The HP EliteBook Folio 1040 is a piece of equipment for those looking for a competent work tool that they can take with them everywhere. This ultrabook , available in several configurations, has an elegant and slim design , perfect for carrying it in the backpack without weighing us down. It has a 14-inch screen that offers a good viewing experience, but at the same time it is not too wide. It has processors from the Intel core i5 and core i7 families, a solid hard drive and many connections to get the most out of it. In addition, HP includes security software for professionals, including afingerprint reader to unlock the computer. The  HP EliteBook Folio 1040 has passed through our hands, we tell you our impressions.

Design and handling

The  HP EliteBook Folio 1040 has a magnesium alloy case with a dark silver finish. The equipment has been subjected to shock tests, vibrations, high temperatures and even splashes . As it could not be otherwise in the case of an ultrabook, the equipment is quite thin , with a thickness of 15.9 millimeters in the widest part, right where the hinge goes - which by the way is very soft. It weighs 1.5 kilos and can be carried perfectly in a shoulder bag or backpack without being too heavy.

The keyboard is island type , with a good separation between the keys and a wide area to rest the hands and be able to write fluently. In addition, it is backlit so that we can use it without problems in low light. The lighting is automatically regulated in three levels according to the ambient light and deactivates when not needed to save energy. The trackpad allows us to move the pointer on the screen like any other laptop, but this one has a peculiarity, and that is that it eliminates the click. The name of this system is ForcePad and it allows us to click simply by exerting a little pressureon the touch area, although we can also do it with a soft touch. At first it is a bit strange, since we try to press too hard to hear the usual click, but when we get used to it, the handling is faster than with other click systems. This piece also allows us to use gestures with one or more fingers, for example to enlarge photos or scroll.

Screen and multimedia

As we have already anticipated at the beginning, the HP EliteBook Folio 1040 has a 14-inch panel , an intermediate point between the most compact laptops that are about 13 inches and those of standard format, which tend to slightly exceed 15 inches. The analyzed model has FullHD resolution (1,920 x 1,080 pixels) and concentrates 157 dots per inch, although it is also available in a model with HD resolution. The images are very sharp and do not produce reflections, a point in its favor when using it in very bright environments. The HP EliteBook Folio 1040 is a conventional notebook, in the sense that it does not have a touch screen,so all the handling is done through the keyboard and the trackpad or mouse that we connect.

Just above the screen is an HD camera for making video calls with programs like Skype or Google Hangouts . It also has two stereo speakers above the keyboard, near the hinge. It has the DTS Studio Sound system and offers a clear sound with good volume, but it falls short in the lower frequencies, and the HP EliteBook Folio 1040 is more designed for work environments than for entertainment , but still complies in this section.

Power, memory and operating system

The equipment we have tested is the most advanced model in the  HP EliteBook Folio 1040 range. It has an Intel Core i7 processor that runs at 2.1 Ghz and is supported by 8 Gb of RAM. The graphics card is integrated and it is an Intel HD Graphics 4400. It has a 256 Gb SSD disk and works with Windows 7 Professional in the 64-bit variant , although it is also available with Windows 8.1. This configuration offers a very fluid performance , to be able to work with several open programs at the same time.

HP includes a number of business-oriented security features, such as the fingerprint reader located next to the keyboard. The device can also be unlocked using a Smart Card . It comes with HP Trust Circles , which allows you to lock confidential documents and only open them by assigned contacts, or HP Sure Start, to protect the BIOS from potential attacks. It also has a built-in security chip and the Microsoft Security Essentials suite .

Connections and autonomy

Unlike other ultrabooks , the  HP EliteBook Folio 1040 has a good variety of connections to connect other equipment and peripherals. The connectors are located on the sides and it comes with an HP dock connector that allows you to connect even more devices. It has two USB 3.0 ports and one of them (the one on the left) allows you to charge a smartphone or tablet even if the computer is off. On the same side we find a MicroSD slot and the aforementioned Smart Card port . On the right side is the slot for the SIM card , the dual microphone or headphone jack, a DisplayPort to connect a display and the HP docking port . In the latter we can connect an adapter that is included in the box and offers us a connector for Ethernet cables and a VGA for a screen. Wireless connections include Bluetooth 4.0, WiFi a / b / g / n, NFC and 4G mobile connectivity via the SIM card , for users on the go.

According to official data provided by HP , the  HP EliteBook Folio 1040 can be on for up to 12 hours in energy-saving conditions. After testing the equipment for a few days, we have reached about four or five hours of intensive use , watching videos, listening to music and using office automation programs.

Feedback

The  HP EliteBook Folio 1040 is a computer designed to work with it every day. It allows us to take it anywhere comfortably and its screen is wide so that we can see the content clearly and does not affect our productivity. The orientation to professionals is especially noticeable in the security functions included in the equipment, especially the fingerprint detector. This particular model is the most complete in the range, with an advanced technical profile and a sharper screen. Of course the  HP EliteBook Folio 1040 can also be a good option for any type of userlooking for a versatile and easy-to-carry device. We particularly emphasize the handling offered by the "ForcePad" trackpad and we miss an HDMI connection.

HP EliteBook 1040 G1

Display and keyboard 

Power and graphics 

Memory

Design

Sound

software

Connections

Autonomy

+ info

Price 1,934.79 euros 

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