HP EliteBoard G1a review: A computer, a keyboard, or a 2-in-1 device?

I grew up using computers, fixing them, and tinkering with the hardware. Sometimes I succeeded; other times, I ended up breaking them. Computers have always fascinated me. You can find a computer in almost any device, from a smartphone and a car’s dashboard to even a keyboard.A few days ago, HP approached me to review their new EliteBoard G1a. I assumed it would be either a notebook or a desktop. I gave them the go-ahead, and when the device arrived, I was surprised to discover that the entire computer was hidden inside a keyboard.The EliteBoard G1a feels like a crossover between a mini desktop PC and a smartphone, offering a full desktop computing experience. For me, though, it represents a new kind of mobile computer—one I didn’t know I needed. It’s an ambitious design and, in many ways, a highly experimental one. If this form factor proves successful, it could become a mainstream alternative to the traditional desktop computer, transforming mobile work. I set aside my MacBook Neo and used the HP EliteBoard G1a as my primary computer for the past few days. Here is my review. What: HP EliteBoard G1a | Price: Rs 89,900 onwards Not your average-looking computer One look at the EliteBoard G1a, and you know it isn’t a conventional PC. It’s a computer without a screen or a trackpad. That’s the idea behind the EliteBoard G1a: to create a computer so discreet that it hides inside a keyboard. I would say it’s a clever idea—and it works. At 670 grams, the EliteBoard G1a weighs about half as much as a modern ultraportable notebook. (Image: Anuj Bhatia/The Indian Express)Size matters with desktop PCs, and nobody wants a giant, bulky computer taking up space on their desk. At least, I don’t—not at home or at the office. At 670 grams, the EliteBoard G1a weighs about half as much as a modern ultraportable notebook. It looks great on a desk and takes up very little space. I remember when I bought an HP Pavilion after passing my Class 10 exam…I also had to buy a computer table to accommodate the PC.Story continues below this ad With the EliteBoard G1a, however, you can take your PC almost anywhere, as long as you have access to a monitor. It works with virtually any display, whether it’s a 4K monitor, a curved monitor, or even a portable monitor. I can imagine myself working on the EliteBoard G1a with a portable monitor at a café. That’s my kind of work setup. Don’t worry, HP bundles a nice travel case with a magnetic clip to securely use the flap. The device fits snugly into the case, making it easy to travel with. Included in the box is the HP 675 mouse, which you can connect either via two Bluetooth channels or through a USB-C RF receiver. The machine comes in a carbon-coloured chassis and matches the aesthetics of an office or a minimalist home. Hidden inside the keyboard, the PC feels like it’s made of high-quality plastic. It’s an impressive feat of engineering to cram internals, including a processor, into the keyboard. The only major drawback of this form factor is the limited number of ports. There are only USB-C ports, one of which is used to connect the monitor, leaving just a single USB-C port for other accessories.Story continues below this ad The machine comes in a carbon-coloured chassis and matches the aesthetics of an office or a minimalist home. (Image: Anuj Bhatia/The Indian Express) The EliteBoard G1a is designed for flexible workplaces like corporate offices with hot-desking, where employees don’t have fixed desks and need ultraportable computers that are easy to set up and use quickly. With the EliteBoard G1a, all you need is a monitor and the machine itself. Another example of how the EliteBoard G1a shines is that it uses a single cable to run the setup. However, I have noticed that if the cable comes loose, the connection with the keyboard PC is lost. Excellent keyboard and a (mostly) polished experience The EliteBoard G1a is best visualised as a keyboard first, then a PC. The keyboard is comfortable to type on,