HP ProBook 635 Aero G8: A Complete Review
The HP ProBook 635 Aero G8 is the world’s lightest AMD-based business notebook, but it’s so much more than that. Unveiled at CES 2021, this laptop is the go-to machine for mobile trailblazers and remote workers. That’s thanks to its ultra-long battery life, surprising power and connectivity, and budget-soothing price point.
The HP ProBook 635 Aero G8 is easy to carry, with a small, in-the-backpack footprint that belies its super-fast AMD® Ryzen processor and Intel® UHD Graphics Premium options. WiFi 6 connectivity and the crisp display with up to 1000 nits brightness make this device a park bench warrior. Meanwhile, up to 1TB of storage and 32GB of DDR4 RAM help it sing.
Let’s take a look at the full review of this zipper update to the HP 635 Aero G7, including the available processors, graphics, memory storage, display, and other tantalizing features in this new arrival.
HP ProBook 635 Aero G8: Specifications
- Processor: 8-core AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 4750U APU, 4.1 GHz max boost clock speed
- RAM: 32GB DDR4-3200
- Storage: 1TB PCIe® Gen3x4 NVMe™ SSD
- Display: 13.3-inch FHD IPS anti-glare, max 1000 nits brightness
Light and easy to carry
Portability is a new touchstone for modern laptops. At an incredibly light 2.2 lbs starting weight, the HP ProBook 635 Aero G8 weighs less than half the average laptop. That makes it a pleasure to tote in your backpack or messenger bag and take it out for short work sessions.
Affordable price point
Affordability is a key consideration for most of us and the HP ProBook 635 hits the sweet spot with a price point lower than most high-end smartphones. Even with its pleasing sticker price, though, this laptop serves up plenty of power.
Max micromobility and durability
There’s portability and then there’s micromobility, which most laptop users are learning is all about quick bursts of work. The HP ProBook Aero 635 G8 wakes from sleep lightning-fast, allowing you to steal a short shot of productivity whenever you need to. It withstands a gauntlet of rigorous military-grade testing for drops, physical shocks, vibration, dust, humidity, altitude, freeze, thaw, sand, and even crashes. Plus, its spill-resistant keyboard keeps you working even through a clumsy moment.
Fast AMD Ryzen processor options with up to 8 cores
Ryzen processors have come into their own for impressive performance. For instance, the base processor option in the HP ProBook 635 is the powerful AMD Ryzen 3 4300U APU. It runs at a speedy 2.7 GHz base clock, up to a blazingly-fast 3.7 GHz max boost clock, with 4 powerful processing cores.
Those extra cores ramp up the speed and let your device do more at once, instead of waiting for each task to process before moving on to the next. If that’s not fast enough, you can trick this machine out with an eye-popping 8-core AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 4750U APU that features up to a 4.1 GHz max boost clock speed.
Powerful Radeon graphics
For everyday workflows, streaming your favorite shows, and light PC gaming you can’t beat the value of integrated AMD Radeon graphics. Unless you’re going for a much pricier dedicated graphics card, AMD’s graphics blow the visual doors off most of the competition.
Zippy connectivity with WiFi 6
Today’s new normal of Zoom calls, remote collaboration, and casting Bridgerton or Wandavision to the family TV make connectivity a must. The HP 635 Aero G8 houses a super-speedy WiFi 6 connection, with a max throughput of 9.6 Gbps – almost 3x as fast as WiFi 5.
This HP ProBook also has Bluetooth 5, which has double the data rate of the previous generation and 8x the capacity. That lets you connect more external devices and enjoy faster response times.
Crisp 1000 nits display
When it comes to its display, the HP ProBook 635 G8 pulls no punches. For working outside, it serves up a Full High Definition (FHD) 13-inch screen with an optional 1000 nits panel that pumps out crisp colors even in direct sunlight. FHD means 1920 x 1080 resolution, and an anti-glare coating keeps your work and play free of reflections.
If you don’t need extreme brightness and you want to keep things even more affordable, there are other FHD display options at 400 and 250 nits.
