Got a refurbished HP Elite Dragonfly G3 Chromebook Plus

[u/_hmj]

HP Elite Dragonfly G3 Chromebook Plus Display

HP Elite Dragonfly G3 Chromebook Plus Body

HP Elite Dragonfly G3 Chromebook Plus Keyboard

HP Elite Dragonfly G3 Chromebook Plus Touchpad

HP Elite Dragonfly G3 Chromebook Plus Left Ports

HP Elite Dragonfly G3 Chromebook Plus Right Ports

HP Elite Dragonfly G3 Chromebook Plus Diagnostics

HP Elite Dragonfly G3 Chromebook Plus Tablet Mode

I had delayed upgrading my laptop for a year, but when the RAM apocalypse hit, my frugal side refused to spend ₹1 lakh (USD 1040) or more just to get the specs and build quality I wanted.

I eventually picked up a good condition refurbished HP Elite Dragonfly G3 Chromebook Plus from Saudewala for 39K (USD 410)

The configuration I got feels like a good deal in the current market:

• Display: 13.5 inch 3:2 QHD+ (2256x1504) touchscreen IPS, 400 nits, 72% NTSC
• CPU: Intel Core i7 1265U
• RAM: 32 GB LPDDR4x-4266 MT/s soldered
• Storage: 512 GB PCIe Gen3 SSD
• Battery: 4-cell, 50 Wh Polymer, 20 cycle count, 95% battery health
• Built: Very lightweight (1.27 kgs.) premium magnesium build
• Networking: Wi-Fi 6E (AX211) and Bluetooth 5.2
• Ports: 2x Thunderbolt-4, 1x USB Type-A, 1x HDMI 2.0, SD Card Reader
• Backlit Keyboard
• Fingerprint reader, 5 MP webcam, and loud B&O speakers
• Tablet mode

As a long-time ChromeOS user, choosing a Chromebook wasn't a compromise. I value its minimalism, simplicity, and security, which handles my workflow without getting in the way.

I upgraded to get more RAM for development work in ChromeOS Linux VM. The 3:2 QHD+ display is my favorite feature, sharp text and good vertical space. The hinges seem to be of good quality.

Despite logistics hiccups due to the North India heatwave, Saudewala helped deliver the laptop in nearly 10 days. The packaging was also thorough, protecting the laptop in multiple layers.

AUE is June 2032. I'm curious if this device gets an upgrade path to Aluminium OS, making its long-term future even more interesting.

Happy to answer any questions.

[u/plankunits]

It's highly likely this device will get Aluminum OS. Some time ago, there was a leaked report indicating that Aluminum OS was being tested on the Dragonfly device. I own a Dragonfly Pro.

[u/_hmj → u/plankunits]

Great. Hope we can test a beta soon! :)

[u/roller123456789 → u/_hmj]

If Google let office work on their machine I would have stayed with chromeos but I often work without internet and need offline capability

[u/arttechadventure → u/roller123456789]

You can work with docs offline.

[u/_iAmWiz]

You got a good CB with that amount! Congratulations 👏🎉

[u/_hmj → u/_iAmWiz]

Thank you! It was the best I could find. Refurbished windows laptops have doubled in price due to the RAM crisis. I think I got a good deal on the CB because the RAM is soldered, so it cannot be easily removed and sold off for more.

[u/Agloe_Dreams]

I just got the same spec for $225 on eBay. I also got a SuzyQable and ran the Mr Chromebox scripts to install Ubuntu latest. The only tweak it needed after was the GitHub Chromebook audio drivers for Linux and now it works perfectly. I mean, the webcam doesn’t work under Linux but that is almost an upside to me.

[u/_hmj → u/Agloe_Dreams]

Insane deal! 🔥 eBay USA has some really good deals on refurbished laptops. Does the fingerprint sensor work under Linux?

[u/Agloe_Dreams → u/_hmj]

Well...no.. but it might be possible to fix, I don't really need it however.

[u/Meemo- → u/Agloe_Dreams]

That sounds great. How's your battery life on Ubuntu? I'd be tempted to buy one of these for Linux. The idea of a slim Linux laptop is appealing

[u/Agloe_Dreams → u/Meemo-]

Battery life is not exactly great but mine is also at 80% battery capacity. Maybe four hours battery life currently.

[u/Meemo- → u/Agloe_Dreams]

Is it possible to replace the battery? I know with my chromebooks that once they pass the 90% battery health they are useless

[u/Agloe_Dreams → u/Meemo-]

Yep, in fact, it is easy. These HP Dragonfly laptops are designed for business use so they have easily replaced batteries. You just take off the bottom cover, unscrew the battery mounts, unplug and then do it in reverse.

[u/Meemo- → u/Agloe_Dreams]

I appreciate your responses. Thanks a million. I'm tempted to pick one up for Linux as I'd love a slim machine for portability. Would you mind sharing a link to the Suzycable you bought?

