HP EliteBook Folio 1040 G1 Pro Reviews

Building a work-centric notebook used to be straightforward; now, though, users expect the style of their consumer brethren, as well as something that won’t weigh down the average briefcase or bag, yet without making concessions on performance and security.On that front, the EliteBook Folio 1040 G1 holds up well. The balance it strikes leans further toward portability than it does power, and you certainly get a slim and relatively lightweight machine for your roughly $1,600. Those looking for something to do heavy-duty video processing should probably look to a higher-spec machine, but for everyday tasks it’s certainly sufficient. We’d be tempted to add in the touchscreen option on top of the Full HD display, and maybe a Post-It note to remind us to always bring the VGA/ethernet dongle. Still, the combination of sleek styling, an above-excellent keyboard, and a good display makes for a solid option, particularly if you still aren’t ready to take that Windows 8.1 step.

This slim back-to-basics enterprise Ultrabook is easy to travel and work with, and you’ll like its pressure-sensitive touchpad. But it’s a little shy on battery life, storage and connections.

The HP Elitebook Folio 1040 business ultrabook features forward-looking tech, like a pressure-sensitive trackpad, and eliminates bulky features, like dual pointing sticks and built-in Ethernet. Demanding, highly mobile sales/executive power users should take a look.

Overall, there are a lot of reasons to like the EliteBook Folio 1040 G1. Its aluminum unibody chassis is gorgeous, lightweight, and extremely durable. The laptop also gets high marks for innovation, including its pressure-sensitive touch pad and extensive security tools. We liked that HP includes a Windows 8 license with every machine, making it easy to switch operating systems when you're ready. And with eight hours of battery life, the notebook will easily last through a lengthy airline flight.HP made a few compromises to keep the price down to $1,299, however. Unlike similarly priced 14-inch laptops like the Lenovo ThinkPad T440s, the EliteBook Folio lacks a full 1080p display, let alone a touch display. The speakers get loud, but the treble overpowers the bass. Still, we don't consider any of those problems deal-breakers. At the end of the day, the Folio offers a luxurious design, excellent security and durability, a vivid display, and long battery life for a reasonable price. If you're looking for a laptop to take with you on your next business trip, the EliteBook Folio 1040 G1 is well worth considering.