HP EliteBook 840 Gen 5

Technical Specifications

• Processor: 8th Generation Intel Core i5 and i7 U-series processors (e.g., i5-8250U, i5-8350U, i7-8550U, i7-8650U), with some configurations offering 7th Generation Intel Core i5 processors. These are typically quad-core processors.
• RAM: DDR4-2400MHz SODIMM, configurable up to 32GB across two user-accessible slots.
• Storage: M.2 PCIe NVMe Solid State Drives (SSD) up to 1TB, with potential for larger capacities using single-sided drives.
• Graphics: Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620. Optional discrete AMD Radeon RX540 with 2GB GDDR5 dedicated memory.
• Display: 14-inch diagonal IPS display options include:
  • Full HD (1920 x 1080) anti-glare LED-backlit, with brightness options ranging from 220 cd/m² to 400 cd/m².
  • Full HD (1920 x 1080) with HP Sure View integrated privacy screen, offering up to 700 cd/m² brightness.
  • Optional 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) IPS anti-glare LED-backlit, 400 cd/m².
  • Optional touch-enabled displays with Corning Gorilla Glass 3.
• Ports: 1x Thunderbolt (USB Type-C connector), 2x USB 3.1 Gen 1 (one charging), 1x HDMI 1.4b, 1x RJ-45 (Ethernet), 1x docking connector, 1x headphone/microphone combo, 1x AC power, Smart Card Reader, SIM card slot (for WWAN).
• Wireless: Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 8265 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (2x2) Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2 Combo (vPro and non-vPro options). Optional Intel XMM 7360 LTE-Advanced mobile broadband module.
• Audio: Bang & Olufsen dual stereo speakers, integrated multi-array microphone with HP Noise Cancellation.
• Input Devices: HP Premium Collaboration Keyboard (spill-resistant, optional backlit), Clickpad with multi-touch gesture support, pointing stick with discrete mouse buttons.
• Dimensions & Weight: Starting at 12.84 x 9.22 x 0.7 inches (32.6 x 23.4 x 1.79 cm). Weight starts at 3.27 lbs (1.48 kg) for non-touch models, up to 3.56 lbs (1.61 kg) for touch models.

Analysis of Technical Specifications

The HP EliteBook 840 G5 is a robust business-class notebook designed for productivity and mobility. The inclusion of 8th Generation Intel Core U-series quad-core processors provides strong performance for demanding business applications and multitasking. The generous RAM capacity, expandable up to 32GB, ensures smooth operation even with multiple applications open. The use of M.2 PCIe NVMe SSDs delivers fast boot times and rapid data access, significantly enhancing overall system responsiveness.

Display options cater to various professional needs, from standard Full HD panels suitable for general office work to ultra-bright options with HP Sure View for privacy in public settings. The optional AMD Radeon RX540 discrete graphics card provides a notable performance boost for tasks requiring more graphical horsepower, such as light content creation or data visualization, beyond what the integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620 offers.

Connectivity is a strong suit, featuring a versatile Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) port for high-speed data transfer, external display support, and power delivery, alongside traditional USB-A, HDMI, and RJ-45 Ethernet ports. This comprehensive port selection minimizes the need for adapters, a key advantage in a business environment. The optional LTE-Advanced mobile broadband ensures connectivity on the go.

Support & Compatibility

• Operating System Support: Supports Windows 10 Pro 64-bit, Windows 10 Home 64-bit, and FreeDOS.
• End of Support: Information regarding a specific end-of-support date is not readily available, but as a G5 model, it is an older generation device.
• Drivers: HP provides driver packs for download, facilitating easy deployment and management in enterprise environments.
• Docking Solutions: Compatible with modern HP Thunderbolt Dock G2 via USB-C for single-cable desktop productivity, and also supports traditional HP UltraSlim side docking stations.
• Manageability: Features Intel vPro technology for remote management, HP Driver Packs, and compatibility with Ivanti Management Suite.
• Compatibility: Designed for seamless integration into existing enterprise IT infrastructures, supporting various peripherals and network standards.

Analysis of Support & Compatibility Status

The HP EliteBook 840 G5 demonstrates strong enterprise-level support and compatibility. Its broad operating system support, primarily Windows 10, ensures compatibility with current business software and IT policies. The availability of comprehensive driver packs simplifies system deployment and maintenance for IT administrators.

The dual approach to docking solutions, supporting both modern USB-C Thunderbolt docks and traditional side docks, offers flexibility for organizations transitioning their hardware or maintaining legacy setups. This ensures a smooth transition to a desktop experience with minimal effort. Intel vPro technology and other HP management features are critical for remote management, security, and troubleshooting, making the EliteBook 840 G5 a manageable asset within a corporate network.

Security Status

• Hardware-Enforced Security:
  • HP Sure Start Gen4: Automatically recovers the BIOS from attacks or corruption.
  • HP Sure Click: Protects the PC from malware, ransomware, and viruses encountered through websites and in-browser PDF files.
  • HP Sure Run: Ensures critical applications and processes continue to run even if malware attempts to shut them down.
  • HP Sure Recover: Restores a company's software image from the cloud if the solid-state drive is wiped.
• Authentication:
  • Fingerprint reader.
  • IR camera for Windows Hello facial recognition.
  • Smart Card Reader.
• Privacy Features:
  • HP Sure View Gen2 integrated privacy screen: Instantly makes the screen unreadable to those around, activated by a function key.
  • HP Privacy Camera: Features a physical shutter to protect against malicious surveillance.
• Durability: MIL-STD 810G tested for resistance against vibration, shock, temperature extremes, dust, humidity, and more.

