In Depth Review: HP EliteBook 840 G6 i5-8365U
Are you looking for a laptop at a good price, without sacrificing quality? Then this HP EliteBook 840 G6 might be the perfect solution. This business workhorse has a sturdy metal casing and offers surprisingly good performance for everyday use. In this blog post, you'll read all about the strengths and weaknesses of this 14-inch model. You'll also discover why buying a refurbished laptop can be a smart choice.
Short overview of this refurbished HP EliteBook 840 G6
The HP EliteBook 840 G6 comes from HP's business EliteBook series, which is known for:
Robust build quality: Aluminum casing, designed for intensive use
Versatile connections: USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, LAN port (Ethernet) and sometimes even an SD card reader
Comfort and ease of use: Backlit keyboard, optional fingerprint scanner and a privacy shutter for the webcam
14-inch Full HD screen: A nice middle ground between compact and comfortable working
These features make the laptop attractive not only to businesses, but also to students, home workers and anyone who wants a reliable laptop.
Solid build quality and durability
Where many consumer laptops are mainly made of plastic, the HP EliteBook 840 G6 has a sturdy metal chassis. This provides a premium look and feel and extra protection against drops and bumps. As a result, the laptop usually lasts longer, even if you use it intensively or take it with you regularly on the go.
Pay attention to the rubber feet
A known point of attention with older models is that the rubber feet sometimes come loose. Fortunately, replacement feet only cost a few euros and are easy to replace. It is a small investment that ensures that the laptop is stable again and less likely to slip.
Performance and battery life
With the HP EliteBook 840 G6 i5-8365U you can easily:
Process text, email and browse
Make video calls and do (light) graphic work
Play movies and series in Full HD
Battery
As with all laptops, the battery life decreases after a few years. Some used or refurbished models do not last more than 1 to 2 hours on a full charge. A new battery can extend the lifespan, but this entails additional costs. So consider in advance whether you mainly use the laptop at home or on the go.
Processor: Intel Core i5-8365U
This quad-core CPU (4 cores, 8 threads) has a base frequency of 1.6 GHz and a turbo that can reach around 4.1 GHz. This makes it powerful enough for:
✅ Office applications: Office, e-mail, web browsing, video calling
✅ Multitasking: Keeping multiple windows and tabs open
✅ Light photo editing: Basic Photoshop or Lightroom tasks
Benchmarks:
Single-core: Good to very good (the exact score varies, but is often around the higher mid-range compared to other 8th gen i5s)
Multi-core: Sufficient to good for everyday (light) professional applications
Although there are now newer chips that are faster and more energy-efficient on paper, the i5-8365U remains powerful enough for most commonly used software.
Graphics card: Intel UHD Graphics 620
Although the graphics card is on paper suitable for the latest AAA games and heavy graphics applications, the i5-8365U processor in practice falls short for such tasks. This ensures that the laptop does not have enough power for such demanding software, causing it to overheat and falter.
Refurbished vs. second-hand
If you decide to purchase an older HP EliteBook 840 G6, you will come across the terms 'refurbished' and 'second-hand'. Although they are sometimes used interchangeably, there is an important difference:
Second-hand laptop
❌ Usually via private sellers
❌ No fixed warranty
❌ Unclear maintenance history
Refurbished laptop
✅ Professionally checked, cleaned and (if necessary) fitted with new parts
✅ Usually warranty (Min. 1 year)
✅ Known condition of the housing, battery and performance
If you choose a refurbished provider with a good reputation, you can be sure that your HP EliteBook 840 G6 is in good condition and will last a long time.
Who is this laptop suitable for?
Thanks to its sturdy design and neat specifications, the HP EliteBook 840 G6 is ideal for:
✅ Home workers: All office tasks, video calling and multitasking go smoothly
✅ Students: Easy to transport due to the 14-inch size and sturdy housing
✅ Professionals: Who need reliability, security features and various connections
This laptop is less suitable for:
❌ Fanatical gamers: The integrated graphics are not made for heavy games
❌ Professionals who often edit large video or 3D files: The processor and GPU are too light for this
❌ Advanced tech enthusiasts: They may want the latest generation of processors and extra features
Final verdict and handy tips
The HP EliteBook 840 G6 remains an excellent option if you are looking for a cheap laptop that is still of high quality. Because of the strong build and the excellent performance for everyday tasks, it is a reliable workhorse. If you buy this laptop as a refurbished laptop, you often benefit from:
✅ A fraction of the original new price
✅ Extra security through warranty and service
✅ Well-checked hardware and possibly a new SSD or battery
Tips for purchasing
❗ Pay attention to the condition of the case and the battery capacity
❗ Check which warranty period the provider gives
❗ Ask about possible upgrades (more RAM or a larger SSD)
Are you ready for a high-quality business laptop for a modest price? Then definitely consider the HP EliteBook 840 G6. It is easy to find online at various reliable refurbished providers such as Back in Use. This way you get a durable, sturdy and versatile laptop, without having to spend all your savings!
