HP EliteBook 840 G6 review

Where the EliteBook 840 G6 stands

The HP EliteBook 840 G6 is a 2019 business ultrabook positioned in the ultra-budget tier at roughly $225, below the category median of $297. As the successor to the 840 G5, it pairs a meaningfully stronger GPU with a slightly weaker CPU — a trade-off that defines its position in the category. The GPU score of 14.1 is nearly four times the category median of 3.8; the CPU score of 38 is 28% below the median of 53.

Graphics: a substantial surplus

The 840 G6's GPU score of 14.1 places it well above typical office-class laptops in its category. This is enough headroom for casual gaming at moderate settings, comfortable video playback and editing, and GPU-accelerated productivity tasks. For an ultra-budget business laptop from 2019, the graphics capability is a genuine differentiator — most competitors in this price band sit at office-class graphics.

CPU: the trade-off

The CPU score of 38 is 28% below the category median of 53. Single-threaded workloads, heavy compilation, large spreadsheet recalculation, and other CPU-bound tasks will feel the limitation. The mismatch is the defining trade-off: this is a machine built for graphics work and everyday productivity, not compute-heavy workloads. Buyers whose workflows lean CPU-intensive should look elsewhere.

Price trajectory

From its launch price to $225 today, the 840 G6 has depreciated to the flat tail of its curve. The projected price two years out represents a modest further decline. As a 2019 machine, the depreciation is essentially complete; the remaining tail is gradual and predictable.

How it compares

In the $215-$260 refurbished business range, the 840 G6 sits among several 2018-2019 alternatives. The Dell Latitude 7400 at $248 and the HP EliteBook 850 G6 at $259 offer similar hardware at a slight premium. The 840 G6's distinguishing factor is its combination of strong GPU and weaker CPU — a pairing that makes it a credible pick for graphics-leaning workflows at this price tier. Buyers whose work is CPU-bound should consider alternatives.

Bottom line

The EliteBook 840 G6 is a 2019 business ultrabook whose graphics surplus outweighs its CPU deficit. At $225, it is priced below the category median and offers more GPU headroom than typical office alternatives. The trade-off is CPU performance — compute-heavy workloads will feel the limitation. For buyers whose workflows lean graphics or general productivity, it earns its asking price.