HP EliteBook Buying Guide: G3 to G10 for Kenyan Buyers

The HP EliteBook is one of the most common Ex-UK laptops in Kenya, and with good reason. These machines were built for corporate use, with strong keyboards, solid bodies and enterprise features. Their model names look intimidating, but they follow a simple pattern.

How to read the name

Take the HP EliteBook 840 G8. The 8 indicates the 800 series, the upper business tier. The 4 usually indicates a 14-inch screen, and a 3 means 13.3 inches. The final 0 or 5 matters too: 840 models generally use Intel chips, while 845 models use AMD Ryzen. G8 is the generation, so a G8 is newer than a G6.

The 640 and 645 are the 600 series, a step down in materials and price. The x360 models fold back into tablet mode.

Why the processor generation matters most

Look at the Intel generation on the listing:

• 6th Gen (840 G3): old. Fine for office work and browsing on a tight budget, but near the end of its useful life.
• 8th Gen (830 and 840 G5, G6): introduced four cores to thin laptops, which makes these a good budget choice.
• 10th Gen (G7): a modest step, and a good value.
• 11th Gen (G8): noticeably better integrated graphics and overall speed.
• 12th Gen (G9): adds performance and efficiency cores and is the strongest Intel option here.

Windows 11 officially requires Intel 8th Gen or newer on most systems, which is a very good reason to avoid going older unless the price is exceptional. Microsoft ended regular Windows 10 support in October 2025.

AMD options

The 845 G8, 845 G9 and 645 G10 use AMD Ryzen chips, which offer strong multi-core performance and generally better integrated graphics than comparable Intel chips of the same age. They are worth considering if you use design or data tools.

RAM and storage

8GB of RAM is workable for office tasks, and 16GB is much more comfortable for many browser tabs, Excel models or light development. Many EliteBooks use soldered memory on some models, so ask whether it can be upgraded before relying on that.

A 256GB SSD is the minimum we recommend. External storage can help, and our portable storage guide explains the options.

Which one to buy

• Budget: 840 G5 or 840 G6.
• Best overall value: 840 G7 or 840 G8.
• Newer and stronger: 840 G9 or 845 G9.
• Compact: 830 models at 13.3 inches.
• Tablet flexibility: x360 models, covered in our 2-in-1 guide.

Before you pay

Check battery health using Windows's battery report, since old laptop batteries often wear out. Our Ex-UK laptop checklist walks through the process. Ex-UK laptop listings state their warranty, so read it before ordering.

If you prefer a different design, compare with the Lenovo ThinkPad and Dell Latitude ranges.