HP ProBook 450 G2 Notebook Review

For the original German review, see here.
The models of the ProBook 450 series are aimed at private as well as business users. The same is true of the cheaper ProBook 455 series with the same design, but AMD APUs. We have already reviewed several models of both series: the ProBook 450 G0 H0V92EA, the ProBook 450 G1 E9Y58EA, and the ProBook 455 G1 H6P57EA. Our test model is equipped with a Broadwell processor. Our review will reveal whether this ProBook 450 model can outperform its siblings.
The ProBook has many competitors, for example the Fujitsu LifeBook E554, the Dell Latitude E5550, the Lenovo ThinkPad E555, the Lenovo ThinkPad L540, and the Acer TravelMate P455-M.
Case & Connectivity
The ProBook 450 G2 uses the same colors and materials as the previously reviewed ProBook 450/455 models. The topside of the base unit is made of aluminum. The rest of the case is made of plastic. The lid is rubberized, which ensures grip. The build quality and the stability of the G2 model do not give cause for complaint. However, we feel that the base unit can be twisted too easily.
HP has changed the case compared to the predecessor models. The differences are not immediately apparent, but the ProBook 450 G2 is slightly slimmer than its siblings. The area above the keyboard is no longer flat, but curved upwards towards the edge. In addition, the step in front of the touchpad has disappeared. Consequently, the mouse buttons have a slightly different shape. The underside has also changed: the large maintenance hatch has given way to two smaller ones. In addition, the ProBook 450 G2 uses a smaller, lighter battery (227 gram vs. 300 gram; ~8 vs. ~10.6 oz) with a lower capacity (40 Wh vs. 47 Wh).
There is only a small change in connectivity: while the siblings feature a headphones-out and a mic-in, HP has used an audio combo jack in the ProBook 450 G2.
Input Devices
We are already familiar with the Chiclet keyboard of the ProBook from the predecessors. The test device houses a model with integrated lighting and two brightness levels. The keys have a short travel and clear pressure point, and are easy to use. Overall, the typing experience is pleasant and the keyboard is suitable for prolific writers. The multi-touch capable touchpad of the ProBook has a size of 10.3 x 5.4 cm (~4.1 x 2.1 in). Therefore, there is not much space for gesture control. The smooth surface does not prevent fingers from gliding. The mouse buttons have a short travel and a clear pressure point.
Display
HP has equipped the ProBook 450 G2 with a 15.6-inch matte display with a native resolution of 1366x768 pixels. This is surprising. We actually expected a Full HD model in view of the price range of the computer (about 800 Euros; ~$868). Brightness (225 cd/m²) and contrast (353:1) of the display are not impressive. Once again, the price creates higher expectations: it should have a brightness of above 300 cd/m² and a four-digit contrast.
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Brightness Distribution: 84 %
Center on Battery: 256 cd/m²
Contrast: 353:1 (Black: 0.72 cd/m²)
ΔE Color 10.73 | 0.5-29.43 Ø4.9
ΔE Greyscale 11.23 | 0.5-98 Ø5.2
36.2% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 1.6.3 3D)
39.2% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
56.9% sRGB (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
37.91% Display P3 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
Gamma: 2.21
The ProBook cannot represent the sRGB and AdobeRGB color spaces. The coverage is 36.2% (AdobeRGB) and 52% (sRGB), respectively. With factory settings, the DeltaE 2000 shift is 10.73. We usually meet such values in the cheap price category. The target value should be smaller than 3. In addition, the display is bluish cast. By calibrating the display, we were able to significantly decrease the color shift. The color shift dropped to 3.78 and was then very close to the target range.
Performance
The ProBook 450 G2 is an entry-level business notebook. It is aimed at professionals as well as private users. At the time of writing, the price was about 800 Euros (~$868). Thus, it is not particularly attractive to private users. However, HP also offers cheaper models with Haswell processors. For example the HP ProBook 450 G2 J4S59EA (Core i3-4030U, matte HD display, 4 GB of RAM, 500 GB HDD, Windows 8.1) is available for 430 Euros (~$466). Several models of the ProBook 455 series are priced under 400 Euros (~$434).
Processor
With the Core i5-5200U dual-core processor, the ProBook houses a representative of Intel's new Broadwell series. It is a ULV processor with a TDP of 15 Watts. The CPUs of the predecessor generation (Haswell) have the same TDP. The processors works at a base clock of 2.2 GHz. The Turbo can increase the clock rate to 2.5 GHz (both cores) or 2.7 GHz (only one core). It is only used in mains operation. In battery mode, the CPU constantly clocks at 2.2 GHz.
