HP unveils AI PCs with local assistant HP IQ, betting big on next generation of work PCs

HP Introduces Local AI Assistant Software Across Commercial PC Lineup

HP rolled out a comprehensive update to its commercial PC lineup at its annual HP Imagine event, introducing AI PCs built around a new local AI assistant software platform called HP IQ 1

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. The announcement comes as autonomous agents gain traction in workplace environments and Intel releases commercial vPro versions of its Core Ultra 3 processors. HP's refresh spans EliteBook and ProBook notebooks, ZBook mobile workstations, and Z-series desktops, all framed around the evolving role of on-device AI in modern work settings 3

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Set to enter beta later this spring, HP IQ operates as a local AI assistant accessed through a pull-down interface at the top of the screen 1

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. Queries are processed by an on-device model that taps into local data, offering features like writing assistance, summarization, and transcription. The platform leverages the NPU of newer AI PCs, addressing a gap where many AI-powered PCs lack applications that actually utilize their neural processing capabilities.

EliteBook and ZBook Target Hybrid Work with Snapdragon X2 and Intel Core Ultra

The EliteBook 6 G2q, powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2 platform, leads HP's push into the next generation of work PCs 2

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. HP positions it as the "world's most configurable Arm-based PC," offering options from a 12-core X2 Elite to 6- and 10-core X2 Plus variants, with up to 85 TOPS of NPU performance for handling local AI workloads 1

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. Buyers can extensively configure memory and storage, and add HP Go cellular service with a Qualcomm 5G modem. Intel and AMD versions of the same design are also available, now 15% thinner than the previous generation.

The new AI workstations include updated ZBook models like the ZBook 8 G2 with both Intel and AMD CPU configurations, alongside the Intel Core Ultra Series 3-based ZBook X 1

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. These systems can be outfitted with Nvidia discrete GPUs, though Intel's upgraded Xe3 integrated graphics with up to 12 cores now provide a viable option for certain AI workloads 2

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. On the desktop side, the redesigned Z8 Fury G6i supports up to four Nvidia RTX Pro 6000 GPUs, with an optional side panel that increases internal volume by 15% to accommodate larger next-generation GPUs.

HP NearSense Enables Seamless Device Connectivity for Hybrid Work

HP IQ introduces proximity-based features under the HP NearSense umbrella, built on Google's D2DI (Device-to-Device Infrastructure) standard 1

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. This enables simplified local connectivity, allowing users to discover nearby devices and share files without traditional setup steps. Another feature integrates with HP's Poly conferencing hardware, letting IQ-enabled PCs automatically connect to meetings when entering rooms equipped with supported Poly Studio systems 2

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. These capabilities aim to make hybrid work environments more fluid, reducing friction in cross-device workflows without relying on cloud infrastructure.

Enterprise Adoption Faces Hurdles Despite Enhanced Security Push

While HP emphasized enhanced security features like TPM Guard integrated across its latest PCs and HP Wolf Pro Security for protecting sensitive data 2

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, enterprise adoption of HP IQ may face challenges. IT teams tend to be cautious with anything resembling autonomous agents, even though IQ doesn't offer the same level of open-ended control seen in tools like OpenClaw 1

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. IQ launches as an HP-exclusive feature, which complicates deployment in mixed hardware environments. It also depends on HP's Work Experience Platform (WXP) for device management and policy controls, entering a crowded space where many companies already have established solutions.

Despite these obstacles, HP's approach offers a relatively straightforward way to integrate agentic AI into everyday workflows. As local models improve and organizations become more comfortable with on-device AI capabilities, HP IQ could gain traction among businesses seeking to balance AI functionality with data privacy concerns. The platform's ability to process queries locally without heavy cloud reliance addresses growing demands for faster, more private computing experiences in enterprise settings.