Overview
I used the EliteBook 845 G11 as my daily work laptop for a week to see how HP’s AMD business offering competes with Lenovo’s ThinkPad X1 Carbon. Short version: it’s a solid, no-nonsense machine. The Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS runs everything I threw at it, the build is tough, and the webcam is genuinely good. It’s not flashy, and that’s the point.
Performance
The Ryzen 7 PRO 8840HS is a capable business chip with surprisingly good integrated graphics. The Radeon 780M handled my Office workflow, Teams calls, and browser-heavy multitasking without breaking a sweat. I even did some light photo editing in Lightroom and it kept up. The 32 GB of LPDDR5x RAM means I never hit a multitasking wall.
The AMD PRO designation adds enterprise security features: Microsoft Pluton, AMD Memory Guard, and AMD Shadow Stack. If you work in IT, those matter. If you’re buying for yourself, they’re there but invisible.
Display
The 14-inch 1920x1200 IPS panel at 400 nits is bright and usable in most environments. The 16:10 aspect ratio gives more vertical space than 16:9 panels. Colors are fine for business use. Documents, presentations, and web browsing all look good. This is not a creative display, and it doesn’t need to be.
The lack of a QHD option in this configuration is a miss. The ThinkPad X1 Carbon offers a 2.8K OLED upgrade that puts this screen to shame. HP does offer higher-res panels in custom configs, but out of the box, you’re stuck at 1080p+.
Build and Durability
MIL-STD-810H rated for drops, vibration, temperature extremes, and dust. I didn’t drop-test it (I’m not a monster), but the aluminum chassis feels like it could handle it. At 3.09 lbs, I carried it all day without noticing the weight. The hinge is firm and the lid doesn’t flex. This laptop feels built to last.
Keyboard and Trackpad
HP’s EliteBook keyboard is very good. Not quite ThinkPad level (nothing is), but comfortable for all-day typing with decent travel and spacing. The trackpad is large and responsive. The 5 MP webcam with a physical privacy shutter is excellent for video calls. I looked noticeably better on camera than with my previous 1080p webcam laptop.
Battery
The 56 Wh battery delivered 7 to 8 hours of real productivity in my testing. Adequate, but not class-leading. The Dell Latitude 9450 and its 12+ hours put this to shame. For a normal workday with access to an outlet at some point, it’s fine. For all-day travel, you’ll want the charger.
Enterprise Features
AMD PRO manageability, DASH support, HP Wolf Security Suite, TPM 2.0, optional smart card reader, optional 4G/5G WWAN. IT departments get the management tools they need. Individual buyers get Windows 11 Pro included, which is a nice touch.