HP launches its first modular laptop: EliteBook 8 G1 is designed to be repaired and upgraded in minutes

HP EliteBook 8 G1a 13-inch
(Image credit: HP)

  • HP EliteBook 8 G1 features modular parts for fast hardware replacement
  • Battery, fans, SSD, memory and keyboard can be swapped in minutes
  • Self-aligning display and accessible components simplify repairs and upgrades

We’re big fans of Framework’s modular laptops, which let you choose the components you want, replace or upgrade parts, and even add third-party custom modules, such as this drone destroyer.

It’s almost a surprise that other major laptop manufacturers haven’t followed a similar path, but HP appears to have cottoned on to this approach with its new EliteBook, unveiled today at Amplify 2025.

The enterprise-ready EliteBook 8 G1, with an AMD or Intel processor, is designed to be easily repaired or upgraded, with HP saying the battery, fans, SSD storage and SODIMM memory can be swapped out in under 10 minutes, and the wireless LAN and mobile broadband M.2 cards are also fully accessible and quickly replaced. If that’s not enough, the modular keyboard can also be removed and switched, and the self-aligning display does not require single-use jigs for replacement.

Redesigned inside and out

HP says the new EliteBook 8 G1 has been, "redesigned inside and out", offering up to 224% better power efficiency. The Series 8 G1 PCs are also made using a diverse range of recycled materials, including glass, cooking oil, rare earth magnets, magnesium, aluminum and ocean-bound plastic.

There is a choice between next-gen AI PCs (with 40–60 TOPS NPUs) and regular AI PCs (with less than 40 TOPS NPUs). They come in G1a (AMD) or G1i (Intel) models, available in 13-inch (with soldered-in memory), 14-inch, and 16-inch sizes.

All feature a WUXGA (1920x1200) display, a redesigned thinner chassis, new Glacier Silver color, larger trackpad, fingerprint reader in the power button, dual Thunderbolt 4 ports, USB-C and USB-A options, HDMI 2.1, and support for Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 or 5.4, and optional NFC and Smartcard reader. They support up to 64GB of RAM and up to 2TB of SSD storage.

There’s no word on pricing or availability for the new models yet, but we should know soon.

You might also like

TOPICS
Wayne Williams
Editor

Wayne Williams is a freelancer writing news for TechRadar Pro. He has been writing about computers, technology, and the web for 30 years. In that time he wrote for most of the UK’s PC magazines, and launched, edited and published a number of them too.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Read more
HP EliteBook Ultra G1i
HP adds trio of Intel-powered EliteBook laptops as AI PC craze reaches fever pitch
HP EliteBook 6 G1q
What a surprise! HP positions Qualcomm as AMD's only rival in fiercely contested 40+ TOPS business laptop market
HP ZBook Ultra G1a
Could this be the world's most powerful compact mobile workstation? HP thinks so
The closed lid of the HP Omnibook Ultra Flip, a new laptop from HP
HP’s resurrected OmniBook Ultra Flip is a premium laptop winner – after you disable the bloatware
HP EliteBook X G1a
This $4299 laptop comes with 128GB RAM by default plus an AMD Ryzen AI 9 APU, and I can't wait to test it
ThinkPad X9 14
Kudos to Lenovo for shipping its new flagship ThinkPad X9 laptops with 100% recycled (and replaceable) cobalt cell batteries
Latest in Pro
Nvidia Isaac GROOT N1
“The age of generalist robotics is here" - Nvidia's latest GROOT AI model just took us another step closer to fully humanoid robots
Artificial intelligence India
Zoom launches AI Companion 2.0 with a major agent focus
Google Cloud logo
Google to acquire cloud security platform Wiz in $32 billion deal
GIMP 3.0 interface from the website
Our favorite free photo editor finally got the update it deserves - and these are the top 5 features designers should know about
Close up of a person touching an email icon.
Criminals are using CSS to get around filters and track email usage
DeepSeek on a mobile phone
More US government departments ban controversial AI model DeepSeek
Latest in News
Helly and Mark standing on an artificial hill surrounded by goats in Severance season 2 episode 3
New Apple teaser for Severance season 2 finale suggests we might finally find out what Lumon is doing with those goats, and I don't think it's anything good
Marvel Rivals
Marvel Rivals' next update will add two new hero skins for Iron Man and Spider-Man mains this week
Nvidia Isaac GROOT N1
“The age of generalist robotics is here" - Nvidia's latest GROOT AI model just took us another step closer to fully humanoid robots
Lego Pokemon
Pokemon and Lego announce the most electrifying collaboration of all time and I’m going to be first in line
Apple Watch app health
Apple Watch blood pressure monitoring tech revealed in patent
Using Zipped files and folders in Windows 11
Hidden clues suggest Microsoft is moving another part of Windows 11’s Control Panel to the Settings app – and this time it’s mouse options