HP EliteBook 14" 840 G3, Core i7-6600U, 8GB, 128GB SSD, Aluminum

The HP EliteBook 840 G3 is a refurbished business laptop with a Core i7-6600U, 8GB RAM, and a tiny 128GB SSD. It handles basic productivity fine, but the storage is a constant headache and the 3.50kg weight makes it a chore to carry. At CAD 647, it's cheap, but you're giving up a lot for that price. Only worth it if you need a basic Windows machine and nothing more.

The Core i7-6600U is a dual-core chip with a 2.6GHz base clock, and it sits right around the middle of the pack in our database. That's not a compliment. For basic tasks like web browsing, word processing, and video calls, it's fine. You won't notice much lag with a handful of Chrome tabs open. But push it with anything heavier, like photo editing or running multiple demanding apps at once, and those two cores start to sweat. The 8GB of DDR4 RAM doesn't help either. It's enough for light multitasking, but it's in the bottom 15% of laptops we've tested, and Windows 10 Pro plus a few browser tabs will eat through that quickly.

The 128GB SSD is the real bottleneck here. It's fast enough for boot times and launching apps, but it's in the bottom 10% for storage capacity. You'll be constantly managing space, uninstalling programs, and moving files to external drives. The integrated Intel HD Graphics 520 is fine for streaming video and basic display output, but it's a non-starter for gaming or any GPU-accelerated work. The 14-inch 1080p IPS display is decent, with good viewing angles and sharp text, but it's nothing special compared to modern panels. Overall, this is a machine that handles the basics without complaint, but it's not built for anything beyond that.

Compared to the Apple MacBook Pro M5, the EliteBook 840 G3 is a dinosaur. The MacBook's M5 chip runs circles around the 6th-gen Intel CPU, and the MacBook's battery life, display quality, and portability are all in a different universe. But the MacBook also costs several times more, so it's not a fair fight. The Lenovo Legion 5i is a gaming laptop with a dedicated GPU, which makes it a better choice if you want to play games or do any kind of graphics work. The EliteBook's integrated HD Graphics 520 can't compete, and the gaming score of 17.3 out of 100 tells you everything you need to know.

The Microsoft Surface Laptop 7th Edition and ASUS ProArt PX13 are both modern ultrabooks with better screens, faster processors, and much lighter builds. The Surface Laptop is particularly appealing if you want something portable and well-built, while the ProArt PX13 targets creators with its color-accurate display and more powerful internals. The EliteBook's only real advantage is price. It's the cheapest option by a wide margin, and if you just need a basic Windows machine, that might be enough. But you're giving up a lot to save that money.

At CAD 647, the EliteBook 840 G3 is a tough sell when you look at what else is out there. The MacBook Pro M5, Lenovo Legion 5i, and Surface Laptop 7th Edition all cost significantly more, but they're also in a completely different league for performance, battery life, and portability. The EliteBook's value comes down to what you actually need. If you just want a reliable Windows machine for email, documents, and web browsing, and you don't mind the weight or the tiny SSD, then CAD 647 isn't unreasonable for a refurbished business laptop with a decent build.

But if you can stretch your budget even a little, you'll get a lot more for your money elsewhere. The storage alone is a dealbreaker for many people. A 128GB SSD means you'll be juggling files from day one, and adding an external drive or upgrading the internal SSD adds cost and hassle. For the same price, you might find a newer refurbished laptop with a larger SSD, more RAM, and a lighter chassis. The EliteBook 840 G3 is a budget option, but it's not a great value unless your needs are extremely basic.

The HP EliteBook 840 G3 is a refurbished business laptop that keeps showing up on the used market, and for good reason. It was a solid corporate workhorse back in its day, and at CAD 647, it's tempting if you just need something to handle email, documents, and web browsing without breaking the bank. The Core i7-6600U and 8GB of RAM are enough to keep Windows 10 Pro humming along for basic productivity.

But here's the thing. This laptop is old. The 6th-gen Intel chip launched in 2015, and the integrated HD Graphics 520 was never meant for anything beyond video playback and light photo editing. The 128GB SSD is tiny by today's standards, and the 3.50kg weight makes it feel more like a desktop replacement than something you'd want to carry around all day. This is a machine for someone who values durability and a decent keyboard over modern performance.

Who's this actually for? Students on a tight budget, office workers who need a second machine for basic tasks, or anyone who wants a cheap Windows laptop with a proper business-grade build. It's not for creators, gamers, or anyone who needs to run modern software that actually pushes the CPU. The EliteBook 840 G3 is a tool, not a toy, and it shows its age in ways that matter.

If you need to run any kind of creative software, this laptop is not for you. The integrated graphics and 8GB of RAM will choke on photo editing, video editing, or 3D modeling. Look at the ASUS ProArt PX13 or a used MacBook Pro instead. Gamers should also steer clear. The gaming score of 17.3 out of 100 is one of the lowest we've seen, and you won't be able to play anything beyond basic indie titles.

Anyone who travels frequently or carries their laptop around all day should also skip this. At 3.50kg, it's nearly twice as heavy as a typical 14-inch ultrabook. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 7th Edition or a used MacBook Air would be a much better fit if portability matters. And if you need a lot of local storage for photos, videos, or large files, the 128GB SSD will drive you crazy. Look for something with at least 512GB, or be prepared to invest in external storage.

If you need a cheap, durable laptop for basic office work, the EliteBook 840 G3 will get the job done. The keyboard is comfortable, the 1080p IPS display is easy on the eyes, and the Core i7 CPU handles everyday tasks without much fuss. It's a fine choice for students, office workers, or anyone who needs a second machine for light use. Just be prepared to manage that 128GB SSD carefully, and don't expect to run anything demanding.

For everyone else, look elsewhere. The 3.50kg weight makes it a pain to carry around, the 8GB of RAM limits multitasking, and the integrated graphics rule out gaming or creative work. If you can spend a bit more, a newer refurbished laptop or a budget ultrabook will give you a much better experience. The EliteBook 840 G3 is a relic from a different era, and while it still works, it's hard to recommend in 2025 unless your needs are truly minimal.