HP 840 G3 14", Core i5-6300U, 8GB, 128GB SSD, Gray

The HP 840 G3 is a 2015 business laptop pretending to be a budget option. It's cheap and compact, but the screen and CPU will make you regret it.

The i5-6300U is a workhorse from another era. It'll handle web browsing, email, and Word docs without throwing a fit, but don't expect it to multitask like a modern machine. The 8GB of RAM is the bare minimum for Windows 10, and the 128GB SSD fills up faster than you'd think. The real surprise is how well this thing still boots and loads apps thanks to the SSD, but the 1366x768 screen is a letdown. It's dim, washed out, and feels cramped compared to even budget laptops today.

Stacked against something like the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7th Edition, the 840 G3 looks like a relic. The Surface has a modern ARM chip, a gorgeous high-res display, and all-day battery life. Even a budget ASUS or Lenovo IdeaPad with a Ryzen 3 and a 1080p screen will run circles around this HP. The only reason to pick the 840 G3 is if you need a cheap, durable Windows machine for a single purpose and don't care about screen quality or speed.

At CAD 1,190 for a refurb, this is a tough sell. You can find newer, faster laptops with better screens for less or similar money. Unless you're getting this for a steep discount or it's the only compact option in your budget, skip it. The value just isn't there when a Chromebook or a used ThinkPad with a 1080p screen can be had for less.

The HP 840 G3 is a refurbished business laptop from 2015 that's still kicking around, and honestly, it shows its age. The one thing to know is this: it's a cheap, compact machine for basic tasks, but the specs are firmly stuck in the past. A 6th-gen dual-core i5, 8GB of DDR3L, and a 128GB SSD won't impress anyone in 2024, but for light office work or a kid's first laptop, it's not a total disaster.

If you're looking for a laptop with a decent screen, modern performance, or battery life that lasts a full workday, this isn't it. Go get a used ThinkPad T480 or a budget Chromebook instead. You'll get a 1080p display, a newer CPU, and better battery for around the same money.

Don't buy this unless you're desperate for a cheap Windows laptop and can find it for a fraction of the listed price. The HP 840 G3 was a fine business machine in 2015, but in 2024 it's a compromise you'll feel every time you open a browser tab. Save your money for something with a better screen and a modern CPU.