HP EliteBook 850 G8 review

An EliteBook with a discrete GPU and no serious weak spot

The HP EliteBook 850 G8 (2020) pairs Intel's 11th-gen Core i5-1135G7 with NVIDIA's GeForce MX450 (2 GB discrete) and 64 GB of RAM in a business chassis. At about $321 it sits slightly above the $297 category median — in the budget tier — and the hardware justifies it: a real entry-level discrete GPU, pro-tier memory, and a performance index well above the category median. The only mildly below-median axis is mobility, which is a small compromise for the configuration.

Where it shines: discrete graphics, memory and performance

The MX450 is a real entry-level discrete GPU, and its score sits well above the business-laptop median. Combined with 64 GB of RAM (the "pro" tier) and a performance index well above the category median, the EliteBook 850 G8 is genuinely capable for office work, light creative tasks and casual gaming. The capability fit confirms: recommended settings on Overwatch, Grand Theft Auto V (at a measured 140 fps), Far Cry 5 (at 34 fps), plus Adobe Photoshop and Visual Studio Code.

The mild compromise: mobility

The mobility index sits slightly below the category median — not catastrophically, but enough to flag. This reflects the 15-inch chassis, the discrete GPU and the battery capacity needed to power it. The compromise is small in practice; the EliteBook 850 G8 is still a portable machine, just not the lightest in its class.

Price trajectory

From an original $1,300 MSRP, the EliteBook 850 G8 has depreciated to about $321 today — an annual rate near 8.9%. Projected forward, another two years bring it to roughly $266, a 17% drop. The curve is steady.

How it compares

For a bit more money, the Dell Latitude 3520 ($357) and Dell Latitude 5520 ($345) are the natural step-up alternatives — premium-tier Latitude hardware for a small premium. Below it, the HP ProBook 445 G9 ($302) and Dell Latitude 7420 ($297) are slightly cheaper, but neither offers a discrete GPU at this price — the EliteBook 850 G8's MX450 is the differentiator.

Bottom line

The EliteBook 850 G8 is fairly priced for the class and offers a genuinely strong configuration: a discrete MX450 GPU, 64 GB of RAM, and above-median performance with only a mild mobility compromise. Buyers looking for a single business laptop that also handles light creative work and casual gaming get honest value here. The only reason to look elsewhere is a preference for a premium-tier Latitude chassis or maximum portability.