HP Dragonfly Folio G3 Evaluation: A 2-in-1 for discerning business users

In the world of business PCs, few need to stand out or make waves. That’s why HP’s Dragonfly line has consistently impressed with its mix of revolutionary, high-quality machines which might be mature. The Dragonfly Folio 2-in-1 is now a tried and true idea, which acts like a standard laptop computer more often than not till you pull the display ahead, both to previous the keyboard or all the best way flat. No detaching items to interrupt or lose.

The newest within the Folio household is the HP Dragonfly Folio G3, based mostly on Intel chips and an improved design. This laptop computer makes a really constructive first impression, however is it an impression that may final?

Looking for extra laptop computer choices? Check out our roundup of one of the best laptops obtainable at present.

HP Dragonfly Folio G3: Specifications and options

Our evaluate unit options the next specs:

• CPU: Intel Core i7-1265U (10 cores, 12 threads: 2 efficiency, 8 effectivity) with vPro
• Memory: 16 GB LPDDR5 RAM, soldered down (as much as 32 GB configurable)
• Graphics/GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
• Display: 13.5-inch 3:2 WUXGA+ (1920×1280) IPS LCD touchscreen
• Storage: 512 GB M.2 NVMe PCIe strong state drive
• Webcam: 8MP
• Connectivity:  2x Thunderbolt 4, 1x 3.5mm combo audio
• Networking: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth TKTK, 5G WWAN (elective)
• Biometrics: Windows Hello facial recognition
• Battery capability: 68 Wh
• Dimensions: TKTK (W) x TKTK (D) x TKTK (H) inches
• Weight: 3.06 kilos, 3.86 kilos with AC adapter
• Price: $2,474.20

HP Dragonfly Folio G3: Design and construct high quality

IDG / Brendan Nystedt

The HP Dragonfly Folio G3 makes an important first impression. From the second you’re taking the fake leather-wrapped machine from its field, you may really feel the solidity of its construct. Its steel deck has nary a flex, and has cozy smoothed edges that don’t dig into your fingers or wrists. Although you received’t get a whiff of latest automobile scent from its plastic leatherette outer case, it helps but make this pc really feel mushy and alluring to make use of.

Even the 2-in-1 motion, which may really feel floppy or fragile has a satisfying really feel to it. Strong magnets maintain the display in place for common laptop computer use, and a agency pull brings it ahead to one among two positions. All in all, there’s a dedication to design and class with the Dragonfly Folio G3 that I’m undecided I’ve seen in one other pc, a lot much less a business-targeted mannequin.

Along the perimeters are ports and vents so subtly carved in that I didn’t discover them at first. This was to the machine’s detriment the primary few occasions, as I attempted to plug the USB-C charger into the groove proper subsequent to the port, as an alternative of the port itself. There’s a small click-in tray for the SIM card must you get a model with 5G built-in, and the alternative facet has a wi-fi charging pad and docking slot for the included pen (however extra on that later). It’s minimalist however in a means that’s totally different from Apple’s MacBooks or Dell’s premium XPS fashions. From its embossed HP brand to its darkish steel end the entire affair is refined, modern, and reveals a way of maturity.

If I can leverage any criticism on the Folio G3 it’s that the entire contraption feels cumbersome in comparison with different laptops. Something in regards to the steel building plus the dense plastic leather-based makes it appear heavier and thicker than it truly is. It’s solely a bit over 3 kilos, however one thing just like the Surface Pro 9 is sort of a half-pound lighter, whereas the business-focused ThinkPad X13s Gen 1 is underneath 2.5 kilos. It’s clear that the additional grams go in the direction of the Dragonfly Folio’s robust-feeling display mechanism and premium steel elements. 

HP Dragonfly Folio G3: Connectivity

IDG / Brendan Nystedt

Given that this machine was designed for on-the-go employees who have to make an important impression in conferences (whether or not there’re on Teams or within the room), I didn’t anticipate a ton of ports. As it stands, you get 2 Thunderbolt 4-friendly USB-C ports on the lefthand facet, with a 3.5mm headset jack close by. Strangely, solely one among these ports can settle for cost, one thing I haven’t seen on many latest laptops. This meant that sometimes, I’d come again to a pc that wasn’t absolutely charged. The appropriate port is the one closest to you, and I’d additionally double verify that the pinhole charging gentle’s illuminated to make sure it’s taking up energy.

