HP EliteBook 6 G1q 14 Review: A Sensible Fleet Laptop, If Snapdragon Fits the Job

HP sells several different display options for the EliteBook 6 laptops, connected to both your choice of webcam and whether the laptop comes with 5G networking, oddly enough. Every option includes the same 14-inch anti-glare 1200p, WLED display, with one touch-control variant available. The version I’ve reviewed sets itself apart with a 400-nit brightness rating (that this screen blew way past in testing), paired with a serviceable 1080p webcam and the option to install the 5G radio. The screen is just sharp enough for basic work and covers the RGB spectrum well enough.

The EliteBook’s built-in 5G mobile networking card means it can connect to the internet almost anywhere. The eSIM is a fantastic feature for a work laptop, especially if you’re on the road frequently or often work in places where traditional Wi-Fi is inconsistent or unavailable. While not the most popular laptop feature in the US, it can be a total game-changer when working from busy conferences where the available Wi-Fi is often overloaded.

As for AI, the EliteBook has access to all the same Copilot+ and HP AI features as its more luxurious counterparts. Those tools include all the Poly Camera Pro video and audio tweaks, which can be a real game-changer if you spend a lot of your workdays in video conference calls. While Microsoft offers a few built-in AI adjustments for eye contact or camera blur, PolyCamera effects are more realistic and give you better control, via convenient sliders, over how much it retouches your appearance or blurs your background.

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

HP also pre-loaded its Wolf Pro Security software onto the EliteBook, providing enterprise-level protection for small or medium-size businesses lacking a proprietary IT security suite. Combined with HP’s Multi-Factor Authenticate Gen 3—requiring up to three factors of identification for login—the EliteBook 6 is just as secure as the higher-end EliteBook Ultra and EliteBook X.

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Particularly in the work world, you’ll want to research whether Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X processors meet your organization’s specific application needs before purchasing one or several of these laptops. However, the list of downright unsupported apps is relatively small, with one key non-native application being AutoCAD. Some key professional apps such as SolidWorks, VMWare, and Bluestacks are under review, among many others.

Qualcomm claims coverage of 90% of the most frequently used apps on the Windows marketplace, but business apps often fall through the gaps, as many companies use specialized software. Many workplaces can likely get by on Snapdragon laptops without issue, but these gaps make it difficult to outright recommend them without any reservation.