HP Elitebook 840 G9 Review: A Utilitarian Notebook that Makes Utilitarian Look Good

By Daniel Rasmus, Serious Insights

With the HP Elitebook 840 G9, HP delivers a relatively powerful computer in the prefered form factor for most business users. The wide-ranging options make it ideal for corporate purchases that want to buy in bulk but still meet the needs of varying use cases.

What we like

From its excellent 5-megapixel auto-framing camera to its 14-inch 16:10 aspect ratio 2920×1200 WUXGA display, the HP Elitebook 840 G9 elegantly states that it’s all business. The adoption of the 16:10 offers more workspace than the 16:9 EliteBook 840 Aero G8 which preceded this model. The list price shared during a briefing stated the device will cost between $1,100 and $1,600, depending on the configuration, though the HP website shows several higher-priced configurations.

It’s too bad all workhorse appliances don’t look this good. And given this is an HP business computer, it arrives fully loaded with Wolf Security to complement Microsoft Windows security features.

The 840 G9, at 12.42 x 8.82 x 0.76 inches and weighing in at just under 3 pounds, isn’t the thinnest and lightest laptop from HP, but it is generally the most business-forward laptop that I’ve reviewed. The device and its configurations speak directly to the IT procurement team seeking a laptop for the masses that the masses won’t find disappointing.

At the center of the HP Elitebook, 840 G9 sits a 12th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-1280P vPro® processor running at 1.8 GHz. That’s top-of-the-line for this model. Core i5 is available, as is available an i5-1240 or 1250. Graphics support comes with more or less GPU from the integrated Intel® Iris® Xᵉ Graphics associated with the chosen CPU. Most organizations should lean into the i7 configurations to ensure a longer service life and consider the i5s only for less demanding use cases that may also subject the devices to more wear and tear than day-to-day office use.

HP fully admits that the HP Elitebook 840 G9 is a middling performer, but middling is pretty good these days and perfectly acceptable for basic work. For a device likely purchased in bulk, its good battery (up to 13 hours) life and quiet design combine with good enough performance to offer a device that won’t become obsolete or annoying over a two or three-year refresh horizon.

A couple more notes on power: the HP Elitebook 840 G9 employs intelligent charging to optimize charge and battery life, and the HP Power Manager dashboard provides owners with insight into the battery’s performance and its condition.