HP EliteBook 840 G6 14" vs Lenovo ThinkPad L390 13"

The HP EliteBook 840 G6 and the Lenovo ThinkPad L390 are business-oriented laptops designed for productivity and reliability. Released in 2019 and late 2018/early 2019 respectively, these devices offer distinct form factors and features tailored for professionals and students. While the EliteBook 840 G6 provides a larger display, the ThinkPad L390 emphasizes portability, with some configurations offering 2-in-1 versatility. Both operate on the Windows ecosystem, providing a familiar user experience.

When considering the practical lifespan of these laptops, several factors come into play, including their release timelines, operating system support, and physical construction.

• Release Timeline and OS Support: Both the HP EliteBook 840 G6 (2019) and the Lenovo ThinkPad L390 (late 2018/early 2019) were introduced around the same period, featuring 8th generation processors. This means they generally receive similar durations of Windows operating system updates and security patches, ensuring continued software compatibility for a comparable number of years. Users can expect a solid practical lifespan for general productivity tasks.
• Build Quality and Durability: The HP EliteBook 840 G6 features an aluminum chassis, contributing to a robust feel suitable for daily professional use. The Lenovo ThinkPad L390 combines an aluminum top cover with a glass fiber reinforced polymer base, and it has undergone MIL-STD 810G durability testing, indicating a design built to withstand various environmental stresses and everyday handling.
• Repairability: Both models are business-grade laptops, which typically means they are designed with a degree of serviceability in mind, allowing for component upgrades or repairs to extend their useful life. This aspect is particularly relevant for those considering a quality-assured refurbished option, as it supports the longevity of the device.

The performance of these laptops is geared towards efficient handling of everyday business applications, multitasking, and general computing needs.

• Processing Capabilities: Both the EliteBook 840 G6 and the ThinkPad L390 are equipped with processors that deliver responsive performance for common tasks such as document editing, web browsing, video conferencing, and managing multiple applications simultaneously. Users will find them capable for typical office workloads and educational activities.
• Memory and Storage: Both laptops offer various configurations for RAM, supporting smooth multitasking even with several applications open. They also utilize solid-state drives (SSDs) for storage, which translates to faster boot times, quicker application loading, and overall more responsive system performance compared to traditional hard drives.
• Battery Behavior: The HP EliteBook 840 G6 typically offers a battery life ranging from 12 to 16 hours under mobile usage settings, depending on the specific configuration and tasks. The Lenovo ThinkPad L390 is advertised with an impressive battery life of up to 14 hours. Actual battery duration for both models will vary based on usage patterns, screen brightness, and power management settings.

The visual experience on these laptops differs primarily in screen size and available display technologies, catering to varying user preferences for portability versus screen real estate.

• Display Size and Resolution: The HP EliteBook 840 G6 features a 14-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS display, providing a comfortable viewing area for productivity. The Lenovo ThinkPad L390 comes with a slightly more compact 13.3-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS display, which contributes to its portability. Both resolutions offer clear and sharp visuals for text and images.
• Brightness and Clarity: The EliteBook 840 G6 offers various display options, including panels with brightness levels ranging from 250 nits up to 1000 nits, with some configurations featuring HP Sure View for privacy. The ThinkPad L390's IPS panels typically offer brightness levels around 250-300 nits. Both provide good clarity for indoor use, with the higher brightness options on the EliteBook offering better visibility in brightly lit environments or outdoors.
• Touch and Form Factor: Both models offer configurations with touchscreens, enhancing interactivity. The Lenovo ThinkPad L390 also has a Yoga variant that allows the screen to fold back, transforming it into a tablet-like device, which adds significant versatility for presentations or note-taking.

For communication and media consumption, both laptops include standard audio-visual components designed for business and personal use.

• Webcam and Microphone Quality: Both the HP EliteBook 840 G6 and the Lenovo ThinkPad L390 are equipped with 720p HD webcams, suitable for video calls and online meetings. They also feature dual array microphones, which help in capturing clear audio and reducing background noise during conversations. The EliteBook 840 G6 specifically mentions HP Noise Cancellation software to further enhance call clarity.
• Speaker Output: The HP EliteBook 840 G6 integrates Bang & Olufsen dual stereo speakers, aiming to provide a rich audio experience for media playback and conference calls. The Lenovo ThinkPad L390 features stereo speakers with Dolby Audio Premium, designed to deliver clear sound for both voice and multimedia content.
• Video Recording: The 720p webcams on both devices are adequate for standard video recording needs, such as creating short presentations or participating in virtual events, though they are not designed for high-fidelity video production.