Intel's naming suggests that the Core i5-4200U processor is the predecessor of the Core i5-5200U. The latter features slightly higher Turbo clocks (2.5 GHz vs. 2.3 GHz; 2.7 GHz vs. 2.6 GHz) while the base clocks difference falls (2.2 GHz vs. 1.6 GHz). Thanks to a slightly higher clock rate and improvements in the Broadwell architectures, the Core i5-5200U is about 5 to 15% faster than its predecessor. The performance gain is greater in multithread applications than in single thread applications.
Sunspider - 1.0 Total Score (sort by value) | |
HP ProBook 450 G2 L3Q27EA | |
Fujitsu LifeBook E554 | |
Fujitsu LifeBook E554 | |
Fujitsu LifeBook E554 | |
Lenovo Thinkpad E555 | |
Dell Latitude E5550 Broadwell |
Mozilla Kraken 1.1 - Total (sort by value) | |
HP ProBook 450 G2 L3Q27EA | |
Fujitsu LifeBook E554 | |
Fujitsu LifeBook E554 | |
Fujitsu LifeBook E554 | |
Lenovo Thinkpad E555 | |
Dell Latitude E5550 Broadwell |
Octane V2 - Total Score (sort by value) | |
HP ProBook 450 G2 L3Q27EA | |
Fujitsu LifeBook E554 | |
Fujitsu LifeBook E554 | |
Fujitsu LifeBook E554 | |
Lenovo Thinkpad E555 | |
Dell Latitude E5550 Broadwell |
Peacekeeper - --- (sort by value) | |
HP ProBook 450 G2 L3Q27EA | |
Fujitsu LifeBook E554 | |
Fujitsu LifeBook E554 | |
Fujitsu LifeBook E554 | |
Dell Latitude E5550 Broadwell |
* ... smaller is better
System Performance
The fast solid-state disk ensures that the system works fast and Windows boots up quickly. The powerful processor provides sufficient processing performance for most everyday tasks. It is not surprising that the computer performs very well in the PCMark benchmarks. The graphics performance could be increased by adding a second RAM module. The RAM will then work in dual channel mode and the GPU is used more efficiently.
PCMark 8 Home Score Accelerated v2 | 2973 points | |
PCMark 8 Creative Score Accelerated v2 | 3377 points | |
PCMark 8 Work Score Accelerated v2 | 4125 points | |
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Storage Devices
Our test device comes with a 2.5-inch solid-state disk from Samsung. It delivers very good read rates, but the write rates lie well below today's possibilities. The notebook features an additional M.2 slot. Thus, the user can enjoy the advantages of an SSD without waiving a big storage capacity by connecting an SSD to the M.2 slot and replacing the existing SSD with a conventional hard drive.
We tried this and incorporated an M.2 SSD (Transcend TS128GMTS400, 128 GB) in the computer. We did not want to perform a fresh Windows 8.1 installation, but copy the existing installation to the M.2 SSD. More specifically: We wanted to clone the existing SSD. This works flawlessly. We used the tool "Macrium Reflect Free Edition (64-bit)" for cloning. It took 10 minutes. Certainly, you can also use other programs. When the cloning has finished, the PC is shut down and you can remove the 2.5-inch SSD from the computer. The next time the computer is switched on, it boots from the M.2 SSD.
Note: In case Macrium Reflect cannot detect the M.2 SSD or does not allow you to select it as target drive, you need to create a primary partition on the M.2 SSD first. The tool "Diskpart" can be used for this, which is part of Windows. Microsoft provides a user guide for this program.
Graphics Card
HP has not equipped our test model with a dedicated GPU. Intel's HD Graphics 5500 graphics core is used. It supports DirectX 11.2 and clocks at up to 900 MHz. The results of the 3D Mark benchmarks are as expected. As already mentioned, adding a second RAM module (= dual channel mode) will improve graphics performance. We tried this and the score increased by about 15% to 1105 points in the 3D Mark 2011 benchmark.
