HP EliteBook 865 G10 review
The HP HP EliteBook 865 G10 ranks as the #365 laptops globally, achieving a LibraScore of 74. Across all metrics, this product stands out most for its #77-ranked connectivity among 417 laptops. Consider the HP EliteBook 865 G9 or HP ZBook Fury 16 G11, which offer higher scores while staying in the same price range.
Is it Worth it?
The HP EliteBook 865 G10 is a refined version of its predecessor, offering phenomenal performance with the AMD Ryzen 7 Pro processor. It's a Swiss knife of quintessential business laptops, boasting a quiet and comfortable keyboard, large touchpad, and good webcam quality. The battery life is impressive, lasting all day on moderate use. However, the UK HP store's decision to sell it with a subpar display panel and smaller battery is puzzling. Overall, it's a solid choice for business users seeking performance, durability, and portability, but at a price that might be hard to justify.
Build
The HP EliteBook 865 G10 boasts a sturdy build that exudes professionalism. The aluminum lid and magnesium alloy keyboard deck provide a premium feel, while the 16-inch display is nestled in a robust metal frame. Weighing in at 2.25 kg, it's both portable and durable. The laptop's dimensions are well-balanced, making it easy to carry around without sacrificing comfort. Overall, the build quality of the HP EliteBook 865 G10 is impressive, reflecting its business-class origins. It's a laptop that can withstand daily wear and tear with ease. You might prefer HP Spectre x360 16, designed with an upgraded build for a better experience.
Display
The HP EliteBook 865 G10's display is a mixed bag. The decent image quality is overshadowed by the UK HP store's decision to sell it with a poor 250 nits panel. In contrast, the US HP store sells variants with 400 nits panels, making the UK model feel inferior. This inconsistency is puzzling and disappointing. A higher nit display would elevate the overall user experience, but as it stands, the display feels like a compromise. For a superior display, HP Spectre x360 16 could be the right choice.
Performance
The HP EliteBook 865 G10 delivers impressive performance with the AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 7840U processor. It balances power and efficiency, offering top-notch performance for demanding users while providing excellent battery life. The integrated Radeon RX 780M GPU is no slouch, allowing for smooth gaming and graphics rendering. With up to 32GB of dual-channel memory, you can take full advantage of the processor's capabilities. Overall, the EliteBook 865 G10's performance is a major highlight, making it an excellent choice for business users who need a powerful yet efficient laptop. A better alternative might be HP ZBook Firefly 16 G11, featuring a next-level performance.
Battery and Charging
The HP EliteBook 865 G10 boasts an impressive six-cell 76W battery that provides all-day battery life with moderate use. Video playback at 50% brightness yields around 12.5 hours, while light general work usage gives over 10 hours. However, heavy workloads at maximum performance and 100% brightness result in just under 3.5 hours of battery life. A 110W external AC power adapter is included for rapid charging, with an additional USB Type-A port that also charges devices up to 10 watts.
Connectivity
The HP EliteBook 865 G10 boasts an impressive array of connectivity options. It features two USB 4 ports for rapid data transfer, as well as two legacy USB-A ports and an HDMI connector. An SD card reader and Ethernet port are also included, making it easy to connect peripherals and stay productive on the go. The inclusion of a built-in 5G eSIM card is a welcome feature, allowing users to sign up for prepaid data plans with ease. If you’re after a better connectivity, HP ProBook 465 G11 could be the ideal option.
Features
The HP EliteBook 865 G10 boasts impressive features, including a quiet and comfortable keyboard, smooth touchpad, and decent webcam suitable for virtual meetings. It offers plenty of ports, including two USB4 ports and HDMI connector. The laptop's battery life is exceptional, providing all-day use with its six-cell 76w battery. HP Pavilion Plus 16 might be a smarter choice, offering an upgraded features.
Support and Maintenance
The HP EliteBook 865 G10 excels in support and maintenance with robust security features, including TPM, webcam privacy shutter, and IR sensor for facial recognition. Additionally, the laptop offers seamless integration with business software tools for streamlined IT management.
Pros
1. The AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 7840U processor gives you the best of both worlds, using tons of power for demanding users but giving excellent battery life and near Silent Running.
2. The quiet comfortable keyboard is easy to type on for long hours with impressive inputs targeted at business users.
3. The gigantic touchpad is smooth and precise, good enough to keep my Bluetooth mouse in sync.
4. The 5 megapixel webcam doesn't fail very good quality in less than decent lighting conditions thanks to AI software enhancements.
5. The device has plenty of ports to plug in your other devices without carrying adapters or a portable docking station.
6. Battery life is excellent with the 76w battery giving a day's work plus added performance time for 5G.
7. The processor and integrated GPU (Radon 780M) deliver phenomenal performance for business power users but are frugal in power usage.
8. The device is perfect for those who want a spot of after-hours gaming, especially with an upgrade to 32 GB dual Channel memory.
Cons
1. The UK HP store sells the G10 with a poor 250 nits display panel, which is ridiculous compared to the US variant's 400 nits panel.
2. The device comes with a smaller 51w battery in some configurations, which may not provide enough power for demanding users.
3. The lack of an integrated 5G eSIM card means business users can't sign up to prepaid data plans on the go.
4. The display panel's low brightness may be a issue for those who work in bright environments.
5. The device may not have enough ports for some users, although this is mitigated by its portable docking station capabilities.
6. Battery life suffers when using heavy workloads or high-performance settings (3.5 hours).
7. Upgrading to 32 GB dual Channel memory is necessary to get the most out of the integrated GPU for gaming and demanding tasks.
8. The device's design may not be as sleek as some other laptops on the market, but it makes up for this with its excellent performance and features.
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