A good laptop is an essential asset for small and big businesses alike. Compared to consumer laptops, business laptops come with better components, offer more configuration options, and have unique design features, such as brighter displays. They also have better security, which is important for protecting sensitive data.
While there are many business laptops out there, HP stands out with its ProBook and EliteBook lineups. Different configurations and differences between these models make each lineup more suitable for different types of professionals.
Let’s break down everything you need to know about the HP ProBook and EliteBook business laptops so you can find the right model for you.
HP ProBook vs. EliteBook: Side-by-Side Comparison
| ProBook 440 G9 | EliteBook 1040 G10 | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for… | Writers, editors, office workers, small businesses | Programmers, web designers, medium to large businesses |
| Year | 2022 | 2023 |
| CPU | 12th Generation Intel Core i5 or i7 | 13th Generation Intel Core i5 or i7 |
| GPU | Intel Iris Xe Graphics | Intel Iris Xe Graphics |
| RAM | 16GB or 64GB | 16GB to 64GB |
| Internal Storage | 256GB to 2TB SSD | 256GB to 2TB SSD |
| NFC? | No | Yes, on request |
| Display Size | 14” or 15.6” | 14” |
| Display Type | TFT LCD | LED |
| Brightness | 250 nits | 250 to 1000 nits |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 pixels | 1920 x 1200 pixels |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 | 16:10 |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Pro | Windows 11 Pro |
| Price Range | Around $850 to $1,050 | Around $1,250 to $2,300 |
HP ProBook vs. EliteBook: What’s the Difference?
Hewlett-Packard (HP) is a pioneer in the computing industry. The company developed its first computer in 1966 and introduced its first portable computer, the Hewlett-Packard HP-110, in 1984. Considered an industry breakthrough at the time, that laptop was HP’s first milestone in a long line of outstanding models.
The brand released the first ProBook laptop in 2009. Today, the lineup includes several models with different specs and price points. They are all designed with business users in mind but are more suitable for casual business use or typing jobs.
Fitting above the mid-range ProBook, the EliteBook lineup was launched in 2008. Originally a replacement for HP’s Compaq high-end line of notebooks, the EliteBook models address demanding users. These laptops sport powerful processors, have outstanding specs, and some are customizable.
Comparing two whole lineups is challenging, so for the purpose of this article, we’re going to compare the latest models in each range, the ProBook 440 G9 and the EliteBook 1040 G10.
- 14" FHD IPS display
- 12 Gen Intel i7-1255U 10-core up to 4.7 GHz
- 32GB RAM
- 512GB PCIe SSD
- Intel Iris Xe
- Backlit keyboard
- Wi-Fi 6
- Bluetooth 5.2
- Windows 11 Pro
- Dockztorm Dock
- 14" 1920 x 1200 display
- Intel Core 13th Gen i7-1370P Tetradeca-core (14 core)
- Intel evo platform
- 32GB RAM
- 512GB SSD
Performance
The main difference between the ProBook and EliteBook business laptops is the type of processors they use. While both models are equipped with Intel CPUs, the latest ProBook sports a 12th-generation processor, whereas the EliteBook comes with a 13th-generation model.
There isn’t a steep difference in the single-core performance between the 12th and the 13th-Gen Intel, but the latter brings major improvements in the multi-core performance. Overall, the newer processor brings about 10 percent more speed for single-core tasks and around a 50 percent increment in speed for multi-core tasks such as video rendering.
Beyond the processor’s generation, both laptops are equipped with i5 or i7 CPUs. The other specs are similar, including 16GB to 64GB of RAM and 256GB to 2TB of internal storage, depending on the actual model.
Somewhat disappointing is the integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics card. On paper, it should be powerful enough to run most Adobe applications, but in real life, it struggles during graphically demanding tasks. Paired with the i7 processor, it might suit light video rendering and image editing applications, but neither laptop suits hard-core content creation.
That said, the EliteBook is a good choice for programmers, while the ProBook suits most office applications.
Display
At first glance, the ProBook and EliteBook laptops seem to have similar displays. However, there are some crucial differences.
