HP EliteBook 840 G5 Review: Strong Performance, Mixed Battery
A verified buyer on Amazon summed it up bluntly: “Initially, I didn’t realize it was refurbished, but it feels and performs like brand new.” The HP EliteBook 840 G5 14-inch Business Laptop (Renewed) has earned scores ranging from 3.6 to 5 stars depending on configuration, making it both a corporate workhorse and, for some, a frustrating repair case. From office professionals praising its responsiveness to Reddit users complaining of battery failures within months, this model sparks polarized reactions. Final tally from aggregated sources: 8.2/10 for power users with moderate travel needs, lower for those seeking flawless refurbishment quality.
Quick Verdict: Conditional Buy
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Sleek aluminum build with business-class durability | Battery degradation reported within months |
| Strong multitasking via Intel Core i7 & ample RAM | Occasional screen defects & missing features post-refurbishment |
| Excellent 1080p IPS display with anti-glare | Collaboration keyboard keys largely useless |
| Good port variety incl. USB-C, HDMI, Ethernet | Integrated graphics limits creative workloads |
| Many units arrive “like new” despite being renewed | Software setup sometimes tricky for Windows upgrades |
| Long battery life claims up to 14 hours | Charging failures after short use by some buyers |
Claims vs Reality
HP markets the EliteBook 840 G5 as a “premium business laptop” with “exceptional battery life” and robust security. On paper, the 14-inch FHD IPS display, MIL-STD 810G durability, and HP Sure Start/Sure Click protections sound tailored for executives and mobile staff.
However, as Trustpilot notes, while many users say it “performs like a brand-new device,” battery life doesn’t always match the marketing. One Best Buy purchaser shared: “Bought two at the same time… both batteries quit at the same time 7 months later.” For road warriors, that’s not the endurance advertised.
The collaboration keyboard is another mismatch. HP’s pitch suggests productivity shortcuts, but HP’s own support community admits those keys “only worked with Lync, Skype for Business and Cisco Jabber… HP totally failed with the collaboration keyboard thing.” In reality, they’re dead features in modern workflow apps.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
Across Amazon Renewed, Notebookcheck, and Reddit, performance is the standout positive. the i7-8650U CPU with up to 32GB DDR4 handles heavy multitasking: spreadsheets, streaming, video conferencing, and even running Linux Mint smoothly. A verified buyer on Fakespot marveled: “It handles everything I throw at it seamlessly… from multitasking to running demanding applications.”
The FHD IPS display with anti-glare coating wins users in both corporate and casual settings. Notebookcheck applauded its “viewing angles up to 178 degrees horizontally as well as vertically,” perfect for team collaboration without color washout. For graphic design students, Quora reports crisp visuals make even complex layouts easy to review in real time.
The aluminum chassis and solid build quality are repeatedly cited. Delhi Laptops emphasized “military-grade durability tests” and ease of transport, appealing to consultants and frequent flyers. Even refurbished units from eBay are often described as “very good – refurbished,” with “minimal wear” and intact bezels.
Common Complaints
Battery failures are the most consistent gripe. Trustpilot highlights “difficulties with charging and degraded battery performance” hurting usability. On Reddit, a 76%-recommend rating masks the fact that recurring losses of charge after half a year affect remote workers hardest.
Refurbishment flaws appear in scattered reports: dead pixels, sound issues, or stuck keys. One Amazon buyer found “dead spots in the screen… then later find out the actual sound does not work,” none of which were listed at purchase. On eBay, sellers note possible “1-2 small dents/dings” or missing SD covers. For buyers expecting pristine condition, these are disappointments.
The collaboration keyboard suffers negative sentiment due to outdated integrations. HP Support Community admits there’s “no remapping” to modern tools like Teams or Zoom — a real loss for tech-savvy professionals.
Divisive Features
Battery life claims vary wildly. MyMyPC.com touts “up to 14 hours,” making it appealing for travel blogging or event coverage, while TechSpot calls it “mediocre battery life” in practice. Power efficiency seems dependent on usage intensity and refurb condition, so mobile workers should budget based on worst-case runtimes.
Another split emerges over value: some hail the $301-$452 Renewed pricing as “unbelievable” given specs; others suggest that warranty coverage may not offset refurb risks in professional contexts. For example, Fakespot users loved a $300 unit’s speed but cautioned it “needed reinstalling Windows” to be fully functional.
Trust & Reliability
Battery reliability drives most trust concerns. That dual battery failure case on Reddit indicates some refurb batches may use older cells without full testing. Buyers on Trustpilot advise checking battery health immediately and leveraging Amazon Renewed’s 90-day guarantee.
Despite these issues, long-term durability of chassis and core components fares better. Notebookcheck’s mechanical inspection notes “the display hardly wobbles when typing” and robust hinge longevity. Reddit’s positive stories show six months in, despite battery swaps, performance remains strong for daily office loads.
Cosmetic wear varies: eBay’s “very good-refurbished” condition often hides light scuffs, while Fakespot found “minor cosmetic defects” like stuck spacebars fixable with $30 keypad replacements.
Alternatives
Within the renewed business laptop market, two rivals mentioned are the Dell Latitude 7480 and Lenovo ThinkPad T570. The Latitude excels in keyboard feel and build consistency, appealing to typing-intensive users. The ThinkPad’s durability often surpasses HP’s but sacrifices the sleek portability the EliteBook 840 G5 offers. For buyers prioritizing battery longevity, ThinkPad models may be better; for those valuing thinness and display quality, the EliteBook holds its ground.
Price & Value
Refurb prices range from $249.99 for i5 models to $624.99 for i7 touch-enabled builds, well below original retail. eBay discounts up to 40% increase appeal, especially when units come with one-year warranties. Users highlight near-mint amazement: “I still can’t believe I got this computer for 300 bucks,” from Fakespot.
Resale value for renewed laptops generally dips faster than new due to shorter warranty windows. Community buying tips stress negotiating bundled accessories (chargers, docks) and confirming actual SSD capacity before purchase.
FAQ
Q: How long does the battery actually last on the HP EliteBook 840 G5?
A: Reports vary. Some claim up to 14 hours under light use, but many refurbished units show reduced performance after months, with 4–6 hours typical under real workloads.
Q: Are the collaboration keyboard keys useful for modern apps?
A: Not really. They were designed for Lync and Skype for Business, and HP never updated them for Teams, Slack, or Zoom.
Q: Can this laptop handle video editing?
A: Light editing is fine thanks to i7 CPUs and SSD speed, but integrated UHD 620 graphics limit handling of 4K or complex effects.
Q: Is it worth buying refurbished?
A: If purchased from reputable sellers and inspected promptly, many refurbished units feel “like new,” offering strong specs for under $500.
Q: How difficult is upgrading from Windows 10 Pro to 11?
A: Some users found it “tricky” requiring manual downloads, but most completed without hardware compatibility issues.
Final Verdict: Buy if you’re a professional or student seeking a slim, durable laptop with strong multitasking and display quality at a lower price point. Avoid if you need guaranteed long battery health or flawless refurbishment. Pro tip from the community: verify battery condition on arrival and test all ports, display areas, and keyboard keys before your return window closes.
