HP’s Dragonfly household has been round for just a few generations as a premium enterprise laptop computer to face toe-to-toe with the Dell XPS 13 vary and Lenovo’s ThinkPad X1 household. The corporate is at present on its third technology Dragonfly lineup, of which we’ve already reviewed the Elite Dragonfly G3. As we speak, we’re wanting on the Dragonfly Folio G3, which returns to the 2-in-1 convertible type issue first launched in 2019.
Weighing in at 3.09 kilos, the Dragonfly Folio G3 is almost a pound heavier than the extra typical Dragonfly G3. You may assume that is the value you pay for the extra complicated hinge mechanism obligatory for a 2-in-1 convertible, besides the authentic 2019-era Dragonfly was additionally a convertible and simply 2.2 kilos. For that additional weight, you get a taller 3:2 show, however it’s not solely clear the place the additional heft comes from, contemplating the 53 Whr battery within the new Folio can be barely lower than the 56 Whr one we noticed within the authentic fold-over Dragonfly again in 2019.
HP manages to pack in some pleasing options, like an 8-megapixel webcam, a magnetically-attached stylus, a complete HP-branded software program suite and a potent B&O-tuned audio system. However, there are some misses, just like the smaller battery (in comparison with the Dragonfly G3) and the overly reflective shiny show.
For these searching for a high-end business-oriented convertible, the HP Dragonfly Folio G3 ticks lots of the requisite bins for consideration among the many finest ultraportable and premium laptops. Nonetheless, be cognizant that getting into the Dragonfly Folio G3 area doesn’t come low-cost. The convertible begins at just below $2,400, and our assessment unit practically hit $2,800 when outfitted with a Core i7-1265U processor, 16GB of RAM, 512GB SSD and a 5G modem.
Design of the HP Dragonfly Folio G3
The magnesium chassis of the HP Dragonfly Folio G3 is sturdy with minimal flex. It has a high-quality end in darkish grey with only a trace of shimmering flakes embedded. That sparkly end extends to the backlit keyboard. It is a full-size keyboard, however as a result of trim dimensions of the gadget, it doesn’t have a quantity pad. A big glass Microsoft Precision Touchpad is included. Dominating the present is a 3:2 show measuring 13.5 inches throughout with a WUXGA+ decision of 1920 x 1280 and an 88.3% screen-to-body ratio.
The again of the show is roofed in an artificial leather-based materials (polyurethane) with contrasting stitching and an embossed HP emblem. It wraps across the show hinge and extends just below the underside rear of the chassis. This selection of fabric offers the Dragonfly Folio G3 a premium really feel and the looks of a closed guide when the lid is closed.
Given its trim dimensions (11.67 x 9.22 x 0.7 inches), there is not a lot room for exterior connectivity. All you may discover on the Dragonfly Folio G3 are two Thunderbolt 4 ports, one in every of which is used for charging the gadget with the included 65-watt USB-C energy adapter. The one different bodily port is a 3.5 mm audio jack.
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If you wish to use wired Ethernet or join a number of peripherals to the Dragonfly Folio G3, you may have to dwell the dongle life or put money into a very good USB-C or Thunderbolt hub. There’s a nano SIM slot on the left facet of the chassis for WWAN connectivity. Our assessment unit got here with an Intel 5G Answer 5000 modem, however a lesserr Intel XMM 7560 R+ LTE-Superior Professional modem can be accessible.
The Dragonfly Folio G3 has three working modes. It has a normal laptop computer mode, which is self-explanatory. A Media mode angles the show midway down the deck, slightly below the keyboard and above the touchpad. This mode is beneficial for watching movies or different content material whereas nonetheless gaining access to the touchpad for navigation. Lastly, there is a Artistic mode (pill mode), the place the show is barely inclined above the keyboard and touchpad. On this mode, you need to use the included Dragonfly Folio G3 Pen to take notes or sketch.
Since you will have a sturdy base in all of the modes, the Dragonfly Folio G3 makes a greater lap companion than removable tablets.
