HP 840 G3 14", Core i7-6600U, 8GB, 256GB SSD
The Intel Core i7-6600U processor and 8GB of RAM keep office tasks and web browsing responsive on this 14-inch business laptop. Its 256GB SSD provides quick boot times and ample storage for documents, while Windows 10 Pro adds security features like BitLocker. This refurbished HP 840 G3 is best for budget-conscious business users or students who need a reliable, no-frills machine for productivity and light multitasking.
No current retailer price
Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
The HP 840 G3 is a refurbished business laptop with a mid-tier CPU, limited RAM, and a weak screen. It's fine for basic office tasks but struggles with anything more demanding. At this price, you can probably find something better.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Windows 10 Pro out of the box 67th
- SSD keeps boot times snappy 66th
- Compact 14-inch design is easy to carry
- Decent CPU for basic office tasks
Cons
- Only 8GB of RAM, and it's not upgrade-friendly
- Screen quality is a real letdown
- Port selection is one of the worst we've seen
- Integrated graphics can't handle anything beyond basic video
The proof
Performance
The Core i7-6600U is a dual-core chip from 2015, and it lands right in the middle of the pack in our database. For basic tasks like web browsing, spreadsheets, and video calls, it'll get by. But 8GB of RAM is a real bottleneck these days, and the integrated graphics are near the bottom of the charts. Don't even think about gaming. The 256GB SSD is small but at least it's an SSD, so boot times won't make you want to throw the thing out a window. Just don't expect to keep many files or apps on it.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Processor
| CPU | Intel Core i7 6600U |
| Cores | 2 |
| Frequency | 2.6 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB |
Memory & Storage
| RAM | 8 GB |
| Storage | 256 GB |
| Storage Type | SSD |
Display
| Size | 14" |
Physical
| OS | Windows 10 Pro |
vs Competition
Stacked against the Apple MacBook Pro M5 or Microsoft Surface Laptop 7th Edition, this HP looks ancient. Those machines have better screens, faster chips, and way more modern port setups. The Lenovo Legion 5i and Acer Predator Helios Neo are gaming laptops, so they're in a completely different league for graphics. Even the ASUS ProArt PX13, which is a creator-focused machine, runs circles around the 840 G3 in every category. The only thing this HP has going for it is the price, and even that isn't great.
| Spec | HP 840 G3 14" | Apple MacBook Air M4 | Lenovo Legion 5i 83F00008US | ASUS ProArt PX13 | MSI Creator A13V | Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro NP944XHA-KG2US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i7 6600U | Apple M4 | Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX | AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 388 | Intel Core i7 13620H | Intel Core Ultra 7 256V |
| RAM (GB) | 8 | 24 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 16 |
| Storage (GB) | 256 | 1024 | 1024 | 512 | 2048 | 512 |
| Screen | 14" | 13.6" 2560x1664 | 15.1" 2560x1600 | 13.3" 2880x1800 | 14" 2880x1800 | 14" 2880x1800 |
| GPU | - | Apple (10-Core) | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 | AMD Radeon Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 | Intel Arc Graphics |
| OS | Windows 10 Pro | macOS | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Pro |
| Weight (kg) | - | 1.2 | 2 | 1.4 | 1.6 | 1.2 |
| Battery (Wh) | - | 54 | 80 | 73 | 54 | 63 |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | CPU | GPU | RAM | Ports | Screen | Portability | Storage | Reliability | Social Proof | Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HP 840 G3 14" | 9.3 | 6.3 | 13.3 | 3.5 | 19.9 | 66 | 15.8 | 33.4 | 64.4 | 66.9 |
| Apple MacBook Air M4 Compare | 76.1 | 74.8 | 65 | 51.5 | 87 | 91.4 | 79.3 | 98.1 | 99.4 | 27.5 |
| Lenovo Legion 5i 83F00008US Compare | 94.6 | 87.5 | 86.4 | 97.3 | 94.4 | 56.4 | 79.3 | 81.8 | 89.3 | 27.3 |
| ASUS ProArt PX13 Compare | 87.8 | 90.8 | 90.9 | 71.3 | 95.4 | 93 | 51 | 60.4 | 96 | 18 |
| MSI Creator A13V Compare | 75 | 90 | 83.9 | 68 | 89.7 | 73 | 93.9 | 60.4 | 64.4 | 28.7 |
| Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro NP944XHA-KG2US Compare | 68.7 | 68.8 | 50 | 83.3 | 91.6 | 89.4 | 51 | 81.8 | 98.4 | 37.9 |
Price
Value & Pricing
There's no listed price in USD, but the CAD listing sits at 674. That's a lot of money for a laptop this old, even refurbished. You can find newer machines with better screens, more RAM, and actual port selection for similar money. The 4.8-star rating from four reviews is nice, but four reviews is a tiny sample. If you can get this thing for a steep discount, maybe. At full asking price, it's a tough sell.
We started tracking prices for this product on May 22, 2026. The chart appears once we have more data.
Read more
Overview
The HP 840 G3 is a refurbished business laptop from a different era. You get an Intel Core i7-6600U, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD in a 14-inch chassis. It runs Windows 10 Pro, which is fine for office work and light browsing, but this thing is not built for modern workloads.
Our database puts this laptop in a rough spot. The CPU is about average, but the RAM, storage, and ports all rank near the bottom. The screen is a weak point too. If you need a cheap machine for email and documents, it might work. If you need anything more, keep scrolling.
Common Questions
Q: Can this laptop handle video editing or photo work?
No. The integrated graphics and 8GB of RAM will choke on anything beyond basic photo viewing. The screen is also a weak point for color accuracy.
Q: Is the RAM upgradeable?
The 840 G3 typically has two RAM slots, but with 8GB already installed and the age of this machine, upgrading isn't always cost-effective. Check the specific refurb unit before buying.
Q: How is the battery life on a refurbished unit?
Battery life varies a lot on refurbished laptops. Some units get fresh batteries, others don't. Expect anywhere from 3 to 6 hours depending on the battery's condition.
Who Should Skip This
Skip this if you need a decent screen, modern ports, or any kind of graphics performance. Also skip it if you plan to run more than a few browser tabs at once. The 8GB of RAM will have you pulling your hair out. And if you care about battery life, a refurb with unknown battery health is a gamble.
Verdict
This is a machine for someone who needs a basic Windows laptop for light office work and doesn't care about screen quality, ports, or future-proofing. If you're a student on a tight budget or a business that needs a fleet of cheap machines for email and documents, it might do the job. Everyone else should look elsewhere.
Usage Scores
- Overall24.7
- AI/LLM6.7
- Gaming5.1
- Portability41.6
- Creator7.5
- Student48.9
- Business28.9
- Developer18.9
- Entertainment21.3