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| HP sells the EliteBook 8 G2i 14 in a single colour option. |
HP has been playing it cool lately. Almost three months after first teasing its next-generation business laptops, the company is quietly pushing its latest EliteBook 8 series into the wild. No flashy press events, no dramatic countdowns – just a steady drip of new listings popping up across European online stores. And honestly? That’s very HP.
If you’ve been holding out for a sleek 14-inch workhorse with Intel’s new Panther Lake chips, your wait might finally be over. The EliteBook 8 G2i 14 has started appearing in the UK and Eurozone, bringing some welcome upgrades – and a few head-scratching omissions. Let’s unpack what’s actually available, what’s still missing, and whether you should pull the trigger or keep waiting.
A Quick Refresher: What’s the EliteBook 8 G2 Series All About?
Back in March, HP officially lifted the lid on its EliteBook 8 G2 range. As we covered at the time, the company promised a total of six models, including standard clamshells and convertibles in both 13-inch and 14-inch flavors. The headline feature? Intel’s Panther Lake processors, which replace the Arrow Lake chips found in the previous G1 generation.
But here’s the thing – HP has been rolling these out in almost complete silence. First came the 13-inch variants. Then the 13-inch convertible. And now, finally, the 14-inch model is sneaking onto shelves. If you’re in Europe, you can actually order one today.
The 13-Inch Models Are Already Here (Yes, Including a Convertible)
Before we dive into the 14-inch version, it’s worth noting that HP hasn’t been completely idle. The standard EliteBook 8 G2i 13 quietly landed in several markets last week, offering the same Panther Lake internals in a smaller, more portable chassis. And for those who like to flip things around, the EliteBook 8 Flip G2i 13 convertible is also making its debut, giving you tablet-style flexibility without sacrificing business-grade build quality.
So if 14 inches feels like too much laptop, you’ve got options. But let’s be real – the 14-inch form factor is where the sweet spot lives for most professionals. And that’s exactly where HP is now focusing its attention.
Meet the EliteBook 8 G2i 14: Panther Lake Goes Mainstream
The new EliteBook 8 G2i 14 isn’t just a larger screen slapped onto the same chassis. It’s a genuine replacement for the Arrow Lake-based EliteBook 8 G1i – you know, the one that’s still floating around on Amazon for around $1,475 if you need something right this second. But if you can wait, the G2i brings newer silicon, better efficiency, and a few display tricks that might make the upgrade worthwhile.
Pricing is… interesting. In the UK, the entry-level configuration starts at approximately £1,348. For that, you get:
- Intel Core Ultra 5 325 processor (Panther Lake)
- 16GB of RAM
- 256GB of storage
- A 1200p display
- A 68Wh battery
Over in the Eurozone, the same spec is priced at €2,251 – quite a jump, though regional taxes and market positioning likely explain the difference. The bigger catch? At the time of writing, only a Core Ultra 7 355-powered SKU is actually orderable in most Eurozone countries. That variant costs over €200 more, so you’re looking at roughly €2,450 before any discounts.
Configurations: What You Can (and Can’t) Actually Buy
HP’s configurator is a bit of a mixed bag right now. In the UK, you’ve got more flexibility – both the Core Ultra 5 325 and a slightly punchier Core Ultra 5 335 are available to order. The Core Ultra 7 355 is also there, but with a key limitation: only the Ultra 7 model can be specced with up to 32GB of RAM. If you need that extra memory for heavy multitasking or running virtual machines, you’ll have to step up to the pricier chip.
Storage options appear to go up to 2TB, though that’s configurable across all processor tiers. And yes, HP is offering 800-nit displays on some configurations – perfect for outdoor work or bright office environments. But this is where things get a little frustrating.
The Display That Was Promised… But Hasn’t Shown Up Yet
Remember HP’s March announcement? They teased a 120Hz variable refresh rate (VRR) panel with a 1600p resolution – essentially a dream screen for business users who also dabble in content creation or light gaming. That display was supposed to be one of the standout features of the G2 generation.
Well, as of mid-June 2026, that panel is nowhere to be found. You can’t select it in any configurator. HP’s spec sheets don’t list it. And the company isn’t saying when – or even if – it will become available. Maybe it’s a supply chain issue. Maybe it’s being held back for a later revision. Maybe HP quietly decided that most business buyers don’t need 120Hz on a spreadsheet machine. Whatever the reason, it’s a noticeable absence.
For now, your display options top out at that 800-nit 1200p panel (which is still very good, let’s be clear). But if you were holding out for the high-refresh, high-res version, you’re stuck waiting.
What About the Rest of the World? (Looking at You, US)
Here’s where things get vague. HP has not announced a formal release date for the EliteBook 8 G2i 14 in North America or other major markets. The company’s US website still shows the previous G1 generation as the primary offering, with no mention of Panther Lake models.
That could change any day now – HP has a habit of quietly updating its online store without much fanfare. But if you’re in the US and you absolutely need a 14-inch business laptop with the latest Intel chips, you might be looking at a few more weeks (or months) of waiting. Alternatively, you could import one from the UK, but that comes with its own headaches around keyboards, warranties, and power adapters.
And Don’t Forget: An AMD Version Is Coming Too
We’d be remiss not to mention that HP hasn’t abandoned Team Red. The company confirmed that a new AMD-powered EliteBook 8 model is also on its way – likely using whatever Strix Point or next-gen mobile chips AMD has up its sleeve. We reviewed the previous AMD-based EliteBook 8 back in October 2025 and came away impressed with its battery life and integrated graphics performance.
So if you’re not married to Intel, it might be worth holding out for the AMD variant. No word on exact timing, but “global release” suggests we could see it before the end of the summer.
Final Take: Should You Buy the EliteBook 8 G2i 14 Today?
That depends on your patience level. If you’re in Europe and you need a rock-solid business laptop right now, the EliteBook 8 G2i 14 is a perfectly capable machine. Panther Lake brings meaningful efficiency gains over Arrow Lake, the build quality is classic HP EliteBook (read: excellent), and that 68Wh battery should easily get you through a full workday.
But if you can wait a few weeks? You might want to hold out for three things:
- The missing high-end display – assuming it ever shows up.
- Wider availability in the US and other regions – especially if you want a native keyboard layout.
- The AMD alternative – which could offer better multi-core performance or integrated graphics.
And if you’re on a budget? The previous-gen EliteBook 8 G1i is still a fantastic laptop, and you can grab one on Amazon for around $1,475 right now. It’s Arrow Lake instead of Panther Lake, but let’s be honest – for most office tasks, you won’t notice the difference.
HP is playing the quiet game with its EliteBook 8 G2 series. But the laptops are trickling out, the prices are (mostly) reasonable, and the foundation is solid. Now if only they’d give us that 120Hz panel…
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Source : HP Germany (1) (2) (3) (4) & HP UK (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7)
