HP Z240 review: specs, options & used prices

What this machine is

The HP Z240 is a workstation desktop, and on the used market it is one of the straightforward ways to get a complete, serviceable computer for a modest sum.

Workstation lines exist for sustained professional loads: server-derived CPU options, high memory ceilings, and a chassis designed to run all day rather than all morning.

Across 11 tracked listings, the median asking price is $185.

Configurations you will actually see

The CPU options we track for the Z240 are the Core i5-7500, Core i7-6700, Core i7-6700K and 2 more. Intel Core options span the 6th to 7th generations. This generation predates official Windows 11 support, worth factoring in if a modern OS baseline matters to you.

Memory options run from 4 GB to 32 GB (4 GB, 8 GB, 16 GB, 32 GB). For a current operating system, treat anything below 8 GB as a first upgrade, not a final configuration.

Solid-state storage options include 256GB SSD and 512GB SSD.

Hard-disk listings (2TB HDD and 500GB HDD) also exist — an SSD remains the single most noticeable upgrade on this class of machine.

Drive options without a clear type in the listing (1TB SATA) should be verified with the seller.

Workstation notes

Workstation configurations target engineering, CAD, rendering and virtualisation workloads that run for hours, not minutes.

Expect higher idle draw and more fan noise than office small-form-factor machines; these were designed to be worked, not to whisper.

Who it fits

It fits engineering, CAD, rendering and pro-workstation roles on a budget — as long as the software tolerates the age of the platform. It predates official Windows 11 support, which makes it a natural Linux or light-duty candidate — a real factor if a modern OS baseline is required.

Full specifications, current options and tracked prices live on its spec sheet; the desktop catalog and the HP desktops page help place it among the alternatives.

Verdict

Judged as a tool rather than a toy, the Z240 holds a clear niche at the sensible end of the used market.

Buy it when you need a cheap, repairable machine for its class of work, and verify the configuration before paying — RAM and storage vary widely between listings. Tracked prices span $80 to $299, and most of that spread is configuration, not condition.

Our composite LB Score currently sits at 13/100 — a score that mostly reflects the platform age — use it to compare like with like, not against modern hardware.