In phrases of wi-fi choices, the HP Dragonfly Folio G3 comes customary with Intel Wi-Fi 6E, the most recent by way of requirements. Additionally, my evaluate pattern got here with a 5G WWAN modem, additionally by Intel. Users can select to make use of the inner eSIM to subscribe to an information plan, or insert a bodily SIM into the small slot on the machine. While I used to be unable to check the 5G connectivity, the wi-fi was nearly as good as I’d anticipate from a laptop computer in 2022.

HP Dragonfly Folio G3: Keyboard, pen, and trackpad

Although shallow, the keyboard on the Dragonfly Folio G3 is solely excellent. It has an virtually mechanical preciseness to it, with every key giving a particular and easy-to-feel snap while you’ve hit it excellent. If I’ve to be away from my chonky desktop mechanical keyboard, that is the form of home-away-from-home I really like typing on for hours on finish. The keyboard is backlit, though it solely has a few ranges of brightness. The full perform row has a ton of helpful shortcut keys, together with a mute button, digital camera killswitch, airplane mode toggle, and even a user-programmable button marked with three diamonds.

IDG / Brendan Nystedt

In the scheme of issues, the touchpad right here is sort of the equal of the keyboard. Its huge glass floor lets your fingers glide alongside, and palm detection was near-perfect. Gestures have been precisely interpreted—all in all it’s simply the form of touchpad each laptop computer deserves. While you received’t discover any high-tech haptic motors inside, the clicking of this trackpad provides you a constructive response but it surely’s not too harsh. Goldilocks would like it.

IDG / Brendan Nystedt

If you want taking handwritten notes, the Dragonfly Folio features a pen within the field. The pen magnetically docks and expenses on the facet of the Folio, and has a singular magnetic docking tab that retains it from getting knocked off. While it may come free in a bag, I discovered it stays put very effectively. Artists may not love this pen on account of some noticeable jitter when drawing straight traces, however for annotation, doodles, or regular notetaking duties, it really works simply high-quality.

HP Dragonfly Folio G3: Display, audio system, and webcam

If there was any side of the HP Dragonfly Folio G3 that gave me pause, it might the show. The 3:2 side IPS display is completely high-quality in use, with good colours and strong distinction. The decision is completely chosen, at 1920×1280 there aren’t any bizarre scaling points and textual content seems a lot crisp. It’s simply that at this premium worth, I’d anticipate one thing further particular.

Apple’s 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro fashions have next-gen mini LED screens with unbelievable colours and HDR-grade highlights. Dell provides OLED panels on a bunch of its computer systems. Why does the luxurious Folio G3 get such a fundamental display? (For what it’s value, HP says they provide an OLED on this Dragonfly mannequin, but it surely’s particular order solely, and the overwhelming majority of fashions will include this ho-hum IPS LCD).

IDG / Brendan Nystedt

Thankfully, the 8 megapixel webcam does a greater job at making the Dragonfly really feel tailored for work situations. Although it’s not the sharpest digital camera I’ve ever seen on a laptop computer, you’ll be well-exposed and visual whether or not you’re sitting to the facet of the show or head-on because of a large area of view. There’s additionally an auto-zoom function that can punch in in your face or head-and-shoulders to maintain you within the image in the event you transfer round. It’s clear that by reducing down an 8MP picture, there’s little or no loss in general high quality in the event you activate it so that you’ll look roughly nearly as good. Microphones also can seize sound from a wide selection of positions, even in the event you’re throughout the room from the Dragonfly Folio.

An infrared sensor close to the digital camera that may inform whether or not or not somebody is actively in entrance of the pc. I assumed it was just a little aggressive in regards to the time it dims the display with its Walk Away Lock setting, however for those that work in an open workplace, it might be a pleasant function to have.

While HP may have skimped on the audio system, the Dragonfly Folio G3 manages to place out some spectacular sound. I used to be particularly impressed with the midrange and the best way that spoken-word content material remained clear and with out distortion until you push quantity previous 80%. That actually emphasizes the design parameters of the microphones, webcam, and audio system right here: fairly glorious for Teams or Zoom conferences.

