For obvious reasons, we here at Macworld don't review Windows PCs unless there's a PC that's so unique it makes us wonder why Apple didn't think of it. This happened with the new one Next-Generation HP EliteBoard G1a PC with Artificial Intelligencewhich was announced at the Consumer Electronics Show.
HP designed this computer so that the computer itself is located inside the keyboard. Yes, you read that right: CPU, GPU, RAM, SSD and all the other parts that make a computer a computer. V keyboard. All you have to do is connect it to a USB-C display and you're good to go. The EliteBoard has a 140W Thunderbolt 4 port, so it draws power from the connected display. The package also includes a wireless mouse.
This is very cool in itself. But HP went even further by offering a 32W internal battery option. Why? This way, you can move the EliteBoard without completely shutting down your computer. This is useful in production situations.
There's a whole computer inside this keyboard.
HP
If you're thinking, “This keyboard must be damn thick,” it's actually only 12mm, thinner than many keyboards with mechanical switches. The Apple Magic Keyboard is 10.9mm thick at its thickest point, so the EliteBoard isn't much larger. And it weighs just 1.7 pounds (768 grams), less than a MacBook.
The only glaring issue with the EliteBoard is its connectivity. Since it only has one Thunderbolt 4 port, it uses the display as a hub to connect external storage devices, cameras, audio equipment, etc. This means that you need to make sure that the display you connect to has all the necessary ports. In most general situations this isn't a big deal, but if, say, you have a complex audio setup for music production, your display may not have enough ports for all your equipment.
The EliteBoard is a cool idea that makes me wonder why Apple didn't think of this since it seems like a Mac could have a built-in keyboard. After all, if you open your iMac, youyou will find a lot of empty space, and the motherboard is a small strip at the bottom of the display. These parts seem to fit easily into the base of the keyboard. If thermal integrity is an issue, perhaps Apple could use the iPhone chip and sell it as a cheap desktop Mac. I would buy this.
For now, we'll have to make do with Windows. HP says the EliteBoard is “coming soon” and hasn't announced any pricing information.
