HP EliteBook Folio 1040 G2 review
HP EliteBook Folio 1040 G2 — from 2015, 1.51 kg, performance 34.
Technical specifications
| Type | Business |
| Release year | 2015 |
| Screen | 14" · 1600x900 |
| Processor | Intel Core i5 5300U , Intel Core i7 5600U , Intel Core i5 5200U , Intel Core i7 5500U |
| Max. RAM | 16 GB |
| Weight | 1.51 kg |
| Battery | 42 Wh |
Performance scores
A 2015 EliteBook Folio 1040 G2 whose graphics placing flatters it — honest about the vintage iGPU
The HP EliteBook Folio 1040 G2 (2015) is an aging business ultrabook built around a 5th-gen Intel Core i5 5300U with 16 GB of RAM, landing at $184 — below the business-class median of about $297. The graphics score of 45.85 places it in mainstream territory, but this reflects how undemanding the typical business laptop is on graphics, not modern gaming capability — the underlying GPU is a vintage Intel HD Graphics 5500 integrated part. The honest weak spot is memory, capped at 16 GB.
The premium Folio build at a low price
For a buyer whose budget is firmly capped around $184, the EliteBook Folio 1040 G2 offers the premium Folio build of its era with a usable 5th-gen Intel platform, and enough capability for everyday office and media duties. Capability data confirms minimum-level fit for older titles like Overwatch, GTA V, and Rainbow Six Siege — fine for casual eSports at low settings, but no more than that.
The graphics placing is honest about its limits
The high graphics score needs context: the HD Graphics 5500 is integrated graphics from 2014, so its mainstream-tier placing reflects how undemanding the typical business laptop is on graphics, not any real dGPU-class power. The 16 GB of RAM is the genuine ceiling for modern multitasking — comfortable for light use, but tight for heavy workloads.
Slow depreciation, near the floor
From a base near $1300, the laptop has settled to $184 at roughly 6.9% per year, with a projected value around $160 in two years. The curve has flattened — most of the value has already been lost.
Cheaper vintage peers
Cheaper alternatives include the HP EliteBook 850 G2 ($172) and Dell Vostro 3560 ($174), which offer similar vintage business hardware for marginally less.
Bottom line
The EliteBook Folio 1040 G2 is worth the asking price for a buyer who specifically wants the premium Folio build at a low price for light office duties and casual older games, and who understands the vintage iGPU and 16 GB RAM ceiling. For anything more demanding, slightly pricier peers with newer processors are the better spend.
🧭 Your context
Stage: Vague sense of need
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🎮 What it can run
⚙️ Configuration analysis
Top configuration suits everyday productivity, light photo editing, and esports titles.
🤔 How to choose
Universal advice for any use case.
- Reliability vs price: reliability (median 42.5) ↔ price (median 297.4).
- Weight vs CPU: mobility (median 60) ↔ overall performance (median 41.5).
- Upgradeability vs battery: upgradability (median 62.5) ↔ battery life (median 3.3).
EliteBook Folio 1040 G2: verdict
➡️ Next step
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