💻 HP ProBook 440 G5 Review: A Solid Business Companion for the Non-Windows User
The HP ProBook 440 G5, while not the latest model on the market, remains a compelling option for professionals and businesses seeking a reliable, secure, and well-built 14-inch laptop. What makes this particular model stand out for a niche audience is its surprising compatibility and performance potential when configured without Windows, making it an excellent candidate for running various distributions of Linux.
 |
| HP ProBook 440 G5 |
Design and Build Quality: Business Aesthetics Done Right
The ProBook 440 G5 strikes a perfect balance between professionalism and durability. It features a mostly aluminum display lid and keyboard deck, giving it a premium feel that belies its mid-range business positioning. The chassis is robust, resisting flex well, which is crucial for a device that will be constantly on the go.
The color scheme is typical business-class—a combination of silver and black—and the overall aesthetic is clean and understated. HP has designed the ProBook series to be practical: the laptop is relatively thin at about $20\text{ mm}$ (0.79 inches) and light, starting around $1.63\text{ kg}$ (3.6 lbs), making it highly portable for daily commutes or business trips.
Performance and Specifications
The ProBook 440 G5 came in various configurations, typically featuring 8th Generation Intel Core processors (like the Core i5-8250U or i7-8550U). These Kaby Lake Refresh chips are quad-core, offering a significant jump in multi-core performance over previous generations, which is vital for modern multitasking in any operating system.
| Key Specifications (Typical Configuration) | Detail |
| Processor | Intel Core i5/i7 8th Gen (e.g., i5-8250U) |
| Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics 620 (Integrated) or optional NVIDIA GeForce 930MX |
| RAM | Up to 32 GB DDR4-2400 (User-upgradeable) |
| Storage | M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD + 2.5-inch HDD/SSD Bay (Excellent Upgradeability) |
| Display | 14-inch, options including HD (1366x768) and FHD IPS (1920x1080) |
A major advantage of this machine is its excellent upgradeability. The service lid provides straightforward access to replace or upgrade RAM, the M.2 SSD, and the 2.5-inch drive bay, significantly extending the laptop's lifespan.
The Non-Windows Experience: Linux Compatibility
The true appeal of the non-Windows ProBook 440 G5 lies in its compatibility with Linux distributions.
Seamless Hardware Support
For most popular Linux distros (such as Ubuntu, Fedora, or Manjaro), the hardware in the 440 G5 is well-supported out of the box. The 8th Gen Intel CPUs and the Intel UHD Graphics 620 work flawlessly with modern Linux kernels, requiring no complex driver installation for basic functionality.
Networking: The Realtek Gigabit Ethernet and the Realtek WLAN card (often the 8822BE) generally have stable kernel support, ensuring reliable internet connectivity.
Security Features: Features like the Fingerprint Reader might require proprietary drivers or specific tools (e.g., fprint on Linux) and their functionality can vary by distro, but basic system security is strong through the TPM (Trusted Platform Module), which can be configured for disk encryption tools like LUKS.
Performance: Running a lean Linux distribution often results in snappier overall performance compared to Windows, particularly in lower-spec configurations (e.g., 4GB RAM or a slower CPU), making it feel more powerful than expected.
Battery Life and Thermals
The ProBook 440 G5 features a 48 Wh battery. When paired with the efficiency of the 8th Gen U-series CPUs and the power management tools available on Linux (like TLP), users can expect good battery longevity—often exceeding 8 hours of light-to-moderate use.
Thermal performance is also generally excellent. Under typical business workloads, the fan is quiet or completely inactive.
Input and Connectivity: Designed for Productivity
Keyboard and Touchpad
The keyboard is one of the laptop's strong points. It features a spill-resistant, chiclet-style design with a satisfying tactile feedback and two levels of backlight, making it comfortable for long typing sessions.
The touchpad supports all standard multi-touch gestures, which are fully recognized by modern Linux desktop environments (Gnome, KDE, etc.). While some early models had reported issues with the touchpad under Windows, the open-source drivers in Linux generally provide a highly responsive and accurate pointing experience.
Port Selection
HP has equipped the 440 G5 with a comprehensive selection of ports:
1x USB Type-C (USB 3.1 Gen 1 speed)
2x USB Type-A (USB 3.0 / 3.1 Gen 1)
1x USB Type-A (USB 2.0)
HDMI and VGA (Crucial for connecting to older office projectors/displays)
RJ-45 (Ethernet)
SD Card Reader
Audio Combo Jack
The inclusion of both HDMI and the legacy VGA port makes the 440 G5 an exceptionally versatile machine for business presentations and working with legacy equipment, a significant advantage over many modern, slimmer competitors.
Conclusion: A Highly Capable, Linux-Friendly Business Laptop
The HP ProBook 440 G5 is an outstanding choice for the business professional or enthusiast looking for a reliable, durable, and highly functional laptop to run a non-Windows operating system.
Pros
Excellent Build Quality and Durability: Robust aluminum/plastic chassis.
Superb Upgradeability: Easy access to RAM and storage slots.
Strong Linux Compatibility: Most components work out of the box.
Comprehensive Port Selection: Includes essential legacy ports (VGA, Ethernet).
Comfortable Keyboard: Ideal for extensive typing.
Cons
Display Quality Varies: Ensure you purchase the FHD IPS version; the HD TN panels are poor.
Older Hardware: Not the latest CPU generation (but still highly capable).
For those who prioritize performance, portability, and maximum hardware control through an operating system like Linux, the HP ProBook 440 G5 is a smart, budget-friendly purchase that will serve as a powerful and reliable workhorse for years to come.