The EliteBook was already good, but the Broadwell processor has enhanced it slightly by allowing for longer battery life due to decreased power usage. Unfortunately, HP has neglected to fix the laptop's main flaw: the screen. The EliteBook 800 series of laptops are designed for corporate users who require a higher level of performance. We've examined a number of models in this series, and the EliteBook 840 G2 is the line's 14-inch model. The Broadwell processor is the most significant upgrade. Apart from that, nothing has changed since the Haswell-based EliteBook 840 G1 was released. In our test, the latter received a "Good" rating (87 percent ). Our study examines if the G2 model can get even higher results.

The Lenovo ThinkPad T450s, Dell Latitude 14 E7540, and Fujitsu Lifebook E744 are all competitors for the EliteBook. In the form of the identically manufactured EliteBook 745, HP also has a homegrown competitor in its range. However, AMD APUs are used by the company. We won't go into detail about casing, connectivity, input devices, or speakers because both EliteBook 840 models we evaluated have the same build. The relevant information may be found in the EliteBook 840 G1 review. The images that follow are of the EliteBook 840 G1.

The 14-inch screen on the EliteBook 840 G2 has a native resolution of 1600x900 pixels. There are also EliteBook variants with a Full HD display. For a price of around $260, the customer could expect a fantastic screen. However, the EliteBook does not include one. It has a brightness of only 239.8 cd/m2. A rate of substantially over 300 cd/m2 would have been predicted. Nonetheless, the brightness levels of challengers like the ThinkPad T450s (268.4 cd/m2) and the Latitude E7450 (257.3 cd/m2) aren't exactly great.

The EliteBook's screen's contrast of 334:1 and the black level of 0.8 cd/m2 are likewise poor. The ThinkPad T450s (1110:1; 0.25 cd/m2) and Latitude E7450 (933:1; 0.3 cd/m2) have higher contrast ratios. Neither the sRGB nor the AdobeRGB color spaces can be reproduced on the screen. The coverage percentages are 53.7 percent for the sRGB and 37.2 percent for the RGB (AdobeRGB).

The color reproduction on the screen is also lacking. In terms of the state of delivery, it has an average DeltaE 2000 shift of 12.71. These rates can be seen in low-cost computers as well. A rate of less than three would be ideal. In addition, the screen has a bluish tint. The screen can be calibrated for a significant improvement. After we calibrated it, the color shift rate reduced to 3.18, and it now misses the intended range by a hair's breadth. The bluish cast was also fully removed after recalibrating.

In the EliteBook, HP uses a viewing angle-dependent TN screen. When the vertical viewing angle is adjusted, the image soon distorts. It looks better when seen horizontally, and multiple viewers can look at the screen at the same time. It is possible to use your laptop outside.

With the EliteBook 840 G2, HP has a high-end business laptop in its portfolio. It has a docking port and TPM, which is appropriate for a business device. It's also feasible to add an LTE/3G modem after the fact. The EliteBook 840 G1 variants are significantly less expensive. At the time of the test, we identified models in a variety of stores. They're probably getting rid of the rest. Members of the EliteBook 745 line, which is identically manufactured, are also sold for less.

Our review sample has an Intel Core i5-5200U (Broadwell) dual-core processor. The processor runs at a basic frequency of 2.2 GHz. Turbo boosts the processor's speed to 2.5 GHz (both cores) and 2.7 GHz (one core). In AC mode, the Turbo is solely used. In battery mode, the processor runs at 2.2 GHz. The Core i5-5200U performs somewhat better in our benchmarks than its predecessors from the Haswell generation, thanks to slightly faster speeds and advancements in the Broadwell architecture (Core i5-4200U, Core i5-4210U). The Core i5-5200U processor can't compete with the Core i7-4600U found in our EliteBook 840 G1 evaluation sample.

The overall performance of the system cannot be questioned. The laptop performs admirably. The excellent PCMark benchmark results back this up. However, it is possible to improve overall performance by a little margin. When a second working memory module is inserted, the working memory will operate in dual-channel mode. As a result, graphics performance would be improved. It's hard to understand why HP doesn't include two 4 GB RAM modules with the laptop out of the box. After all, this laptop comes with a hefty price tag from the manufacturer.

In our review sample, a Samsung solid-state drive is installed. The standard 2.5-inch variant has a 256-GB storage. Its read speeds are adequate, but its write speeds fall short of what current SSDs can do. An additional, empty M.2 slot (full-size) on the EliteBook is meant for a matching SSD.

