The HP EliteBook 840 stands as one of the most compelling business laptops in today’s competitive market, delivering exceptional performance, robust security features, and premium build quality. This comprehensive review examines why the HP EliteBook series continues to dominate the enterprise laptop segment, offering professionals the perfect blend of portability, power, and productivity features that modern business demands require.
Table of Contents
Design and Build Quality: Premium Aluminum Construction
The HP EliteBook 840 showcases HP’s commitment to premium design with its full aluminum chassis that exudes professionalism and durability. Weighing just 1.36 kg (3 lbs) and measuring 315.46 x 244.02 x 19.2 mm, the laptop achieves an impressive balance between portability and robust construction. The silver aluminum finish features HP’s distinctive slash logo, creating a minimalist aesthetic that appeals to business professionals.
The laptop’s build quality has been rigorously tested against MIL-STD 810G standards, ensuring it can withstand the rigors of daily business use. Users have reported that the EliteBook 840 maintains its structural integrity even after accidental drops and rough handling, making it an excellent choice for mobile professionals. The angled hinge design not only adds visual appeal but also contributes to better cooling and easier access to ports.
Display Technology: Crisp Visuals for Professional Work
The HP EliteBook 840 offers multiple display configurations to meet diverse professional needs. The standard configuration features a 14-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200) IPS display with a modern 16:10 aspect ratio, providing 29% more vertical screen space compared to traditional 16:9 displays. This additional screen real estate proves invaluable for document editing, web browsing, and multitasking scenarios.
Display brightness options range from 250 nits to 1000 nits, with higher-end configurations featuring HP Sure View Reflect privacy screen technology. The anti-glare coating ensures comfortable viewing in various lighting conditions, while the IPS technology delivers consistent colors and wide viewing angles. Professional users particularly appreciate the 99% DCI-P3 color coverage available on premium display options, making it suitable for color-sensitive work.
Performance: 13th Gen Intel Core Processors Deliver Power
At the heart of the HP EliteBook 840 lies the 13th Generation Intel Core processors, available in both U-series and P-series configurations. The U-series options, such as the Intel Core i5-1335U and i7-1355U, provide excellent battery efficiency while delivering robust performance for business applications. For users requiring additional processing power, P-series processors like the i7-1370P offer superior multi-core performance.
Benchmark results demonstrate impressive capabilities, with the i7-1370P configuration achieving a single-core score of 2,714 and multi-core score of 13,067 in Geekbench 6 tests. This performance level easily handles demanding business applications, including Microsoft Office suite, video conferencing, web browsing, and light content creation tasks.
The integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics provides adequate performance for business graphics needs and can even handle light gaming scenarios, achieving playable frame rates in popular titles like CS:GO. Memory configurations support up to 64GB DDR5-5200 RAM through dual SODIMM slots, ensuring excellent multitasking capabilities.
Connectivity: Modern Ports for Every Business Need
The HP EliteBook 840 excels in connectivity options, featuring a comprehensive port selection that addresses modern business requirements. The laptop includes:
- 2x Thunderbolt 4/USB4 Type-C ports (40 Gbps with Power Delivery and DisplayPort 1.4)
- 2x USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports (5 Gbps, one with sleep-and-charge capability)
- 1x HDMI 2.1 port for external display connectivity
- 1x 3.5mm combo headphone/microphone jack
- Smart card reader (optional)
- Nano SIM slot for cellular connectivity (optional)
Wireless connectivity includes Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.3, ensuring fast and reliable connections. Optional 5G cellular connectivity with both nano-SIM and eSIM support enables professionals to stay connected anywhere. The inclusion of NFC capability adds convenience for wireless device pairing and secure authentication.
Keyboard and Touchpad: Optimized for Productivity
The HP EliteBook 840 features HP’s Premium Keyboard with spill-resistant design and optional backlighting. Users consistently praise the keyboard for its excellent key travel, clicky feedback, and comfortable typing experience. The layout includes a dedicated microphone mute key, reflecting HP’s understanding of modern hybrid work requirements.
The large glass touchpad provides smooth tracking and supports multi-touch gestures, making navigation efficient even without an external mouse. Some configurations include the traditional TrackPoint pointing stick, catering to users who prefer this navigation method. The integrated fingerprint scanner (optional) enables secure Windows Hello authentication.
Security Features: Enterprise-Grade Protection
Security remains a cornerstone of the HP EliteBook series, with the 840 model incorporating multiple layers of protection. HP Wolf Security for Business provides hardware-enforced, always-on defense against threats. The laptop includes:
- TPM 2.0 security chip for hardware-based encryption
- BIOS-level HP Sure Start protection against firmware attacks
- Privacy shutter for the webcam
- Optional fingerprint reader for biometric authentication
- 5MP IR camera supporting Windows Hello facial recognition (optional)
These security features make the HP EliteBook 840 particularly attractive to enterprises handling sensitive data or operating in regulated industries.
Battery Life: All-Day Productivity
Battery performance varies significantly based on configuration and usage patterns. The HP EliteBook 840 offers 38Wh or 51Wh battery options, with HP claiming up to 12 hours of battery life under optimal conditions. Real-world testing reveals more modest but still impressive results:
- 7-8 hours for typical office work (balanced mode, 50% brightness)
- 6.5+ hours during heavy usage scenarios
- 8-10 hours for light tasks like web browsing and document editing
Users report that battery life degrades over time, which is normal for lithium-ion batteries, but the EliteBook maintains respectable endurance even after extended use.
Pricing and Value Proposition
The HP EliteBook 840 pricing in India starts from approximately ₹1,46,652 for base configurations, with premium models reaching significantly higher price points. The pricing reflects the laptop’s premium positioning and enterprise-focused features. When compared to consumer laptops, the EliteBook commands a premium for its:
- Enhanced build quality and durability
- Comprehensive warranty and support
- Enterprise security features
- Standardized management capabilities
Pros and Cons: Balanced Assessment
Advantages
- Premium aluminum construction with excellent durability
- Powerful 13th Gen Intel processors for business applications
- Comprehensive connectivity options including Thunderbolt 4
- Excellent keyboard and touchpad for productivity
- Strong security features for enterprise use
- Good battery life for all-day work
- Professional design suitable for business environments
Limitations
- Premium pricing may limit accessibility
- Single M.2 slot restricts storage upgrade options
- NVMe temperatures can run high during intensive tasks
- Base display options may lack vibrant colors for creative work
- Weight slightly higher than some ultrabook competitors
Conclusion: Excellent Choice for Business Professionals
The HP EliteBook 840 successfully delivers on its promise as a premium business laptop, combining robust performance, exceptional build quality, and comprehensive security features. While the premium pricing may deter budget-conscious buyers, the laptop provides excellent value for professionals and enterprises requiring reliable, secure, and powerful computing solutions.
The 13th Generation Intel Core processors, comprehensive connectivity options, and enterprise-grade security features make the HP EliteBook 840 particularly well-suited for business users, consultants, and mobile professionals who demand reliability and performance. Despite minor limitations like single storage slot and premium pricing, the EliteBook 840 stands as one of the most compelling business laptops available in 2024.