Review: The HP EliteBook x360 1030 G3 Gives Feds Extra Security and Solid Audio
HP’s latest EliteBook, the x360 1030 G3 laptop, comes in a sleek and lightweight aluminum case that contains all of the features that are today’s must-haves.
Those include a solid-state hard drive, bundled software, touch screen, a host of security features and the ability to work either as a tablet or a regular notebook.
The review unit I tested came with an Intel Core i7 processor and UHD Graphics 620 chipset, with 1 terabyte of SSD storage and 16 gigabytes of RAM. This particular EliteBook ran Windows 10 64-bit Professional as its operating system.
MORE FROM FEDTECH: These are the five questions feds should ask about Device as a Service.
HP Offers Users Multiple Display Options
HP has managed to cram a 13.3-inch diagonal display in a compact case that’s easy for travel. The display comes in four options, touch-enabled with Gorilla Glass 4 for extra durability.
My unit had an enabled optional internal privacy filter called Sure View, which limits viewing angles and operates at 700 cd/m2.
There are other displays that operate at either 500 cd/m2 or 400 cd/m2 — the former can deliver 3480x2160 resolution, while the other screens pump out 1920x1080.
The EliteBook x360 also has two USB-C/Thunderbolt ports and one USB-A port, an HDMI port and an audio jack. It comes with support for broadband wireless networks from AT&T and Verizon; each unit has a Nano-SIM slot for this purpose.
Federal agencies will especially like the audio features. The laptop comes with Bang & Olufsen speakers on top and bottom that are better than the built-in components of most laptops. The unit feels solid and should resist most bumps.
The x360 laptop weighs just a hair under 3 pounds; its battery lasted, on average, more than 8 hours, and can recharge within an hour.
Agencies Get Numerous Security Features to Boot
HP’s EliteBook x360 1030 G3 comes with a variety of additional features that are sure to please federal agencies mindful of security. It supports the Windows Hello password-free login, using its built-in fingerprint sensor — a boon to federal multifactor authentication requirements — and software called HP Sure Run.
Sure Run also provides app protection by continuously monitoring critical services and preventing malware from making unauthorized changes to executable files. For agencies that have HP Endpoint Security Controller software, Sure Run can provide additional reporting and management. It is disabled by default, so IT managers will need to set it up with the HP Client Security Manager tool.
The x360 also comes with the Trusted Platform Module 2.0 chipset, which checks for OS tampering upon boot with HP’s Sure Start software. Agency admins can access the laptop and make changes to security policies and prevent users from loading their own software.
HP EliteBook x360 1030 G3
Processor: Intel Core i7-865OU, 2.11GHz
Weight: 2.76 pounds
Dimensions: 12x8x0.62 inches
Hard Drive: 1TB SSD
Memory: 16GB RAM
Ports: 2 USB-C /Thunderbolt, USB-A, audio headphone jack, NanoSIM, HDMI
