HP 240 G8 — Review: Features, Specs, Performance

HP 240 G8 — Review: Features, Specs, Performance & Business Use

The HP 240 G8 is a budget-oriented 14-inch notebook aimed at students, small businesses and remote workers who need a light, no-frills laptop for everyday productivity. It’s not trying to be a performance monster — instead HP positions it as a compact, serviceable workhorse: modest Intel CPUs, user-replaceable memory and storage, a practical port selection and conservative battery life. In this review I’ll unpack what the 240 G8 actually delivers in the real world: hardware and build quality, display, performance, battery and thermals, manageability and the business scenarios where it’s a sensible choice (and where it isn’t).


Quick spec snapshot (typical configurations)

  • Display: 14.0″ HD (1366×768) or optional FHD (1920×1080) anti-glare panels.

  • Processors: 10th / 11th Gen Intel Core options (Core i3 / i5 / i7 depending on SKU) and low-end Celeron/Pentium in some regions.

  • Graphics: Integrated Intel UHD / Iris Xe (with Tiger Lake) depending on CPU.

  • Memory: Typically 4–8 GB DDR4 soldered or in SO-DIMM + solder combinations; upgradable to 32 GB on some SKUs.

  • Storage: M.2 PCIe NVMe SSDs (e.g., 256–512 GB) and optional 2.5″ HDD combos in certain builds.

  • Battery: 3-cell, 41 Wh Long Life battery (typical).

  • Weight: from about 1.47 kg (3.2 lb) depending on config. 

  • Ports: USB-C (data/Display depending on config), USB-A, HDMI, RJ-45, headset jack, microSD or SD (region dependent). 

Those are the practical data points you’ll use to decide whether the 240 G8 fits your workflow: light, upgradeable, and cost-conscious.


Industrial design & build: simple, serviceable

HP designed the 240 G8 around cost-effective durability. The chassis is plastic with a matte finish that resists fingerprints; the lid and hinge feel utilitarian rather than premium. Build quality is solid for the price class — no flexy keyboard deck, and the hinge holds the display at usable angles — but you won’t mistake it for an EliteBook or premium Ultrabook. The small bezel 14″ footprint makes it easy to slip into a backpack, and starting weight around 1.47 kg keeps it comfortable for daily carry.

A big plus for IT and small businesses is documented serviceability: the bottom cover is removable for memory and storage upgrades and the battery is replaceable, which helps extend usable life and reduce total cost of ownership.


Keyboard, touchpad and webcam

The keyboard is a full-sized island layout tuned for typing rather than gaming — key travel and feedback are average for the category, but adequate for long e-mail and document sessions. Note: the model typically lacks a backlit keyboard at lower price points, so working in dim light is less convenient. The touchpad is a standard precision driver unit with two-finger gestures and reliable click action for day-to-day navigation. A 720p webcam above the screen fulfils video-call needs; HP bundles basic camera and audio utilities to improve teleconferencing.


Display — readable, not spectacular

Most mainstream HP 240 G8 configurations ship with a 14-inch HD (1366×768) anti-glare panel; higher SKUs offer 1080p IPS, which is worth selecting if you do any multitasking or value sharper text. The HD panel is serviceable for document work, but its narrow viewing angles and limited colour gamut (typical of budget TN or low-end IPS panels) mean it’s not ideal for colour-critical tasks like photo editing. Brightness figures for many SKUs hover around the 200–250 nits range — fine for indoor office work but potentially dim outdoors. If display quality matters to you, choose an FHD/IPS configuration where available.


Performance — everyday productivity with sensible limits

HP equips the 240 G8 with Intel U-series CPUs (10th and in many markets 11th Gen Tiger Lake options) that are perfectly adequate for office workloads: web browsing with many tabs, Office apps, virtual meetings, and light data-entry or accounting tasks. Configurations with 11th Gen Core i3/i5 and Iris Xe integrated graphics noticeably improve responsiveness and video-call quality compared with older Celeron/Pentium SKUs. Add an NVMe SSD and at least 8 GB of RAM and the system feels snappy for normal business use.

That said, the 240 G8 is not a content-creation workstation. Heavy multitasking with multiple virtual machines, serious video editing or 3D workloads will outstrip the cooling and CPU headroom of this chassis — for those, consider larger Precision or higher-end HP ProBooks/EliteBooks.


Storage & memory upgrade paths

One of the 240 G8’s practical strengths is upgrade flexibility: most units expose an M.2 slot for fast NVMe SSDs and a second 2.5″ bay on many builds for additional capacity. Memory is often configured as one soldered module plus one SO-DIMM, allowing easy upgrades to 16–32 GB depending on SKU. For small businesses trying to stretch budgets, buying a basic SKU and upgrading RAM + SSD is a cost-effective approach that greatly improves perceived performance.


Ports & connectivity — sensible for business

The HP 240 G8 offers a practical mix: at minimum you’ll get USB-A ports, at least one USB-C (which may double as DisplayPort on certain combos), HDMI for external displays, a full Ethernet jack (handy in offices without Wi-Fi or for stable conferencing) and a headset jack. The presence of RJ-45 is a real plus for small businesses where wired networking remains standard in many desk setups. Wi-Fi 5/6 and Bluetooth are available depending on SKU. For docking, verify whether the USB-C supports power and video passthrough if you want a single-cable desk setup.


