Once I first discovered that System76 and HP have been partnering on a laptop computer operating Pop!_OS, I used to be completely shocked. In spite of everything, System76 is a pc producer, so HP is form of one in every of its rivals. To not point out, Pop!_OS is not precisely a widely known working system exterior the Linux neighborhood — it would not carry the identical title recognition as Ubuntu, for example.
No matter why this collaboration occurred, the HP Dev One laptop computer is formally right here, obtainable to anybody in the USA that has $1,099. We’ve got been testing the brand new developer-focused pocket book and we’ve definitive opinions to share, together with whether or not or not you should purchase it. So, with out additional ado…
Specs
- Working System: Linux Pop!_OS 22.04 LTS
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5850U processor (8 CPU Cores, 16 Threads 4.4GHz Max. Increase Clock3 1.9GHz Base Clock L3 Cache 16MB)
- Reminiscence: 16 GB (2×8 GB) DDR4 3200 MT/s
- Reminiscence Slots: 2 SODIMM
- Storage: 1 TB PCIe 3×4 NVMe M.2 2280 SSD
- Out there Graphics: Built-in AMD Radeon Graphics (Assist HW decode, DX12, HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2)
- Show: 14-inch diagonal FHD LED (1920×1080) (1,000 Nits)
- Audio: Twin stereo audio system, 2 multi-array microphone
- Energy Provide: HP Good 65 W Exterior AC energy adapter
- Battery Sort: HP Lengthy Life 3-cell, 53 Wh Li-ion
- Wi-fi Connectivity: Realtek RTL8822CE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (2×2) Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5 combo
- Ports and Connectors: 2 SuperSpeed USB Sort-C 10Gbps signaling price (USB Energy Supply, DisplayPort 1.4); 2 SuperSpeed USB Sort-A 5Gbps signaling price (1 charging); 1 headphone/microphone combo; 1 HDMI 2.0; 1 AC energy
- Digicam: 720p HD digital camera
- Colour: Mineral Silver
- Weight: 3.24 lb
- Dimensions: 12.73 x 8.44 x 0.75 in; 32.34 x 21.46 x 1.91 cm
Unboxing
Overview
The HP Dev One is available in just one configuration. Anybody that buys the pc will get an AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5850U processor, 16GB RAM, and a 1TB NVMe SSD. That is proper, you can’t pay extra for extra storage or reminiscence when trying out. You may, nevertheless, do these upgrades your self after you get the laptop computer. I quite like this method, because it retains issues easy for buyers, and let’s be trustworthy, 16GB RAM and 1TB ought to be effective for many patrons — together with lots of the machine’s audience of builders.
With all of that mentioned, I’m not a developer, and since I retailer most of my information within the cloud or on an exterior SSD, the RAM/storage configuration because it comes meets my wants fully. Whether or not I’m enhancing images, writing, or gaming, by no means have I discovered efficiency to be missing, however I like figuring out I can improve these issues sooner or later if wanted.
In terms of a laptop computer, there are some features that I worth very extremely, such because the keyboard, trackpad, show, and battery life — in that order. If any of these 4 issues are poor, I take into account the pc to be a failure, however keyboard and trackpad are most necessary to me. I like to put in writing and navigate shortly — typos or a janky mouse pointer will break my day shortly.
I’m completely satisfied to report that each the keyboard and trackpad are distinctive and undoubtedly meet my wants. The keyboard particularly is a pleasure to make use of — the keys are well-spaced, have good journey, and the printed font could be very legible. The back-lighting is sweet and brilliant too, and since it is a 14-inch laptop computer, there is no such thing as a quantity pad crammed onto the precise aspect. HP did an awesome job with the keyboard structure and the precise keys. I really like that it has a brilliant key quite than a Home windows key!
The trackpad is nearly as good as you possibly can anticipate from any laptop-maker not named Apple. In contrast to Apple that makes use of a faux-click in order that it feels just like the trackpad clicks evenly all through, HP used a conventional trackpad that truly strikes and clicks into two decrease buttons hidden beneath. Which means the trackpad is more durable to click on in direction of the highest, and simpler on the backside. That is how nearly all laptop computer trackpads perform, so I suppose it simply “is what it’s.”
Since it is a developer machine, it additionally has a pointing nub centered between the G, H, and B keys, comparable to what’s discovered on Lenovo’s ThinkPad computer systems. I discover these nubs to be unusable as they’re far too delicate, however since corporations proceed to incorporate them, I suppose somebody on the market should truly like them. There are proper and left click on buttons above the trackpad for when utilizing the nub, however you possibly can technically use these buttons whereas utilizing the trackpad too.
