HP EliteBook 845 G7 14" vs Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 13"

The HP EliteBook 845 G7 14 (released in 2020) and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 13 (launched in 2019) are both Windows-based laptops designed for productivity. While the EliteBook emphasizes business-grade durability and AMD-powered performance, the Surface Laptop 3 offers a premium design with a high-resolution touchscreen and Intel processing. These devices cater to users seeking reliable performance for daily tasks, with distinct approaches to design and core components.

The HP EliteBook 845 G7, released in 2020, is built with a focus on business-grade resilience, featuring an aluminum chassis and passing MIL-STD 810H testing for durability. Its components like RAM and SSD are designed to be user-upgradeable, and the battery is also removable, contributing to a longer practical lifespan through easier maintenance and upgrades. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 3, launched in late 2019, features a premium all-metal or Alcantara finish, offering a solid build quality. While its SSD is technically removable, it requires a skilled technician, and the battery is glued in place, making user-level repairs more challenging. Both devices receive regular Windows updates, ensuring software longevity.

The HP EliteBook 845 G7 is equipped with AMD Ryzen PRO 4000 series processors, providing robust performance for demanding business applications and multitasking. It supports up to 64GB of user-upgradeable DDR4-3200 RAM, allowing for significant future-proofing and smooth handling of numerous applications simultaneously. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 13-inch models feature 10th Gen Intel Core processors, which deliver responsive performance for everyday productivity, web browsing, and office tasks. It offers up to 32GB of LPDDR4x RAM, efficient for multitasking, though not user-upgradeable.

• Processing Power: The EliteBook's AMD Ryzen PRO processors generally offer strong multi-core performance, beneficial for complex computations and running multiple applications concurrently. The Surface Laptop 3's Intel Core processors provide solid single-core performance, often advantageous for general responsiveness.
• Storage Flexibility: The EliteBook allows for user upgrades of its NVMe M.2 SSD, providing flexibility to expand storage as needs evolve. The Surface Laptop 3's SSD is removable by a technician, but not easily user-replaceable.
• Battery Behavior: The EliteBook 845 G7, with its 53 Wh battery, can deliver extended usage, with some configurations reporting over 13 hours of typical use. The Surface Laptop 3, with a 45.8 Wh battery, typically provides around 9 to 11.5 hours of use, sufficient for a full workday.

The HP EliteBook 845 G7 features a 14-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS display, often with a matte finish to reduce glare, making it comfortable for extended work sessions. Certain configurations include HP Sure View Reflect, a privacy screen that limits viewing angles, useful in public environments. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 13-inch boasts a 13.5-inch PixelSense touchscreen with a higher 2256 x 1504 resolution and a 3:2 aspect ratio, offering more vertical screen real estate ideal for document work and web browsing. Its display provides vibrant colors and good brightness, typically around 348-400 nits, ensuring clarity even in well-lit conditions.

• Resolution and Aspect Ratio: The Surface Laptop 3's higher resolution and 3:2 aspect ratio provide a sharper image and a more spacious feel for productivity tasks. The EliteBook's 16:9 Full HD display is standard for general use and media consumption.
• Brightness and Clarity: Both laptops offer good brightness levels, with the EliteBook's Sure View option reaching up to 1000 nits in some models, and the Surface Laptop 3 consistently providing around 348-400 nits for comfortable viewing.
• Touch and Pen Support: The Surface Laptop 3 includes a touch-sensitive display with support for pen input, enhancing its versatility for creative tasks or note-taking. The EliteBook 845 G7 typically features a non-touch display.

The HP EliteBook 845 G7 includes a 720p webcam, standard for video conferencing, and often features a physical privacy shutter for enhanced security. Its audio experience is geared towards clear communication in professional settings. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 also comes with a 720p HD front-facing camera, which users generally find to be clear for video calls. It features Omnisonic Speakers with Dolby Audio and dual far-field Studio Mics, providing a rich audio experience for media consumption and clear voice pickup during calls.

• Webcam Quality: Both devices offer 720p webcams suitable for standard video conferencing. The EliteBook adds a physical privacy shutter for peace of mind.
• Audio Output: The Surface Laptop 3 is noted for its Omnisonic Speakers, which deliver clear and robust audio for a laptop, enhancing the experience for music and video playback.
• Microphone Performance: The Surface Laptop 3's dual far-field Studio Mics are designed to capture voice clearly, even from a distance, beneficial for virtual meetings.