A Comprehensive Review
The HP EliteBook 840 14 inch G9 Notebook PC is a premium business laptop designed for professionals who require reliability, performance, and advanced security features. With its sleek design, powerful hardware, and an array of business-oriented functionalities, the EliteBook 840 G9 positions itself as a top contender in the competitive business laptop market. This review delves into the various aspects of the HP EliteBook 840 G9, examining its design, performance, battery life, and more, to help you determine if it’s the right choice for your professional needs.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Design and Build Quality
- Display
- Performance
- Battery Life
- Keyboard and Trackpad
- Connectivity and Ports
- Security Features
- Audio and Webcam
- Software and Features
- Pricing and Availability
- Comparison with Competitors
- Pros and Cons
- Final Verdict
1. Introduction
The HP EliteBook series has been a go-to choice for business professionals, and the 840 G9 continues this legacy with its robust feature set. Aimed at meeting the demands of modern workplaces, this laptop is equipped with the latest Intel processors, ample storage options, and cutting-edge security features. Whether you’re working remotely or in an office, the EliteBook 840 G9 promises to deliver a seamless computing experience.
2. Design and Build Quality
The first thing you’ll notice about the HP EliteBook 840 G9 is its sleek and professional design. Encased in an aluminum chassis, the laptop exudes a premium feel that’s both durable and lightweight. Weighing in at just under 3 pounds (1.36 kg) and measuring 12.74 x 8.45 x 0.7 inches, the EliteBook 840 G9 is easy to carry around, making it ideal for professionals who are always on the go.
The minimalist design is complemented by a matte finish, which not only enhances its aesthetics but also resists fingerprints and smudges. The build quality is excellent, with no noticeable flex in the keyboard deck or the lid, indicating that HP has put significant effort into ensuring durability.
One of the standout features of the EliteBook 840 G9 is its 180-degree hinge, which allows the laptop to lay flat. This feature is particularly useful in collaborative environments where sharing your screen with colleagues is common. The hinge mechanism is smooth yet sturdy, ensuring that the screen stays in place at any angle.
3. Display
The HP EliteBook 840 G9 features a 14-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS display that offers crisp and clear visuals. The display has an anti-glare coating, which reduces reflections and makes it easier to work in brightly lit environments. With a brightness of up to 400 nits, the screen remains easily viewable even in direct sunlight.
Color reproduction is accurate, covering 100% of the sRGB color gamut, making it suitable for tasks that require precise color accuracy, such as graphic design or photo editing. The viewing angles are also impressive, with minimal color shift even when viewing the screen from the sides.
For those who require additional privacy, HP offers an optional Sure View Reflect integrated privacy screen. This feature significantly narrows the viewing angles, ensuring that the content on your screen is only visible to you. This is particularly useful when working in public spaces.
4. Performance
Under the hood, the HP EliteBook 840 G9 is powered by Intel’s 12th Gen Alder Lake processors, with options ranging from the Core i5 to the Core i7. These processors are paired with up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM, ensuring that the laptop can handle multitasking and demanding applications with ease.
In terms of storage, the EliteBook 840 G9 offers a variety of options, including PCIe NVMe SSDs up to 1TB. This not only provides ample storage for your files but also ensures fast boot times and quick access to your data.
The integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics provide decent performance for most business-related tasks, such as video conferencing, presentations, and even light photo editing. However, if your work involves more graphics-intensive tasks like 3D rendering or video editing, you might want to consider a laptop with a dedicated GPU.
During our testing, the EliteBook 840 G9 handled everyday tasks like web browsing, document editing, and video playback with ease. Even with multiple applications running simultaneously, there was no noticeable lag or slowdown.
5. Battery Life
Battery life is a crucial factor for any business laptop, and the HP EliteBook 840 G9 does not disappoint. Equipped with a 3-cell, 53Wh Li-ion battery, the laptop provides up to 12 hours of battery life on a single charge, depending on usage.
In our real-world testing, which involved a mix of web browsing, video playback, and document editing, the EliteBook 840 G9 managed to last around 10 hours before needing a recharge. This makes it more than capable of getting you through a full workday without requiring you to carry around a charger.
When it does come time to recharge, the EliteBook 840 G9 supports fast charging, which can bring the battery up to 50% in just 30 minutes. This is a great feature for those times when you need to quickly top up your battery during a short break.
6. Keyboard and Trackpad
The keyboard on the HP EliteBook 840 G9 is a standout feature. The keys are well-spaced and offer a comfortable typing experience, with just the right amount of key travel and tactile feedback. The keyboard is also backlit, making it easy to type in low-light conditions.
HP has also included a number of shortcut keys that are particularly useful for business users. These include dedicated keys for launching the calculator, accessing the calendar, and muting the microphone, among others.
The trackpad is equally impressive, with a smooth surface that allows for precise cursor control. It supports multi-touch gestures, making it easy to perform tasks like scrolling, zooming, and switching between applications. The trackpad also includes integrated buttons that provide a satisfying click when pressed.
