HP EliteBook 840 G7 14" Vs Microsoft Surface Pro 7 12"

HP EliteBook 840 G7 14"
HP EliteBook 840 G7 14"
Starting at

Refurbished price:300.00

Versus €2,172.37 new

See options
Microsoft Surface Pro 7 12"
Microsoft Surface Pro 7 12"
Starting at

Refurbished price:334.00

Versus €1,399.00 new

See options

Ratings

The HP EliteBook 840 G7, released in 2020, is a traditional clamshell laptop designed for business and productivity. In contrast, the Microsoft Surface Pro 7, launched in 2019, is a versatile 2-in-1 device that functions as both a tablet and a laptop with a detachable keyboard. Both devices run on the Windows operating system, but their form factors and intended use cases present distinct differences in user experience.

Scores

Durability

When considering the longevity of these devices, their release dates and design philosophies play a significant role. The HP EliteBook 840 G7, being a more conventional laptop, generally offers easier internal access for repairs and upgrades, potentially extending its practical lifespan. The Surface Pro 7, with its compact 2-in-1 design, can be more challenging to repair due to its construction.

  • Release Timeline: The HP EliteBook 840 G7 was released in 2020, a year after the Microsoft Surface Pro 7's 2019 launch. This means the EliteBook may receive software updates for a slightly longer period. [5, 6]
  • Software Longevity: Both devices, running on Windows, benefit from Microsoft's ongoing software support. However, the EliteBook's newer release date provides a marginal advantage in terms of future operating system compatibility and security updates. [2, 7]
  • Repairability: The EliteBook 840 G7 is generally considered to have better repairability due to its laptop form factor, allowing for easier component replacement. The Surface Pro 7's highly integrated design makes repairs more complex and often requires specialized tools. [34]

Year of Release

2019

2019

Last Os Compatibility

Yes

Yes

OS

Windows 11

Windows 11

Performance

Both the HP EliteBook 840 G7 and the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 are equipped with 10th-generation Intel Core processors, providing capable performance for everyday computing tasks. However, their configurations and thermal designs lead to different real-world performance characteristics.

  • Processor Capabilities: The EliteBook 840 G7, often configured with a range of 10th Gen Intel Core i5 or i7 processors, handles demanding applications and multitasking smoothly. [1, 3] The Surface Pro 7 also features 10th Gen Intel Core processors, including i3, i5, and i7 variants, which offer responsive performance for productivity and web browsing. [7, 13]
  • Multitasking and Responsiveness: The EliteBook 840 G7 typically comes with higher RAM configurations, often up to 64GB, which allows for extensive multitasking without slowdowns. [1, 3] The Surface Pro 7 offers RAM options up to 16GB, which is sufficient for most users but may show limitations with very heavy workloads. [7]
  • Storage Options: Both devices utilize fast NVMe PCIe SSDs for quick boot times and application loading. The EliteBook 840 G7 offers various SSD capacities, while the Surface Pro 7 also provides a range of SSD storage options up to 1TB. [1, 7]

Memory (GB)

8 GB

8 GB

Processor

Core i5 - Gen 10 (U)

Core i5 - Gen 10 (G4)

Graphic card

Integrated Graphics

Integrated Graphics

Screen quality

The display is a key differentiator between these two devices, catering to different user preferences and use cases. The EliteBook offers a larger, traditional laptop screen, while the Surface Pro 7 provides a high-resolution, touch-enabled display in a more compact form.