Video output is handled by Intel's HD Graphics 5500 GPU. It's an integrated graphics core with DirectX 11.2 capability and a clock speed of up to 900 MHz. The 3DMark results are standard for this graphics core and do not show any surprises. The graphics processor in the previous EliteBook 840 G1 model, the HD Graphics 4400, scored somewhat higher, but only because its working memory is dual-channel. When we fitted a second working memory module, the EliteBook 840 G2 surpassed its predecessor, scoring 1148 points in the 3DMark 11 benchmark (dual-channel mode active). Users who require extra graphics processing capability might choose an EliteBook with a dedicated Radeon R7 M260X graphics core.

Because the EliteBook 840 G2 is a business laptop, its gaming capabilities are unimportant. Games, on the other hand, can be played on a laptop, albeit this is only true for titles that have been on the market for a long time and/or have only moderate technical needs. Low resolutions and low-quality settings are also required for smooth frame rates in these games. Recent releases, such as Assassin's Creed Unity, are not playable. Installing a second working memory module can improve the graphics performance of the laptop, as previously stated. Naturally, this has a positive effect on computer games, resulting in faster frame rates. Depending on the game, an increase of 5% to 40% may be feasible.

In order to ensure focussed work, a laptop like the EliteBook should normally create no or very little noise. In this aspect, the EliteBook has a lot to offer. In idle mode, the fan is generally dormant, although it does not speed up much during load. During the stress test, we recorded a noise level of only 34.2 dB(A). As a result, the EliteBook is noticeably quieter than the previous EliteBook 840 G1 model. Unfortunately, the EliteBook's good impression is ruined by a low electronic whistling/beeping noise. It is scarcely detectable in normal ambient noise levels, but it becomes extremely bothersome in quiet environments.

Not only does the EliteBook run quietly, but it also heats up slowly. Throughout the stress test, the temperatures remained below 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) at all measuring points. In both AC and battery mode, the EliteBook passed the stress test (Prime95 and FurMark ran for at least one hour). Before being throttled, the CPU and GPU ran at full speed for around one minute. The processor was then clocked at 1.6 GHz, with the graphics core running at 800 MHz (750 to 850 MHz).

When it comes to energy consumption, the EliteBook has no flaws. The idle power consumption was much below 10 watts, and the stress test brought it up to 36.8 watts. The CPU and GPU were both throttled, thus the rate dropped to 30.6 watts after about a minute.

The EliteBook lasted 16:01 hours in idle mode, outlasting competitors including Lenovo's ThinkPad T450s (12:54 h) and Dell's Latitude E7450 (11:54 h). The Battery Eater Reader's test simulates idle mode by utilizing minimum screen brightness, enabling power-saving profiles, and disabling wifi modules. After 1:53 hours of use, the EliteBook shut down. The Latitude (1:55 h) is comparable, while the ThinkPad (1:28 h) trails behind its competitors. The load runtime is determined using the Battery Eater Classic test, which uses the highest screen brightness, the highest performance profile, and enabled wireless modules.

After 7:02 hours, our Wi-Fi test on HP's laptop came to an end. The EliteBook (7:02 h) and the Latitude (7:02 h) are now on par. The ThinkPad (4:36 h) shuts down much quicker. For this test, websites are automatically accessed every 40 seconds using the "Balanced" profile with a screen brightness of around 150 cd/m2. The video playback time is determined by looping the short film Big Buck Bunny (H.264 encoding, 1920x1080 pixels). The wireless modules have been turned off, and the screen brightness has been set at around 150 cd/m2. The EliteBook's battery life was 5:25 hours, which is comparable to the ThinkPad's (5:22 h). The Latitude (7:32 h) easily beats the competition.

Overall, the EliteBook's battery life is excellent. In practically all battery tests, it can even outperform its predecessor. Users that require more battery life from the EliteBook can attach a second battery (HP CO06XL, 60 Wh, approx. 200 Euros/$218) to the laptop. At the very least, this should double the battery life.

The EliteBook 840 G2 is essentially a Broadwell improvement from HP's EliteBook 840. Apart from swapping out the processor, HP hasn't changed anything. The Broadwell processor has a few advantages over its predecessor. In our real-world battery testing, the EliteBook 840 G2 uses less power, produces less noise, and runs at slightly lower temperatures. It also lasts longer. For the record, the EliteBook 840 G1 did not perform poorly in any of the tests described. Aside from that, the G1 and G2 models are identical. Both have good input devices, a small, high-quality shell, and excellent maintenance options.

Both variants also include support for an M.2 SSD and an LTE/3G modem. The modem for the G1 model we tested is included in the box. Unfortunately, HP has not addressed the EliteBook 840 G1's major flaw, and it remains in the EliteBook 840 G2: the screen. Both models' screens are dimly lit and have little contrast. They're also TN displays that are affected by viewing angles. Given the price, HP asks that a high-contrast IPS panel be included in the basic configuration.

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