HP EliteBook 640 G9 Review: A Dependable Business Companion

Introduction

The business laptop market continues to be driven by demands for security, productivity, and portability. With hybrid work becoming the new standard, professionals seek machines that are reliable, lightweight, and versatile while also offering the enterprise-grade features companies require. HP’s EliteBook lineup has long been a staple in this space, delivering premium design combined with robust performance and advanced security.

The HP EliteBook 640 G9 continues this tradition by positioning itself as a balanced, mid-range business ultrabook. It comes equipped with Intel’s 12th Gen Core i5 processor, a compact 14-inch display, and essential business-focused features such as strong connectivity options, HP Wolf Security, and a durable chassis.

While not the most powerful model in the EliteBook family, the 640 G9 is built for professionals who need a dependable system for everyday business tasks, video conferencing, multitasking, and secure access to enterprise networks. It blends a lightweight design with respectable performance, making it an excellent choice for those who move between office, home, and travel environments.

In this review, we will explore the design, display, performance, keyboard and trackpad, connectivity, and security of the HP EliteBook 640 G9. We will also compare it with HP’s higher-tier EliteBook 840 G9 to better understand how the two models differ and which one may suit your business needs.

Specifications Overview

Design and Build Quality

The HP EliteBook 640 G9 carries the premium design language that has become synonymous with the EliteBook family. With a compact 14-inch form factor and weighing around 1.37 kg, this laptop strikes a balance between portability and sturdiness. The chassis is sleek yet durable, designed to handle the rigors of business travel and daily use.

The build quality is reinforced to meet enterprise expectations. While not the slimmest laptop on the market, the 640 G9 offers a reassuring sturdiness that can withstand frequent movement between home, office, and travel hubs. The matte finish prevents fingerprints, giving it a consistently professional appearance.

HP has engineered the cooling system to maintain efficiency without excessive noise. During light workloads, the fans are nearly silent, ensuring distraction-free productivity. When handling more demanding tasks, the cooling system activates to maintain stable performance without overwhelming sound.

For professionals, the design translates to a device that looks premium on a desk, is portable enough for daily commutes, and durable enough for years of use.

Display

The HP EliteBook 640 G9 is fitted with a 14-inch display with a Full HD resolution of 1920×1080. This provides sharp, clear visuals that are well-suited for productivity tasks such as working with spreadsheets, attending video calls, or drafting documents.

Although the display does not include a touchscreen option, it focuses on practicality and efficiency. The 60 Hz refresh rate is standard for business laptops, delivering smooth motion for general tasks but not aimed at high-refresh applications like gaming.

The anti-glare coating ensures visibility in bright office settings or when working near windows, while the brightness levels are adequate for indoor use. Color accuracy is reliable, offering professionals clarity for everyday tasks though not tailored for design or creative work requiring wide color gamut support.

Overall, the display prioritizes practicality, eye comfort, and durability, aligning with the needs of business professionals.

Performance

The HP EliteBook 640 G9 runs on Intel’s 12th Gen Core i5 processor, which introduces a hybrid architecture that balances performance and efficiency cores. This allows the system to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, from managing spreadsheets and emails to running video conferencing software and accessing cloud platforms.

With 8GB of DDR4 memory, the laptop offers smooth performance for day-to-day productivity. While sufficient for most business users, the RAM is on the lower side compared to some higher-tier models. Professionals who need heavier multitasking or specialized applications may benefit from upgrading the memory.

Storage is handled by a 256GB SSD, providing quick boot times, fast file access, and overall responsive performance. Although not the largest storage capacity, it is well-suited for business use where most data is stored in the cloud or on secure company servers.

The integrated Intel graphics are not designed for heavy graphical workloads but perform adequately for tasks like video playback, streaming, and productivity applications.

In summary, the EliteBook 640 G9 delivers reliable performance for business-focused users who need stability and efficiency rather than workstation-level power.

Keyboard and Trackpad

HP has earned a reputation for delivering excellent keyboards, and the EliteBook 640 G9 maintains this tradition. The chiclet-style keys offer comfortable travel, precise feedback, and a responsive feel that is ideal for long hours of typing.

The keyboard is also spill-resistant, providing peace of mind in busy work environments where accidents can happen. The backlighting feature ensures usability in low-light conditions, whether during late-night work or in dimly lit conference rooms.