Battery life & thermals — realistic expectations

HP rates the 240 G8 with a 41 Wh Long Life battery and quoted run times vary with configuration and use. Real-world mixed use (web, video calls, documents) typically yields 4–8 hours depending on screen brightness, CPU choice (Tiger Lake is more efficient) and whether you use an SSD. The chassis is engineered for conservative thermals; under sustained CPU load you’ll notice fan activity and some surface warmth, but the system remains manageable for desk use. If long unplugged days are common for you, consider FHD/Tiger Lake SKUs (better efficiency) or carry the small power brick.


Manageability & security for businesses

For SMB IT, the 240 G8 includes standard manageability features: TPM 2.0 for BitLocker, BIOS security features, and the usual HP software utilities (Support Assistant, BIOS management). Some SKUs offer vPro or Intel AMT on specific CPUs — check the SKU if out-of-band management is required. The ability to service RAM and storage without replacing the entire unit is a practical advantage in small fleets: fewer replacements, more upgrades, and lower overall fleet cost.


Where the HP 240 G8 makes sense (business use cases)

  • Students & remote workers: Light, portable, inexpensive and capable of daily productivity tasks.

  • SMB office staff & front-desk workers: Good for e-mail, spreadsheets, light CRM use, and videoconferencing.

  • Small fleets & branch deployment: Low acquisition cost plus serviceable internals make it easy to standardise and maintain across multiple locations.

  • Budget-conscious buyers who will upgrade: Buy the base model and add RAM/SSD later for much better responsiveness.

Avoid the 240 G8 if your users need heavy compute (developers running many local containers, video editors, 3D designers) or high-end displays for colour accuracy. For those needs look at HP’s ProBook, ZBook or Dell Precision lines.


Pros & cons — quick checklist

Pros

  • Affordable and light, with a compact 14″ footprint.

  • Serviceable: easy RAM/SSD upgrades extend usable life.

  • Practical port selection including Ethernet and HDMI.

  • Good choice for standard office workloads; Tiger Lake SKUs give strong efficiency.

Cons

  • Build materials are basic plastic — not a premium feel.

  • Lower-end HD panels are common; pick FHD if display matters.

  • Battery life is adequate but not exceptional on heavier workloads.

  • No backlit keyboard or fingerprint reader on many SKUs — check configuration.

Buying advice — pick the right configuration

  1. Choose an 11th Gen (Tiger Lake) Core i5/i7 if you want the best balance of efficiency and performance.

  2. Prioritise an NVMe SSD and 8+ GB RAM — these two upgrades deliver the biggest real-world improvements.

  3. Opt for FHD/IPS if you often multitask or need clearer text and wider viewing angles. 

  4. Confirm USB-C capabilities (display/power) if you plan to use a single-cable dock. 


Final verdict

The HP 240 G8 is a practical and economical 14-inch notebook that does what most small businesses and students need: reliable office performance, basic manageability, and the option to upgrade internals. It isn’t flashy, but it’s honest — upgradeable, easy to service and broadly compatible with everyday office infrastructure (Ethernet, HDMI, USB-C in many SKUs). If your priorities are portability, predictable price and the ability to refresh RAM and storage to prolong life, the 240 G8 is a sound choice. If you need premium materials, long battery life under heavy loads, or high-end graphics, look one tier up in HP’s lineup.


Selected sources

HP product and support pages; technical spec sheets and regional retailer/spec aggregators (LaptopMedia, Notebookcheck) used to confirm display options, processor families, battery and upgradeability details.


HP 240 G8 Notebook PC Driver

HP 240 G8 Notebook PC Driver Download FOR Windows 10 64bit

BIOS

HP Notebook System BIOS Update (Intel Processors, SSID 8819) F.11 Rev.A 10.4 MB Mar 20, 2022 Download

BIOS-System Firmware

HP Notebook System BIOS Update (Intel Processors) F.63 Rev.A 43.3 MB Apr 30, 2021 Download

HP Notebook System BIOS Update (Intel Processors, SSID 868A) F.16 Rev.A 29.9 MB Aug 27, 2021 Download

Diagnostic 

HP PC Hardware Diagnostics UEFI 8.2.0.0 Rev.A 56.1 MB Jun 30, 2021 Download


Driver-Audio 

Realtek High-Definition (HD) Audio Driver 6.0.8996.1 Rev.C 454.3 MB Sep 29, 2020 Download

Realtek High-Definition (HD) Audio Driver 6.0.9111.1 Rev.S 518.2 MB Apr 6, 2021 Download

Realtek High-Definition (HD) Audio Driver - Tiger Lake 6.0.9111.1 Rev.S 580.3 MB Apr 6, 2021 Download


Driver-Chipset

Intel Chipset Installation Utility and Driver 10.1.18412.8219 Rev.A 0.5 MB Sep 20, 2020 Download