HP Dragonfly Folio G3 Specs
| CPU | Intel Core i7-1265U |
| Graphics | Intel Xe Iris built-in graphics |
| Reminiscence | 16GB LPDDR5-6400 |
| Storage | 512B PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD |
| Show | 13.5-inch, WUXGA+ 1920×1280, 60 Hz, Shiny |
| Networking | Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211 + Bluetooth 5.3, Intel 5G Answer 5000 WWAN Broadband |
| Ports | 2x Thunderbolt 4, Nano SIM |
| Digicam | 8MP + IR |
| Battery | 53 Whr |
| Energy Adapter | 65 W |
| Working System | Home windows 11 Professional |
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 11.67 x 9.22 x 0.7 inches (296.42 x 234.19 x 17.78 mm) |
| Weight | 3.09 kilos (1.40 kg) |
| Worth (as configured) | $2,749 |
Utilizing the Numerous Working Modes on the HP Dragonfly Folio G3
The “Customary” laptop-style mode might be how most individuals will use the HP Dragonfly Folio G3. There’s nothing out of the abnormal on this mode, because it operates identical to a standard laptop computer.
Issues get attention-grabbing whenever you shift the show into “Media” mode. It took a little bit apply, however adjusting the display screen requires inserting your thumbs about two-thirds down on both facet of the show after which bending it again. This exerts sufficient power to pry the show from its magnetized backplate. You’ll be able to then transfer the show into place (there are two small rubber nubs that will help you correctly align the show). I discovered myself utilizing this mode to look at YouTube movies and even caught up on just a few episodes of “Star Wars: Andor.” The angle of the show proved preferrred for consuming content material, or maybe giving a presentation if you do not have a much bigger display screen round.
The “Artistic” mode lays the show down at a slight incline, which is conducive to writing and drawing. I had no hassle utilizing Microsoft Whiteboard to sketch designs I had in thoughts for revamping our yard, and the palm rejection labored as marketed.
Productiveness Efficiency on the HP Dragonfly Folio G3
The HP Dragonfly Folio G3 assessment pattern that we obtained options an Intel Core i7-1265U CPU, 16GB of DDR5 RAM and a 512GB SSD. This configuration is similar to the Elite Dragonfly G3 laptop computer we reviewed again in September. This can be a low-power U-Sequence processor, so HP would not should be as aggressive with its cooling answer, which implies decrease noise ranges for customers (which we’ll discuss later).
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Kicking issues off with the Geekbench 5 artificial benchmark, the Dragonfly Folio G3 traded blows with its extra conventional Dragonfly G3 counterpart. The previous scored 1,488 within the single-core benchmark, whereas the latter took the first-place spot with a rating of 1,657. Issues have been reversed with the multi-core rating, with the Dragonfly Folio G3 scoring 6,879 versus 6,501 for the Dragonfly G3 Folio.
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga (Gen 7) options an Intel Core i7-1260P processor and took second place within the single-core benchmark with a rating of 1,644, whereas it ran away from the competitors in multi-core efficiency with a rating of 8,632. The Microsoft Floor Professional 9 (Microsoft SQ3 SoC) introduced up the rear with single-core and multi-core scores of 1,125 and 5,849, respectively.
Surprisingly, the Dragonfly Folio G3’s SSD lagged far behind its Elite Dragonfly G3 counterpart within the file switch check. The previous mustered 674.5 MBps versus 1,157.23 MBps for the latter (each are 512GB PCIe SSDs). The ThinkPad X1 Yoga (Gen 7) took second place at 955.09 MBps, whereas the Floor Professional 9 introduced up the rear at 414.8 MBps.
Our Handbrake check, which entails transcoding a 4K video to 1080p, noticed the ThinkPad X1 Yoga (Gen 7) take high honors. It accomplished the check in 10 minutes and 35 seconds, in comparison with 11 minutes and 16 seconds for the Dragonfly Folio G3. The Dragonfly G3 completed the check in 13 minutes and 9 seconds, whereas the Floor Professional 9 got here in at a smidge below 13 minutes.
Our stress check entails working the Cinebench R23 benchmark 20 instances in a loop on the Dragonfly Folio G3. The HP machine scored 6,444 on the primary run. Subsequent runs have been decrease, settling in at just below 5,700 for the remainder of the stress check.
