Article says the keyboard module can be swapped out. But yeah this is still very niche. HP probably did this because enough businesses expressed interest that they are giving it a shot.
Yeah, especially for places with fixed monitors and limited desk space/access being able to hotswap the keyboard only via USB-C cable to replace the PC is godly.
Its decent but its worse in my eyes than the iMac solution. Putting the CPU into the monitor provides significantly more space, allows for wireless peripherals, and enables an enterprise to physically protect the device more effectively. With a bunch of monitors I could securely attach them to the desks such that it would take several minutes to steal each one, with these you could probably grab 50 in under a minute.
So I guess its for a use case where users need to bring their PCs with them, not need to use them on-the-go AND be happy with carrying a bulkier device in order to have a keyboard built in...? Which for some reason couldn't be sourced at wherever the next monitor they're going to is located..?
I doubt very many businesses would see the utility in swapping out the module. The risk is too high that HP could come up with a new form factor making all of the SOM carrier keyboards obsolete overnight.
At least with VESA mount style mini computers, there's a certain amount of flexibility in how big or small the PC could be before having to obsolete all of those brackets or whatever.
Yep, pretty much every personnal computer from this era (and previous) were keyboard shaped. Its the originel design!
commodore VIC/64/128, amiga 500/1200, atari st, apple I/II, exidy, thomson to7/mo5, TI 99, sinclair ZX80/81/spectrum/QL, hector, msx I/II, (and i probably forget ton of them)....
I mean, this DOES feel kinda stupid. The Pi 400/500 work because they're like $60-100 all-in. If it fails terribly, you're out the price of a fancy keyboard.
I can't imagine this being less than $400, or heck, realistically, less than $700. That's a tall ask for a PC whose value dives dramatically if it loses a keyboard key.
Yeah, it's definitely a niche. I can maybe guess at a few scenarios, like at kiosks or places with very limited space, where having a NUC-like PC would still be annoying to wire or keep tidy (e.g., the back of the monitor is seen by customers, so you can't mount it there). I guess you can also view it as just the "base" part of detachable laptop designs, which might make sense for some.
The problem is, what happens when the keyboard breaks?
I'm inclined to agree, and I feel the same way about handhelds (the gamepad, #1 point of failure in all of my Xboxes, baked into a $1000 Xbox Ally handheld? No thanks), but you can say the same thing about notebooks.
It probably means they didn’t test it with more than that.
The biggest DDR5 SODIMM I can find right now is 48GB, but that is with 3GB chips - ie, 16x 3GB chips. If HP didn’t bother testing with more than 32GB modules (16x 2GB, which are much more common) they would put it like this for a computer with two slots.
Bet it's going to be a low profile laptop type keyboard to keep the profile slim. The default TDP they listed for the available CPUs they listed have a 28W TDP, so if you do any intensive work with them it's also going to get warm.
What's wrong with bolting a SFF PC to the VESA mount on the back of a monitor or similar like they've been doing for years?
Had a couple HP pavilion laptop screens died (same model and within a month off each other… only ever buy HP pro equipment). I ripped the screens off at the hinges and they became essentially this. But better because it had a trackpad built in. Used ‘em for video conferencing, hooked up to a large TV.
So I’d like credit for inventing this form factor please.
So it’s an upgraded raspberry pi 400
Its more an alternative form factor to mini pcs that are common in offices and businesses
yeah, and those are better, because replacing the keyboard is cheap.
Article says the keyboard module can be swapped out. But yeah this is still very niche. HP probably did this because enough businesses expressed interest that they are giving it a shot.
Yeah, especially for places with fixed monitors and limited desk space/access being able to hotswap the keyboard only via USB-C cable to replace the PC is godly.
Its decent but its worse in my eyes than the iMac solution. Putting the CPU into the monitor provides significantly more space, allows for wireless peripherals, and enables an enterprise to physically protect the device more effectively. With a bunch of monitors I could securely attach them to the desks such that it would take several minutes to steal each one, with these you could probably grab 50 in under a minute.
So I guess its for a use case where users need to bring their PCs with them, not need to use them on-the-go AND be happy with carrying a bulkier device in order to have a keyboard built in...? Which for some reason couldn't be sourced at wherever the next monitor they're going to is located..?
I doubt very many businesses would see the utility in swapping out the module. The risk is too high that HP could come up with a new form factor making all of the SOM carrier keyboards obsolete overnight.
At least with VESA mount style mini computers, there's a certain amount of flexibility in how big or small the PC could be before having to obsolete all of those brackets or whatever.
