HP EliteBook 840 G6 14" Vs Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 13"

The HP EliteBook 840 G6 14 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 13 are business-oriented laptops released in 2019, each offering a distinct approach to mobile computing. While both run on the Windows operating system, they cater to different user preferences through their design, internal components, and feature sets. The EliteBook emphasizes robust connectivity and user-serviceability, whereas the Surface Laptop prioritizes a sleek aesthetic and a high-resolution display.

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, their release timelines and design philosophies play a significant role. Both laptops, being Windows machines, benefit from ongoing software support and security updates from Microsoft, ensuring they remain functional and secure for several years.

• Release Timeline and Age: Both the HP EliteBook 840 G6 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 were released in 2019, meaning they have a similar starting point for their lifecycle. The EliteBook was introduced in March 2019, while the Surface Laptop 3 followed in October 2019.
• Software Longevity: As Windows devices, both are eligible for upgrades to newer Windows versions, extending their software support. The HP EliteBook 840 G6 typically ships with Windows 10 Pro and is compatible with Windows 11 Pro, offering enhanced features for business users. The Surface Laptop 3, often running Windows 10 Home, also supports an upgrade to Windows 11.
• Repairability and Practical Lifespan: The HP EliteBook 840 G6 stands out for its high repairability, with components like RAM, SSD, and the battery being easily accessible and replaceable, contributing to a longer practical lifespan through upgrades and repairs. In contrast, the Surface Laptop 3, while an improvement over its predecessors, has a more integrated design where the SSD is removable by a skilled technician, but the RAM is soldered, and the battery is glued, making user-level repairs more challenging.

The performance of these laptops is influenced by their internal hardware, particularly the processor generation, memory configuration, and storage solutions, impacting how smoothly they handle daily tasks and demanding applications.

• Processor Capabilities: The HP EliteBook 840 G6 is equipped with 8th Generation Intel Core i5 or i7 processors, providing reliable performance for general office tasks, multitasking, and moderate workloads. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 features 10th Generation Intel Core i5 or i7 processors, which generally offer improved efficiency and slightly better performance for everyday computing and more intensive applications.
• Memory and Storage: The EliteBook 840 G6 offers significant flexibility with up to 64GB of DDR4 RAM across two user-accessible slots, allowing for future upgrades to enhance multitasking capabilities. Storage is handled by fast NVMe M.2 SSDs, available in capacities up to 2TB. The Surface Laptop 3 comes with 8GB or 16GB of RAM, which is soldered and not upgradeable, limiting future memory expansion. It also uses SSD storage, with options up to 1TB, which can be replaced by a technician.
• Real-world Responsiveness: Both devices deliver a responsive experience for typical productivity tasks. Users of the EliteBook report it handles coding and browser tabs without issues. The Surface Laptop 3 is noted for its snappy feel and ability to handle various applications smoothly, with its newer processor generation providing a slight edge in demanding scenarios.

The visual experience on a laptop is largely defined by its display, and both the EliteBook 840 G6 and the Surface Laptop 3 offer distinct screen characteristics that cater to different user preferences.

• Display Technology and Resolution: The HP EliteBook 840 G6 features a 14-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS anti-glare display, with options for higher brightness and even a UHD (3840 x 2160) resolution. This provides clear visuals suitable for productivity and general media consumption. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 3, on the other hand, sports a 13.5-inch PixelSense display with a resolution of 2256 x 1504 pixels, resulting in a higher pixel density and a sharper image than standard Full HD.
• Aspect Ratio and Viewing Experience: The EliteBook typically uses a 16:9 aspect ratio, which is common for widescreen media and multitasking with two windows side-by-side. The Surface Laptop 3 features a 3:2 aspect ratio, offering more vertical screen real estate, which can be beneficial for document editing, web browsing, and coding, as it shows more content without scrolling.
• Brightness and Clarity: The EliteBook offers various brightness levels, including options up to 400 nits and even 1000 nits with a privacy screen, making it adaptable to different lighting conditions. The Surface Laptop 3's display reaches around 348 nits of brightness, providing good visibility for indoor use and decent clarity. Both displays offer good contrast and viewing angles.

For communication and media consumption, the camera, microphone, and speaker quality are important considerations, and both laptops provide functional solutions for their target users.

• Camera System: Both laptops include a 720p HD webcam, suitable for video conferencing and online meetings. The HP EliteBook 840 G6 offers an optional HD IR webcam with HP Privacy Camera for enhanced security and privacy. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 also includes a 720p webcam and features Windows Hello face authentication via an integrated infrared camera, allowing for quick and secure logins. Users have noted the Surface Laptop 3's webcam is clear.
• Audio Quality: The EliteBook 840 G6 is equipped with Bang & Olufsen dual stereo speakers and three multi-array microphones with HP Noise Cancellation, aiming for clear audio during calls and a rich sound experience. Users have praised the EliteBook's speakers for their rich sound. The Surface Laptop 3 features Omnisonic speakers with Dolby Audio Premium, with sound emanating from beneath the keyboard. Users often commend the Surface Laptop's speakers for their loudness, clarity, and bass response.
• Microphone Performance: Both devices incorporate features to improve microphone quality for calls. The EliteBook's multi-array microphones and noise cancellation are designed to reduce background distractions. The Surface Laptop 3's microphones are also generally well-regarded for clear voice pickup.