The HP EliteBoard G1a, announced today, introduces a Windows-based system built into a functional membrane keyboard. This new product is a more accessible option compared to other keyboard-PCs available on the market.
The concept of a keyboard-PC was popularized by the Commodore 64 in the 1980s but has recently been dominated by Raspberry Pi. In 2019, Raspberry Pi released the Raspberry Pi 400, packing their Raspberry Pi 4 single-board computer (SBC) into a keyboard case, offering USB, HDMI, and Ethernet ports, along with a GPIO header. This setup, running the Raspberry Pi OS, delivers a budget-friendly desktop experience at $100.
Raspberry Pi has since launched models like the Pi 500, powered by a quad-core, 64-bit Arm Cortex-A76, and the Pi 500+, which boasts an NVMe SSD and comes in a low-profile mechanical keyboard, albeit at double the price of $200.
However, these Raspberry Pi models cater mainly to enthusiasts, DIYers, and Linux aficionados, often presenting a significant learning curve for new users.
To address these challenges, HPās EliteBoard offers a compelling alternative, bringing Windows and a robust x86 architecture to the keyboard-PC sector. According to HP, the EliteBoard will support Windows 11 Pro for Business and feature an AMD Ryzen AI 300-series processor capable of up to 50 TOPs NPU. Equipped with a 32 W internal battery, the device is part of Microsoft's Copilot+ PC program, promising enhanced capabilities and user convenience.