In a world flooded with flashy laptops promising the moon, HP’s Dragonfly G4 quietly enters the room — sleek, light, and laser-focused on professionals who need performance, battery life, and style without compromise. I’ve had the chance to use this machine as my daily driver, and here’s the verdict: it’s the kind of laptop you don’t want to give back.
It may not scream power like a gaming rig or turn heads like a foldable OLED, but if you’re a remote worker, creative pro, or exec on the move, this little beast is worth a serious look.
First Look: Understated Elegance
The first time I picked up the Dragonfly G4, I had to do a double-take. It weighs just 2.2 pounds (around 1kg) and feels like you’re carrying a hardcover notebook. The magnesium chassis has this soft matte finish that resists fingerprints and feels smooth but sturdy in hand.
Unlike some business laptops that look like relics from a 2008 IT department, this one’s actually stylish. Subtle HP logo, slim bezels, and that classic Dragonfly Blue finish — it’s premium without being flashy.
Display: Sharp, Bright, and Surprisingly Good in Sunlight
You can configure the G4 with a few display options, but I used the 13.5-inch WUXGA+ (1920 x 1280) IPS panel, and it did not disappoint. The 3:2 aspect ratio makes a noticeable difference — especially when reading, writing, or working in spreadsheets. You see more vertical content without endless scrolling.
It gets bright (around 400–1000 nits, depending on config), and it has optional HP Sure View privacy tech — handy if you’re working in public and want to keep nosy neighbors out of your business.
Also worth noting: it’s incredibly easy on the eyes during long work sessions. No glare, no eye strain.
Keyboard & Trackpad: HP Knows What It’s Doing
This is hands down one of the best laptop keyboards I’ve typed on recently. Soft but tactile, quiet yet responsive — it hits that sweet spot. The large glass touchpad is smooth, accurate, and supports all the multi-touch gestures without any lag.
If you do a lot of writing, emailing, or coding, this is the kind of keyboard that lets you get in the flow and just… type.
Performance: Built for Work, Not Play
Under the hood, the Dragonfly G4 is powered by Intel 13th Gen U-series processors, up to Core i7 with Intel vPro, paired with 16GB or 32GB of LPDDR5 RAM. Storage goes up to 2TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD.
This isn’t a machine meant for heavy video editing or gaming. But for productivity, video calls, browser multitasking, and light creative tasks, it flies. I had Slack, Chrome (a million tabs, naturally), Zoom, Notion, and Spotify all running without hiccups.
It’s cool and quiet too — no noisy fans interrupting your Zoom calls.
Battery Life: A Full Workday, No Stress
HP claims “up to 13+ hours,” and that actually held up pretty well in testing. I averaged around 9–10 hours with real-world usage (medium brightness, Wi-Fi, active multitasking). That’s solid for such a lightweight machine.
Bonus: It charges quickly via USB-C, so if you’re tight on time between meetings or flights, you’re covered.
Webcam, Audio, and AI Features: All the Right Remote Work Touches
The 5MP IR webcam is crisp and clear — no more looking like a potato on video calls. And HP has baked in some clever AI features like auto framing, lighting adjustment, and even voice filtering for noisy environments. It’s subtle, but makes a difference.
The quad-speaker setup by Bang & Olufsen pumps out surprisingly rich sound for a laptop this size — good enough for video calls, podcasts, or background music while working.
Ports & Connectivity: Business-Friendly
The Dragonfly G4 is light but doesn’t skimp on I/O. You get:
- 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C)
- 1x USB-A 3.2
- HDMI 2.1
- 3.5mm headphone/mic combo jack
- Optional Nano SIM tray for 5G (on select models)
That means no dongle dependency, which is rare for ultra-light laptops.
Verdict: Smart, Subtle, and Seriously Capable
The HP Dragonfly G4 isn’t trying to be a do-it-all monster. It’s focused — made for people who live in Google Docs, spend hours in meetings, and work on the go. It’s elegant, lightweight, and intelligently designed. And for those who prioritize mobility, comfort, and productivity, it absolutely delivers.
TL;DR
👍 Pros:
- Extremely lightweight and portable
- Gorgeous 3:2 display
- Excellent keyboard and trackpad
- Long battery life
- Smart remote-work features
- Stylish and professional design
👎 Cons:
- Not ideal for heavy-duty creative workloads
- Premium pricing
- Limited GPU performance (no discrete graphics)
