HP EliteBook 840 G5 14" vs Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 13"

The HP EliteBook 840 G5 14 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 13 are distinct laptop models designed for different user priorities. Released in 2018, the EliteBook 840 G5 is a business-oriented notebook, while the Surface Laptop 4, launched in 2021, offers a more consumer-focused experience with a sleek design and a unique display aspect ratio. Both operate on the Windows operating system, but their core features and intended use cases present clear differences for potential users.

The practical lifespan of a laptop is influenced by its release timeline, ongoing software support, and physical durability. These two models, released years apart, offer different expectations in these areas.

• Release Timeline and OS Support: The HP EliteBook 840 G5, released in early 2018, has received several years of Windows updates, typically supporting Windows 10 Pro. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 4, launched in April 2021, benefits from a more recent release, ensuring a longer period of official Windows 10 and subsequent Windows 11 updates. This difference means the Surface Laptop 4 will likely receive security patches and feature updates for a longer duration.
• Software Longevity: Users can expect the Surface Laptop 4 to maintain compatibility with current software and applications for a more extended period due to its newer hardware and longer projected OS support. The EliteBook 840 G5, while still functional, may encounter limitations with future demanding software sooner.
• Repairability and Build: The EliteBook 840 G5 features a robust aluminum chassis and is designed with some serviceability in mind, including tethered screws for easier access to internal components for upgrades or repairs. The Surface Laptop 4 also boasts a premium aluminum build, with some configurations offering an Alcantara fabric finish, but its design prioritizes sleekness, and RAM is not user-upgradable.

Performance in laptops is not solely about raw processing power but how smoothly the device handles daily tasks, multitasking, and more demanding applications. The difference in release years significantly impacts the capabilities of these two machines.

• Processor Capabilities: The HP EliteBook 840 G5 is equipped with 8th-generation Intel Core processors, which capably handle general office tasks, web browsing, and light productivity applications. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 features 11th-generation Intel Core processors or custom AMD Ryzen Microsoft Surface Edition processors, providing a noticeable boost in speed and efficiency for more intensive workloads like complex data analysis, moderate photo editing, and smoother multitasking.
• System Responsiveness and RAM: The Surface Laptop 4 generally offers a more responsive user experience, with faster application loading and smoother transitions between tasks, partly due to its newer processor architecture and faster RAM options (up to 32GB LPDDR4x). The EliteBook 840 G5 typically comes with 8GB or 16GB of DDR4 RAM, which is sufficient for most business applications but may show limitations with numerous open applications or heavy browser usage.
• Storage and Battery Behavior: Both laptops utilize SSD storage, ensuring quick boot times and fast data access. In terms of battery life, the Surface Laptop 4 generally offers longer real-world usage, with Intel models often reaching 8-10 hours and AMD models extending to 10-14 hours on a single charge, making it suitable for extended periods away from a power outlet. The EliteBook 840 G5 typically provides around 8 to 8.5 hours of battery life in mixed usage scenarios.

The display is a primary interface for any laptop, and these two models offer different visual experiences, particularly in aspect ratio and brightness.

• Display Technology and Resolution: The HP EliteBook 840 G5 features a 14-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS display with a traditional 16:9 aspect ratio, suitable for standard media consumption and business applications. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 comes with a 13.5-inch PixelSense touchscreen display, offering a higher resolution of 2256 x 1504 pixels and a 3:2 aspect ratio. The 3:2 aspect ratio provides more vertical screen real estate, which can be beneficial for productivity tasks like document editing and web browsing.
• Brightness and Clarity: The Surface Laptop 4's display typically reaches 388-400 nits of brightness, providing good visibility in various indoor lighting conditions and accurate color reproduction. The EliteBook 840 G5's brightness can vary, with some configurations offering around 221 nits, which might be dim in brighter environments, while other privacy screen options can reach higher brightness levels.
• Touch and Refresh Rate: The Surface Laptop 4 includes a responsive touchscreen and supports the Surface Pen, enhancing its versatility for note-taking or creative work. Both models generally feature a standard 60Hz refresh rate, which is adequate for everyday use but not optimized for high-refresh-rate gaming or professional video editing.

For communication and media consumption, the audio and visual components play a crucial role, and these laptops offer different strengths.

• Camera System: The Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 features a 720p HD front-facing camera with an f2.0 aperture, designed to perform well even in lower light conditions, making it suitable for video calls. The HP EliteBook 840 G5 also includes a 720p HD webcam, often accompanied by an IR camera for Windows Hello facial recognition. Some reviews noted the EliteBook's base model webcam could be blurry.
• Microphone Quality: The Surface Laptop 4 incorporates dual far-field Studio Mics, which are effective at capturing voice and reducing background noise during calls. The EliteBook 840 G5 also features a dual array microphone system.
• Speaker Output: The Surface Laptop 4 is equipped with Omnisonic Speakers with Dolby Audio or Dolby Atmos, providing an immersive sound experience for media consumption and clear audio for calls. The EliteBook 840 G5 features Bang & Olufsen speakers, which are generally praised for their quality and strong audio output.