Laptops Review

The 10th generation of Intel Core i CPUs has also found its way into the business models of the ProBook series. Since they're so popular with you, we naturally put them to the test. My review unit, based on its features, falls right in the middle of the ProBook series: Intel® Core™ i5, 16 GB RAM, and 512 GB SSD.

The HP ProBook 400 series includes various models. Available processors are 10th-generation Intel® Core™ i5 and Core i7. SSDs up to 512 GB are available, and some models also have an integrated HDD. For users who require a graphics accelerator, there are also versions with an Nvidia MX graphics card.

The exact technical data of my test device can be found in the following table.

Design and workmanship: simple and elegant

Not much has changed in terms of design. The biggest change is the infrared camera, which is now built into the upper frame. This allows you to use not only the fingerprint reader for unlocking, but also facial recognition. I like that because it's simple and straightforward. The webcam now also has a shutter that you can use to cover it when you don't need it.

The display bezels are slightly wider at the top and bottom than on the sides. This is likely due to the built-in cameras. In front of the display is a fine grille for the speakers. Below it, on the left, is the power button.

The keyboard has its own numeric keypad and is set into a small recess. The keys respond precisely and offer a bit more resistance than the predecessor. I really like that. Even longer texts are easy to type. In front of the keyboard is the large touchpad, which supports multi-touch input. Like its predecessor, the ProBook 450 G7 comes with a spill-resistant keyboard.

Aluminum is used for the surface of the palm rest. The rest of the casing is made of a coated plastic that feels quite similar to aluminum.

There's nothing to complain about in terms of workmanship. The few gaps are even, and all edges are flush. There are no burrs or edges you can get caught on while working on it. That was also the case with the previous model.

Connections: Everything you need for everyday life is included

As with its predecessor, the ports are unevenly distributed across both sides. On the left side are the card reader, USB 2.0 port, and the slot for a Kensington lock. The USB port has a charging function. While you're using the ProBook, you can use this port to charge your smartphone, for example. Unfortunately, this isn't possible when the ProBook is turned off.

On the other side, from front to back, you have the 3.5mm jack, 2x USB-A ports, the HDMI port, the Ethernet port, and finally, the USB-C port. All USB ports on this side use the USB 3.2 Gen 1 standard. If you're not familiar with that, this is the former USB 3.1 Gen 1 standard and supports data throughput of 5 Gbps. 

It's a shame HP didn't improve the ports compared to its predecessor. The USB 2.0 port could have been replaced with a USB-C port. That would have been more modern and flexible. If I were to wish for something, I would have preferred USB 3.2 Gen 2 as standard. Thunderbolt 3 would, of course, be the absolute best. But that would be asking too much in this price range.

The power connection is also located on the right side at the very back.

Display: Matte & bright, but not particularly color accurate

The ProBook's display is a pure office display, and was also used in the previous model. This means that the color space coverage is only moderate. The sRGB color space covers around 60%, NTSC 45%, and AdobeRGB is within the same range. This isn't a problem for normal office use. However, any work that requires precise color values should be done on a more suitable display.

The brightness is just over 200 cd/m². This is perfectly adequate for working. Much more important is the anti-glare display, so you won't have any problems with reflections. The illumination is even, making working very relaxing. With the naked eye, a slight dip in brightness to the sides is only noticeable upon very close inspection.

Software: No bloatware, many HP add-ons

The operating system is Windows 10 Pro. Fortunately, there's no bloatware preinstalled. I'm very pleased about that.

However, there are some HP add-on programs designed to make your life easier. One example is the HP Assistant, which not only offers easy access to support but also helps with updates.

More than enough power for the office

In terms of performance, the ProBook 450 G7 has nothing to complain about. Featuring an Intel® Core™ i5-10210U (10th generation), 16 GB of RAM, and a fixed SSD, you'll have more than enough power for the tasks the ProBook is designed to handle. The Core i5 normally runs at 1.6 GHz, but when necessary, the clock speed can increase to 4.2 GHz.

Office, Excel, PowerPoint – it's likely to be difficult to push the quad-core Core i5 to its limits here. The CPU also supports hyperthreading, allowing eight tasks to be processed simultaneously if necessary. Apps and programs launch smoothly, and switching between individual applications is also seamless. This is also thanks to the SSD, which performs well. In the benchmarks, the ProBook ranks among the top of comparable notebooks.

