HP EliteBook 840 G3 review

A budget business ultrabook with modest graphics and a dated reliability outlook

The HP EliteBook 840 G3 is a 2015 business-class 14-inch laptop, now sitting at $155 — well below the business category median of $297. With a 6th-gen Core i5 and 32GB of RAM, it leans on its integrated graphics (best_gpu_score 7.91, around twice the category median of 3.84) for everyday media and older games at minimum settings. The honest catch is durability: its reliability index of 18 is about 58% below the category median, reflecting a machine now a decade old.

Graphics that edge out the business field — for everyday use

The graphics score of 7.91 sits roughly 106% above the business-class median, which sounds dramatic until you note the absolute level is still "office" — integrated graphics. In practical terms that means everyday media playback, browser-based work, and older or lighter titles at minimum settings (Overwatch, GTA V, and Sims 4 all clear the minimum bar). It is not a gaming GPU, and the high relative placing mostly reflects how graphics-light the business category is.

Reliability and CPU are the real constraints

Two axes pull this machine down. Reliability at 18 is firmly "low," about 57% below the category median — expected for a 2015 unit but worth weighing if you want something that lasts. The CPU (best_cpu_score 26.72) lands at the "basic" level, roughly half the category median, so CPU-heavy workloads will feel sluggish compared with newer peers.

Most of its value loss is already behind it

From an original price near $1,300, the 840 G3 has depreciated to $155 at about 6.9% per year. The projected two-year value is around $134 — only about a 13% further drop. In other words, the steep part of the depreciation curve is largely over, so residual value should hold reasonably steady from here.

Where it sits among peers

Priced just below similar business ultrabooks: a ThinkPad T460s ($169) or Dell Latitude 7280 ($174) cost a bit more, while an HP ProBook 640 G2 ($145) or Dell Vostro 3555 ($137) sit just below. You are firmly in the ultra-budget business tier, paying less than most direct peers.

Bottom line

For $155 this is a fair deal for a light, portable office companion — 32GB of RAM keeps multitasking comfortable, and it handles everyday media and older games at minimum settings. The compromise is longevity and CPU pep: a decade-old platform with a "low" reliability rating and "basic" processor. Worth it if you want a cheap, capable-enough business laptop today and accept it may not last.