First look: HP Elite Slice. HP elite slice

First look: HP Elite Slice

In case you hadn’t noticed, modularity in enterprise computing is all the rage right now despite some TechRadar Pro editor’s thoughts on it. The latest to join the craze is HP with its Elite Slice at IFA 2016.

Capitalizing on the utter lack of a new Mac mini for the past two years, the Elite Slice is a modular mini PC that can serve several different functions in the office at the drop of a hat. That’s thanks to a clever, modular design that uses “slices” to provide those different functions.

A sliced-and-diced-up design

The Elite Slice comes first as a mini PC (similar to a NUC) about the same size as Apple’s long-neglected machine, measuring 6.5 x 1.38 x 6.5 inches. This unit houses all of the core components of any PC, which we’ll get into in a moment, but actually comes in two flavors.

There’s the straight-up HP Elite Slice, with its slick and stylish matte plastic chassis adorned by a gold-colored chromium HP logo on the lid, like that on the HP Spectre. Beneath that lid is a series of vents that wrap around the device to dissipate heat.

And no, that isn’t real copper, we asked. (Of course, copper is used inside to best transport heat up and away from the unit.)

The Slice offers two USB-C ports (one of which is for power that can pass through for any USB-C monitor), one DisplayPort (so that it can power two 4K displays at once), HDMI, an RJ-45 port and a headphone-out/microphone-in combo port.

None of that changes with the second version of the PC, dubbed the HP Elite Slice for Meeting Rooms. This version simply sports capacitive touch buttons for “call”, “mute”, “volume up and down,” and “hang up.”

We’re told that these buttons are compatible with common Windows 10 web chat applications, namely Skype for Business.

However, to make that possible, you’ll need the Bang Olufsen-powered HP Audio module. This module serves up 360-degree sound tuned for voice with a dual-array microphone setup that features noise cancellation and can pick up voice from 5 meters away.

Then, if you want an optical drive, you’ll have to slap on HP’s ODD module, which basically does what it says on the tin with support for dual-layer DVDs.

Finally, if you want extra security for your fleet of Slice PCs, you’ll want the HP Vesa Plate, which can be bolted into a desk and then lock the rest of the “slices”, supported by a daisy chain Kensington lock system.

During our time checking out the Elite Slice on the IFA show floor, we were also teased another version of the Slice base system that can wirelessly charge smartphones that support it when placed on the lid. It’ll start shipping in early 2017.

All of these modules connect to the base system from the bottom downward through with look to be USB-C ports, but HP dubs them HP Slice module connectors with a USB 3.1 (1st generation) data rate.

(As of this writing, the pricing of the modules hasn’t been disclosed.)

What’s inside of it?

Being a mini PC, we wouldn’t blame you for assuming the Elite Slice uses a mobile processor, but nay. The Slice houses a series of desktop-grade, 35W Intel Core i5 or i7 processors (6th generation) to power the whole thing with Intel’s HD Graphics 530.

Supporting that is up to 32GB of DDR4 memory and a range of spinning drive and solid-state storage options from 128GB SATA SSD to 500GB SATA HDD at 7,200 rpm. (M.2 NVMe, SATA TLC and SATA SED options are available, too.)

For your wireless connection, 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth come standard. Also, the Slice is said to offer a fingerprint scanner as well, but we didn’t see one on the unit showed off here.

Our first take

HP’s latest take on both the modular and miniature PC scenes in enterprise is an impressive effort, judging from the brief time we spent with it on the IFA show floor. Swapping out modules was demonstrated to be super fast, and it all looks simply gorgeous.

That’s somewhat of a rarity in business computers, so the attention to detail and style is hugely appreciated. However, starting at 699 (about £526, AU925) for the basic system and a cool 949 (about £715, AU1,256) for the Slice for Meeting Rooms when they land this September, the latter seems a bit overqualified to sit in a meeting room.

Still, we have to commend HP for a solid attempt at reinvigorating enterprise PCs, and we can’t wait to test it out fully in a proper review.

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Hands-on with the HP Elite Slice modular desktop PC

HP’s Elite Slice computer is a desktop PC that crams an Intel Skylake processor, up to 8GB of RAM and up to 500GB of storage into a a case that’s just 6 inches across and 1.5 inches deep.

Worried that there’s no room for things like an optical disc drive? The HP Slice is a modular PC system: you add features by purchasing additional modules and snapping them into place.

HP recently started taking orders for the Elite Slice computer, and I got a chance to check out the modular PC at an event in New York this week.

The Slice is basically a full-fledged PC in its own right, with everything you need to get started stuffed into a compact case, complete with a USB 3.1 Type-C port, two USB 3.0 Type-A ports, DisplayPort and HDMI and an Ethernet jack.

There are also vents near the top of the computer to help keep things cool. Powered by a 35 watt Intel Skylake-T processor, there’s no way Intel could have made a system this small fanless, so there is a fan to blow hot air out through those vents.

On the bottom of the Slice there’s a port that you can line up with any of the Slice modules. Just snap the optical disc drive, Bang Olufsen speakers, or other modules into place and they’ll be held firm by a latch while drawing power and sending data through that port.

You can remove any modules you’re not currently using by sliding a latch on the bottom of the stack and simply pulling modules apart.

Sure… you could probably buy a USB disc drive or speaker set for a lot less than the price of these official Slice modules. But they won’t be as compact or neat… and they’ll require you to run more cables all over your desk.

There’s also an optional “Collaboration Cover” that includes touch-sensitive buttons for use with Skype or other conference calling software.

HP isn’t the first company to unveil a proprietary, modular desktop system. Acer’s Aspire Revo Build is designed around a similar idea. But while Acer’s systems have a starting price of just 180 for a model with an Intel Celeron N3050 processor, HP is positioning the Elite Slice as a business-class computer with more powerful hardware (and higher price tags).