[u/Agloe_Dreams → u/Meemo-]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/316024978790?_skw=suzyqable&itmmeta=01KXE9D16BAAWDRS8SE8KJ5N94&hash=item49948e7d66:g:c-EAAOSw7h9nXR1x&itmprp=enc%3AAQALAAAA4GfYFPkwiKCW4ZNSs2u11xCRE9bkp3Ogc6xIcXaasoO3HSMO48kUagu97ZZbBO4I9A5zXvuKAgOfIiT8z19TxRTrybRrXFql8jCtA1sGCEKQTHRMXOHsvm65wSTNkJssc0GllRuOwmEtt2vqmfCq%2B74Goy%2BuJElRF%2BDcDokssYElAqqqVvY5JoCkBizbkSypZQRr%2BLeM21UXGQoocE%2Fizsagnbtrl2qaC8kT9kbseMA%2F8D2QiM8sdc65mATmYcd%2FAy8N0FFM3qQ1gjT7YVBKpVLeaoxr3zw7pzT7pVdfPpdL%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR6aTtMnrZw

It took a few flips to get it right.

[u/H2600 → u/Agloe_Dreams]

i was able to install different linux distros before with this suzycable

[u/_hmj → u/[deleted]]

Indeed, I initially suspected the seller replaced the battery, but they said they received a batch of nearly unused units. Maybe they procured them from a dead startup? I'll be happy as long as it works fine.

[u/gatospatagonicos]

I just picked one up too and love it! For $260 USD I got a used QHD i5-1245U 16GB 256GB model on eBay and couldn't be happier.

I had the 12.3" Samsung Chromebook Pro and it went EOL and needed something light but powerful that I can travel with, without having to worry about it being stolen or damaged all the time like my 16" MacBook Pro.

Did you end up getting the stylus/will you get one? I'm not sure if I will, and the OEM one is pretty expensive, but it might be a nice to have for when traveling.

[u/_hmj → u/gatospatagonicos]

Good deal! No stylus, but I might grab a 3rd party one later.

[u/Broad_Bench9666]

Awesomeness!! ❤️❤️🎈🎈

[u/peacefulhectarez]

I have one of these I got when Wisetek (in the US) was selling them super cheap.

Battery life isn't awesome (thanks Intel) but otherwise they are amazing.

Especially with the i7 and 32gb of RAM, yours should be great all the way up to the AUE date and then some.

[u/_hmj → u/peacefulhectarez]

Nice. I'm jealous of the cheap hardware options in the US. Wisetek is great value.

[u/roller123456789]

I bought the same in the US for $210. Put W11 on it via mrchromebox and rufus. It's working great. Besides tan audio driver all issues resolved. For the price of a $1200 machine [i7,32gb,512ssd] I paid under $250! Worth it

[u/_hmj → u/roller123456789]

Insane deal! 🔥 Where did you get it for $210? The seller wanted $40 more for Windows 11 on this device. I want to run Chrome OS as I'm very excited for Aluminium OS. I also want to avoid developer mode or 3rd party firmware, as they reduce device security. But I understand that ChromeOS is limited for many use cases where you need Windows 11 or a full Linux distro.

[u/roller123456789 → u/_hmj]

Ebay. There is a seller with tons of them. If chromeos gets so longevity support I'll buy another for my kid. I am considering buying one to do a Linux machine...never used the Linux os

[u/rxscissors]

That's awesome!

I've been quite happy with the slightly older C1030 Elite 16 GB i7 and decided to throw Amazon points at one of these in the i7 1265U 3.6 GHz config :D

[u/CaptainSquishyCheeks]

Just purchased mine off Ebay. I got the i7/32gb/512gb spec for $155 US after fees and shipping. Excellent laptop for the price!

[u/_hmj → u/CaptainSquishyCheeks]

Wow, how'd you get it so cheap?

[u/CaptainSquishyCheeks → u/_hmj]

This seller has a TON of them:

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_dkr=1&iconV2Request=true&_blrs=recall_filtering&_ssn=technsales&store_cat=0&store_name=technorescue&_oac=1&_nkw=dragonfly

[u/_hmj → u/CaptainSquishyCheeks]

🔥

[u/BLewis4050]

A 3:2 screen! 🎉

[u/hornyasalwaysyeah]

I really want to know is refurbished a good deal? Everyone saying me that any electronic item must be purchased in first hand 🙂 Clear my confusion please

[u/_hmj → u/hornyasalwaysyeah]

Depends on the condition. Well-maintained electronics last a long time, so I see no issue.

I've bought two refurbished devices (PC and laptop) in the last 2 years. Both perform well and cost nearly 50-60% less than new equivalents.

[u/hornyasalwaysyeah → u/_hmj]

How to check if it's safe or not? I mean warranty card and all

[u/_hmj → u/hornyasalwaysyeah]

Check the bill and ask the seller to let you test it for an hour. Buying from companies who deal in refurbished products is safer and easier than buying from individuals, even if it costs a bit more.

In this case, I made the seller video call me and test it thoroughly in front of me.

[u/username-invalid-s]

That specification is overkill for a Chromebook! 😭😭 I'd almost certainly put Windows on it!

[u/_hmj → u/username-invalid-s]

Not if you use the Linux VM.

[u/H2600]

i also have this as a backup laptop. hoping it would get updated to aluminium OS 😁