HP Imagine 2026 in New York: AI PCs, security push, and a bigger bet on hybrid work

At its annual Imagine event, HP Inc. laid out how it plans to position itself in an AI-heavy workplace, announcing a mix of new devices, software features, and security upgrades. The focus this year is fairly clear: reduce friction in day-to-day work and push more intelligence directly onto devices. ET was on the ground at the event bringing in content.

HP says workplace inefficiencies are still a real problem. Its internal data suggests only about 20% of workers feel they have a healthy relationship with work, while regular tech issues continue to disrupt productivity. The company is betting that tighter integration of AI into devices and workflows can help fix some of that.

One of the key announcements is HP IQ, a new layer of on-device AI designed to sit across its ecosystem of PCs and workplace tools. The idea here is to handle tasks locally instead of relying entirely on the cloud. Features include contextual search through files, meeting note capture, and basic voice or text-based assistance. It will first show up on the next-gen EliteBook X G2 machines.

Alongside that, HP introduced NearSense, which is essentially about making devices talk to each other more seamlessly. This includes easier file sharing between PCs and simpler ways to join meetings without jumping through multiple steps. Over time, HP says this will extend beyond laptops to include its broader ecosystem, including conferencing gear and printers.

On the hardware side, the company announced the EliteBook 6 G2q, an AI-focused laptop powered by Snapdragon X-series chips, with up to 85 TOPS of NPU performance. The pitch here is clear: more AI workloads running locally, better battery life, and always-on connectivity through 5G. HP is also working with software partners to make sure these AI capabilities are actually usable in real-world apps.

Security is another major focus this year. HP is introducing TPM Guard, which it claims can block physical attacks on device encryption systems like BitLocker. It’s also expanding its Wolf Security suite, with a focus on tightening integration between hardware and enterprise security tools. The broader message is that as AI usage grows, so do potential vulnerabilities.

Interestingly, HP is also bringing AI into its printing business. New LaserJet models now include AI-assisted document processing and what the company calls quantum-resistant security, aimed at businesses handling sensitive data. There’s also a push to connect physical and digital workflows, especially for industries like construction.

For high-end users, HP refreshed its Z Workstations, including the Z8 Fury, which is built for heavy AI and simulation workloads with support for multiple high-end GPUs. This sits alongside updates to its mobile workstation lineup, aimed at creators and professionals who need portable performance.

HP is also expanding its Workforce Experience Platform (WXP), adding AI-driven insights and automation tools for IT teams. The goal here is to move from reactive troubleshooting to more proactive system management.

Beyond work, HP touched on gaming as well, with updates to its OMEN lineup and new AI-based performance tuning tools. It’s a smaller part of the announcement, but it shows how the company is trying to apply AI across both productivity and entertainment.

Overall, HP Imagine 2026 wasn’t about one big product. It was more about stitching together devices, software, and AI into a broader ecosystem. Whether that actually reduces complexity, which is what HP is aiming for, will depend on how well these tools work outside controlled demos.

ET will also be coming out with videos of the newly launched products at our socials platforms.