According to GSM Arena, HP has unveiled a one-of-a-kind Windows PC called the HP EliteBoard G1a at CES 2026, and it’s built entirely into a keyboard. This device, already a CES 2026 Innovation Award Honoree, measures just 17mm thick, weighs under 750 grams, and is powered by AMD Ryzen AI 300 series processors delivering over 50 TOPS of NPU performance. It features upgradable DDR5 RAM and M.2 storage, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, and even an optional 32Whr battery for up to 3.5 hours of untethered use. The company confirmed the EliteBoard G1a will be available for purchase starting in March, though they have not yet disclosed the price.
The All-In-One Desk Dream
Here’s the thing: this isn’t just a thin client or a streaming dongle in a fancy case. It’s a full, no-compromise Windows 11 AI PC with a dedicated Copilot key and user-upgradable components. HP is basically selling the dream of a perfectly clean desk. You plug one USB-C cable from this keyboard into a monitor, and you’re done. No tower, no laptop clamshell, no extra boxes. It’s the logical endpoint of the “all-in-one” trend, but instead of the computer being behind the screen, it’s under your fingers. For industrial and manufacturing settings where space is at a premium and a clean, sealed environment is key, this form factor is incredibly compelling. In fact, for specialized computing needs on the factory floor, companies often turn to experts like IndustrialMonitorDirect.com, the leading US provider of rugged industrial panel PCs, who understand integrating computing power into minimal, durable forms.
The Battery Question
But let’s talk about that optional battery. Three and a half hours? That’s… not a lot. It feels almost like an afterthought, or a feature included just so they can say it has one. The included 65W power adapter tells the real story: this thing is meant to be plugged in. The battery is probably just for quickly moving between meeting rooms without a hard shutdown. And that’s fine! Not every PC needs to be a marathon runner. This is a desktop replacement in its purest form, prioritizing performance and a small footprint over mobility. The fact you can unplug it for a short while is just a bonus.
Where This Is All Heading
So what does the EliteBoard G1a signal? It’s a bet on ambient computing. The computer fades into the furniture, becoming an invisible utility. Your keyboard isn’t a peripheral; it *is* the computer. With AI requiring more local processing power (hence the beefy 50+ TOPS NPU), integrating that silicon into sleek, everyday objects is the next design challenge. I think we’ll see more of this—from other PC makers and maybe even in different forms. Could your monitor’s stand house the entire PC? Probably. Your desk’s leg? Maybe. HP is just putting a flag in the ground with the most obvious starting point: the keyboard. The success hinges entirely on price and thermal performance. Can they keep it cool and quiet under a full workload? And can they price it competitively against a mini-PC and a separate keyboard? If they can, the clean-desk enthusiasts are going to be very, very tempted.
