If you’re looking for a reliable, affordable business laptop in Kenya, the HP ProBook 640 G4 and HP ProBook 640 G5 remain interesting options in the refurbished market.

These aren’t flashy gaming laptops or ultra-thin premium machines. They were designed for something different:

Business productivity, durability, security, easy maintenance and everyday reliability.

And that is exactly why the ProBook 640 series continues to attract students, professionals, accountants, businesses and buyers looking for a good laptop without spending a fortune.

The biggest attraction is that many configurations come with 8th-generation Intel Core processors, DDR4 RAM, SSD storage and 14-inch Full HD displays. HP’s own specifications confirm configurations such as the G4 with the Core i5-8350U, 8GB RAM and 256GB NVMe SSD.

The G5 takes the platform further with multiple 8th-generation processor choices, including Core i5 and Core i7 options, while retaining the business-focused design.

HP ProBook 640 G4 vs G5: Quick Comparison

*Maximum memory depends on configuration. HP documentation for the G5 specifically lists two SODIMM slots and up to 32GB DDR4-2400.

1. HP ProBook 640 G4 Specifications

The HP ProBook 640 G4 is a 14-inch business laptop built around 8th-generation Intel Core processors.

One official HP configuration comes with:

• Intel Core i5-8350U
• 4 cores
• Up to 3.6GHz Turbo
• 8GB DDR4-2400 RAM
• 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD
• Intel UHD Graphics 620
• 14-inch Full HD display

HP also offered higher-end configurations, including Core i7-8550U and Core i7-8650U processors.

HP ProBook 640 G4 specifications

The G4 has two SODIMM slots, making RAM upgrades particularly useful when buying an 8GB machine.

2. HP ProBook 640 G5 Specifications

The HP ProBook 640 G5 is the newer generation of the two.

It continued using 8th-generation Intel processors but introduced several processor options.

These include:

• Intel Core i3-8145U
• Intel Core i5-8265U
• Intel Core i5-8365U
• Intel Core i7-8565U
• Intel Core i7-8665U

The top Core i7-8665U configuration reaches up to 4.8GHz Turbo, while the i5-8365U reaches up to 4.1GHz.

HP ProBook 640 G5 specifications

HP’s documentation confirms two upgradeable memory slots and support for up to 32GB DDR4-2400. The G5 also supports both M.2 SSDs and 2.5-inch storage configurations depending on the specific build.

3. Processor Performance

This is one of the most important things to understand when buying either laptop.

HP ProBook 640 G4

Common processors include:

Core i5-8250U

• 4 cores
• 8 threads
• 1.6GHz base
• Up to 3.4GHz Turbo
• 6MB cache

Core i5-8350U

• 4 cores
• 8 threads
• 1.7GHz base
• Up to 3.6GHz Turbo
• 6MB cache

Core i7-8550U

• 4 cores
• 8 threads
• Up to 4.0GHz Turbo
• 8MB cache

Core i7-8650U

• 4 cores
• 8 threads
• Up to 4.2GHz Turbo
• 8MB cache

HP lists these processor options in its G4 specifications.

4. G5 Processor Options

The G5 offers:

Core i5-8265U

Up to 3.9GHz Turbo

Core i5-8365U

Up to 4.1GHz Turbo

Core i7-8565U

Up to 4.6GHz Turbo

Core i7-8665U

Up to 4.8GHz Turbo

These are all 8th-generation processors with four cores and eight threads, except the Core i3 option, which is dual-core.

Which is better?

For most buyers:

G5 Core i5-8365U > G4 Core i5-8250U

But the difference isn’t necessarily huge for basic office work.

If you find a G4 with:

i5 + 16GB RAM + 512GB SSD

and a G5 with:

i5 + 8GB RAM + 256GB SSD

the G4 may actually provide the better everyday experience.

5. RAM: One of the Biggest Advantages

Both models are upgrade-friendly compared with many modern thin laptops.

The G5 supports:

Up to 32GB DDR4-2400 RAM

using two SODIMM slots.

This means you can potentially configure:

• 4GB
• 8GB
• 12GB
• 16GB
• 32GB

depending on the configuration.

What should you buy?

4GB

Not recommended in 2026.

8GB

Good for:

• Office
• Browsing
• Zoom/Teams
• Research
• School work
• Accounting

16GB

The sweet spot.

Ideal for:

• Heavy multitasking
• Programming
• Large Excel files
• Multiple browser tabs
• Business software
• Light creative work

32GB

Useful for:

• Virtual machines
• Heavy multitasking
• Professional workloads

For most ValueHub Kenya customers, 8GB is the minimum and 16GB is the recommended configuration.

6. SSD Storage: Don’t Underestimate It

A major difference between a slow and fast refurbished laptop can be the storage drive.

The ProBook 640 series can be configured with:

• Traditional HDD
• SATA SSD
• PCIe NVMe SSD

The G5’s official configurations include NVMe SSD options ranging from smaller capacities through 1TB and even 2TB options depending on the configuration.

HDD

Cheaper, but noticeably slower.

SATA SSD

Much faster and significantly better for everyday computing.

