CES 2023 Hands-On: HP’s Dragonfly Pro, a Sharp Laptop With Special CPU Sauce

During CES 2023, HP announced both Windows and ChromeOS versions of a new premium laptop aimed at independent professionals like freelancers and digital content creators. The price of the Windows-based HP Dragonfly Pro hasn't been revealed, but the company says it should arrive in the spring. We got a look at a pre-production model in a preview meeting before the trade show.

The HP Dragonfly Pro in a Nutshell

What makes this pro-grade laptop special? For starters, it has a special set of hotkeys to the right of the keyboard tied to specific apps and commands for easier access, including HP SmartCam and 24/7 online support (more on that in a minute). Second, it features an adaptive processing technology co-developed by HP and AMD that promises to boost both performance and efficiency.

(Credit: Kyle Cobian)

The Windows 11 laptop will be available in several configurations, all based on an AMD Ryzen 7 U-series (low wattage) processor with integrated Radeon graphics. Base models will have 16GB of RAM and a 512GB NVMe solid-state drive, with fancier versions boasting 32GB of memory and a 1TB SSD. The memory and storage are permanently affixed to the motherboard, so you'll have to choose a configuration at checkout rather than being able to upgrade later.

(Credit: Kyle Cobian)

Every Dragonfly Pro will feature a 14-inch IPS touch screen with 1,920-by-1,200-pixel resolution. Protected by edge-to-edge Corning Gorilla Glass, it will cover 100% of the sRGB color gamut and offer 400 nits of brightness, numbers we'll verify when we get a production unit for review later this year.

(Credit: Kyle Cobian)

As for connections, the Dragonfly Pro has two USB4 Type-C ports with Thunderbolt 3—not Thunderbolt 4—functionality, as well as a USB-C 3.2 port. Any of the three will accommodate the AC adapter, which supports HP's fast charging technology to fill the battery to 50% capacity in just 30 minutes.

Bluetooth 5.2 and Wi-Fi 6E are standard, as is a 5-megapixel webcam that should make the Dragonfly Pro a capable choice for remote meetings with colleagues and clients.

As mentioned, the right side of the laptop's keyboard holds special keys that give immediate access to HP's SmartCam app and Command Center control panel plus a customizable key to launch a favorite program or website. Another opens the company's new 24/7 Live Concierge Support chat app, which aims to give independent workers their own IT department online. HP says the chat staff are experts specifically trained on the Dragonfly Pro. The online support will be joined by an Apple Care-like accidental damage protection plan, though HP didn't have any subscription details ready at our meeting.

(Credit: Kyle Cobian)

We also mentioned HP's and AMD's adaptive performance control, dubbed Platform Management Framework (PMF). This involves some custom silicon and software measures to automatically adjust CPU performance, fan speed, and system temperature based on how you use the laptop. We'll look forward to wringing it out in a full review.

As with many laptops seen at CES, there's also a sustainability play here. The Dragonfly Pro chassis is made of recycled metal, and HP claims its battery should last for up to 16 hours with mixed productivity use and video playback.

A Strong First Impression

Finally, the Dragonfly Pro will be available in black and white hues that look equally classy. It looks set to be an impressive laptop that will extend to independent entrepreneurs the high standard of HP's existing Dragonfly business notebooks. Stay tuned for our review this spring.