has a 13.5-inch touch screen that rotates 360-degrees for tablet mode. This configuration uses a bright, 1080p IPS panel.
The HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook base model also shares other features from the range of configurations.
It has a pair of USB Type-C ports that are Thunderbolt 4 capable along with a single USB Type-A port. The 1080p webcam has a privacy shutter and the keyboard is backlit Plus it has both a fingerprint sensor and unique haptic trackpad.
Although I’m reviewing a higher-end model with Intel Core i5, my first impressions of the HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook have been very favorable. Yes, my review unit will have peppier performance due to the Core i5. But I wouldn’t expect the base model to be that far behind.
So far in my usage, there isn’t much to complain about. This Chrome OS laptop could well be the king of Chromebooks for 2022. The only potential challenge to that claim is the price when compared to upcoming Chromebooks that will have similar internals. Acer Chromebook Spin 714, I’m looking at you and your $749 starting price.
But $979.99 is closer to $749 than $1,149 is, so any discount on the HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook helps make the value proposition a little better. And to be fair, you can purchase the HP now. Availability on the Acer isn’t expected for at least another month or so.
In any case, early birds who have to have the first Chromebook with haptic trackpad can pull the trigger now at a discount.
Like I said above, I’m sure there will be other sale opportunities, either from HP or resellers. If you’re on the fence, waiting on this deal won’t likely have you miss out on paying less for the HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook in the future.
I was thinking about this one for a while but in the end I decided to upgrade to the Acer 513 Spin with the Komapnio 1380. Mediatek has me really excited and mine arrives on Tuesday. The only drawback for me is that the Acer does not have a fingerprint sensor but with saving $364 I can justify skipping the sensor.
Can it process 4K video using Power director from the Play Store? My Pixelbook i5 8GB cannot handle clips from my Pixel 6 Pro, unless I load Open Camera and shoot them in 720p. Anyhoo, I just bought the base MacBook Air M1 for $850 from Apple Refurb. It is bound to process 4K using the onboard iMovie editor. I loved Chromebook until I started making some YT videos.
The customizable version doesn’t ship until Dec. 23. Maybe it would be more accurate to call it the “King of the Chromebook *2023*”!
I am curious how much difference you’d experience going from a Gen 8 Core i5 chip to a Gen 12 core i3 chip? I’m rather interested in the Dragonfly but the i5 config is just beyond my resources.
I mostly live in Chrome itself and use Android apps where there isn’t a good web based version of something (Radarscope, Sonos, etc…). The rest is mostly running Linux and executing PowerShell, VS Code, and other scripting based items from the device. If where ever to game it would be cloud based and in that case the screen quality is more important that local resources.
I’m close to pulling the trigger on the Dragonfly.
I haven’t done any formal comparisons yet but most everything (particularly Linux installs and updates) feels faster on the Dragonfly. I can certainly get by with 2018 Acer Chromebook Spin 13 as it’s not “slow” by any means. But I’m tempted to upgrade to a 12th-gen CPU.
Which tells me that Intel’s new hybrid P&E core 12th gen chips are really nailing the new architecture. It isn’t as easy of a comparison since we aren’t just talking 2/4-core chips that are either designed for mobile energy efficiency or desktop powerhouse performance. Now we have to take into account that the 12th gen use the power and efficiency cores.
I’m going to go out on a limb and assume a 12th gen Core i3 is going to out perform an 8th gen i5 “Y” pretty much across the board. Assuming the 2 Power cores in the i3-1215U are equal to the 2-cores on a legacy i5-8200U chip plus 4 efficiency cores.
If I don’t see any rumors of Google coming out with a Pixelbook/Pixelbook Go successor the Dragonfly will probably be my replacement Chromebook later this year. I will try to squeeze as much life out of my Pixelbook Go though. The 16:9 screen withstanding the Pixelbook Go is the pinnacle of Chromebook design IMO. If the only change to the Pixelbook Go is updated internals and a 16:10 or 3:2 screen I’d love it.