Our assessment pattern options the Core i7-1265U with two efficiency cores and eight effectivity cores. Throughout the Cinebench R23 stress check, the efficiency cores averaged 2.28 GHz, whereas the effectivity cores averaged 1.71 GHz. Our testing confirmed that the CPU package deal averaged 57 levels Celsius. Surprisingly, throughout the stress check, the followers have been barely audible. I needed to hover my ear above the keyboard to make out the faint noise emanating from the spinning followers.
Show on the HP Dragonfly Folio G3
Though HP gives the Dragonfly Folio G3 with as much as a 3000 x 2000 OLED show, our check unit got here with a 1920 x 1280 contact panel. HP says the panel is rated for 400 nits, though it got here up brief in our testing.
The 3:2 side ratio nonetheless is not typical amongst laptops, as 16:9 stays the dominant configuration. Nonetheless, I appreciated the additional vertical actual property, particularly when engaged on Phrase paperwork and Excel spreadsheets.
The Dragonfly Folio G3 covers 114 % of the sRGB colour house, placing it simply forward of its Dragonfly G3 sibling (113 %). DCI-P3 protection got here in at 80.5 %, placing it forward of all rivals right here.
However, the Dragonfly Folio G3 pulled up the rear within the measured brightness, coming in at 332 nits in our testing, versus HP’s declare of 400 nits. That efficiency was decrease than the Dragonfly G3 we just lately examined (370 nits). The Microsoft Floor Professional 9 was the most effective of the pack, coming in at 439 nits.
My major subject was the shiny show, which launched unpleasant reflections, even with the panel brightness maxed out. In my residence workplace, the place I’ve a number of overhead LED lighting, reflections are an issue with darker content material on the display screen. Engaged on Phrase paperwork or getting into knowledge in Excel wasn’t a problem. Nonetheless, watching “Wednesday” on Netflix proved considerably annoying because the reflections have been distracting, notably with the bigger borders on the high and backside of the content material as a result of 3:2 side ratio.
Keyboard and Touchpad on the HP Dragonfly Folio G3
The HP Dragonfly Folio G3 employs a keyboard practically similar to the one discovered on the HP Dragonfly G3. Though the keyboard was a little bit cramped for my arms, the largest subject I needed to get used to was the half-height directional keys. It’s a obligatory compromise for such a compact convertible, however I’m not keen on it.
Whereas the Elite Dragonfly G3 we reviewed again in September had a fingerprint reader instead of the proper management key, the Dragonfly Folio G3 ditches that biometric safety methodology. A fingerprint reader isn’t even accessible as an choice right here. You’ll have to depend on the superb webcam for facial recognition on the Dragonfly Folio G3.
I take advantage of keyhero.com as my go-to useful resource for testing typing accuracy with keyboards. There, I managed a rating of 80.04 phrases per minute with an accuracy of 96.83 %. That was under the 85 phrases per minute and 90 % accuracy I achieved with the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3’s bigger keyboard.
The touchpad measures 4.75 x 3.12 inches and was giant sufficient to navigate round Home windows 11 simply. It encompasses a glass floor and was a pleasure to make use of.
HP Dragonfly Folio G3 Stylus
A stylus is included within the field with the Folio G3, and it has a pleasant dimension and heft. It incorporates a tiny magnetic charging connector that extends when it nears the port on the proper facet of the Dragonfly Folio G3’s chassis. As soon as linked, the stylus can go from a 0 % to 100% cost in roughly half an hour.
Whereas the magnetic connection is powerful sufficient to maintain the stylus in place to cost, I usually discovered myself knocking the stylus off its perch when transferring the ultraportable round. I’d have most well-liked an answer just like the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga, the place the stylus hides in a silo contained in the system when not in use (although that does go away you with a much smaller pen). With the Dragonfly Folio G3, you’re left with one more easily-lost accent.
The stylus has one flat edge to maintain it from rolling off a flat floor. There are additionally two programmable buttons that may be personalized utilizing the HP Pen Management app.
