New all-in-one desktop PCs coming from HP this month incorporate interesting privacy features such as AI-based noise reduction and a proximity sensor that automatically locks the PC when you walk away.

These features are already available on some HP notebooks, but now that they are on the new HP EliteOne 800 business all-in-one, they are likely to appear on more HP desktops, including those intended for purely personal use. With many people now spending more time than expected on Zoom calls, often against the backdrop of a noisy home, such a feature would be especially useful.

While PC users have long had access to noise reduction algorithms through downloadable apps such as Nvidia's RTX Voice, it is still rare to see them built into the hardware itself; HP claims this is the first desktop with this feature HP claims this is the first desktop with this feature, and users can enable noise reduction through an onboard app. If functioning properly, this feature should automatically detect when you are talking and filter out all other background noise.

The HP EliteOne 800 line of business-class all-in-ones also includes a number of additional privacy features, including a proximity sensor that can be adjusted to automatically lock when you leave the PC.

This feature relies on the built-in proximity sensor rather than the PC's webcam, so it can be used even when the webcam is shut off or covered, a nice privacy touch. Such features are more useful in an office environment than at home, but it would be nice to see them on more desktop PCs, especially those primarily intended for family use.