7. Connectivity and Ports
The HP EliteBook 840 G9 offers a comprehensive selection of ports, ensuring that you can connect all of your peripherals without the need for additional adapters. On the left side of the laptop, you’ll find two USB 3.1 Type-A ports, a headphone/microphone combo jack, and a Nano SIM slot (optional).
The right side houses a Thunderbolt 4 port, an HDMI 2.0 port, a USB-C port, and a smart card reader. The inclusion of Thunderbolt 4 is particularly noteworthy, as it allows for faster data transfer speeds, support for multiple 4K displays, and the ability to connect to an external GPU.
For wireless connectivity, the EliteBook 840 G9 comes equipped with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2. Wi-Fi 6E offers faster speeds and improved performance in crowded environments, making it ideal for use in offices or public spaces with multiple devices connected to the same network.
8. Security Features
Security is a top priority for any business laptop, and the HP EliteBook 840 G9 is packed with features to keep your data safe. One of the standout features is the integrated fingerprint reader, which allows for quick and secure logins. Additionally, the laptop includes an IR camera that supports Windows Hello facial recognition.
HP has also included its Sure Start BIOS, which automatically detects and recovers from BIOS attacks. This adds an extra layer of protection against firmware-level threats. The EliteBook 840 G9 also comes with HP Sure Sense, a security solution that uses AI to detect and prevent malware attacks in real-time.
For those who need to protect sensitive information, the optional HP Sure View Reflect privacy screen mentioned earlier is a valuable addition. This feature ensures that only you can see what’s on your screen, preventing others from viewing your work.
9. Audio and Webcam
The HP EliteBook 840 G9 features Bang & Olufsen-tuned speakers, which deliver clear and balanced audio. While the speakers are more than adequate for video calls and casual music listening, they may lack the depth and bass that audiophiles crave. For a better audio experience, consider using external speakers or high-quality headphones.
The 720p HD webcam is sufficient for video conferencing, offering decent image quality in well-lit environments. However, in low-light conditions, the webcam struggles to produce clear images, resulting in noticeable noise and graininess.
To enhance your video conferencing experience, HP has included noise-canceling microphones, which do an excellent job of filtering out background noise. This ensures that your voice comes through loud and clear, even in noisy environments.
10. Software and Features
The HP EliteBook 840 G9 comes preloaded with Windows 11 Pro, offering a modern and intuitive user interface. Windows 11 brings several productivity-enhancing features, including improved virtual desktops, a redesigned Start menu, and better support for touch and pen input.
HP has also included several proprietary software solutions designed to enhance the user experience. One such feature is HP QuickDrop, which allows you to easily transfer files between your laptop and mobile devices without the need for cables or cloud services.
Another useful feature is HP Sure Click, which protects your laptop from web-based threats by opening potentially dangerous links and attachments in an isolated environment. This ensures that any malware or viruses are contained and do not infect your system.
11. Pricing and Availability
The HP EliteBook 840 G9 is available in several configurations, with prices starting at around £1,000. The exact price will depend on the processor, RAM, and storage
options you choose. While the EliteBook 840 G9 is on the pricier side, it’s important to remember that this is a premium business laptop with a focus on security, durability, and performance.
HP offers a variety of warranty and support options, including the standard one-year limited warranty, with the option to extend coverage for an additional cost. The laptop is available for purchase directly from HP’s website, as well as from various online and brick-and-mortar retailers.
12. Comparison with Competitors
When it comes to business laptops, the HP EliteBook 840 G9 faces stiff competition from the likes of Dell, Lenovo, and Microsoft. One of its main competitors is the Dell Latitude 7420, which offers similar specifications and features. However, the EliteBook 840 G9 stands out with its superior build quality, better keyboard, and more comprehensive security features.
Another competitor is the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9, which is renowned for its exceptional keyboard and robust build. While the ThinkPad X1 Carbon is a strong contender, the EliteBook 840 G9 offers better connectivity options and a more modern design.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 is another alternative, known for its sleek design and excellent display. However, it lacks some of the advanced security features found in the EliteBook 840 G9, making HP’s offering a better choice for business users who prioritize security.
13. Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Sleek and durable design
- Excellent keyboard and trackpad
- Strong performance with Intel’s 12th Gen processors
- Comprehensive security features
- Wide range of connectivity options
- Long battery life with fast charging
Cons:
- Speakers could be better
- Webcam performance in low light is average
- Higher price compared to some competitors
14. Final Verdict
The HP EliteBook 840 14 inch G9 Notebook PC is a top-tier business laptop that excels in almost every area. Its sleek design, powerful performance, and extensive security features make it an ideal choice for professionals who need a reliable and secure device for work.
While the price may be higher than some competitors, the EliteBook 840 G9 justifies its cost with its premium build quality, excellent keyboard, and the peace of mind that comes with its robust security features. Whether you’re working from home, the office, or on the go, the EliteBook 840 G9 is more than capable of meeting the demands of the modern workplace.
If you’re in the market for a business laptop that offers a perfect balance of performance, security, and design, the HP EliteBook 840 14 inch G9 Notebook PC should be at the top of your list.