3DMark 11 Performance | 958 points | |
3DMark Ice Storm Standard Score | 41489 points | |
3DMark Cloud Gate Standard Score | 4399 points | |
3DMark Fire Strike Score | 561 points | |
Help |
Gaming Performance
Those looking for a gaming capable notebook should not put the ProBook on the short list. The ProBook is suitable for casual gaming at best, and the owner has to be satisfied with low resolutions and low quality settings. Higher settings are only possible in games with low hardware requirements. Performance hungry top games from 2014/2015 usually do not achieve playable frame rates. A second RAM module also increases the frame rates in computer games. Depending on the game, the performance gain is 5 to 40%. Thanks to dual channel mode, the frame rate increased by over 35% to 53.8 fps (min.), 28.2 fps (medium), 18.2 fps (high) in the game “Tomb Raider”.
low | med. | high | ultra | |
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Tomb Raider (2013) | 40.8 | 21 | 13.5 |
Emissions & Energy
System Noise
The ProBook 450 G2 is interesting for those looking for a quiet notebook. While idling, the fan usually stands still and the notebook is silent. Even under load, the fan is not loud. During the stress test (Prime95 and FurMark run for at least one hour) we measured a noise level of 34.3 dB(A) - a good value.
Noise Level
Idle |
| 28.9 / 28.9 / 28.9 dB(A) |
DVD |
| 36.4 / dB(A) |
Load |
| 32.9 / 34.3 dB(A) |
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30 dB silent 40 dB(A) audible 50 dB(A) loud |
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Temperature
Whether on battery or mains, the Aspire behaves the same way during our stress test (Prime95 and FurMark run for at least one hour): In the first minute, the processor clocks at 2.5 GHz and the graphics core at 900 MHz. Afterwards the clock rates fall to 1.4 to 1.6 GHz (processor) and 750 to 800 MHz (GPU), respectively. A positive impact of the lower clock rates is the low heating of the case. The computer does not get warmer than lukewarm.
(+) The maximum temperature on the upper side is 32.7 °C / 91 F, compared to the average of 34.3 °C / 94 F, ranging from 21.2 to 62.5 °C for the class Office.
(+) The bottom heats up to a maximum of 34.5 °C / 94 F, compared to the average of 36.8 °C / 98 F
(+) In idle usage, the average temperature for the upper side is 25.4 °C / 78 F, compared to the device average of 29.5 °C / 85 F.
(+) The palmrests and touchpad are cooler than skin temperature with a maximum of 25.5 °C / 77.9 F and are therefore cool to the touch.
(+) The average temperature of the palmrest area of similar devices was 27.6 °C / 81.7 F (+2.1 °C / 3.8 F).
Speakers
The speakers still sit above the keyboard beneath a perforated cover in the ProBook 450 G2. Overall, they produce a decent sound, which is pleasant to listen to for a prolonged period. At higher volumes, high tones tend to sound tinny. With the pre-installed DTS software, you can adapt the sound to your preferences.
Power Consumption
The ProBook is very frugal while idling. We measure values of up to 5 Watts, which is even lower than most Haswell notebooks that were already very frugal. HP has done a good job in this respect. Under load, the power consumption is at a normal level. We recorded the maximum power consumption (36.2 Watts) at the beginning of the stress test (Prime95 and FurMark run for at least one hour). Later, the value drops to about 25.1 Watts as the CPU and GPU are throttled.
Off / Standby | ![]() ![]() |
Idle | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Load |
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Key:
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Battery Life
Our realistic WLAN test automatically opens websites at 40-second intervals. The energy saving profile is active and the display brightness is set to about 150 cd/m². The ProBook reaches a very good battery life of 7:36 h and outperforms all ProBook 450/455 models we have reviewed so far by a big margin. The battery life is even more impressive, in view of the fact that the ProBook 450 G2 has a lower battery capacity than its predecessors/siblings (40 Wh vs. 47 Wh).
Verdict
The ProBook 450 G2 has many properties expected from a business device. For example, it comes with a processor, which delivers sufficient processing performance for most application scenarios. The notebook always works quietly and hardly gets warm. The power consumption is low and the battery runtimes are very good. As in most notebooks, the greatest weakness is the display. HP has incorporated only a quite dark, low-contrast model with HD resolution. In view of a price of roughly 800 Euros (~$868), the built-in display is unacceptable. The same applies for only one year of warranty.
The price is another point of criticism. 800 Euros (~$868) is too much for this device. The price range is on the level of the higher-end ProBook 650 models. The Haswell siblings of the ProBook 450 are significantly cheaper. Even if you would retrofit an SSD in these, it would still be cheaper. For example the similar HP ProBook 450 G2 J4S75EA (Core i5-4210U, 500-GB-HDD) is priced at about 620 Euros (~$672). Several retailers also include a warranty extension to three years.