The situation is different with graphics-intensive tasks. As expected, notebooks with dedicated GPUs outperform the ProBook. For example, rendering a video is possible, and you can use the ProBook while doing so, but the rendering process takes a long time, even for smaller videos. It's a similar story in Lightroom. For our Lightroom benchmark, the ProBook 20 has to render 50 MB raw files each. This takes 1 minute, 20 seconds. That's a decent result, but not outstanding.

Battery: Working day without a power outlet becomes difficult

The built-in Intel® processor is one of the most energy-efficient in its class, so that good battery life is generally possible.

As with all notebooks, I tested the battery life in my normal work environment. I selected the "Balanced" power profile and increased the brightness slightly, as this profile automatically reduces it to 40%. However, that's not really enough for working. I bumped it up to 65%. This works well for both the office and home office.

My workday consists of working on Office, browsing, and email, as well as editing a lot in Photoshop and Lightroom. This allows me to get about 5.5 hours off the ProBook 450 G7 without a power outlet. Photoshop and Lightroom are clearly the power hogs. If you leave them off and turn down the brightness, you can certainly get more battery life. However, I only consider a full workday without a power outlet possible under very favorable conditions.

Emissions: Consistently quiet

The ProBook is a very quiet device. In everyday use, you'll only hear a faint hum from the fans every now and then. It's a great fit for quiet office environments.

Even under load, you won't hear much from the fans. Of course, I also put the ProBook through the stress test, which puts a lot of strain on all components. The fans ran continuously, but were no longer audible at a distance of 30-40 centimeters. The high-frequency whistling noise that's common in many notebooks these days is also absent from the ProBook 450 G7.

Temperatures are also within the acceptable range. While idle, they average 44°C. After a half-hour stress test, the average was 60°C, with a peak temperature of 73°C. These are very good values.

In everyday use, the ProBook doesn't heat up at all. Under load, you'll notice a slight increase in temperature. However, it's far from uncomfortable. The waste heat is dissipated from the left side of the notebook. Therefore, you should be careful not to rest your hand there under load. This could be uncomfortable.

Upgrading: Easy to do and many free slots

Recently, more and more notebooks have been coming onto the market that are difficult to upgrade. HP remains true to its tradition with the ProBook and makes upgrading easy. To open the ProBook, you only have to loosen seven screws. The two screws on the front of the notebook can be removed completely. The remaining five cannot. Then you have to pry off the base panel with a plastic object. For me, this worked easiest on the back.

Inside, you'll find a free RAM slot. You can install up to 32 GB of RAM. The M.2 SSD is replaceable. However, with a capacity of 512 GB, this probably won't be necessary any time soon. If you need more storage, you should consider installing another SSD, as there's also a free slot for a 2.5" SSD. The frame and screws aren't included; you'll need to purchase them separately.

Sound – quite remarkable

Notebooks and sound are two things that, in most cases, don't mix. The ProBook 450 G7 does. While the sound isn't particularly rich, it's balanced. At half volume, the bass is well balanced with the mids and highs. Fortunately, the highs aren't harsh either.

If you turn the volume up to full, the highs become noticeably more dominant, but this is still within acceptable limits.

Scope of delivery: As usual spartan

I've had several HP laptops on my desk, so the package contents are no surprise. Besides the laptop, you get the charger and some literature, but nothing more.

Normally, this would be followed by a sentence denouncing the unnecessary use of plastic in packaging. HP deserves some credit here, because in this ProBook, the plastic has been largely replaced with cardboard. I think that's a great idea.

Conclusion HP ProBook 450 G7: All-rounder for the office

HP has stuck with tried-and-tested features with this ProBook while introducing some sensible improvements in some areas. Combined with its robust build quality and security features, it's a business notebook with pretty good value for money. I also like that HP is increasingly offering 16 GB RAM and a 512 GB SSD in more models. This will keep you safe for the time being. And if you don't, upgrading is easy.

For more details please visit https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/hp-probook-450-g7-notebook-pc/29090065