HP Dragonfly Folio G3 Webcam
By now, I am used to subpar webcams with a 720p decision proliferating the laptop computer house. The images and video virtually all the time come out muddy, with horrible colour and poor low-light efficiency. Nonetheless, the 8MP digicam on the Dragonfly Folio G3 bucks that development with wonderful element decision, colours and general publicity. Throw in a 100-degree area of view, and you’ve got a succesful webcam for video conferencing duties.
There’s additionally an HP Privateness Digicam characteristic that permits you to shortly disable the digicam utilizing a devoted key on the keyboard subsequent to the ability button. I’d have most well-liked a easy bodily sliding shutter (as seen on varied Lenovo laptops and former Dragonflys) to substantiate that the webcam is disabled, however that is only a tiny nitpick.
I did, nevertheless, run into a problem often the place the webcam would cease recognizing my face to register to Home windows 11 with Home windows Hiya. After making an attempt to scan my face for 15 to twenty seconds, it could finally surrender, saying that it couldn’t initialize the webcam, forcing me to register with a passcode. Rebooting the machine solved the issue. Hopefully this can be a hiccup solved by software program updates quickly.
Audio on the HP Dragonfly Folio G3
The HP Dragonfly Folio G3 is provided with a comparatively stout audio system for a business-oriented gadget. It options quad audio system tuned by Bang & Olufsen. Two audio system are mounted above the highest keyboard row, whereas the remaining two fireplace down from the underside of the chassis.
The sound from the audio system was typically good; nevertheless, the audio profile will alter relying on the configuration mode of the Dragonfly Folio G3. For instance, Media mode, the place the show hovers at an angle above the keyboard, had a minor influence on audio output and high quality. And configuring the gadget into full pill mode drowns out the top-mounted audio system, leaving the underside audio system to do the heavy lifting.
I frolicked listening to an eclectic mixture of music, together with the haunting “Little Lies” by ODIE, “Me&Youphoria” by Royksopp, “Doncomatic” by Gorillaz, “The Residing Daylights” by A-ha and “Beneath the Tree” by Kelly Clarkson to get into the upbeat Christmas spirit. I had no complaints with the audio high quality or bass ranges, so long as I stayed out of the pill mode, which clearly muffled the top-firing audio system.
Upgradeability of the HP Dragonfly Folio G3
Opening the HP Dragonfly Folio G3 isn’t for the faint of coronary heart. It entails eradicating a few cussed plastic endcaps on the hinge, then two Philips screws, prying the fake leather-based cowl’s a number of clips from the casing, and loosening 5 T5 Torx-head screws. As soon as that delicate ballet is full, all the backside panel lifts off.
From there, you will have entry to the M.2 SSD and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth module, each of that are replaceable. Sadly, the DDR5 reminiscence is soldered onto the motherboard. In different phrases, you’ll wish to make sure that the quantity of preconfigured reminiscence fits your wants for as we speak and sooner or later earlier than buying the Dragonfly Folio G3.
HP offers a useful video to information clients by way of the opening course of in the event that they want to carry out {hardware} upgrades on their very own. That is far tougher to open than most laptops. If you do not have expertise in opening these sorts of gadgets, it’s possible you’ll wish to contemplate skilled restore providers.
Battery Lifetime of the HP Dragonfly Folio G3
Our battery life check encompasses net searching, OpenGL checks and video streaming, whereas linked to Wi-Fi with show brightness set 150 nits. Below these circumstances, the HP Dragonfly Folio G3 lasted 9 hours and 33 minutes earlier than it gave up. That consequence positioned it forward of the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (9:01), however behind the Microsoft Floor Professional 9 (11:50) and Dragonfly G3 (14:20).
Earlier than you begin scratching your head concerning the runtime disparity between the 2 HP machines, the Dragonfly G3 has a 68 WHr battery, whereas the Dragonfly Folio G3 comes with a smaller 53 WHr battery. Once more, this makes us marvel why the Folio G3 weighs practically a pound greater than earlier Dragonflys.
Warmth on the HP Dragonfly Folio G3
Given the small stature of the HP Dragonfly Folio G3 and its extraordinarily low noise ranges, you’d be forgiven in case you have been a bit involved concerning the chassis producing extra warmth.