HP Dragonfly Folio G3: Software

HP saved the added software program to a minimal right here, solely retaining apps for options that in any other case wouldn’t have settings. There’s an “Easy Clean” app that disables the pc’s enter gadgets for 2 minutes, letting you clear the display, keyboard, and mouse with out unintentional inputs. The myHP app has further settings that you could be or could not discover helpful, together with auto display dimming and a privateness alert that each use the webcam. Inexplicably, the instrument that may management the pc’s infrared presence detection, referred to as HP Auto Lock & Awake, is simply accessible through the Settings app.

Perhaps essentially the most aggressive included app is HP’s Wolf Security suite, which is so vital it additionally will get a sticker subsequent to Intel’s on the laptop computer’s palmrest. This is HP’s umbrella branding for its system administration, antivirus, and monitoring instruments. This could be a plus for organizations which might be already within the HP fold but when your organization makes use of totally different software program to maintain its laptops protected, it may imply every system must be reimaged. Contrasted with different antivirus suites, Wolf appears comparatively sedate, not often popping up notifications and by no means bullying the person into paying for a subscription.

HP Dragonfly Folio G3: Performance

With its Intel Core i7-1265U the HP Dragonfly Folio G3 2-in-1 stays cool and quiet underneath most circumstances. While it solely has two efficiency cores, what you’ll get is greater than enough for regular duties.

IDG / Brendan Nystedt

We use the PCMark 10 benchmark to get a birds’ eye overview of a laptop computer’s day-to-day efficiency. The i7-1265U is quick for a low-power chip but it surely’s undoubtedly not essentially the most spectacular processor obtainable in a skinny laptop computer. We can see this within the PCMark take a look at wanting on the distinction between the Dragonfly Folio G3 and the performance-focused business machine from Dynabook, the Portege X40. The HP is nice sufficient for most normcore business wants, although, so don’t let the lackluster rating make you suppose it’s sluggish by any stretch.

IDG / Brendan Nystedt

We use Cinebench R15 to get an concept of how effectively all a laptop computer’s cores work collectively in an intensive 3D rendering take a look at. The HP Dragonfly Folio G3 was behind the competitors by a bit. We know that the Dragonfly Folio G3 was designed to maintain cool and quiet, and between that and its lower-power U-series chip, we will see the way it scores rather a lot decrease than a machine just like the Dynabook Portege X40, with its performance-focused, hot-running design.

IDG / Brendan Nystedt

Given that this can be a very skinny business laptop computer, you shouldn’t anticipate wonderful graphics efficiency from the HP Dragonfly Folio G3 2-in-1. It has the usual Intel Xe Graphics you discover on machines that price a bit extra, and that price far much less as effectively. Again, the distinction we see right here comes all the way down to HP’s tuning to concentrate on a cool, quiet pc quite than any vital variations within the processors.

IDG / Brendan Nystedt

Battery life wasn’t a powerful go well with for the HP Dragonfly Folio G3, clocking 10 hours and 5 minutes in our looping video take a look at. If you worth battery life in your business machine, the ARM-equipped Surface Pro 9 ran rings across the Dragonfly Folio G3, clocking in at virtually 16 hours underneath the identical take a look at. A business-oriented ARM ThinkPad logged an additional 2.7 hours of runtime in comparison with the HP as effectively. It’s clear that if energy and software program compatibility aren’t a difficulty in your group, that Windows on ARM ought to be thought of on this worth vary. 

HP Dragonfly Folio G3: Conclusion

The HP Dragonfly Folio G3, taken by itself, is a compelling machine. It has an important design and keyboard and touchpad. Plus, it features a pen. About the one space the place I can ding this machine is that for the worth, you most likely deserve a much more premium show. The IPS touchscreen used right here is completely high-quality, however removed from wonderful.

It actually isn’t till we throw in some competing machines that it turns into rather less compelling. For its measurement, HP has caught to a extra regular, cooler U-class Intel chip that’s completely high-quality however doesn’t blow the doorways off. That’s the place it’s clear that this can be a pocket book for normcore business users. There are a ton of different premium machines that may match it on battery life for higher energy, or beat it on runtime whereas tackling business duties (assuming you persist with the Microsoft ecosystem) about as effectively.