By Edward Lim
Someone asked me recently to recommend a laptop that can handle AI loads. The person, whose company was developing AI solutions, was considering a high-end gaming laptop that cost five figures in Singapore dollars. That’s quite a hefty sum for a laptop, albeit one with supposedly top specifications.
While gaming laptops come with lots of GPU grunt, there are better alternatives. After all, AI PCs equipped with NPU are designed specifically to handle AI processing.
In October 2024, we reviewed the HP OmniBook X 14 AI PC. HP has since released its flagship version of the AI PC — the HP EliteBook Ultra G1i 14 business laptop for professionals.
Weighing around 1.2kg, the AI PC is light and perfect for bringing around. It does not compromise on performance either with the Intel Core Ultra 5 236V with NPU and integrated Intel Arc graphics.
The laptop scores in terms of look and feel. I love its atmospheric blue magnesium cladding, which stands out from the usual sombre crowd of black devices. The keyboard is crisp and responsive with a firm tactile feel while the haptic touchpad is large and sensitive to the touch.
Coupled with a premium OLED display and HP’s Wolf Pro Security suite, it makes a suitable companion for executives, IT leaders and mobile professionals.
Here are three reasons why I love the HP EliteBook Ultra G1i 14:
- Premium feel: The chassis is slim, lightweight and exudes a premium feel, making it highly portable without compromising durability.
- AI ready: The G1i is ready for AI-driven workflows and workloads and comes with Windows Copilot+ features. HP Wolf Pro Security Edition is in-built to provide comprehensive, hardware-enforced protection, including malware defence, remote lock/wipe and device monitoring.
- Made for conferencing: Its 9MP webcam, Poly Studio-tuned quad speakers, and dual AI-enhanced microphones ensures crystal-clear video and audio in meetings. An added bonus is the built-in camera cover (below) for privacy.
Lack of discrete GPU limitation
The integrated Intel Arc GPU should be sufficient for daily tasks such as browsing, office applications, video conferencing, media consumption, and even some form of AI processing. However, the lack of a discrete GPU may limit the notebook’s ability to handle GPU dependent AI workloads such as Stable Diffusion image generation. For the target users though, this should not be an issue.
Conclusion
Available for S$2,699, the HP EliteBook Ultra G1i 14 makes a compelling choice for executives and IT professionals who require top-tier security and robust performance; business travellers who value light weight, style and durability; and content creators who need a high-quality display, strong multitasking and AI acceleration for productivity and creative tasks.
Overall, this is an excellent effort from HP. The HP EliteBook Ultra G1i 14 is a top-notch AI PC that combines style, portability and AI-enhanced productivity.
Entelechy Asia 