Like the Acer Chromebook Spin 714, the HP's screen is a 14-inch in-plane switching (or IPS) touch panel with 16:10 aspect ratio, but with a sharper resolution-2,560 by 1,600 pixels-and higher brightness up to 1,200 nits, making text on it legible even in outdoor sunlight. You won't find any SD or microSD card slot to expand storage, and mobile broadband is not included, though HP says a version with a SIM slot is coming later.

The single $999 configuration features an Intel Core i5-1235U processor (two Performance cores, eight Efficient cores, 12 threads) or CPU, 16GB of memory (RAM), and a 256GB NVMe solid-state drive (SSD) as well as Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth. That's the same size as our 14-inch Editors' Choice winner, the Acer Chromebook Spin 714, but the Acer is lighter at 3.09 pounds despite the heavier hinge of a 2-in-1 convertible design. A Half-Pound OverweightĬrafted from CNC machined aluminum in Sparkling Black (which sounds contradictory) or Ceramic White, the Dragonfly Pro Chromebook measures 0.7 by 12.4 by 8.7 inches and weighs 3.33 pounds. Fast, classy, and backed by special 24/7 support, the Dragonfly Pro Chromebook is a superb system, but its limited hardwired connectivity keeps it from claiming our Editors' Choice award among premium Chromebooks.

However, the Dragonfly Pro targets productivity users-specifically freelancers and other small-business entrepreneurs. Today's aspirant as the best ChromeOS laptop you can buy is HP's Dragonfly Pro Chromebook ($999), loaded with features including a brilliant 1,200-nit display, 8-megapixel webcam, and an RGB backlit keyboard akin to gaming laptops.

A decade ago, the first Google Chromebook Pixel made a case for deluxe Chromebooks with always-on connectivity and a standout screen.

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