The trackpad is spacious and responsive, supporting multi-touch gestures for smoother navigation. Its precision makes it easy to switch between applications, manage documents, and move between virtual desktops.

For professionals who type extensively or rely on consistent input accuracy, the keyboard and trackpad combination is one of the strongest aspects of the EliteBook 640 G9.

Connectivity

Connectivity is a key factor in modern business laptops, and the HP EliteBook 640 G9 excels in this area. It includes a well-rounded selection of ports:

• 2× USB-A
• 2× USB-C
• HDMI
• RJ-45 Ethernet
• Audio jack

This range of options ensures compatibility with modern peripherals while still retaining legacy connectivity such as RJ-45 for wired internet access. The dual USB-C ports enable faster data transfer and compatibility with docking stations, while HDMI support allows seamless connection to external displays.

For wireless connectivity, the 640 G9 includes Wi-Fi 6, ensuring stable and fast wireless performance in office spaces and during remote work.

The comprehensive connectivity makes it a reliable hub for professionals who frequently connect to multiple devices, monitors, or networks.

Battery Life

Battery life is a critical factor for business professionals who travel or work in multiple locations. The HP EliteBook 640 G9 offers around 8–10 hours of real-world usage, sufficient for most workdays. While not the longest battery life in the EliteBook series, it strikes a reasonable balance between performance and endurance.

The fast-charging feature ensures that even when the battery runs low, the laptop can quickly regain usable power during short breaks, making it practical for users who are constantly on the move.

Security Features

Security remains one of the defining strengths of HP’s EliteBook series. The EliteBook 640 G9 is no exception, integrating HP Wolf Security to safeguard the system from modern cyber threats. This includes BIOS-level protection, real-time malware defense, and hardware-enforced security layers.

The fingerprint reader provides fast and secure login, while optional Windows Hello facial recognition can further streamline access. These features ensure that sensitive business data remains protected even in hybrid and remote environments.

For companies handling confidential information, the comprehensive security measures make the 640 G9 a strong candidate for deployment.

Comparison: HP EliteBook 640 G9 vs HP EliteBook 840 G9

Both the EliteBook 640 G9 and EliteBook 840 G9 belong to HP’s business-focused lineup, but they are targeted at slightly different professional needs.

The EliteBook 640 G9 is the more affordable option, with essential business features and solid performance for general use. The EliteBook 840 G9, on the other hand, caters to professionals seeking higher RAM, larger storage, and a more modern 16:10 display that offers additional screen space for multitasking.

Conclusion

The HP EliteBook 640 G9 is a reliable and well-rounded business laptop designed for professionals who value durability, security, and balanced performance. While it may not have the top-tier specifications of the EliteBook 840 G9, it covers the essentials with confidence: a comfortable keyboard, strong connectivity, enterprise-grade security, and a portable 14-inch form factor.

For professionals with standard business workloads, the 640 G9 offers everything required for a seamless workflow. Its modest specifications are offset by excellent usability and dependable performance, making it a smart choice for companies and individuals looking for value in the premium business laptop market.

Those who need higher RAM, more storage, and a slightly more advanced display may consider the EliteBook 840 G9. However, for users seeking practicality at a lower cost, the 640 G9 stands out as a dependable companion.

FAQs

Q: Is the HP EliteBook 640 G9 suitable for business professionals?
A: Yes, the HP EliteBook 640 G9 is designed for business use, offering enterprise-grade security, portability, and reliable performance.

Q: How does the HP EliteBook 640 G9 compare to the EliteBook 840 G9?
A: The 640 G9 is more affordable with modest specs, while the 840 G9 offers higher RAM, larger storage, and a modern 16:10 display for power users.

Q: Does the HP EliteBook 640 G9 have a touchscreen option?
A: No, the 640 G9 does not include a touchscreen option, focusing instead on durability and efficiency.

Q: What is the battery life of the HP EliteBook 640 G9?
A: The laptop offers around 8–10 hours of battery life in real-world usage, with fast charging support.

Q: Are the security features strong enough for enterprise use?
A: Yes, the laptop comes with HP Wolf Security, BIOS-level protection, and a fingerprint reader, making it suitable for enterprise environments.