While both measure 14 inches diagonally, the ProBook’s display has an FHD resolution and 16:9 aspect ratio. These are standard features seen in most consumer and business laptops, but the EliteBook manages to improve these specs.
Its display has a 16:10 aspect ratio, increasing the screen’s vertical real estate. This is another feature that can suit programmers (it allows you to see more code lines at once) as well as other professionals who appreciate a larger field of view.
The EliteBook’s resolution is also superior to the ProBook, although not by much. Nevertheless, the extra pixels increase the image quality.
Another thing the EliteBook can brag about is the screen’s brightness. The standard models come with a maximum brightness of 250 nits, which is the same as the ProBook. However, you can customize the laptop and choose from screens with a peak brightness of up to 1,000 nits.
Security
The increased security is one of the main reasons businesspeople buy business laptops. In this aspect, both the ProBook and the EliteBook are similar — both models come with the Wolf Pro Security Edition, developed to offer comprehensive endpoint protection.
Features include phishing and ransomware protection via hardware-enforced isolation technology, credential protection, and AI-enhanced antivirus protection. HP monitors the laptop’s security through a cloud-based general management console and offers three years of upgrades from the laptop’s release date.
©Lukmanazis/Shutterstock.com
Battery and Charging
Another similarity between the ProBook and EliteBook laptops is the battery type. Both models sport the HP Long Life 3-Cell, 51Whr battery that offers up to 13 hours of runtime per charge for simple tasks and around eight hours for more demanding applications. This feature alone makes these laptops ideal for folks who travel a lot.
A 65-watt power adapter charges the battery to 50 percent in about half an hour. Charging goes back to normal once the battery is half-charged, but it shouldn’t take more than two hours to fully charge the battery.
Customizations
HP offers both the ProBook and the EliteBook models in various standard variants. However, if none suits your needs, you can customize the EliteBook.
This option gives you the possibility to upgrade the components that matter most and downgrade the ones you don’t particularly care about so that you can save on costs and still make sure the laptop suits all your needs.
Some of the options only available through customization include a higher peak brightness for the monitor, WWAN Broadband Wireless that allows you to connect the laptop to your mobile’s broadband if you have no Wi-Fi, and near-field communication (NFC) that enables quick sharing of photos and documents with compatible devices, among others.
Price
The ProBook lineup includes entry and mid-range business laptops, and this fact is reflected in the price. You can spend around $850 to just over $1,000 to get the latest ProBook model. The EliteBook is a lot more expensive, with the highest-end variant costing around $2,300.
A customized EliteBook laptop could cost more than that, depending on what features you want to add.
HP ProBook vs. EliteBook: 5 Must-Know Facts
- The ProBook is HP’s lineup of entry-level and mid-range business laptops. These machines are ideal for office work and light content creation.
- The EliteBook is HP’s lineup of high-end business laptops. They are perfect for programmers and businesspeople who need more performance.
- Both laptops offer similar RAM and internal storage options and they use the same type of battery.
- The latest EliteBook model is customizable. This feature allows you to save on costs or boost performance.
- The EliteBook offers a higher resolution and more screen real estate than the ProBook while maintaining the same screen size.
- 14" FHD IPS display
- 12 Gen Intel i7-1255U 10-core up to 4.7 GHz
- 32GB RAM
- 512GB PCIe SSD
- Intel Iris Xe
- Backlit keyboard
- Wi-Fi 6
- Bluetooth 5.2
- Windows 11 Pro
- Dockztorm Dock
- 14" 1920 x 1200 display
- Intel Core 13th Gen i7-1370P Tetradeca-core (14 core)
- Intel evo platform
- 32GB RAM
- 512GB SSD
HP ProBook vs. EliteBook: Which One Should You Use?
To choose the right business laptop for you, think about your needs.
The EliteBook is an excellent option for programmers and web designers who need top performance. Its 13th-generation Intel processor can handle the most demanding tasks — just don’t expect the same from the integrated graphics card.
The ProBook is a better choice for general office work, writers, editors, and folks who don’t really care about the fastest CPU. Unless you run demanding tasks, it’s unlikely to notice a difference in performance, but this model can save you a buck.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Virrage Images/Shutterstock.com.