An entry-level HP Elite Slice is expected to sell for 699 and feature an Intel Core i3-6100T processor, 4GB of RAM, and 500GB of hard drive storage.

Higher-priced models feature up to a Core i7-6700T processor, 8GB of RAM, and up to 256GB of solid state storage.

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HP Elite Slice for Meeting Rooms provides a simple, elegant solution for controlling Microsoft Teams and Skype for Business conferences. This product contains both an ultra-compact HP Elite Slice computer and a tablet-like HP Center of Room Control. The Elite Slice comes with Microsoft Skype Room System preloaded to simplify installation. Manage Skype or Teams conversations using the large 12.3″ touchscreen display with greater than 1080p resolution. The tablet takes on the familiar Skype or Teams interface for a seamless experience.

HP Elite Slice may be ultra-small, but it packs power. It has an Intel Core i5-7500T processor with Intel HD Graphics 630 graphics card. The 128 GB SSD and 8 GB of RAM keep your processes running very fast. It has a full selection of ports for connecting components, including USB Type C, HDMI, and DisplayPort. This model comes with an HP Wireless Display Module.

HP Elite Slice for Meeting Rooms Quick Specs:

  • 2x USB 3.1 Type C
  • 2x USB 3.1 Gen 1
  • 1x DisplayPort
  • 1x HDMI
  • 1x RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet

HP Elite Slice for Meeting Rooms for Skype Room Systems Package Contents:

  • HP Elite Slice
  • HP Center of Room Control
  • HP Video Ingest Module
  • HP Cable and Port Cover
  • HP Wireless Display Module
  • HP VESA Plate

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Replace the CPU | HP Elite Slice | HP

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HP Elite Slice Review

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Pairing one of the best conference room cameras with a high-performance audio system makes for meeting magic.

The Jabra PanaCast is easily one of the most impressive conference room cameras that I’ve reviewed over the past few years. It’s actually a tiny matrix of three 13-megapixel cameras mounted in a half circle, so that together they have full visibility of a 180-degree arc in front of the unit. Once in place, everything the PanaCast does is automatic and completely hands-free.

In fact, the only issue I found with the PanaCast when I reviewed it last year was the fact that there is no audio component. It’s compatible with a variety of audioconferencing tools, but they must be stitched together to create a true videoconferencing solution. Jabra has fixed that problem with its new Jabra PanaCast and HP Elite Slice G2 Audio Ready Bundle, creating an all-in-one system that is both precise and easy to use.

The HP Elite Slice G2 Audio Ready adds two valuable components to the bundle: a surround sound speaker and a tablet for controlling meetings. The tablet has a 12.3-inch touch screen and comes pre-loaded with conferencing software like Zoom. It makes it very easy to perform meeting-related tasks like adding attendees, calling numbers from the address book and sharing information with participants. Much of what the PanaCast camera does is automatic, but it also can be manually controlled from the tablet.

Combining audio and control functionality with a strong conference room camera can transform almost any space into a professional meeting area. The PanaCast automatically scans for people in the room, activating its three cameras as needed and zooming in on whoever is speaking. Meanwhile, the audio is able to pick up sound from all directions.

Virtual Meetings Provide Colleagues with the Whole Picture

Behind the scenes, Jabra PanaCast stitches all of its captured feeds together and presents it as a solid image, so there is never a fisheye or wide-angle effect, even in very large rooms. Video can be captured in 4K too, making virtual meetings almost as good as seeing colleagues in person.

Merging the Jabra PanaCast camera with the sound and management capabilities of the HP Elite Slice G2 makes for a formidable videoconferencing solution. It’s every bit as good as much more expensive systems, and works well in both huge conference rooms and smaller huddle areas.

Connect to Jabra PanaCast However Requirements Demand

Given that a core strength of both the Jabra PanaCast camera and the HP Elite Slice G2 is their ease of use, it makes sense that combining the two would result in an easy-to-use product as well. Together they can offer more features than either could alone.

The Jabra PanaCast camera is certified to work with Microsoft Teams, so connecting the bundle to that platform was extremely easy. From the control tablet, I simply selected our Teams room and began inviting people to participate in my test meeting. The camera worked great with it, while the audio was provided from the Elite Slice.

The control tablet comes preloaded with Zoom software, so connecting to that platform was just about effortless. It could be done with a single click. Here again the PanaCast camera followed along, performing its recording tasks while I managed meeting participants from the tablet.

It was smooth sailing with Skype as well. Although neither component in the bundle is specifically certified to work with the platform, using it turned out to be easy. There were a couple of extra steps needed to get a meeting started, but everything was mostly automatic after that.

Audio Bundle Attaches to Platforms Smoothly

I even tried out several of the generic, free conferencing platforms available for use these days. Connecting with them was almost never a problem, and even though many of them did not have a lot of advanced features, they weren’t necessary since the bundle provided for most of them. For example, I was able to manage my meetings on the control tablet while the audio component captured whoever was speaking. The PanaCast device kept its three HD cameras trained on everyone in the room and made sure the feed looked good for anyone watching on the other end.

Bundling the Jabra PanaCast and HP Elite Slice G2 Audio Ready devices together into a single package is a winning move. Together, the bundle provides everything needed to produce and manage conference calls, videoconferences and meetings at a highly professional level that is completely platform agnostic.

Jabra PanaCast and HP Elite Slice G2 Audio Ready

Camera Type: Three 13MP camerasMax Recording Resolution: 3840x2160Control Pad Display: 12.3-inch LCD touch screenDimensions (Camera): 2.6x4x0.8 inchesWeight (Camera): 3.53 ounces