You juggle multiple roles. By day, you might be a top executive in a corporate boardroom, managing the financial fortunes of a business conglomerate, or perhaps climbing the career ladder rapidly. By evening, you switch to being a social media enthusiast or a content creator, and by night, you indulge in binge-watching entertainment web series. On occasional weekends, you transform into a gaming enthusiast or an AI artist. If this resonates with you, as it does with many, the common thread among all these roles is the tool you carry in your backpack: the HP Elitebook 865 G10 laptop computer. If you've ever felt the need for a device that matches your lifestyle and aspirations across these diverse roles, HP has introduced a laptop that caters to your needs.
Starting with its appearance, if you aim to dominate the boardroom, you need to be impeccably dressed and accessorized. This new Elitebook complements your attire with its sleek, satiny silver finish and a form that resembles a masterpiece sculpted from a single block of shiny metal. Although it's made of aluminium, its look and feel evoke the elegance of expensive titanium. This laptop pairs perfectly with your Armani suit for a crucial meeting or with your casual Levis and New Balance outfit for the weekend.
Beyond aesthetics, the Elitebook 865 G10 is designed for functionality. The large touchpad offers a responsive, ultra-smooth surface; the left and right click buttons are both firm and reassuring; the chiclet keyboard is well-spaced for comfortable typing, with keys that provide the right amount of resistance and tactile feedback; the keyboard backlight is bright yet unobtrusive for typing in low light; and the screen hinge is tight enough for easy opening and closing, maintaining any half-open position. Additionally, the charger brick features a pebble-like, rounded-edged design with an extra USB charger port for charging your mobile phone while using the Elitebook, and the power cable is a durable, nylon-braided one, designed to last.
The form of the Elitebook 865 G10 seamlessly transitions to its function. The screen is a spacious 16-inch with a resolution of 1920 by 1200 pixels at a 60Hz refresh rate, performing admirably in various tasks from viewing HD content to editing photographs and using office software. This performance is enhanced by the AMD Ryzen 9 PRO processor, AMD Radeon 780M graphics adaptor, 32GB RAM, and 1TB SSD hard drive, all either standard or slightly above what competitors offer. In terms of connectivity, the laptop includes two USB Type-A ports, an HDMI port, a smart card reader, a SIM card slot with LTE support, and two USB Type-C ports, although one doubles as the power input, which we felt was a missed opportunity for greater connectivity.
The webcam is a 5MP with infrared, compatible with Windows Hello, providing clear video images with a 3,840 by 2,160 capture. The built-in software ensures the main subject is never too dark, and the bundled myHP software allows for customizable settings. For security, a fingerprint scanner is included, though its setup and configuration seemed cumbersome in our test. A standout feature is the built-in Bang & Olufsen speakers, which fire downwards to amplify sound by bouncing it off the desktop, delivering excellent loudness without losing clarity and musicality. The battery life and quiet operation are also notable, providing over 10 hours on a single charge and absolute silence during use.
However, heat management is a concern, with the 865 G10 running hot, especially near the hinge. While this isn't an issue when used on a table, caution is advised when using it on your lap during travel. Overall, the HP Elitebook 865 G10 performs well as an everyday laptop for both work and play, offering a visually appealing package that adds style to its user. Priced at Dh2,999, it's a competitive and value-for-money option for those seeking a good-looking everyday laptop.
