HP 470 G9 review

HP 470 G9

The HP HP 470 G9 ranks as the #659 laptops globally, achieving a LibraScore of 67. Across all metrics, this product stands out most for its #337-ranked connectivity among 426 laptops. Consider the HP ENVY 17 or HP OmniBook 7, which offer higher scores while staying in the same price range.

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Key takeaways
The HP 470 G9's performance is subpar due to thermal limitations and turbo boost capping at 15 watts.
The HP 470 G9's build quality is decent, prioritizing portability over ruggedness and durability.
The HP 470 G9's FHD IPS display delivers excellent accuracy with 98% sRGB color gamut and 310 nits brightness.
The HP 470 G9 boasts a great keyboard, decent ports, and excellent upgradeability features overall.

Is it Worth it?

The HP 470 G9 is a laptop that's more suitable as a daily driver due to its large 17.3-inch display. While it's not the most affordable option, there are three reasons to consider purchasing it. Firstly, its all-plastic design with sharp edges and rounded corners looks good despite some flex in the lid and base. Secondly, it's surprisingly portable weighing only 2.08 kg and having a profile of just 19.9 mm. Thirdly, its ergonomics keyboard is fantastic, offering long key travel and clicky feedback. While not perfect, the HP 470 G9 can be a great choice for those who value display quality and portability over other features.

Build

The HP 470 G9's build quality is a mixed bag. The all-plastic design has a sleek silver finish, but the lid and base exhibit some flex when pressed. While it doesn't inspire confidence in terms of durability, it's not a major concern. Weighing just 2.08 kg, this laptop is impressively portable for its size, measuring only 19.9 mm thick. The sharp edges and rounded corners add to its aesthetic appeal. Overall, the build quality is decent, if unremarkable, making it a good option for those who prioritize portability over ruggedness. Give HP ENVY 17 a try—it’s designed to provide an unparalleled build.

Display

The HP 470 G9's display is a mixed bag. While it boasts a large 17.3-inch screen, the TN panel option available can be disappointing. However, opting for an FHD IPS panel instead elevates the viewing experience. It reaches 310 nits of peak brightness and covers 98% of the sRGB color gamut, delivering excellent accuracy. With a Delta E value of just 1.0, this display is suitable for business use or as a daily driver, but it's not without its flaws. Get your hands on HP ProBook 650 G8 if you're looking for better display.

Performance

The HP 470 G9's performance is a mixed bag. Paired with the Core i5-1235U, battery life falls short, lasting just 5 hours and 41 minutes in web browsing tests or 4 hours and 44 minutes in video playback. In contrast, the Ryzen 5 500U outperforms it, while the newer Ryzen 5 5625U leaves it in the dust. Even some last year's Tiger Lake quad-core models surpass its performance. Stress tests reveal why: the single heat pipe and one fan setup are underpowered, and HP's decision to cap CPU turbo boost at 15 watts means lost performance is sacrificed for low temperatures (64°C). As a result, while the laptop excels in portability, its upgradeability, and ergonomics, its performance falls short of expectations. Consider discovering the power of HP Pavilion x360 15, featuring the latest advancements in performance.

Battery and Charging

The HP 470 G9's battery life is somewhat underwhelming, lasting only 5 hours and 41 minutes of web browsing or 4 hours and 44 minutes of video playback with the Core i5-1235U. This is likely due to the relatively small 41Wh battery pack, which is not ideal for a device this size. However, the low temperatures and minimal noise make it comfortable to use. Upgradability is a plus, but power management could be improved.

Connectivity

The HP 470 G9 offers decent connectivity options. A 5G full-sized USB port, HDMI 1.4B, and a 5G Type-C USB port are available on the left side. The right side features one more full-sized USB port of the same speed and a power plug. For a superior connectivity, HP Spectre x360 16 could be the right choice.

Features

The HP 470 G9 boasts an all-plastic design with a silver finish, offering a portable 17.3-inch laptop at just 2.08 kg. It features a great keyboard and decent port selection. However, its display is questionable, using a 900 ptn panel. Still, the device excels in upgradeability, with two SODIMM slots for DDR4 memory and one M.2 slot for storage expansion. A better alternative might be HP OMEN 17, featuring a next-level features.

Support and Maintenance

The HP 470 G9's upgradeability is a significant advantage with two SO-DIMM slots for DDR4 memory and one M.2 slot for a 2.5-inch SSD. This makes it easy to breathe new life into the laptop, even years after purchase. However, HP needs to improve power management for optimal performance.

Pros

1. the laptop can be used for business work

2. it's more suitable as a daily driver due to its large 17.3 inch display

3. portable and weighs only 2.08 kilograms with a profile of just 19.9 millimeters

4. ergonomics keyboard is fantastic offering Long Key travel and clicky feedback

5. the HP 470 G9 has an excellent keyboard

6. it's really portable for its size

7. upgradeability: two Sodom slots for ddr4 memory along with one m.2 slot in space for a 2.5 inch SSD

8. fantastic display with an fhd IPS panel reaching 310 nits of peak brightness

Cons

1. not the most affordable out there

2. questionable display choices including a 900 ptn panel

3. some Flex from both the lid and the base

4. lid can't be fully opened with one hand

5. small 41 watt hour battery pack which doesn't last long

6. core i5 1235u gets outperformed by the ryzen 5 500u a Zen 2 CPU

7. no turbo boost beyond its 15 watt base wattage

8. single heat pipe and one fan setup might not be sufficient for heavy use

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