  • Display Technology and Resolution: The HP EliteBook 840 G7 features a 14-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS anti-glare display, providing clear visuals suitable for extended work sessions. [1, 4] The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 boasts a 12.3-inch PixelSense display with a higher resolution of 2736 x 1824, resulting in a sharper image and more detailed content. [7, 14]
  • Brightness and Clarity: The EliteBook 840 G7 offers various brightness options, including a 1000-nit panel with an integrated privacy screen, which is beneficial for working in diverse lighting conditions and maintaining visual security. [2, 3] The Surface Pro 7's display is known for its vibrant colors and clarity, making it suitable for media consumption and creative tasks. [24]
  • Touch and Aspect Ratio: The Surface Pro 7 features a multi-touch display with a 3:2 aspect ratio, which provides more vertical screen real estate, advantageous for document viewing and web browsing. [7, 12] The EliteBook 840 G7 typically comes with a non-touch 16:9 aspect ratio display, though touch options are available on some configurations. [10, 27]

Resolution

1920 x 1080

2736 x 1824

Screen type

LCD

IPS

Camera

Audiovisual

Both devices include integrated cameras and audio systems designed for communication and media, but they cater to slightly different needs based on their form factors.

  • Camera System: The HP EliteBook 840 G7 features a 720p HD webcam, often with a privacy shutter and optional IR sensors for Windows Hello facial recognition, suitable for video conferencing. [19, 27] The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 includes a 5.0MP front-facing camera with 1080p full HD video and an 8.0MP rear-facing autofocus camera, offering more versatility for photography and scanning documents. [7, 20]
  • Microphone and Speakers: The EliteBook 840 G7 incorporates multiple array microphones and stereo speakers with Bang & Olufsen HD audio, aiming for clear communication in business environments. [4, 22] The Surface Pro 7 features dual far-field Studio Mics and 1.6W stereo speakers with Dolby Audio, providing clear audio for calls and media consumption. [7, 20]
  • Video Recording Quality: While both are capable of video calls, the Surface Pro 7's higher resolution front and rear cameras offer better quality for recording videos or capturing images. [7, 21]

Miscellaneous

Beyond core performance and display, several practical elements distinguish these two devices, impacting their usability in different scenarios.

  • Connectivity Options: Both devices support modern wireless standards like Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.0. [7, 23] The EliteBook 840 G7 often includes a wider array of physical ports, such as multiple USB-A, USB-C with Thunderbolt 3, HDMI, and sometimes Ethernet, catering to a business user's need for diverse peripherals. [1, 19] The Surface Pro 7 offers USB-C, USB-A, a Surface Connect port, and a microSDXC card reader, prioritizing a sleek and portable design. [7, 9]
  • Portability and Build: The Surface Pro 7 is significantly lighter and more compact as a tablet, weighing around 0.77 kg (1.7 lbs) without the Type Cover, making it highly portable. [7, 9] The EliteBook 840 G7, a traditional laptop, weighs around 1.33 kg (2.95 lbs), offering a robust build with an aluminum chassis. [1, 35]
  • Security Features: The EliteBook 840 G7 emphasizes business-grade security with features like HP Sure View Reflect privacy screen, a physical webcam shutter, and optional fingerprint reader and SmartCard reader. [2, 3] The Surface Pro 7 relies on Windows Hello facial recognition for secure login. [7, 20]

Weight

1500 g

775 g

Screen size

14

12

The HP EliteBook 840 G7 and the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 cater to different user needs, each excelling in its specific domain. Users often praise the EliteBook 840 G7 for its robust build quality, comfortable keyboard, and comprehensive security features, making it a reliable workhorse for professionals. [1, 19] Common criticisms sometimes point to its traditional laptop form factor being less versatile than 2-in-1 devices, and some display configurations may not be as vibrant as competitors. [10]

The Surface Pro 7 is frequently lauded for its exceptional portability, high-resolution touchscreen, and the flexibility of its 2-in-1 design, which appeals to users who need both a tablet and a laptop. [7, 24] However, users occasionally express concerns about its battery life for heavy usage and the fact that essential accessories like the Type Cover and Surface Pen are sold separately. [7, 24]

Users prioritizing a traditional, secure, and highly functional laptop for office work, extensive typing, and connecting multiple peripherals will find the HP EliteBook 840 G7 well-suited to their needs. Those who value extreme portability, a high-quality touch display for creative tasks or note-taking, and the flexibility of a tablet will likely lean towards the Microsoft Surface Pro 7. Both devices offer solid performance for their respective use cases, and choosing a quality-assured refurbished option for either can be an eco-friendly alternative.

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