When consuming media, the audio system and show are fairly necessary, and HP has actually hit a home-run right here. The display is “solely” 1080p, true, however it’s nonetheless crisp and beautiful. Extra importantly, the 1,000 nits is insanely brilliant and will show indispensable for these working open air. Some customers with imaginative and prescient issues that want additional brightness will admire this display too. With all of that mentioned, the shiny display could be very reflective so it will possibly exhausting to place it on the proper angle to keep away from glares.
The audio system are an actual shock, as they’re upward-firing and get very loud. Whether or not listening to music, watching video, or enjoying video games, audio is an actual deal with. And sure, there’s a 3.5mm audio jack if you wish to join headphones. Sadly, the inner cooling fan is a bit noisy, producing a static-like sound, so when there’s a break within the audio, it’s possible you’ll hear the fan quite than silence. The fan is not obnoxiously loud, however I discover it to be audible nearly continuously.
HP claims you may get 12 hours of battery life, however as everyone knows, these claims are all the time primarily based on unrealistic utilization situations, similar to having the brightness turned down practically all the best way. In my expertise, doing typical duties like writing, listening to music, enhancing pictures, and watching YouTube, I common about six hours earlier than needing to cost. In different phrases, you possibly can realistically anticipate to get about half of what HP claims; that could possibly be alright relying in your wants. For me, six hours is greater than effective, as I have a tendency to make use of laptops docked at residence.
Sure, the HP Dev One makes a mighty effective makeshift desktop when linked to a monitor, keyboard, and mouse. Whereas it doesn’t have Thunderbolt, it does have USB-C, so you possibly can join it to a USB-C dock (similar to this one) or monitor to create the desktop expertise. In my case, I linked Dev One to a 4K USB-C monitor that has an built-in USB-A hub. With a single USB-C cable going to the HP Dev One, it connects to the monitor, a wired mouse, and a wired keyboard all whereas charging. Pop!_OS appears to be like nice on a 4K show with scaling set to 200 %.
Talking of Pop!_OS, that’s the actual star of the present right here. HP chosen this Ubuntu-based working system for the Dev One which could be very vital. This strikes Pop!_OS from being a distinct segment OS to the mainstream. Better of all, System76 goes all-in on supporting the Dev One, not simply from a software program perspective, however customer support too. You see, System76 has skilled HP staff on the right way to troubleshoot points, but in addition, HP has the power to succeed in out to System76 for escalated points. Finally, you could be assured that System76 will deal with the HP Dev One simply as a lot as its personal machines.
The HP Dev One has some glorious {hardware} selections, together with the highly effective AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5850U octa-core APU, 16GB DDR4 3200 RAM, and the 1TB NVMe strong state drive. The SK hynix PC711 SSD could be very quick for a PCIe 3×4 drive, however it’s not as quick as newer PCIe 4×4 drives. With that mentioned, apart from in benchmarks, you are not more likely to discover a distinction between PCIe 3×4 and 4×4 anyway.
Apart from the aforementioned audible fan and less-than-claimed battery life, my solely different gripes are the Wi-Fi card and webcam. You see, HP selected 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) quite than the newer and higher 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6 or 6E). Whereas the older Wi-Fi normal is completely effective, and Wi-Fi 6/6E routers aren’t very widespread, it will nonetheless be good to have a more recent card for future-proofing. The webcam is definitely pretty respectable, however it’s only 720p quite than 1080p. In 2022, I anticipate a high quality laptop computer to have Wi-Fi 6 and a 1080p webcam. Simply sayin’…
Do you have to purchase the HP Dev One? Properly, first issues first, whereas it’s a developer-focused machine, it’s not just for builders. Anybody that desires a high quality laptop computer that comes with a Linux-based working system pre-installed ought to completely test it out. It is a effective laptop computer for builders, college students, enterprise customers, residence customers… hell, anybody. The AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5850U APU is even able to mild gaming.
Look, people, the HP Dev One is skinny, pretty mild, and really solidly constructed. The specs are all respectable and each the RAM and storage are user-upgradeable. Pop!_OS is among the best Linux distributions for newbies, however even expert-level Linux customers like it too. When such great software program and {hardware} come collectively, greatness occurs. That is merely an awesome laptop computer that may be a pleasure to make use of. At $1,099 you simply can not go incorrect.
The HP Dev One could be bought right here now.
