This HP leather-wrapped business laptop uses a Snapdragon CPU

There are a few things that set the Elite Folio apart from other Snapdragon laptops. Most of them are traditional laptops, but HP has been stuck with the exposed hardware of its connected PCs for years and the Elite Folio is no different. Thanks to its Specter-like hinge, you can pull the Elite Folio screen toward you and support it in front of the keyboard to work directly on the screen. You can also flip the screen horizontally and push it down to click the keyboard to use as a tablet.

Then there’s the Folio leather finish, of course, but HP also offers some of its privacy-focused features here. Specifically, the Elite Folio comes with an integrated 720p webcam and Sure View privacy screen technology from HP. Speaking of the device’s 13.5-inch screen is slightly larger than the Specter Folio’s 13.3-inch panel with roughly the same resolution at 1920 x 1,280. It will also support Wacom touch / stylus input so you can write or doodle notes more easily. When you type, you’ll use the corporate keyboard with „premium” backlit and spill resistance. There’s also a new trackpad that’s improved for a 3: 2 aspect ratio as well.

Since this is part of the company’s Elite series of business notebooks, Folio also comes with software such as HP’s Management Integration Kit and WorkWell. It is also durable enough to meet military standards (MIL-STD 810H) and is made mostly of recycled magnesium and uses surrounding recycled plastic in the speaker cases. At 2.85 pounds, the Folio is heavier than the company’s Dragonfly series of notebooks.

Elite Folio will be available in February, and HP says pricing will be shared as the retail date approaches. Interestingly, the company has chosen to use the Snapdragon chipset for its second (business-focused) device under the Folio brand, but it’s entirely possible that an Intel version will arrive in the future. However, it will be interesting to see if the Elite Folio is as satisfying as its consumer-oriented Specter counterpart with the ARM-based chip. Stay tuned for our full review to find out.