HP Introduces Sprout Pro All-inOne, EliteBook x360 at CES 2017

The Sprout Pro all-in-one computer and the EliteBook x360 laptop headlined the lineup of technologies HP introduced at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show.

The HP Sprout Pro is an all-in-one PC running Windows 10. It also comes with a secondary screen called the Touch Mat, which lies flat on the desk and displays images from the included projector. With the Touch Mat’s help, users can interact with software to perform several productivity-related tasks.

The HP EliteBook x360 is a two-in-one hybrid that allows it to be used as both a notebook and a tablet, thanks to its 13.3-inch touch-screen. The EliteBook can be used in three modes in addition to the tablet and notebook modes—in tent style for presentations, flat with its screen propped up for video viewing and flat on the table for multiuser conferences.

Using the high-res cameras built into the Sprout Pro, users can snap photos of an object and convert it digitally using built-in software. The result is a fully scanned image of the object that then can be modified, edited and incorporated into design software and other tools. HP believes the feature could be useful manufacturing, education and other industries.

HP’s EliteBook comes with several security features, including the ability to sign on to the machine through its infrared camera, fingerprint sensor or smart card reader. It also includes a feature called HP Sure Start Gen3 that handles BIOS problems and a privacy mode called Sure View. The EliteBook x360 works with HP’s WorkWise office-intelligence smartphone app to deliver additional security and performance information.

The HP Sprout Pro comes with a seventh-generation Intel Core i7 processor featuring a 2.9GHz clock speed. On the graphics side, users will find the Intel HD 630. The Sprout Pro offers up to 1TB of storage, and those who want better graphics performance can opt for the Nvidia GeForce GTX 960M.

Like the Sprout Pro, the HP EliteBook x360 comes with Intel’s seventh-generation Intel Core i7 processor. The hybrid runs on Windows 10 Pro and has up to 16GB of built-in memory. The EliteBook comes with Intel HD Graphics 620 for its GPU and a 720p HD webcam, and its battery charges through one of its USB 3.1 ports.

The HP Sprout Pro is compatible with HP’s Active Pen, a digital stylus that can be used to digitally write on the device’s Touch Mat. The Active Pen can manipulate objects on-screen and be used to take notes and perform other tasks. HP says it’s an important component in the broader Sprout Pro experience.

Battery life is arguably one of the EliteBook x360’s most impressive features. The hybrid delivers up to 16.5 hours of battery life on a single charge during normal use, making it a fine companion for business trips. HP also offers fast-charging in the device, allowing users to restore up to half of their battery life in just 30 minutes.

The HP Sprout Pro ships with WorkTools software built in. According to HP, WorkTools is a platform that allows for much of the functionality users would find in the Sprout Pro, including the ability to manipulate real-world objects that were scanned into the computer. WorkTools is the platform through which the Sprout Pro derives much of its functionality.

The EliteBook x360 might be a lightweight device, but it comes with several ports. The machine ships with one USB Type-C port with Thunderbolt, two USB 3.1 ports, an HDMI 1.4 and a microSD card slot. Considering some of its competitors—including Apple’s latest MacBook Pro—come with so few ports, it’s refreshing to see so many ports in the EliteBook x360.