Experience Ultimate Efficiency: Introducing the HP EliteBook 840 G3

The 2020 model natural silver HP EliteBook 840 G3 is a 14-inch Full HD business laptop with an ultra-low voltage 6th generation Intel i5 processor, 256GB SSD + 1TB HDD hybrid drive, 8GB DDR4 memory, Windows 10 Professional version, EST 320GB external portable hard drive bundle and good connectivity options.

Apart from some details, there is no criticism concerning the build quality, either. The partly metallic surfaces, sometimes with a soft-touch coating, also provide very good haptics.

Display

The 14-inch device (16:9) has 1920×1080 pixels (Full HD). The Chi Mei CMN14C0 panel has an anti-reflective surface and a high luminance, which is not reduced on battery power. Other display options are HD (1366×768 TN matte) and WQHD (2560×1440 IPS matte). HP uses PWM to reduce the luminance when the brightness is reduced to below 90%. Unfortunately, the frequency is low at 204 Hz, which some users will notice as flickering.

The black value of 0.65 is bad, because it is far too high, so the resulting contrast ratio is quite low at 563:1. Subjectively, you can notice pale colors and a gray hue on black surfaces. The competition performs better; all the comparison devices are equipped with IPS panels and mange contrast values of above 800:1.

For a review of how the HP Elitebook 840 G3 holds up against a number of laptops, click this link. Now let’s dive in.

The benchmark scores of the HP Elitebook 840 G3 HD Graphics 520 are not overwhelming, but on the expected level. It runs with a core clock of up to 1047 MHz, also on battery. Because of the single-channel memory configuration (1 memory module) though, it cannot utilize its maximum performance, so the results are slightly worse in both the 3D benchmarks as well as the gaming tests. The disadvantage could be compensated by a secondary memory module, and you can expect about 10% more performance with a dual-channel system.

Speakers

The clear, but only sufficiently loud stereo speakers perform well for common office tasks, and the sound for videos is also okay. However, you should not expect powerful bass or differentiated high tones from the sound system. The stereo jack for external speakers delivers a clear and noise-free signal.

Voice recordings with the dual array microphone are loud and clear, even when the speaker is 2 meters (~6.5 ft) away with their back towards the laptop. The only criticism is a slight echo. We have not experienced better microphone recordings for a laptop so far, which would require a high-quality headset or a directional microphone

CONNECTIVITY OF THE HP ELITEBOOK 840 G3

The HP EliteBook 840 G3 6th generation dual core Intel i5-6300U processor (3M cache) runs at speeds of 2.40GHz up to 3.0GHz with the turbo boost function when the tasks need faster speed. It offers an upper mid-range performance, adequate for business and daily tasks with the Passmark benchmark score of 4365.

The HP EliteBook 840 G3 also features a backlit keyboard, enhancing usability in low-light environments and providing added convenience for late-night work sessions. With its ergonomic design and comfortable typing experience, the backlit keyboard allows you to work comfortably and efficiently, even in dimly lit conditions.