HP Looking For ‘Slice’ Of The Modular Market With New Elite-Branded SFF PC

Modularity is a concept that, taken too far, borders on the ridiculous. But the number of companies seriously investing in the idea (with GPU docks, detachable keyboards, swappable components) has increased dramatically over the last year. Lenovo gave both its Thinkpad X1 tablet and its Motorola-branded Moto Z smartphone modular accessories, and Asus went so far as to create a functional modular motherboard, although it’s only a concept piece for the time being.

HP's also in on the action with the HP Elite Slice, a SFF modular PC that gains features with “slices” that you can add on. It’s designed as a commercial desktop deployment for small- or medium-sized businesses, to enhance communication and collaboration. But the modularity, small footprint, and performance still makes it a compelling home office or light productivity device.

Start With A Base

The HP Elite Slice, by itself, is the smallest PC in HP’s Elite lineup, measuring in at 6.5 x 6.5 x 1.38 inches and weighing only 2.31 lbs. The device can be equipped with up to a 6^th Generation (Skylake) Intel Core i7-6700T processor (35W TDP), up to 32 GB of DDR4-2133, and up to a 512 GB HP Turbo Drive G2 SSD (M.2 NVMe).

The device features two USB 3.1 Type-C ports (one for charging) and two USB 3.1 Type-A ports, in addition to a DisplayPort and HDMI output. Internet connectivity can be achieved with an integrated Intel i219LM gigabit Ethernet port, or wirelessly with an 802.11ac Wifi module. It even has a tiny 2W speaker onboard.

Add A Slice Of This, A Slice Of That

All of the different Slice modules connect using a proprietary connector with USB Type-C data rates. Each module is about the same dimensions as the main PC component, and stack underneath the main unit. The device is not hot-swappable, so you have to power down the device to add or remove a module.

The top can come as just a plain plastic cover, but HP even made the Slice’s cover interchangeable. The Collaboration Cover (available at launch) is a teleconferencing module that turns the Slice into a Skype or business phone with easy call management and capacitive touch keys. There’s also a Wireless Charging Cover coming later next year that does exactly what you’d think: it charges a device wirelessly by placing it on top.

The HP Audio Module features a dual-array microphone and audio tuned by Bang & Olufsen, making it the ideal companion module for the Slice for Meeting Rooms (with Collaboration Cover). It’s not going to blast Pandora while you work, but it’s sufficient for teleconferencing with its noise-cancellation software.

The other remaining modules are a DVD-ROM (HP ODD) and a VESA mount, which you may or may not need depending on your intended use. But that’s why the Slice is modular; you can take what you need and leave out what you don’t.

Pricing And Availability

The new HP Slice will be available this month from the company’s website starting at $699. The Slice for Meeting Rooms is also available in September starting at $949. The HP Audio Module is priced at $109, and the ODD Module is available for $99. The VESA mount goes for $39 and the Collaboration Cover is expected to ring up for $34. Pricing for the Wireless Charging Cover is currently unknown, and it will arrive sometime early next year.