HP ProBook 440 G9 Review: Your Ideal 14″ Business Laptop

In a world where technology evolves at a rapid pace, having the right laptop for your business or personal use is essential. The HP ProBook 440 G9 is the ninth generation of HP’s popular ProBook series, designed to meet the demands of both work and play. In this comprehensive review, we’ll delve into the features, performance, and capabilities of this 14″ business laptop powered by the Intel i7-1255U processor. Let’s explore whether it’s the perfect choice for your needs.

A Familiar Design

The HP ProBook 440 G9 maintains its classic design, and it’s instantly recognizable with its silver casing made of aluminum and plastic. Weighing just over three pounds (1.38 kilograms), it’s easy to carry with one hand. The laptop is military standard 810H certified, ensuring durability against daily wear and tear. While the display lid has minimal flex, the keyboard deck feels solid, making it a sturdy choice.

Accessible Internals

The laptop’s internals are fairly accessible for upgrades. You can easily open it by undoing the five Phillips captive screws and prying off the bottom panel with a plastic tool. Inside, you’ll find two SODIMM slots supporting up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM in dual-channel mode. There’s also a PCIe M.2 Gen 4 x4 SSD TLC slot for storage, offering up to one terabyte of storage space. Keep in mind that some G9 models come with a smaller 42-watt-hour battery, so check the specifications when making your choice.

Impressive Display

The ProBook 440 G9 features a 14-inch full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS display panel. With a brightness rating of 400 nits, it excels in situations where you need to work near bright light sources, such as a sunny window or outdoors in the shade. The IPS panel ensures excellent viewing angles, making it suitable for various tasks. While the color accuracy at 72% NTSC may not meet the needs of professional creatives, it offers a good contrast with rich blacks, which is ideal for office work, remote work, or college assignments.

Port Selection and Connectivity

The laptop offers a range of ports, ensuring you stay connected no matter where you are. On the left side, you’ll find a nano Kensington lock, a gigabit RJ45 Ethernet port, and a USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1 port (5 gigabits per second). On the right side, you have an AC power port, a USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 port (10 gigabits per second signaling and USB power delivery), an HDMI 2.1 port, a headphone-microphone combo jack, and an optional nano SIM card slot for LTE connectivity. The built-in Wi-Fi card supports Wi-Fi 6 (2×2) and Bluetooth 5.2, ensuring reliable wireless connectivity.

Comfortable Keyboard and Touchpad

The ProBook 440 G9 features HP’s premium keyboard, which is backlit and comfortable to type on. It’s also spill-resistant, providing peace of mind in case of accidents. The laptop’s touchpad is large and supports Windows Precision drivers, allowing for smooth and efficient gestures. Additionally, there’s an optional fingerprint reader for added biometric security.

Audio and Webcam

This laptop has dual stereo speakers and dual-array microphones. The speakers are located on top of the keyboard, resulting in front-facing audio, though the quality is average at best. They might not be the loudest, but they get the job done for office work and video calls. The 720P HD IR privacy webcam delivers decent quality for working from home or virtual meetings, but for higher quality, consider investing in an external 1080P or 4K webcam.

Impressive Performance

The ProBook 440 G9 we reviewed is equipped with the 12th generation Intel Core i7-1255U, part of the Alder Lake architecture. This CPU offers a blend of performance and efficiency, with two high-performance cores clocked between 1.7 and 4.7 GHz and eight efficient cores ranging from 1.2 to 3.5 GHz. Supporting 12 threads, the CPU’s TDP is rated at 15 watts.

Ample Memory and Storage

Our review model included a single 16GB stick of DDR4 RAM running at 3200 MHz, although it’s not the faster DDR5 found in higher-end models. Storage comes in the form of a 512GB PCIe 3.0 NVMe M.2 SSD, which ensures smooth performance for daily tasks.

Impressive Benchmark Results

In practical terms, the ProBook 440 G9 handles various tasks with ease. Whether you have multiple browser tabs open, are streaming music, engaging in video calls, handling email, or running productivity software, this laptop delivers a seamless experience. To maximize performance, keeping it plugged in is recommended, as performance can decrease on battery power.

Graphics Performance

The ProBook 440 G9 is equipped with an Intel Iris XE Graphics card, which provides decent performance for integrated graphics. It’s suitable for casual gaming and can handle tasks like video playback, office applications, and light gaming. However, for demanding titles, you may need to adjust settings to achieve smooth gameplay.

Battery Life

In terms of battery life, the ProBook 440 G9 shines during regular office tasks. With general office usage, you can expect around 8 to 9 hours of battery life. For light web browsing, it can stretch to approximately 12 hours, ensuring you can work a full day without needing to recharge. The laptop comes with a 45-watt USB Type-C adapter, which can charge the battery to 50% in just 30 minutes.

Security Features

The ProBook 440 G9 is equipped with a range of security features, including a fingerprint sensor, TPM 2.0 embedded security chip, and a Kensington lock for physical security. These elements work together to ensure your data remains safe.

The Software Suite

The ProBook 440 G9 comes with a suite of software, including the HP Wolf Security Suite, HPBC Q Arrays, and Short Click. These tools enhance the laptop’s security and functionality.

The Good and the Not-So-Good

The Good

• Durable and lightweight design
• Impressive display with high brightness and excellent viewing angles
• Generous port selection for connectivity
• Comfortable keyboard and touchpad
• Decent performance for daily tasks
• Good battery life
• A suite of security features for data protection

The Not-So-Good

• Average webcam quality
• Lack of Thunderbolt or SD card support
• Mediocre speakers

Conclusion

In the competitive market of 14-inch business laptops, the HP ProBook 440 G9 holds its own. With a sleek design, comfortable keyboard, and impressive display, it offers a compelling package. While it may not cater to creative professionals due to its color accuracy and speaker quality, it excels in office work, remote tasks, and video calls.

If you’re in search of an affordable, capable, and secure laptop for your business needs, the HP ProBook 440 G9 is a solid choice. Its cool and silent operation, coupled with efficient security tools, make it an excellent pick for professionals and students alike.

So, if you want a reliable work companion that’s ready for action, consider the HP ProBook 440 G9 for your next laptop upgrade.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I upgrade the RAM in the HP ProBook 440 G9?

• Yes, the ProBook 440 G9 has two SODIMM slots, allowing you to upgrade the RAM to a maximum of 32GB.

2. Does the laptop support Thunderbolt connectivity?

• No, the ProBook 440 G9 lacks Thunderbolt support. This feature is typically reserved for higher-end HP laptop models.

3. Is the laptop suitable for gaming?

• While it can handle casual gaming, the laptop’s integrated graphics may struggle with demanding titles. It’s best for work-related tasks.

4. Can I use an external webcam with the ProBook 440 G9 for better video quality?

• Yes, you can use an external 1080P or 4K webcam for improved video quality during virtual meetings or streaming.

5. What is the battery life of the ProBook 440 G9 when not connected to the mains?

• When running on battery power, the laptop offers around 8 to 9 hours of battery life, making it suitable for a full day’s work.