- HP has announced five new Chromebooks aimed at teachers and students teaching and learning from home.
- The devices’ screens range from 11 to 14 inches with Intel and MediaTek silicon.
HP is launching a host of Chromebooks to serve teachers and students during the pandemic. A total of five devices arrive all running Google’s Chrome OS and a host of silicon from MediaTek to Intel.
The company’s goal is to provide the education sector with hardy machines capable of withstanding abuse and the demands of the pandemic. HP states it tested each machine “to 1,000 wipes” with regular household disinfecting wipes.
HP Chromebook 14 G7: Head of class
At the top of the list, you’ll find the teacher-orientated Chromebook 14 G7. The machine also features a MIL-STD-810H rating with a spill-resistant keyboard.
In terms of hardware, it packs a 14-inch touch or non-touch display with a 180-degree hinge. There’s a choice of 1,366 x 768 or 1,920 x 1,080 resolutions, too. Powering the machine is a choice of Intel’s Celeron N5100 or N4500 chipsets paired with up to 8GB of RAM and 128GB of eMMC storage. A 47WHr battery can be charged with a 45W USB-C charger. Finally, Wi-Fi 6, dual mics, and a wide-angle webcam complete the teach-from-home checklist.
HP Chromebook x360: Intel and MediaTek flavors
For students, HP is adding two convertible Chromebooks to its offerings. While both Chromebook x360 11 devices feature 360-degree hinges that can transform them into tablets, there are a few key internal differences.
Read also: The best Chromebooks for students
The Chromebook x360 11 G4 EE employs an Intel Celeron N5100 or N4500 chipset alongside an 11.6-inch 1,366 x 768 display. It also lumps in up to 8GB of RAM with up to 64GB of eMMC storage. Two USB-C ports and two USB-A ports meet Wi-Fi 6 connectivity and a 47WHr battery. Completing the package is a 720p camera for video calls, an 8MP rear-facing camera, dual microphones, and dual speakers. The x360 G4 EE also packs support for HP’s USI Garaged Pen for artsy individuals.
HP’s other x360 machine swaps Intel silicon for MediaTek. Dubbed the Chromebook x360 11 MK G3 EE, it includes the same 11.6 inch IPS display, RAM and storage configs, and 47WHr battery as its Intel counterpart but packs a MediaTek MT8183 chipset instead. This gives the machine a quoted battery life of up to 16 hours. It also features Wi-Fi 5 connectivity, a single mic, HD video camera, and a lone USB-C port.
HP Chromebook 11 series
HP is also introducing an 11-inch Chromebook duo in MediaTek and Intel varieties. The Chromebook 11 G9 EE features a solid body, Celeron N5100 or N4500 SoCs, up to 8GB of RAM, and 64GB of eMMC storage. It also packs the series-wide 47WHr battery with USB-C charging smarts. Two USB-C ports are available alongside two USB-A ports, a headphone jack, and microSD card reader. Wi-Fi 6 support also features.
The Chromebook 11 MK G9 EE includes the MediaTek MT8183 chipset which also gives this machine up to 16 hours of battery life, but sacrifices Wi-Fi 6 for Wi-Fi 5. Again, much of its specs sheet is shared with the x360 11 MK G3 bar that tablet-transforming hinge.
HP Chromebooks: Availability
While no pricing info is available just yet, HP has revealed when it plans to sell its five latest Chromebooks.
The two MediaTek-powered products — the Chromebook 11 MK G9 EE and Chromebook x360 11 MK G3 EE — will go on sale later this month. The Chromebook 11 G9 EE and Chromebook 14 G7 are expected to be available from February. If you’re in need of an Intel-powered Chromebook x360, you’ll have to wait until March.