Up to 32GB of memory
Your next laptop will need plenty of memory to run today’s more powerful and visual-intensive apps. With up to 32GB of DDR4-3200 SDRAM, the HP ProBook G8 Aero 635 can crunch the numbers fast on robust software with large file sizes. Plus, DDR4 RAM cranks double the data rate of DDR3, for speedier play and workflows. Both RAM slots are fully accessible, too, so you can upgrade this machine at will.
Up to 1TB of storage
File sizes for everything from movies to photo galleries to work drives are expanding, as resolutions and features grow ever-more robust. The HP ProBook 635 keeps pace easily with the super-powered 1TB PCIe Gen3x4 NVMe solid-state drive (SSD).
If you don’t need that much external storage, you can opt for other SSD options, all the way down to 128GB to help your budget. All drive selections in this HP ProBook are M.2 models, which are shaped like a slender stick of gum and geared for slim, light PCs.
Robust HP security suite
Your data is valuable and cybercrime is on the rise. Protect yourself with the HP 635 Aero’s comprehensive security suite, including HP Sure Click, which keeps untrusted online content in a virtual machine so it can’t infect your PC.
The HP ProBook also uses HP Sure Sense, HP Sure Recover, and a pantheon of other integrated AI and hardware-based protections to keep your data safe. There’s even an HP Privacy Camera so you can manually restrict camera access, and you can opt for a Touch Fingerprint sensor so only you can access your machine.
Long battery life of 10+ hours at max brightness
When it comes to battery life, the HP ProBook 635 delights with 10+ hours with the screen brightness turned all the way to maximum. You can choose your battery, too, from an HP Long Life 3-cell, 45 Wh Li-ion polymer, to an HP Long Life 3-cell, 53 Wh Li-ion polymer unit.
Because you’re not always near an outlet, the HP 635 charges quickly. You can get up to 50% in 30 minutes with the screen turned off, giving you more time to work and play unshackled from the power outlet.
Powerful HD camera and noise-canceling audio
To rock your Microsoft Teams and Zoom sessions glitch-free, the HP ProBook G8 serves up a delightful dual-microphone, dual-speaker setup. If you’re wondering why you’d need two mics, it’s because that lets the computer zero in on background noise like barking dogs and loud A/C units and zap them from your calls. Plus, you can pick from a crisp 720p HD camera or HD IR camera to keep you looking sharp and fresh.
Cooler under pressure
One of the benefits of the new AMD Ryzen processor family in the HP ProBook 635 G8 is how cool it stays. The CPU does more with less power, keeping the machine from getting too toasty on your lap. At the same time, the fan stays surprisingly quiet as the chip works even complex apps without breaking a sweat.
Convenient backlit keyboard
The optional two-stage backlighting in this laptop makes it easy to work in dim ambient light or even total darkness. The area around the keys is lit, as is the labeling on the keys themselves. The flat keys have a satisfying travel feel, and typing on them is quiet and comfortable.
The trackpad is small and button-free. It also has a glass surface that’s a joy to work with, especially when you add the gesture-control of its Microsoft Precision driver.
Plenty of ports
If you connect your laptop to a home office display and external keyboard, you’ll appreciate the thought that went into the HP ProBook 635 Aero’s port selection. This device comes with an ample 3 USB ports, one of which is a SuperSpeed Type C port with a 10 Gbps signaling rate. You can use it to deliver power to your favorite accessories or to connect an external display. The other two are Type A USB ports, and there’s also an HDMI 2.0 port for streaming on an external TV.
The generous port selection lets you dock easily in your home office, all while powering an external drive or monitor with fewer cables.
Summary
This complete review of the HP ProBook 635 Aero G8 reveals a zippier, more powerful laptop than its predecessor. It packs even more bandwidth into a smaller, lighter chassis. And with its fast Ryzen processors, WiFi 6 for speedy connectivity, and up to 1TB of blazing SSD storage, this device is a crowd-pleaser at an exceptionally reasonable price point.
About the Author: Tom Gerencer is a contributing writer for HP Tech Takes. Tom is an ASJA journalist, career expert at Zety.com, and a regular contributor to Boys' Life and Scouting magazines. His work is featured in Costco Connection, FastCompany, and many more.
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