The HP EliteBook 840 is the most popular business laptop in Rwanda, and the G5 and G7 are the two generations most people end up choosing between. They look nearly identical. They are separated by RWF 75,000 and two processor generations.
Is the newer one worth it? For most buyers, yes — but the reasoning is not what most people assume, and there is a clear group for whom the G5 remains the smarter purchase.
The Short Answer
| EliteBook 840 G5 | EliteBook 840 G7 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | RWF 390,000 | RWF 465,000 |
| Processor | Intel Core i5, 8th Gen | Intel Core i5, 10th Gen |
| RAM | 8GB DDR4 | 8GB DDR4 |
| Storage | 256GB SSD | SSD |
| Display | 14" Full HD IPS | 14" Full HD IPS, brighter |
| Weight | ~1.48 kg | ~1.33 kg |
| Battery | Up to 10 hours | Up to 12+ hours |
| USB-C charging | Yes | Yes, improved |
| Launched | 2018 | 2020 |
| Stock | 10 units | 6 units |
Difference: RWF 75,000.
What Actually Changed Between G5 and G7
1. Processor: two generations, roughly 20–30% faster
The G5 runs an 8th-generation Core i5; the G7 runs a 10th-generation Core i5. In everyday use the gap shows up as faster boot times, snappier application launches, and — most noticeably — better handling of video calls with background blur or virtual backgrounds, which is a genuinely demanding task the 10th Gen chips handle far more comfortably.
Do not expect a transformation. This is a meaningful improvement, not a different class of machine.
2. Battery life: the biggest practical difference
This is where the G7 earns its price. HP's 10th-generation EliteBooks made a substantial jump in power efficiency. In practical terms, the G5 gets you through most of a working day; the G7 gets you through a full day with margin.
For anyone who works away from a power socket — in the field, between meetings, in lecture halls, in areas with unreliable power — this alone can justify the upgrade.
3. Weight and size: noticeably slimmer
The G7 is roughly 150 grams lighter with visibly thinner screen bezels, which makes the 14-inch display sit in a smaller body. It does not sound like much on paper. Carried daily in a bag, it is a real difference.
4. Display: brighter panel
Both are 14-inch Full HD IPS. The G7's panel is brighter, which matters more in Rwanda than in most markets — working near a window, on a veranda, or anywhere with strong natural light is considerably easier on the G7.
5. Webcam and microphone
The G7 has a better webcam and improved microphone array. After several years of routine video calls, this is not a trivial upgrade — and it is one buyers consistently underrate until they experience the difference.
6. Lifespan and driver support
The G7 is two years newer, which means roughly two additional years of comfortable use and manufacturer driver support before it starts feeling dated. If you keep laptops a long time, this is a real part of the value calculation.
The Two Machines
HP EliteBook 840 G5 — RWF 390,000
8th-generation Core i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, 14-inch Full HD. A proven, extremely reliable machine and one of our best sellers. We hold ten units.
Available on PrimeTech
HP EliteBook 840 G5 Business Laptop
There is also a lower-priced G5 configuration at RWF 350,000 if budget is the deciding factor:
Available on PrimeTech
HP Elitebook 840 G5
HP EliteBook 840 G7 — RWF 465,000
10th-generation Core i5, 8GB RAM, SSD storage, 14-inch Full HD, slimmer and lighter with substantially better battery life.
Available on PrimeTech
HP EliteBook 840 G7 Business Laptop | Intel Core i5 10th Gen | 8GB RAM | SSD
Who Should Buy the G5
Buy the EliteBook 840 G5 if:
- Your budget tops out below RWF 400,000 — this is excellent value at RWF 390,000
- You work mostly at a desk with power available, so battery life is not critical
- Your workload is documents, browsing, email, spreadsheets and calls
- You are buying several machines for a team and the RWF 75,000 difference multiplies across the order
- You want to spend the difference on RAM, a docking station or a monitor instead
The G5 is not a compromise. It is a genuinely good laptop that happens to be two years older.
Who Should Buy the G7
Buy the EliteBook 840 G7 if:
- You work away from power regularly — field work, client visits, campus, load-shedding
- You carry your laptop every day and value the lighter body
- You are on video calls constantly and want the better camera, microphone and background-blur performance
- You work in bright environments and want the brighter screen
- You intend to keep this laptop for five years or more
- You want the newest generation available under RWF 500,000
What About the G7 with 16GB?
Worth knowing before you decide: we also stock the 840 G7 with a Core i7, 16GB RAM and a 512GB SSD at RWF 535,000 — only RWF 70,000 above the standard G7.
If you are already stretching from the G5 to the G7, look seriously at this one. The jump from 8GB to 16GB of RAM changes daily experience more than the jump from G5 to G7 does. For heavy multitaskers and developers, it is the best value in our catalogue.
Available on PrimeTech
HP EliteBook 840 G7 Business Laptop | Intel Core i7 10th Gen | 16GB RAM | 512GB SSD
Our Verdict
For most individual buyers: the G7 at RWF 465,000. The battery life and weight improvements are felt every single day, and the two extra years of useful life justify the RWF 75,000 across the ownership period.
For teams and tight budgets: the G5 at RWF 390,000. Across ten machines, the difference is RWF 750,000 — better spent on docking stations, monitors and spare parts than on two processor generations most office staff will never notice.
For heavy multitaskers: skip both and take the G7 i7 with 16GB at RWF 535,000.
Related Reading
- HP EliteBook 840 G3 vs G5: Which Should You Buy?
- EliteBook 830 vs 840: Which Size Is Right for You?
- Core i5 vs Core i7: Which Processor Should You Buy?
- Best Business Laptops in Rwanda (2026)
Buy Either With Confidence
Both generations are in stock at PrimeTech Rwanda, battery health tested and disclosed, specifications verified, warranty included. Not sure which fits your work? Message us and we will give you a straight recommendation.
