HP EliteBook 850 G6 review

Where the EliteBook 850 G6 stands

The HP EliteBook 850 G6 is a 2018 business laptop positioned in the ultra-budget tier at roughly $259, below the category median of $297. As the successor to the 850 G5, it trades its sibling's exceptional GPU outlier for a more balanced overall package — a meaningful but less extreme GPU surplus, paired with a CPU deficit. The GPU score of 14.1 is nearly four times the category median of 3.8; the CPU score of 36 is 31% below the median of 53.

Graphics: a substantial surplus

The 850 G6's GPU score of 14.1 places it well above typical office-class laptops in its category. This is enough headroom for casual gaming at moderate settings, comfortable video playback and editing, and GPU-accelerated productivity tasks. For an ultra-budget business laptop from 2018, the graphics capability is a real differentiator.

CPU and reliability: the dual trade-offs

The CPU score of 36 is 31% below the category median of 53, and the reliability index of 30 is 29% below the median of 42.5. Together, these define the trade-off: the 850 G6 has a meaningful GPU surplus but lags its category on compute and has a moderate remaining service horizon. For graphics-leaning workflows at this price tier, the trade-off is acceptable; for compute-heavy work, it is not.

Price trajectory

From its launch price to $259 today, the 850 G6 has depreciated to the flat tail of its curve. The projected price two years out represents a modest further decline. As a 2018 machine, the depreciation is essentially complete.

How it compares

In the $250-$290 refurbished business range, the 850 G6 sits among several 2018-2019 alternatives. The Lenovo ThinkPad T480 at $256 and the Dell Latitude 7400 at $248 are direct competitors from the same era. The 850 G6's distinguishing factor is its combination of strong GPU and weak CPU — a pairing that makes it a credible pick for graphics-leaning workflows. Buyers whose work is CPU-bound should consider alternatives.

Bottom line

The EliteBook 850 G6 is a 2018 business laptop whose graphics surplus outweighs its CPU and reliability deficits. At $259, it is priced below the category median and offers more GPU headroom than typical office alternatives. The trade-offs are compute performance and long-term reliability — both below the category median. For graphics-leaning workflows at a budget price, it earns its asking price.