NVMe SSD

The preferred choice.

Our recommendation:

256GB SSD minimum

or preferably:

512GB SSD

for users who store many documents, applications, photos and videos.

7. 14-Inch Display

The 14-inch display is one of the reasons the ProBook 640 is popular.

It’s large enough for productive work but still portable.

Depending on configuration, you can find:

HD

1366 × 768

or:

Full HD

1920 × 1080

HP’s G4 configurations include Full HD panels, while G5 configurations were available with both HD and FHD options.

Which should you buy?

Full HD IPS.

It’s the clear choice.

The extra resolution gives you more workspace for:

• Excel
• Word
• Browsers
• Programming
• PDFs
• Presentations

8. Intel UHD Graphics 620

Both models primarily rely on:

Intel UHD Graphics 620

This is integrated graphics rather than a dedicated gaming GPU.

That means the ProBook 640 is designed for productivity rather than high-end gaming.

Good for:

• Microsoft Office
• YouTube
• Netflix
• Web browsing
• Presentations
• Light Photoshop
• Basic video editing
• Programming
• Business applications

Not ideal for:

• Modern AAA gaming
• 3D rendering
• Heavy CAD
• Advanced video production
• GPU-intensive AI workloads

The G5 did have configurations with an optional AMD Radeon 540X 2GB discrete GPU, although most units encountered in the market use integrated Intel UHD 620 graphics.

This is something worth checking if a seller advertises a particular G5 configuration.

9. Connectivity: Excellent for Business

This is where older business laptops often outperform cheaper modern consumer laptops.

The ProBook 640 G5 includes:

• USB-C
• 3 × USB-A
• HDMI
• VGA
• RJ-45 Ethernet
• Headphone/microphone jack
• AC power
• microSD
• Docking connector

The USB-C port supports Power Delivery and DisplayPort.

That makes the G5 particularly useful in offices.

You can connect:

• External monitors
• Projectors
• USB drives
• Printers
• Ethernet
• Presentation equipment
• Docking stations

10. Why VGA Still Matters

You might wonder why a laptop from this era still has VGA.

For business environments, that’s actually useful.

Many:

• Schools
• Universities
• Offices
• Conference rooms
• Churches
• Training centres

still have older projectors and displays using VGA.

The ProBook 640 G4/G5 can therefore connect to equipment that some newer laptops cannot connect to without an adapter.

11. Keyboard and Typing Experience

The ProBook 640 is designed for people who type a lot.

Depending on configuration, you can find:

• Spill-resistant keyboard
• Backlit keyboard
• DuraKeys
• Numeric function keys
• Multi-touch clickpad

HP’s G4 specifications specifically list a spill-resistant, backlit keyboard on selected configurations.

For:

students + accountants + office workers + programmers + writers

this is a major advantage.

12. Security Features

The ProBook 640 wasn’t designed as a basic consumer laptop.

It was built for business environments.

Depending on configuration, features include:

• TPM
• Fingerprint reader
• HP BIOS security
• Secure Boot
• Optional smart-card support
• Security lock slot
• HP Sure Start on selected models

This makes the ProBook particularly attractive to businesses and professionals handling sensitive documents.

13. Webcam and Online Meetings

The laptops feature:

720p HD webcam

along with microphone systems designed for business communication.

This is enough for:

• Zoom
• Google Meet
• Microsoft Teams
• Online classes
• Interviews
• Video calls

However, don’t expect modern smartphone-level camera quality.

14. Battery Life

Battery performance is one area where buyers need realistic expectations.

The G5 has configurations using a 48Wh 3-cell battery.

But remember:

These are older laptops.

A refurbished ProBook’s actual battery life depends heavily on:

• Battery health
• Number of charge cycles
• Screen brightness
• Processor
• SSD/HDD
• Wi-Fi usage
• Background applications
• Windows configuration

Therefore, don’t buy an older ProBook purely because someone advertises a theoretical battery runtime.

Ask for the actual battery health.

That’s much more useful.

15. Build Quality

The ProBook 640 was built as a business machine rather than a budget plastic consumer laptop.

HP describes the G4’s chassis as designed to pass MIL-STD 810G testing.

That doesn’t mean you should deliberately abuse it.

It means the design was intended for the demands of business use.

For a refurbished laptop buyer, this is one of the reasons ProBooks remain attractive.

HP ProBook 640 G4 vs G5: Which One Should You Buy?

If both laptops have similar specifications and prices:

Choose the G5.

Why?

You get the newer platform, more processor options and a refined business design.

However, don’t make the mistake of assuming:

G5 automatically means better performance.

The exact CPU, RAM and SSD matter more.

Best Configurations to Buy

HP ProBook 640 G4

Recommended

Core i5-8350U
8GB RAM
256GB SSD
14-inch FHD

Excellent for:

• Students
• Office work
• Browsing
• Accounting
• Online learning

Better

Core i5-8350U
16GB RAM
512GB SSD
14-inch FHD

This is the configuration I’d target if available at a good price.

