HP 255 G8 review
HP 255 G8 — from 2021, 1.75 kg, performance 42.
Technical specifications
| Type | Laptop |
| Release year | 2021 |
| Screen | 15.6" · 1920x1080 |
| Processor | AMD Ryzen 5 5500U |
| Max. RAM | 64 GB |
| Weight | 1.75 kg |
Performance scores
A general-purpose laptop with strong memory but no GPU
The HP 255 G8 (2021) pairs AMD's Ryzen 5 5500U — a 6-core/12-thread APU — with 64 GB of RAM in a general-purpose laptop chassis. At about $345 it sits above the $248 category median — in the budget tier rather than ultra-budget. The configuration is uneven: the memory pool is excellent and the CPU capable, but the integrated Radeon graphics score sits at the floor of the general-purpose category (which includes many discrete-GPU machines), which limits the platform's reach.
Where it shines: memory and CPU
The standout is the 64 GB of RAM, which lands in the "pro" tier and is twice the category median. The Ryzen 5 5500U is a capable 6-core/12-thread part with strong multi-threaded performance, which makes the 255 G8 genuinely useful for office work, development environments and heavy multitasking. For CPU-bound workloads, the configuration is more than competitive.
Where it doesn't: graphics
The integrated Radeon graphics sit at the floor of the general-purpose category in absolute terms — the category median is higher because many general-purpose laptops ship with discrete GPUs. The Vega iGPU handles everyday graphics and media, but it doesn't enable modern gaming or GPU-accelerated creative work. There is no capability fit data showing the machine reaching recommended settings on modern titles.
Price trajectory
From an original $900 MSRP, the 255 G8 has depreciated to about $345 today — an annual rate near 11.1%, reflecting the recent vintage and the budget-tier original build. Projected forward, another two years bring it to roughly $272, a 21% drop.
How it compares
Slightly above it, the HP 17-cn0023dx ($366) and Lenovo IdeaPad 3 ($373) are the natural step-up alternatives — broadly comparable hardware for a small premium. The 255 G8's combination of a 6-core Ryzen and 64 GB of RAM is the differentiator at this price.
Bottom line
The 255 G8 is fairly priced for the class for buyers who want a general-purpose laptop with a capable hexa-core CPU and a generous 64 GB of RAM. The Vega integrated graphics handle everyday work, but there's no discrete GPU — modern gaming and GPU-accelerated creative work are out of scope. For CPU-bound office work and multitasking, this is honest value.
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⭐ What stands out
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graphics performance absent (no data or feature not provided).
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memory capacity is higher than typical general laptop class (+100%) (professional).
top 25% of its category -
price is higher than typical general laptop class (+39.2%) (budget).
top 25% of its category
🔁 Alternatives
Compromise axis: mobility ↔ overall performance
⚙️ Configuration analysis
Top configuration suits everyday productivity, light photo editing, and esports titles.
🤔 How to choose
Universal advice for any use case.
- Reliability vs price: reliability (median 54) ↔ price (median 247.9).
- Weight vs CPU: mobility (median 50) ↔ overall performance (median 43.1).
- Upgradeability vs battery: upgradability (median 50) ↔ battery life (median 2.3).
255 G8: verdict
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