Analysis on the Security Status

The HP EliteBook 840 G5 offers an exceptionally comprehensive security suite, positioning it as a highly secure asset for enterprise environments. Hardware-enforced features like HP Sure Start Gen4 provide robust protection at the BIOS level, automatically recovering from attacks. HP Sure Click and Sure Run extend this protection to the operating system and browsing experience, guarding against various forms of malware.

Multiple authentication factors, including fingerprint and facial recognition via the IR camera, along with a Smart Card Reader, provide flexible and strong access control. The optional HP Sure View privacy screen and the physical shutter on the HP Privacy Camera address visual hacking and unauthorized surveillance, crucial for professionals working with sensitive information in public spaces. The MIL-STD testing further underscores its suitability for demanding business use, ensuring physical resilience alongside digital security.

Performance & Benchmarks

• Processor Performance: Equipped with 8th Gen Intel Core i5/i7 U-series quad-core processors, providing strong multi-core performance for business applications.
• RAM Performance: DDR4-2400MHz memory contributes to efficient multitasking and application responsiveness.
• Storage Performance: M.2 PCIe NVMe SSDs deliver excellent read and write speeds, significantly reducing load times. For example, a 512GB Samsung PM981 SSD showed 3378.5 MB/s read and 2005.5 MB/s write speeds.
• Graphics Performance:
  • Intel UHD Graphics 620: Sufficient for everyday tasks, video playback, and light graphical workloads.
  • AMD Radeon RX540 (optional): Provides a notable boost for more graphically intensive tasks, including light gaming and content creation.
• Benchmark Scores:
  • Geekbench 4 (overall performance): Scores around 13,253 to 13,676 with Core i7-8650U/8550U configurations, surpassing the premium laptop average.
  • PCMark 8 (office productivity): Achieved 3,517 points with a Core i7-8650U, considered excellent for productivity.
  • Handbrake (video editing): Completed a video editing test in 1 minute 18 seconds.
  • Adobe Photoshop (image manipulation): Completed an image manipulation test in 2 minutes 57 seconds.
  • GFXBench Manhattan (graphics): Achieved 48 frames per second with Intel UHD Graphics 620.
• Real-World Performance: Capable of handling extensive multitasking, demanding business applications, and even some video editing or light gaming with the discrete GPU option without significant lag.
• Battery Life: Approximately 8 hours and 31 minutes for web surfing over Wi-Fi. This can drop to around 6 hours and 17 minutes when HP Sure View is active or with discrete graphics. HP claims up to 14 hours, but real-world usage is typically less.

Analysis of the Performance Status

The HP EliteBook 840 G5 delivers solid performance for its class, driven by its 8th Generation Intel Core processors and fast NVMe SSD storage. It excels in typical business productivity tasks, handling multitasking and demanding applications with ease. Benchmark scores confirm its strong standing against other premium business laptops of its generation.

The optional AMD Radeon RX540 significantly enhances its capabilities beyond standard office work, making it suitable for users who require more graphical power. While the battery life is generally sufficient for an average workday, it is not class-leading, especially when utilizing power-intensive features like the Sure View display or discrete graphics. Overall, the EliteBook 840 G5 is a reliable workhorse, providing a responsive and capable computing experience for business professionals.

User Reviews & Feedback

User reviews and feedback for the HP EliteBook 840 G5 are generally positive, highlighting its suitability as a business laptop. Users frequently praise its sleek and professional design, often crafted from aluminum, which contributes to a premium look and feel. The keyboard receives consistent acclaim for being comfortable, backlit, and providing a satisfying typing experience with good key travel and actuation force.

Performance is widely regarded as strong, with the 8th Gen Intel Core processors and NVMe SSDs delivering a responsive and lag-free experience for daily tasks and multitasking. The Bang & Olufsen speakers are noted for producing rich and clear sound, enhancing collaboration and multimedia consumption. The comprehensive security features, particularly the HP Sure View privacy screen and the physical camera shutter, are highly valued by security-conscious users.

Common criticisms include the base model's display, which some find dim and lackluster, lacking the vibrancy of higher-end options. The webcam quality is often described as blurry or mediocre, which can be a drawback for frequent video conferencing. While battery life is considered good for an average workday, it is not exceptional compared to some competitors, and it drains faster with the Sure View feature enabled. The price, especially for higher-end configurations, is sometimes cited as a deterrent.

The upgradeability of RAM and SSD is a positive point, allowing users to extend the device's lifespan and tailor it to their specific needs.

Summary

The HP EliteBook 840 G5 stands as a well-rounded and highly capable business notebook, excelling in areas critical for enterprise use. Its strengths lie in its robust security features, including hardware-enforced BIOS protection, advanced authentication options, and innovative privacy solutions like HP Sure View and the physical camera shutter. The premium design, featuring an aluminum chassis and a comfortable, backlit keyboard, contributes to a positive user experience.

Performance is strong for productivity tasks, driven by 8th Generation Intel Core processors and fast NVMe SSDs, with an optional discrete GPU for more demanding graphical workloads. Connectivity is comprehensive, offering a versatile array of ports, including Thunderbolt 3, and optional LTE for mobile professionals. Collaboration tools, such as Bang & Olufsen audio and noise-canceling microphones, enhance virtual meetings.

However, the EliteBook 840 G5 is not without its weaknesses. The base model display can be underwhelming, and the webcam quality is generally mediocre. While battery life is sufficient for a workday, it does not set new benchmarks and can be significantly impacted by certain features. The cost of higher-end configurations can also be a consideration.

Overall, the HP EliteBook 840 G5 is an excellent choice for business professionals and organizations prioritizing security, manageability, and reliable performance in a durable and well-designed package. Its upgradeability for RAM and storage further extends its value and longevity. It is particularly suited for environments where data security and privacy are paramount.

Information provided is based on publicly available data and may vary depending on specific device configurations. For up-to-date information, please consult official manufacturer resources.