Intel Chipset Installation Utility and Driver 10.1.18460.8229 Rev.S 0.5 MB Apr 6, 2021 Download

Intel Dynamic Tuning Driver 8.7.10201.13396 Rev.A 6.2 MB Sep 20, 2020 Download

Intel Dynamic Tuning Driver 8.7.10401.16510 Rev.A 6.5 MB Apr 6, 2021 Download

Intel Gaussian and Neural Accelerator Driver 2.0.0.1010 Rev.S 0.4 MB Sep 1, 2020 Download

Intel Management Engine Interface (MEI) Driver 2021.14.0.1615 Rev.A 16.8 MB Sep 20, 2020 Download

Intel Management Engine Interface (MEI) Driver 2108.100.0.1053 Rev.S 17.1 MB Sep 6, 2021 Download

Intel Management Engine Interface (MEI) Driver 2102.100.0.1044 Rev.A 17.1 MB Apr 5, 2021 Download

Intel Rapid Storage Technology Driver 17.9.1.1009 Rev.A 21.1 MB Sep 20, 2020 Download

Intel Rapid Storage Technology Driver - Tiger Lake 18.1.3.1036 Rev.A 21.1 MB Apr 6, 2021 Download

Intel Serial IO Driver 30.100.2010.1 Rev.A 0.8 MB Aug 22, 2021 Download

Intel Serial IO Driver - Tiger Lake 30.100.2104.1 Rev.A 0.8 MB Jul 7, 2021 Download

Intel Trusted Execution Engine Interface Driver 1924.4.0.1062 Rev.S 13.2 MB Jun 11, 2020 Download

Driver-Display / Monitor

Intel High-Definition (HD) Graphics Driver 30.0.100.9805 Rev.S 461.7 MB Sep 16, 2021 Download

Intel High-Definition (HD) Graphics Driver 27.20.100.9268 Rev.A 797.9 MB Apr 1, 2021 Download

Driver-Graphics

AMD High-Definition Graphics Driver 27.20.1020.1 Rev.A 419.2 MB Sep 20, 2020 Download

AMD High-Definition Graphics Driver 27.20.11044.5003 Rev.A 419.1 MB Apr 1, 2021 Download

Intel High-Definition (HD) Graphics Driver 27.20.100.8478 Rev.A 372.7 MB Sep 20, 2020 Download

NVIDIA High-Definition (HD) Graphics Driver 27.21.14.6179 Rev.A 829.6 MB Apr 5, 2021 Download

Driver-Keyboard, Mouse and Input Devices
ELAN Precision Touchpad Filter Driver 22.2.22.4 Rev.A 2.0 MB Dec 7, 2020 Download

HP Wireless Button Driver 2.1.14.1 Rev.A 0.9 MB Aug 17, 2020 Download

Driver-Network

Intel Bluetooth Driver 22.50.0.4 Rev.P 13.1 MB May 7, 2021 Download

Intel WLAN Driver 22.100.0.3 Rev.A 32.8 MB Dec 7, 2021 Download

Realtek Local Area Network (LAN) Driver 10.45.928.2020 Rev.S 0.8 MB Jul 29, 2021 Download

Realtek Local Area Network (LAN) Driver 10.39.212.2020 Rev.S 0.8 MB Aug 29, 2020 Download

Realtek Local Area Network (LAN) Driver 10.45.928.2020 Rev.S 0.8 MB Apr 13, 2021 Download

Realtek RTL8xxx Series Bluetooth Driver for Microsoft Windows 10 (DCHU) 1.8.1030.3010 Rev.S 2.4 MB Oct 6, 2020 Download

Realtek RTL8xxx Wireless LAN Drivers 1.0.0.194 Rev.S 24.6 MB Dec 6, 2021 Download

Driver-Storage

Intel Rapid Storage Technology Driver 17.11.0.1000 Rev.S 21.1 MB Oct 21, 2021 Download

Realtek Card Reader Driver 10.0.18362.31260 Rev.B 2.2 MB Oct 7, 2020 Download

Realtek Card Reader Driver 10.0.19042.31266 Rev.B 2.3 MB Apr 13, 2021 Download

Firmware

Intel Solid State Drive (SSD) Firmware Update Intel SSD FW Rev.A 13.5 MB Aug 14, 2020 Download

SK Hynix SSD Firmware Update 80003C00_3 Rev.A 5.0 MB Aug 14, 2020 Download

Toshiba SSD Firmware Update ADHA0104 Rev.A 5.1 MB Jan 26, 2021 Download

Software-HP Cloud Recovery

Using the HP Cloud Recovery Tool (Windows 10 and 11)

HP PCs - Using the HP Cloud Recovery Tool (Windows 10 and 11)

Software-Solutions

HP Support Assistant 9.7.238.0 / 8.8.34.31 Rev.A 169.7 MB Feb 7, 2021 Download

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Fplus PB401dn — Features, Specs, Performance & Business Use

Fplus MB301DNW — Features, Specs, Performance & Business Use

Dell Inspiron 5402 / 5409 Review: Slim, Stylish, and Powerful for Everyday Use