Advantage of this over a VESA mounted unit is that you can just unplug it for security sake and take it away.
Teleworkers might really benefit from this instead of a laptop if they need external monitors anyway.
It's a laptop without a monitor or trackpad.
Flashback to 1987 and commodore 64 days
Now add a cartridge slot!
Yep, pretty much every personnal computer from this era (and previous) were keyboard shaped. Its the originel design!
commodore VIC/64/128, amiga 500/1200, atari st, apple I/II, exidy, thomson to7/mo5, TI 99, sinclair ZX80/81/spectrum/QL, hector, msx I/II, (and i probably forget ton of them)....
It's not new ! :p but a fun comeback ^^
I guess is better to trow away a cheap keyboard than a monitor when is time to replace an AIO.
The problem is, what happens when the keyboard brakes?
AIOs are stupid for a reason.
Just focus on building mini PCs FFS!
I mean, this DOES feel kinda stupid. The Pi 400/500 work because they're like $60-100 all-in. If it fails terribly, you're out the price of a fancy keyboard.
I can't imagine this being less than $400, or heck, realistically, less than $700. That's a tall ask for a PC whose value dives dramatically if it loses a keyboard key.
and to be fair they're still a small keyboard, big enough to use but subscale.
as you say with the lowish cost of a pi 400/500 if the keyboard does fail you just plug one into it.
On HP's website:
"HP Elite G1a Keyboard features modular design and top-mount keyboard replacement in under 10 minutes."
I'm not a fan of AIOs, but this seems like it's decently thought out and will be useful for some environments.
Well, I guess that fixes it. But still don't understand why, instead of a mini PC stuck behind the monitor or something like that.
Maybe for super minimalist setups. But still, you will need power for the keyboard and PC inside it.
I don't know, still doesn't make sense to me. But at least the modular design is smart.
Yeah, it's definitely a niche. I can maybe guess at a few scenarios, like at kiosks or places with very limited space, where having a NUC-like PC would still be annoying to wire or keep tidy (e.g., the back of the monitor is seen by customers, so you can't mount it there). I guess you can also view it as just the "base" part of detachable laptop designs, which might make sense for some.
I'm inclined to agree, and I feel the same way about handhelds (the gamepad, #1 point of failure in all of my Xboxes, baked into a $1000 Xbox Ally handheld? No thanks), but you can say the same thing about notebooks.
the marketing talks about this as "up to 64GB Sodimm".
does this indicate that it has a single memory channel?
i.e. half the bandwidth.
It probably means they didn’t test it with more than that.
The biggest DDR5 SODIMM I can find right now is 48GB, but that is with 3GB chips - ie, 16x 3GB chips. If HP didn’t bother testing with more than 32GB modules (16x 2GB, which are much more common) they would put it like this for a computer with two slots.
good news.
Nice.
It's fucking awesome 👀
I like stuff like this, keyboard looks cheap though. Like what you get bundled with an HP computer.
Bet it's going to be a low profile laptop type keyboard to keep the profile slim. The default TDP they listed for the available CPUs they listed have a 28W TDP, so if you do any intensive work with them it's also going to get warm.
What's wrong with bolting a SFF PC to the VESA mount on the back of a monitor or similar like they've been doing for years?
I don't get it either.
there was a chinese brand that did this with a foldable keyboard over a year ago, anybody here that can find a link to that?
i saw this one, link can be googled ARFirst Lunar miniPC
Yes, Ty! thats the one
I want one yesterday.
That's fun, but I would never give up my split keyboard
So a spilled tumbler full of Hot Coffee is gonna ruin a Whole-@$$ $500 PC instead of a $10 Keyboard? The Future $ucks!
Ah yes. Because that's exactly what I want... Sweaty hands because my keyboard is extra warm.
[removed]
Look ma, the Asus EeePC keyboard Pc is back.
Why do we need ai in a keyboard?
Had a couple HP pavilion laptop screens died (same model and within a month off each other… only ever buy HP pro equipment). I ripped the screens off at the hinges and they became essentially this. But better because it had a trackpad built in. Used ‘em for video conferencing, hooked up to a large TV.
So I’d like credit for inventing this form factor please.
Ewwwww HP
Small form factor/ AIO
True, gives Commodore vibes.
AIO, except the display
Aios already have a separate keyboard. This gives the AIO experience but you can use any monitor you want
I suppose a keyboard with in-built heating might be nice during winter. Personally I'd prefer a mouse though.
What's a apu and what's the benefit of having a keyboard with one