HP ProBook 640 G5

Recommended

Core i5-8265U / i5-8365U
8GB RAM
256GB SSD
14-inch FHD

Best value

Core i5-8365U
16GB RAM
512GB SSD
14-inch FHD

High-end configuration

Core i7-8565U / i7-8665U
16GB RAM
512GB SSD
14-inch FHD

This gives you a very capable productivity machine for its class.

Who Should Buy the HP ProBook 640 G4/G5?

University Students

Excellent for:

• Research
• Assignments
• Microsoft Word
• PowerPoint
• Excel
• Online classes
• Programming
• Browsing

Accountants

The 14-inch Full HD screen and upgradeable RAM make it suitable for:

• Excel
• QuickBooks
• Accounting software
• Data entry
• Reports
• Email

Office Workers

Ideal for:

• Microsoft Office
• Email
• Video conferencing
• CRM systems
• Web applications
• Document management

Programmers

A Core i5/i7 + 16GB RAM + SSD configuration can comfortably handle:

• VS Code
• Python
• Java
• Web development
• Git
• Databases
• Browser-based development

For heavier software development involving multiple virtual machines, containers or Android Studio workloads, a newer laptop would be preferable.

Is HP ProBook 640 G4/G5 Good for Gaming?

Not really.

These laptops are productivity machines.

The Intel UHD 620 is capable of handling light and older games, but it isn’t designed for modern AAA gaming.

If gaming is your priority, look for a laptop with a dedicated GPU such as an NVIDIA GeForce GTX/RTX or AMD Radeon discrete graphics.

Is HP ProBook 640 G5 Good for Students in Kenya?

Yes — if you choose the right configuration.

For a student, I’d recommend:

8GB RAM + 256GB SSD + Core i5 + FHD display

as the minimum sensible configuration.

If your budget allows:

16GB RAM + 512GB SSD

is considerably better for long-term use.

An Important Windows 11 Consideration in 2026

There’s a major reason the 8th-generation versions of these laptops are particularly interesting.

Microsoft’s supported Windows 11 Intel processor list includes 8th-generation Core processors and newer, making 8th-gen ProBook 640 configurations much more relevant for Windows 11 than older 6th- or 7th-generation machines.

However, the exact processor matters.

If you’re buying a refurbished ProBook, check the CPU model rather than simply trusting “Core i5” or “8th Gen” written on the listing.

This is particularly important in Kenya’s refurbished laptop market where different configurations can carry the same model name.

G4 vs G5: Final Verdict

Our pick: HP ProBook 640 G5

If the price difference is reasonable, the HP ProBook 640 G5 is the one I’d choose.

But if you find a well-maintained G4 with:

Core i5-8350U + 16GB RAM + 512GB SSD + FHD IPS

at a significantly lower price, it can be the smarter purchase.

What to Check Before Buying a Refurbished ProBook 640

This is perhaps the most important part of the entire guide.

Don’t just check whether the laptop switches on.

Check:

☑ Exact processor model
☑ RAM capacity
☑ SSD capacity
☑ SSD health
☑ Battery health
☑ Display resolution
☑ Screen brightness
☑ Keyboard condition
☑ Trackpad
☑ USB ports
☑ USB-C
☑ HDMI
☑ VGA
☑ Wi-Fi
☑ Bluetooth
☑ Webcam
☑ Speakers
☑ Charger
☑ Fingerprint reader if advertised
☑ BIOS password status
☑ Physical condition
☑ Windows activation
☑ Warranty

Most importantly:

Confirm whether the advertised laptop is actually an 8th-generation model.

Don’t accept a seller simply saying:

“HP ProBook 640 G4/G5 Core i5.”

Ask for the exact CPU model.

HP ProBook 640 G4/G5: Best Specifications to Look For in Kenya

 Best overall configuration

Core i5-8365U
16GB RAM
512GB SSD
14-inch FHD

 Best budget configuration

Core i5
8GB RAM
256GB SSD
14-inch FHD

 Best performance configuration

Core i7-8565U/8665U
16GB RAM
512GB SSD
14-inch FHD

Why the HP ProBook 640 Remains Popular

The appeal is simple.

You’re getting a business-class 14-inch laptop with upgradeable RAM, SSD options, excellent connectivity, a professional keyboard and 8th-generation Intel performance without necessarily paying the price of a newer business laptop.

It’s not the newest laptop.

It doesn’t have a modern RTX GPU.

It doesn’t have an OLED screen.

It doesn’t compete with the latest Core Ultra machines.

But that’s not the point.

The ProBook 640 is about practical value.

And for a Kenyan buyer looking for a dependable laptop for work, university, business, accounting, programming and everyday productivity, that can be exactly what matters.

Get HP ProBook Laptops in Nairobi

If you’re looking for an HP ProBook 640 G4 or G5 in Kenya, compare the exact configuration before buying.

A good ProBook should give you:

Good processor + enough RAM + SSD + FHD display + healthy battery + warranty.

For Value Hub Kenya customers, you can check the latest available HP laptop stock through:

Value Hub Kenya

Value Hub Kenya
Kenya Cinema Plaza, 4th Floor, Shop C1
Moi Avenue, Nairobi CBD

Call / WhatsApp: 0700 003 640