HP EliteBook 14" 840 G9 Silver 2022

The HP EliteBook 840 G9 is a lightweight business laptop with killer port selection and a decent 14-inch touchscreen. CPU performance is below average and gaming is a non-starter, but for office work it gets the job done. At USD 500 it's a steal, at USD 760 it's a pass.

The Core i7-1265U is a 10-core chip with a 1.8GHz base clock, and in our database it lands in the 39th percentile for CPUs. That's mediocre for a laptop at this tier, but context matters. This is a low-power U-series chip designed for efficiency, not raw speed. Paired with 16GB of DDR5 and a 512GB NVMe SSD, it handles browser tabs, Office apps, and light multitasking without breaking a sweat. The integrated Iris Xe graphics sit right around average, which means video playback and basic photo edits are fine, but gaming is a 16.4 out of 100. Don't even think about it.

Against the Apple MacBook Air M4, the EliteBook loses on raw performance, battery life, and screen quality, but it wins on ports and Windows compatibility. The Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 7 is a more direct rival, and it typically offers better reliability scores, though the HP has the edge on port selection. The ASUS Zenbook and MSI Prestige are lighter and prettier, but they often sacrifice the Ethernet port and USB-A slots that business users actually need. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 7th Edition has a better display and build, but you'll pay more for it.

Pricing is all over the place. We're seeing USD 500 to USD 760 across four listings, and that's a USD 260 spread for what appears to be the same machine. At USD 500, this is a genuinely good deal for a business laptop with Thunderbolt and a touchscreen. At USD 760, you're getting into MacBook Air M4 territory, and that's a much harder sell. If you're shopping this one, hunt for the lower end of that range. The Newegg listings are where the best prices live.

The HP EliteBook 840 G9 is a business laptop that knows exactly what it is. You get a 14-inch 1920x1200 touchscreen, an Intel Core i7-1265U, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 512GB NVMe SSD in a 1.36kg chassis. It's built for spreadsheets, video calls, and long days away from a desk, not for gaming or rendering marathons.

Port selection is where this thing shines. Thunderbolt, two USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, HDMI 2.0, and even Ethernet. In 2025, that's practically a flex. The CPU sits below average for its class, but for typical office work it's more than enough.

Skip this if you need any kind of gaming or creative performance. The 16.4 gaming score and below-average CPU mean video editing, 3D work, or even casual gaming will feel sluggish. Also skip it if reliability is your top concern, since the 33rd percentile reliability score is a red flag. And if you're already spending USD 760, just get a MacBook Air M4 instead.

Buy this if you need a no-nonsense Windows business laptop with every port you could ask for and you find it near the USD 500 mark. It's light, it's capable for office work, and the touchscreen is a nice bonus. Just don't expect it to be a powerhouse, and don't expect gaming performance. For the right price, it's a solid workhorse.