HP EliteDesk 800 G4 2018, Core i5-8500, 16GB, 512GB SSD, Black

The HP EliteDesk 800 G4 is a refurbished business desktop with 16GB RAM and a 512GB SSD that handles office work fine but can't game at all. The integrated graphics are the main limitation, and the CPU is aging. At the low end of its price range, it's a decent deal for a no-frills work machine.

The i5-8500 is a 6-core chip from 2018 with a 3.0GHz base clock and 4.1GHz turbo. For office tasks, it's still perfectly capable. 16GB of DDR4 means you can keep a dozen browser tabs open alongside Slack and a spreadsheet without the system choking. The 512GB SSD makes boot times snappy and apps launch fast. The integrated UHD 630 graphics are the weak link here. Our database ranks the GPU at the 97th percentile, which sounds great until you realize that's among integrated graphics, not dedicated cards. It'll handle 4K video playback and basic photo editing, but anything 3D is a slideshow. Port selection is mediocre at the 38th percentile, so you might need a hub if you've got lots of peripherals.

Against the Lenovo ThinkCentre M70q Gen 5, the EliteDesk gives you more RAM and storage for less money, but the ThinkCentre has a newer CPU and better port selection. The Minisforum UM760 Slim is a much smaller machine with a significantly faster processor and better integrated graphics, though it typically costs more and lacks the business-grade build quality. The ASUS NUC 14 Pro is in a different league for performance and connectivity, but you'll pay a premium for it. The BOSGAME P3 Lite is aimed at light gaming and has a dedicated GPU option, which the EliteDesk simply can't match. The Dell ECT1250 is the closest direct competitor, and it's basically a coin flip on specs, so price and warranty should decide that one.

Pricing is all over the place depending on where you look. US listings range from USD 279 to USD 333, and Canadian listings span CAD 380 to CAD 420. That's a meaningful spread for the same refurbished machine. If you're buying in the US, the lower end of that range is a solid deal for a 6-core business desktop with 16GB RAM and an SSD. At the higher end, you're getting close to what a newer mini PC with a more modern CPU would cost. Shop around before you commit. The 90-day warranty is short, but that's typical for refurbished gear. For a basic office machine, the value is there if you snag it at the low end.

The HP EliteDesk 800 G4 is a refurbished small form factor desktop that punches above its weight for office work. You get a 6-core i5-8500, 16GB of DDR4, and a 512GB SSD running Windows 11 Pro, all in a tidy little box that won't eat your desk. HP's EliteDesk line was built for business fleets, so these things are tanks. This one's been cleaned up, tested, and shipped with a 90-day warranty plus a keyboard and mouse.

But let's be real about what this is. The integrated Intel UHD 630 graphics are fine for spreadsheets and video calls, not for gaming. Our database puts gaming performance at 18.2 out of 100, which is rough. The CPU sits at the 21st percentile among desktops we track, so it's an older workhorse, not a speed demon. If you need a reliable daily driver for email, documents, and light multitasking, this fits. If you want to play anything modern, keep scrolling.

Skip this if you want to play games, edit video, or run anything GPU-intensive. The integrated UHD 630 graphics will frustrate you immediately. Also skip it if you need lots of ports or modern connectivity like USB-C or Thunderbolt, because this machine is stuck in 2018 on that front. And if you're nervous about refurbished hardware with a short 90-day warranty, spend a bit more on something new with a longer coverage period.

This is a solid buy for someone who needs a dependable office PC and doesn't care about gaming or heavy creative work. The 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD are the right specs for smooth everyday use, and the EliteDesk's build quality means it'll probably outlast whatever cheap consumer desktop you'd get for the same money. It's not exciting, but it's not supposed to be. If your needs are email, documents, web browsing, and video calls, this gets the job done without drama.