HP EliteBook 1040 G3
The HP EliteBook 1040 G3 is a highly portable business laptop loaded with security features, including an innovative display that makes it easy to keep prying eyes away from your sensitive business data. In addition to its Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of memory, 256GB solid-state drive (SSD), and USB-C port, its display is equipped with an innovative built-in privacy system for safeguarding your data. The screen works well when the privacy features are activated, but you’ll have to put up with reduced image and text quality when they’re turned off. If you often find yourself needing to work on company secrets in public, the EliteBook 1040 G3 might be worth these minor annoyances.
Design and Features
The EliteBook 1040 G3 looks like many recent premium business laptops, with a matte silver aluminum body. It’s durable, and has endured MIL-STD 801G testing for extreme temperatures, occasional drops to the floor, vibration, and the like; the keyboard is spill-resistant, too. Measuring 0.65 by 13.3 by 9.2 inches (HWD) and weighing 3.64 pounds, the EliteBook 1040 G3 is sturdy but still likely to fit in a variety of commuter bags so your workers can do their jobs from anywhere.
The backlit keyboard feels comfortable and has full key travel. There’s a fingerprint reader on the lower right for use with Windows Hello, or if your IT infrastructure demands it. Speaking of which, there’s also a smart card reader, HP’s Sure Start BIOS protection helps you secure your data, and the SSD is self-encrypting. While some government and private concerns may mandate this level of security, you can also make use of these features as a small business owner.
The speakers are optimized for the Web conferences you’re likely to attend on the laptop. Volume and audio clarity are tuned for speech rather than for music, so keep those headphones handy if you’re listening to Spotify at work.
The EliteBook 1040 G3 was competitive at the multimedia tests, including Handbrake (2 minutes, 2 seconds), CineBench (320 points), and Photoshop (4:31). That said, systems with much nicer screens, like the Apple MacBook Pro, the Asus ZenBook Pro UX501VW-DS71T, and the Dell XPS 15 were much better performers. Likewise, they and the Microsoft Surface Book beat the EliteBook on the 3D gaming tests, thanks to their discrete graphics solutions—not that you’re going to play games on the business-oriented EliteBook, anyway.
Battery life is on the middling side: 6 hours, 55 minutes, on our rundown test. While it’s true that this will last you most of a workday, the Apple MacBook Pro, the Asus ZenBook Pro, the Dell XPS 13, and the Lenovo ThinkPad X260 all lasted longer than 10 hours. The class leaders are the Surface Book and the ThinkPad X260 with an extended battery, at 19:16 and 23:08, respectively.
If you’re already used to the annoyances of a removable privacy screen, then the HP EliteBook 1040 G3 is a fine solution. It’s fast, durable, comfortable to use—a modern business laptop in every sense of the word. But if you or your workers aren’t using privacy screens on a regular basis, the somewhat foggy display may elicit complaints, especially when the Sure View features are turned off. The Lenovo ThinkPad X260 remains our Editors’ Choice for business ultraportable laptops because of its lower purchase price, appeal to general office workers who don’t need instant-on screen security, and its superior battery endurance.
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