HP EliteBook 650 G9 review
The HP HP EliteBook 650 G9 ranks as the #309 laptops globally, achieving a LibraScore of 75. Across all metrics, this product stands out most for its #70-ranked connectivity among 377 laptops. Consider the HP ProBook 445 G11 or HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook, which offer higher scores while staying in the same price range.
Is it Worth it?
The HP EliteBook 650 G9 is a solid business device with a sturdy aluminum chassis and good upgrade options. Its portable design and long battery life (up to 9 hours) make it suitable for office work. While the display's 51% sRGB coverage may not impress, it's acceptable for daily use. Performance-wise, it's decent, but not exceptional, considering its core i5 processor. The question is, is it worth it? If you're in the market for a reliable business laptop with good upgrade options, the EliteBook 650 G9 might be a good choice, but it ultimately depends on your specific needs and budget.
Build
The HP EliteBook 650 G9 boasts a solid build quality with an aluminum chassis that improves durability. However, the lid exhibits some flex when twisted or pressed upon. Weighing in at 1.74 kilograms and measuring 19.9 millimeters in profile, this laptop is relatively portable. The design features sharp edges, rounded corners, and thin bezels on all sides. A decent amount of weight savings could have been achieved without compromising build quality. Overall, the EliteBook's construction feels sturdy, making it a reliable choice for business users. Get your hands on HP ZBook Power G10 if you're looking for better build.
Display
The HP EliteBook 650 G9 features a 15.6-inch display option with either a 1366x768 or full HD IPS panel. We tested the latter, which is suitable for daily use and office work, but falls short in terms of color accuracy with only 51% sRGB coverage. While this won't be ideal for designers or creators, it's not a priority for the target market. The display also features no PWM usage, making it comfortable to look at for extended periods. Overall, the display is acceptable, especially when considering HP's office work profile that improves clarity when viewing text and tables. Consider discovering the power of Dell Precision 17 7770, featuring the latest advancements in display.
Performance
The HP EliteBook 650 G9 delivers solid performance for daily office work and basic tasks. Equipped with the Core i5-1235U CPU, it excels in productivity applications like Photoshop, but falls short in demanding tasks like 3D rendering. The device stays cool and quiet even under heavy use, with temperatures maxing out at 35°C. While not ideal for resource-intensive workloads, the EliteBook 650 G9's performance is more than sufficient for typical business needs. With dual SODIMM slots and two M.2 slots, upgrading RAM and storage is easy. Overall, the laptop provides a snappy experience with its short load times, making it suitable for everyday office use. You might prefer HP EliteBook 845 G7, designed with an upgraded performance for a better experience.
Battery and Charging
The HP EliteBook 650 G9 boasts a decent battery life, with a 42.75Wh unit that lasts for 9 hours and 15 minutes of web browsing or 7 hours and 17 minutes of video playback. While not exceptional, this should suffice for daily office work. The laptop's design prioritizes portability over capacity, which is understandable given its target audience. A quick charge feature would have been a welcome addition to make up for the slightly smaller battery pack.
Connectivity
The HP EliteBook 650 G9 boasts impressive connectivity options. The left side features a LAN port, one full-sized USB-A port, and an optional smart card reader. The right side includes the power plug, one Thunderbolt 4 port, two additional USB-A ports, HDMI 2.0, and an audio jack. An optional SIM card tray is also available, making it suitable for business users who require seamless connectivity on-the-go. A better alternative might be HP ZBook Power G10, featuring a next-level connectivity.
Features
The HP EliteBook 650 G9 boasts a sturdy aluminum chassis with a weight of just 1.74kg. It features a 15.6-inch Full HD display, Intel Core i5 processor, up to 64GB RAM, and two M.2 slots for SSDs. The laptop also includes a fingerprint reader, webcam, speaker grille, and a spill-resistant keyboard. You may find HP ZBook Power G10 a better fit, thanks to its superior features.
Support and Maintenance
The HP EliteBook 650 G9 offers solid support and maintenance features for businesses. The laptop's upgrade ability is good, with two SO-DIMM slots for up to 64GB RAM and two M.2 slots for SSDs. This ensures a snappy experience during heavy use. With a robust chassis and good build quality, the EliteBook 650 G9 provides reliable support for business users. However, its thermal performance can be improved with better cooling.
Pros
1. The laptop is quite portable with a weight of just 1.74 kilograms and a profile of 19.9 millimeters.
2. The keyboard is very good with a backlight and spill resistance typing feels great as the key travel is long and the feedback is clicky.
3. The touchpad surface is really smooth and the tracking is quite clicky
4. The input/output ports show good coverage with a LAN port, one full-sized 5G USB port, and an optional smart card reader on the left side.
5. The laptop has a solid chassis and good upgrade ability with two SO-DIMM slots for up to 64 GB of DDR4 memory and 2 M.2 slots.
6. The device is relatively quiet with temperatures that can't be felt on the outside, even during intense use
7. The laptop's short load performance is good, resulting in a snappy experience when using it
8. The EliteBook 650 G9 has a decent battery life of up to 9 hours and 15 minutes of web browsing or 7 hours and 17 minutes of video playback
Cons
1. There's still some flex when twisting the lid or pressing on the base, which affects durability
2. The display selection is limited, with only a 1366x768 or Full HD IPS panel option available
3. The FHD display has only 51% sRGB coverage, making it unsuitable for professional color-related work
4. The laptop's power consumption can get high during intense use, reaching up to 45 watts in the first few seconds of our test
5. The CPU performance is not as good as some other laptops with the same processor (e.g. Dell Latitude 153530)
6. The base can get hot, reaching temperatures of up to 35 degrees Celsius during intense use
7. There's no PWM usage on the display, but it may be an issue for users who are sensitive to screen flicker
8. The battery pack is relatively small at 42.75 Wh, which might affect battery life in more demanding scenarios
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