The HP EliteBook 8460p, released in 2011, was a popular business laptop known for its durability, performance, and stylish design. While it might seem outdated by today's standards, it still holds a place in the hearts of many users who appreciate its classic features and reliability. In this comprehensive review, we'll delve into the intricacies of the HP EliteBook 8460p, exploring its strengths, weaknesses, and overall value proposition.
Design and Build Quality
The EliteBook 8460p exudes a sense of ruggedness and professionalism. Its magnesium alloy chassis, while not as lightweight as modern laptops, offers exceptional durability. The laptop can withstand drops, bumps, and spills thanks to its MIL-STD 810G certification, a testament to its robust construction. This makes it a reliable companion for business travelers and professionals who need a device that can handle the rigors of everyday use.
The design is understated yet elegant, featuring a clean, minimalist aesthetic. The black matte finish adds a touch of sophistication while minimizing fingerprints. The compact size and lightweight design (4.2 lbs) make it easy to carry around, while the sturdy hinges ensure the display stays securely in place.
Display
The HP EliteBook 8460p boasts a 14-inch HD (1366x768) display with an anti-glare coating. While the resolution might seem dated compared to modern laptops with 1080p or even higher resolutions, it's still sufficient for most business tasks. The anti-glare coating helps reduce reflections, ensuring a comfortable viewing experience even in bright environments.
The display's viewing angles are relatively narrow, meaning the picture quality can degrade when viewed from the sides or at extreme angles. However, for typical use cases, the display delivers adequate performance for text, documents, and spreadsheets.
Keyboard and Touchpad
The EliteBook 8460p features a full-size keyboard with a comfortable typing experience. The keys have a good amount of travel and responsiveness, making it suitable for extended typing sessions. The keyboard is also spill-resistant, adding an extra layer of protection against accidental spills.
The touchpad is smooth and responsive, offering a comfortable and intuitive experience for navigating the desktop and using multi-touch gestures. However, some users might prefer a larger touchpad for more comfortable navigation.
Performance
The HP EliteBook 8460p offers a balanced performance for general productivity tasks, web browsing, and even light gaming. The available processors ranged from Intel Core i3 to Core i7, paired with up to 8GB of RAM. This configuration ensured smooth multitasking and fast application launch times. The integrated Intel HD Graphics 3000 provided sufficient graphics performance for everyday tasks and basic multimedia playback.
While not a gaming powerhouse, the EliteBook 8460p could handle older titles or casual games with moderate settings. However, demanding games or high-resolution video editing would require more powerful hardware.
Battery Life
The HP EliteBook 8460p provided decent battery life, lasting up to 6 hours on a single charge with moderate usage. This was sufficient for most workdays, but extended travel might require a power adapter.
The battery life heavily depended on usage patterns, screen brightness, and wireless connections. For example, using the laptop for web browsing and video streaming would drain the battery faster than using it for simple tasks like writing documents.
Connectivity
The HP EliteBook 8460p offered comprehensive connectivity options, including:
- Wi-Fi: Intel Centrino Wireless-N 1030
- Bluetooth: Bluetooth 2.1+ EDR
- Ethernet: Gigabit Ethernet
- Ports:
- 3 x USB 2.0
- 1 x USB 3.0
- VGA
- DisplayPort
- HDMI
- SD Card Reader
These options provided ample flexibility for connecting to networks, peripherals, and external displays. The inclusion of USB 3.0 and DisplayPort ensured high-speed data transfer and video output.
Audio
The HP EliteBook 8460p featured built-in stereo speakers that provided decent sound quality for everyday use. While they were not as powerful or rich as external speakers, they were adequate for conference calls, watching videos, and listening to music. The audio quality was sufficient for most basic multimedia needs, but audiophiles might find it lacking in detail and clarity.
Security
The HP EliteBook 8460p prioritized security with features like:
- Fingerprint Reader: Enhanced security for user authentication
- TPM Chip: Securely stores sensitive data
- BIOS Security: Protected from unauthorized access
- Drive Encryption: Encrypts data stored on the hard drive
These features provided a robust security framework, protecting sensitive data from unauthorized access.
Software and Operating System
The HP EliteBook 8460p shipped with Windows 7 Professional as the default operating system. It also included a suite of HP utilities and software, such as HP Support Assistant, HP QuickWeb, and HP ProtectTools. These tools provided enhanced security, productivity, and support features for business users.
Advantages
- Durable Build: The magnesium alloy chassis and MIL-STD 810G certification ensure durability and longevity.
- Solid Performance: The powerful Intel Core processors and ample RAM provide smooth multitasking and fast application launch times.
- Comfortable Keyboard: The full-size keyboard with good key travel offers a comfortable typing experience.
- Excellent Connectivity: The diverse range of ports and wireless connectivity options provide ample flexibility for connecting to peripherals and networks.
- Strong Security Features: The fingerprint reader, TPM chip, BIOS security, and drive encryption protect sensitive data from unauthorized access.
Disadvantages
- Dated Display: The 14-inch HD display, while functional, lacks the resolution and viewing angles of modern laptops.
- Limited Upgradeability: The laptop's components, including the RAM and hard drive, are not easily upgradeable.
- Short Battery Life: The battery life is decent but not exceptional, and extended usage might require a power adapter.
Overall
The HP EliteBook 8460p was a well-rounded business laptop that offered durability, performance, and security features for demanding professionals. Its rugged construction, comfortable keyboard, and comprehensive connectivity options made it a reliable choice for business travelers and office workers. However, the dated display and limited upgradeability might be drawbacks for users seeking the latest technology and customization options.
Conclusion
In the ever-evolving landscape of laptop technology, the HP EliteBook 8460p might seem like a relic of the past. However, its classic design, durability, and reliable performance make it a worthy contender for specific use cases. If you're looking for a rugged, reliable, and well-built laptop for basic productivity tasks, web browsing, and light computing, the HP EliteBook 8460p could be a suitable option. However, if you prioritize cutting-edge features, high-resolution displays, and exceptional battery life, modern laptops offer more compelling alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I upgrade the RAM and storage in the HP EliteBook 8460p?
While the HP EliteBook 8460p offers memory slots for upgrading the RAM, accessing them can be challenging due to its design. Similarly, replacing the hard drive might require a specialized toolkit and technical expertise. Therefore, upgrading the RAM and storage is not recommended for casual users.
2. Does the HP EliteBook 8460p have a built-in webcam?
Yes, the HP EliteBook 8460p features a built-in webcam, allowing for video conferencing and online meetings. However, the webcam's resolution and quality might not be as high as those found in modern laptops.
3. Is the HP EliteBook 8460p compatible with Windows 10?
While the HP EliteBook 8460p shipped with Windows 7 Professional, it can be upgraded to Windows 10. However, the performance might be impacted due to the laptop's older hardware and limited resources.
4. What are the typical prices for a used HP EliteBook 8460p?
Used HP EliteBook 8460p laptops can be found at various price points depending on their condition and specifications. Expect to pay between $100 and $300 for a well-maintained model.
5. Is the HP EliteBook 8460p worth buying in 2023?
The HP EliteBook 8460p is a classic business laptop with its strengths and weaknesses. While it might not be the best choice for demanding tasks requiring the latest technology, it can still be a reliable option for basic productivity, web browsing, and light computing. If you find a good deal on a used model and are willing to compromise on some features, the HP EliteBook 8460p can still be a suitable companion for your everyday computing needs.