For apparent causes, we right here at Macworld don’t cowl Home windows PCs, besides when there’s a PC that’s distinctive sufficient to make us surprise why Apple didn’t consider it. That simply occurred with the brand new HP EliteBoard G1a Subsequent Gen AI PC, which was introduced on the Shopper Electronics Present.
HP designed this PC in order that the pc itself is housed throughout the keyboard. Sure, you learn that appropriately: the CPU, GPU, RAM, SSD, and all the opposite components that make a pc a pc are in the keyboard. All you must do is join it to a USB-C show, and also you’re all set. The EliteBoard has a 140W Thunderbolt 4 port, so it will get its energy from the related show. A wi-fi mouse can also be included.
That’s fairly cool in and of itself. However HP takes it one step additional by offering an possibility for a 32W inner battery. Why? So you may transfer the EliteBoard with out shutting down the pc fully. That’s helpful in manufacturing conditions.
There’s an entire laptop inside that keyboard.
HP
In the event you’re considering, “That keyboard should be fairly dang thick,” properly, it’s truly solely 12mm, thinner than a whole lot of mechanical change keyboards. Apple’s Magic Keyboard is 10.9mm at its thickest level, so the EliteBoard isn’t a lot greater. And it solely weighs 1.7 kilos (768 grams), lower than a MacBook.
The one evident situation with the EliteBoard is connectivity choices. Because it has just one Thunderbolt 4 port, it depends on the show to supply a hub for connecting exterior storage gadgets, cameras, audio gear, and many others. Meaning it’s essential make sure that the show you pair with it has all of the ports you want. It’s not a giant deal in most basic conditions, but when, say, you have got an elaborate audio setup to make music, your show might not have sufficient ports for all your gear.
The EliteBoard is a cool concept that makes me surprise why Apple didn’t consider it, as a result of it appears to be potential to make a Mac constructed right into a keyboard. In any case, should you open up an iMac, you’ll discover a whole lot of empty area, and the logic board is principally a small strip alongside the underside of the show. Looks as if these components can simply match into the bottom of a keyboard. If thermal integrity is a matter, maybe Apple may use an iPhone chip and promote it as an affordable desktop Mac. I’d purchase it.
For now, we’ll need to accept Home windows. HP says the EliteBoard is “coming quickly,” and hasn’t introduced any pricing data.