Throughout our Cinebench R23 stress check, we measured the most popular level on the keyboard close to the backspace and delete keys (which is immediately above the right-side exhaust port) at 38.2 levels Celsius (100.76 levels Fahrenheit). The temperature was decrease close to the middle of the keyboard, between the G and H keys, at 35 C (95 F). The touchpad stored its cool at simply 24.7 C (76.46 F), whereas the most popular portion of the underside chassis measured 39.5 C (103.1 F).
Software program and Guarantee on the HP Dragonfly Folio G3
Like nearly each Home windows-based laptop computer that we check, there are the standard preinstalled third-party apps like Disney Plus and Spotify. Nonetheless, there are a plethora of HP-branded apps put in on the machine.
A few of the preinstalled apps embody HP Straightforward Clear, HP Wolf Safety and quite a few others. A lot of them are fairly useful, together with Straightforward Clear, which quickly disables the keyboard, contact display screen and touchpad for 2 minutes as a way to clear them (though you possibly can additionally simply flip the laptop computer off). Wolf Safety offers “endpoint safety” with malware safety on the firmware/reminiscence stage and inside Home windows. HP Battery Supervisor permits you to view important battery statistics, together with manufacturing unit/present battery capability and temperature, and offers you varied settings to assist maximize battery well being and longevity.
The Dragonfly Folio G3 comes with a restricted one-year guarantee.
HP Dragonfly Folio G3 Configurations
A fast go to to HP.com reveals two preconfigured choices for the Dragonfly Folio G3. The most affordable embody an Intel Core i7-1255U processor, 16GB of reminiscence and a 512GB SSD for $2,379. Stepping as much as the Core i7-1265U, 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD bumps the value to $2,749, which represents our assessment unit.
HP additionally offers clients a build-to-order choice, which begins at $3,373. When configured with a Core i7-1265U processor, 32GB of RAM, 3000 x 2000 OLED contact display screen show, 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD and Intel 5G broadband, the value jumps to an eye-popping $4,810.
Conclusion
The HP Dragonfly Folio G3 is a light-weight and versatile ultraportable with a number of performance and good general efficiency. I had enjoyable utilizing the gadget in pill mode, and the pen was simple to deal with and charged conveniently utilizing a magnetic docking mechanism.
Whereas the Dragonfly Folio G3 gained’t win many CPU-intensive benchmarks, the truth that it might carry out these duties whereas remaining just about silent is a boon. Throw within the light-weight design premium (sure, that features the faux-leather wrappings) and this can be a compelling ultraportable for street warriors.
Nonetheless, not every part is rosy with the Dragonfly Folio G3. Its battery life is available in effectively under its Dragonfly G3 counterpart (9:33 versus 14:20) on account of its smaller battery (53 WHr versus 68 WHr). And whereas not precisely heavy at 3.09 kilos, it is positively heftier than earlier Dragonfly fashions, which have flitted across the 2.2-2.49-pound mark. Sooner or later, as the burden goes up, the Dragonfly now not matches with its iridescent, quad-winged insect namesake.
And whereas the Dragonfly G3 comes with a bevy of ports, together with USB-A ports and HDMI 2.0, the Dragonfly Folio G3 solely consists of two Thunderbolt 4 ports and a 3.5mm headphone jack. You’ll have to plan accordingly in relation to peripheral use or be taught to dwell the dongle life whereas touring.
However maybe the largest knock towards the Dragonfly Folio G3 is its value. The machine begins at $2,379 in its base configuration with a Core i7-1255U, 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. Our assessment unit with a Core i7-1265U, 16GB of RAM, 512GB SSD and 5G wi-fi card rang in at $2,749. A equally specced ThinkPad X1 Yoga (Gen 7) prices round $1,700 on sale direct from Lenovo (opens in new tab). That’s an enormous value chasm that’s arduous to disregard.
On the finish of the day, the Dragonfly Folio G3 is a sleekly-designed ultraportable that ought to be interesting to a big phase of on-the-go enterprise customers. Nonetheless, its premium pricing and mid-range battery life places it at a severe drawback to rivals which can be simply as competent.
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