- Sleek design
- Effectively works as a desktop
- Great typing experience
- Could use a video port
- Expensive
- Fans get loud in quiet rooms
When I first evaluated an early prototype of HP’s Eliteboard G1a — a keyboard housing the complete internals of a desktop computer — I found it fascinating. Now, after using the final retail model, I believe it signals that personal computers will evolve into forms we barely recognize in the coming years. However, HP deliberately avoids marketing the EliteBoard to general consumers: at its current $1,499 entry price and present design, it primarily appeals to IT professionals seeking novelty. It’s not designed for you. Yet, wouldn’t it be exciting if it were?
Examining the EliteBoard reminded me of early PC eras, when devices like the Commodore 64 functioned essentially as large keyboard units linked to televisions. You’d need to revisit ASUS’s Eee Keyboard in 2009 for the most recent attempt at a keyboard-integrated PC, coinciding with the dawn of smartphones. Today’s market, flooded with affordable ultraportable laptops and lightweight tablets, makes it difficult for average buyers to justify purchasing a true keyboard-based desktop.
But consider the perspective of an IT specialist managing dozens of machines in a lab, or potentially thousands across an entire enterprise. I’m asking you to step into my shoes from two decades ago, when I worked nearly eight years in college IT. I spent excessive time hauling bulky Dell desktops around campus using golf carts and dollies. Most of those computers saw minimal use in labs and offices. While compact desktops exist today, none match the EliteBoard’s lightweight 1.5-pound profile.
Hardware: A desktop in keyboard clothing
The most striking aspect of HP’s EliteBoard is its unassuming appearance. It resembles countless standard grey and black keyboards attached to corporate systems. Its weight also hides its true nature, as mechanical keyboards are often heavy. However, closer inspection reveals its uniqueness. The keys feature a soft-touch surface that naturally encourages typing. Ample key travel ensures a responsive typing experience without the harsh plastic clacking typical of budget keyboards.
The rear panel includes only two USB-C ports. Here’s where it gets unusual: one port delivers 45W power to the EliteBoard and transmits video to compatible USB-C displays. Alternatively, you can power the system via the included standalone USB-C charger while using the first port with an HDMI adapter. HP supplies an HDMI hub that attaches directly to monitors, providing ports for a secondary HDMI display, USB-C charging, and a dedicated USB-C connection to the EliteBoard.
Inside, the device utilizes AMD’s Ryzen AI 300 processors, along with user-upgradeable RAM and SSD storage. My review model came equipped with a Ryzen AI 5 Pro 340 chip, Radeon 840M graphics, 32GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD — the minimum storage I’d anticipate from a corporate device. Standard Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity are also included.
Setting up the EliteBoard G1a
I initially struggled with the setup process, expecting traditional HDMI or DisplayPort connections alongside the USB-C ports. HP recommends using the included HDMI hub or connecting directly to a USB-C display. While the hub works, its short cable length made it difficult to reach my Alienware monitor. I assume HP designed it to remain concealed behind screens. Connecting to a USB-C monitor proves the cleanest solution, as a single cable handles both video and power delivery.
My initial approach of using a separate USB-C charger and my own USB-C hub (with an HDMI port) created a tangled mess of cables. Unfortunately, HP’s hub failed to transmit video to my monitor. I ended up purchasing a $10 HDMI-to-USB-C adapter and using an HDMI cable. Although the EliteBoard ultimately required only two cables on my desk, I couldn’t help but imagine how sleek it would appear with a USB-C monitor.
Beyond labs and offices, HP positions the EliteBoard for professionals who frequently relocate between workspaces, such as hot-desking employees. In such cases, USB-C monitors at each location would be ideal. Carrying HP’s HDMI hub repeatedly would be cumbersome. The system also supports approximately three and a half hours of mobile operation with an optional internal battery.
Using the EliteBoard G1a: Well, it’s a Windows PC
Once I resolved the cabling, the HP EliteBoard G1a functioned identically to any standard PC. I powered it on, logged into Windows, registered my fingerprint on the integrated reader (which doubles as the power button), and reached the desktop within five minutes. Subsequent use felt identical to any basic Windows machine.
Installing Microsoft Store apps, browsing the web, streaming YouTube, writing, and checking email felt indistinguishable from other recent PCs. Its PCMark score of 6,736 aligns it with ultraportable laptops from two years ago, such as HP’s Spectre x360 16 and systems powered by Intel’s Core Ultra 7 155H. However, the integrated Radeon GPU’s limited VRAM triggered warnings during 3DMark tests. While suitable for most office tasks, gaming is not advisable. (This limitation, ironically, makes it more appealing to businesses.)
HP deserves commendation for prioritizing the keyboard experience. Typing on the EliteBoard felt exceptional, with no compromise in feel despite the dense internal components. As a full PC, the fans will activate occasionally, which might disturb quiet environments like libraries. Fortunately, minimal heat transfers to the keys during intensive use.
I was also surprised to discover a small built-in speaker, though it only handles system audio. For music, you’ll need Bluetooth speakers/headphones or USB-C computer speakers.
Who needs the EliteBoard G1a?
The EliteBoard G1a had one purpose: functioning as a compact desktop within a keyboard form factor. It succeeded admirably. However, I must emphasize: unless you work in IT, there’s no justification for purchasing the EliteBoard G1a, particularly at our review unit’s $1,795 price point. (Base models start at $1,500 without a battery, 16GB RAM, and 256GB SSD.) Similar to Intel’s Compute Stick, the design intrigues me, and its competent PC performance enhances that interest. Any rational consumer would be better served by a traditional mini-PC for a tidy workspace.
While HP doesn’t intend to sell the EliteBoard widely to consumers, company representatives have indicated they’ll monitor its reception. Should demand arise for a simplified consumer version of a keyboard PC, HP will have gained valuable experience in its development.