HP EliteBoard G1a: Ryzen AI PC Built Into a Keyboard
• EliteBoard G1a is a full Windows 11 PC integrated into a membrane keyboard, designed by HP for ultraportable workspaces. • It uses an AMD Ryzen AI 300-series processor (up to 50 TOPS NPU), supports Windows 11 Pro for Business and is part of Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC program. • The unit is thin (0.47 inches), weighs 1.65 pounds, includes a 32 W internal battery and shows two USB-C ports in HP marketing images. • HP will demo the device at CES 2026 and plans a March release; price and full specs have not been announced.
Overview
HP’s EliteBoard G1a collapses a PC into something you can tuck into a backpack: a functioning Windows 11 computer built inside a membrane keyboard. Unlike Raspberry Pi keyboard PCs that target tinkerers, the EliteBoard brings x86 AMD silicon and Windows 11 Pro for Business to a plug-and-play form factor aimed at corporate use.
Specs and hardware
HP has shared a handful of headline specs. The EliteBoard will use an AMD Ryzen AI 300-series processor, the same family optimized for on-device AI, with an NPU advertised at up to 50 TOPS. It supports Windows 11 Pro for Business and participates in Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC program.
Design highlights include a 0.47-inch thin chassis, a 32 W internal battery, a weight of 1.65 pounds, and marketing images that show two USB-C ports. HP hasn’t published full details such as RAM, storage options, or display output capabilities, so the device’s raw performance and expandability remain unclear.
How it compares to keyboard‑PC alternatives
Keyboard PCs have been popularized by Raspberry Pi variants like the Pi 400 and Pi 500, which bundle ARM single-board computers into keyboards for low-cost desktops. The EliteBoard differentiates itself by offering an x86, Windows-based environment and stronger on-device AI features, trading the Pi’s hobbyist flexibility for enterprise manageability and a familiar OS experience.
Target users and use cases
HP positions the EliteBoard for hybrid workplaces that use hot desking, shared workstations, and quick setup points. IT departments may value its small footprint and managed Windows build, while minimalists and makers could find appeal in the novelty of a full PC inside a keyboard.
Availability and next steps
HP is demoing the EliteBoard at CES 2026 with a planned March release. Pricing and detailed specifications are still pending; these will be crucial to judge whether the EliteBoard is a niche curiosity or a practical tool for enterprise deployments.
What to watch
Key questions include real-world performance versus traditional laptops or thin clients, battery life in day-to-day use, I/O flexibility, and manageability for IT teams. If HP balances price and capability, the EliteBoard could broaden interest in keyboard‑integrated PCs beyond enthusiast circles.
