HP EliteBook 1040 G9

A light 14 inch HP flagship for executives who travel

The HP EliteBook 1040 G9 sits at the top of HP’s EliteBook range, above the 600 and 800 series. It is the model HP built for executives and people who work from airports, hotels and client offices: about 1.16kg, a bright 16:10 screen, a 5MP camera and two Thunderbolt 4 ports. The unit we stock is HP part 5P6Q0EA, with a 12th Gen Intel Core i7-1255U, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, a 512GB SSD and a 14 inch WUXGA screen.

It is part of our range of business laptops.

What you get

12th Gen Intel Core i7-1255U

The Core i7-1255U has 10 cores and 12 threads, made up of two performance cores and eight efficient cores, and boosts up to 4.7GHz. It runs Office, Teams, Power BI dashboards, ERP systems and dozens of browser tabs comfortably, and copes with light photo editing. The efficient cores handle background work so the battery lasts through a day of meetings.

16GB DDR5 RAM and a 512GB SSD

This configuration has 16GB of DDR5-4800 memory as two 8GB sticks, so it runs in dual channel, which helps the Intel Iris Xe graphics. Unlike many thin laptops, the 1040 G9 uses memory slots rather than soldered memory, and HP supports up to 64GB. Both slots are filled, so an upgrade means replacing the sticks. Ask us before you buy memory. The 512GB NVMe SSD keeps start-up and file opening quick.

14 inch WUXGA screen, 400 nits

The 1920 x 1200 IPS screen uses a 16:10 shape, so you see more of a document than on a standard Full HD laptop. On this part number HP lists a 400 nit panel with 100 percent sRGB coverage and an anti-glare finish. That is brighter than most business laptops, which helps near a window or on a veranda, and accurate enough for presentations and marketing work. It is not a touchscreen.

Thunderbolt 4 and the ports you need

You get two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports for charging, docks and external monitors, two USB-A ports, a full HDMI port and a headset jack. There is no Ethernet port and no SD card reader, so use a USB adapter or a Thunderbolt dock if your office runs on cabled networking.

5MP camera and security

The 5MP webcam on this configuration is much sharper than the 720p cameras on most laptops, which shows on Teams and Zoom calls. It has an IR camera for Windows Hello face sign-in, a physical privacy shutter and HP Auto Frame, which keeps you centred when you move. Security includes a TPM 2.0 chip for BitLocker, HP Tamper Lock, HP DriveLock and HP Wolf Security. Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 are built in.

Size, weight and battery

HP and retailer listings put it at about 1.16kg and around 19mm thick. The battery is a 51Wh pack, charged through either Thunderbolt port. The keyboard is backlit, which helps on evening flights and in dim boardrooms.

Who it suits

The EliteBook 1040 G9 suits executives, directors, consultants, lawyers and sales leads who carry a laptop every day and spend hours on video calls. If you need wired Ethernet without adapters, the HP EliteBook 640 G11 is the better fit. If you want a touchscreen that folds into a tablet, look at the HP EliteBook x360 1040 G11.

Operating system

We install Windows 11 on it before delivery, so it is ready to use when it arrives. If you would rather run a different operating system, tell us when you order.

How it compares

The HP EliteBook 840 G10 is a newer 14 inch EliteBook with a 13th Gen chip, but it is heavier at about 1.36kg. The HP EliteBook 8 G1i 14 moves to Intel Core Ultra with an AI engine and adds a third USB-C port. From Lenovo, the Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 6 is the closest thin and light alternative. From Dell, the Dell Latitude 7440 is the premium 14 inch match.

Full product details are on HP’s official site.

Looking after it

Use a surge protector or a UPS at your desk, because power that drops and returns with a spike can damage the charger and the board. Keep the vents clear and avoid using it on beds or sofas. If it stays docked all day, turn on Battery Health Manager in HP’s BIOS so the battery is not held at full charge. Clean the body and screen with a dry microfibre cloth, and use a padded sleeve when you travel.

Works well with

The Logitech MX Anywhere 3S and the Logitech MX Keys Mini make a compact pair for a desk or a hotel room. The UGREEN 240W USB-C cable is a useful spare for charging from a dock or a USB-C charger.

Frequently asked questions

Which processor does it have?

A 12th Gen Intel Core i7-1255U with 10 cores and 12 threads, boosting up to 4.7GHz.

How heavy is it?

About 1.16kg, which is light for a 14 inch business laptop.

Can I add more RAM?

Yes, but both slots are already filled with 8GB sticks, so you would replace them. HP supports up to 64GB.

Does it have an Ethernet port?

No. Use a USB Ethernet adapter or a Thunderbolt dock.

Is the screen a touchscreen?

No. It is a 400 nit anti-glare WUXGA screen.

Does it come with Windows?

Yes. We install Windows 11 before delivery. If you prefer another operating system, tell us when you order.

Can I run two external monitors?

Yes. Use the HDMI port and a Thunderbolt port, or a Thunderbolt dock.

Buying from Encom Digital

Everything we sell is genuine HP. Every order comes with a KRA-compliant VAT invoice, which your accounts team will need if you are buying for a company.

We offer same-day delivery within Nairobi and deliver to the rest of Kenya. You can pay by M-Pesa, card or bank transfer. If you are fitting out an office, a school or an NGO, ask us for bulk and corporate pricing.

Call or WhatsApp us on +254 714 962 072, email us, or visit us at Rehema House, 4th Floor, Standard Street, Nairobi, Monday to Saturday, 8AM to 6PM.