Same chip, same RAM, same year — but the keyboard and battery design pull these two in very different directions.
Both the ThinkPad T480 and EliteBook 840 G5 arrive in Pakistan from the same enterprise-fleet refresh cycles — typically 2018-2021 batches from US/UK corporate buyers, often UN agencies, multinational banks, and consulting firms. In Lahore's Hafeez Center, the T480 outnumbers the 840 G5 roughly 3-to-1, which keeps T480 prices slightly more competitive. HP EliteBooks tend to arrive in cleaner cosmetic condition because corporate HP fleets often included case usage policies, while ThinkPads were more frequently 'thrown in a backpack' machines. Pakistani buyers asking this question fall into two camps: business owners replacing a 5-year-old fleet who want something familiar (HP is more recognizable to non-technical buyers), and developers/students who've heard the legendary ThinkPad keyboard hype and want to confirm it's worth the trade-off. The price difference at our shop is usually under Rs. 5,000 for matched specs, so the decision comes down to typing feel vs visual appeal. We sell roughly 30% more T480s than EliteBook 840 G5s purely because Lenovo's keyboard reputation precedes it.
| Use case | Winner | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy typing (writers, journalists, transcribers) | Lenovo ThinkPad T480 i5 i5-8350U 8GB 256GB Used Laptop Lahore | T480's 1.8 mm key travel with TrackPoint is genuinely a different class of typing experience. EliteBook 840 G5's 1.5 mm is good but not the same league. |
| Software development & DevOps | Lenovo ThinkPad T480 i5 i5-8350U 8GB 256GB Used Laptop Lahore | T480's Linux compatibility, keyboard, and Power Bridge battery design make it the developer's choice. EliteBook 840 G5 works for .NET workflows but offers no advantage. |
| Client-facing executive / consultant | HP EliteBook 840 G5 i5 i5-8350U 8GB 256GB Used Laptop Lahore | EliteBook 840 G5's machined aluminium lid feels and looks more premium when placed on a meeting table. ThinkPad's matte-black plastic looks utilitarian. |
| University / college student (general use) | Tied | Both deliver similar performance, similar battery (with T480 dual-battery slightly ahead), similar build. Pick on price and cosmetic preference. |
| Office accounting / data entry | Tied | Excel, Tally, QuickBooks, browser-based ERPs all run identically on either. Numpad is missing on both 14-inch chassis — consider 15-inch alternatives if you need one. |
| Travel / frequent commute | Lenovo ThinkPad T480 i5 i5-8350U 8GB 256GB Used Laptop Lahore | T480's hot-swap battery design wins for travelers — carry one spare and skip the search for plugs at airports or on inter-city trains. |
| Long-term ownership (5+ years) | Lenovo ThinkPad T480 i5 i5-8350U 8GB 256GB Used Laptop Lahore | T480's user-removable battery, abundant parts in Lahore, and stronger Linux support extend its useful life. EliteBook 840 G5's sealed battery means a Rs. 9,000 service-centre swap at year 3. |
The ThinkPad T480 at Rs. 60,000-68,000 for the i5-8350U / 8GB / 256GB config is the rational pricing for this hardware in Pakistan in 2026. The price reflects the volume of supply, the higher-than-average condition of corporate ThinkPad fleets, and the residual demand from developer/Linux/keyboard-enthusiast buyers. If you're seeing T480s listed at Rs. 75,000+ in stock i5/8GB/256GB form, you're paying a markup — typical signs include 'BRAND NEW' marketing language, no negotiation tolerance, or sellers who refuse to let you inspect the unit. A fair T480 deal in 2026 includes both batteries (internal + hot-swap), a working keyboard with no dead keys, battery wear under 20%, and Windows 11 Pro that activates after a clean install.
The HP EliteBook 840 G5 at Rs. 62,000-70,000 for matched i5/8GB/256GB specs is fair pricing that reflects the laptop's premium feel and cleaner-than-average condition. EliteBooks often arrive in 'A-grade' cosmetic condition (minor scratches only, no dents, screen perfect) more frequently than ThinkPads because HP's corporate buyers tended to be office-bound workers rather than field consultants. The premium over a stock T480 of Rs. 2,000-5,000 is reasonable if you specifically value the machined aluminium lid and slimmer profile. Pricing above Rs. 75,000 is a markup unless the unit has been upgraded to 16GB RAM and a 512GB SSD already — in which case Rs. 78,000-82,000 is reasonable.
Mr Faisal manages a small import-export firm in Karachi's Saddar with 4 employees. The team's existing laptops (mix of old EliteBooks and Inspirons) are all 6-7 years old and slow. He wants to standardise on one model for parts-sharing convenience and presents well to international suppliers. Budget Rs. 280,000 for 4 laptops. We recommend 4 EliteBook 840 G5 units at Rs. 65,000 each — the slight premium over T480 fleet pricing is paid back in the unified clean-aluminium aesthetic that matches the office's visual standard. Lenovo would also work, but if the boss visually prefers HP, lean into that preference.
Hina writes technical documentation for SaaS companies on a freelance basis, typing 4,000-6,000 words a day. Her wrists are starting to hurt on her current cheap Acer Aspire. Budget Rs. 70,000 for an upgrade. The T480 is the only correct answer here — the 1.8 mm keyboard travel and the wider key spacing genuinely reduce typing strain. We sometimes see writers buy the EliteBook based on looks and then return it within the 15-day window because the keyboard isn't comfortable for sustained typing.
Bilal is bootstrapping a logistics software startup in Multan. He needs one laptop that can pitch to clients in clean meeting rooms, code at 2 AM in his apartment, and survive being thrown into a car for inter-city trips. Budget Rs. 70,000-80,000. The decision flips on which activity dominates. If he's pitching 3 days a week, EliteBook 840 G5. If he's coding 5 days a week, T480. He chose the T480 and confirmed at the 6-month mark that the keyboard alone justified the choice.
Our shop sells both, and we don't have a strong preference either way — but if a Pakistani buyer walks in undecided, our default suggestion is the T480 unless they have a clear reason to choose otherwise. The keyboard difference is real and matters more than people think before they try it. The Power Bridge dual-battery design also remains genuinely unique in this price bracket — no other laptop under Rs. 90,000 in Pakistan offers a swappable battery. The EliteBook 840 G5 wins when the buyer specifically wants a more premium-looking laptop for client-facing work, when the slim profile matters for daily backpack-carry, or when the buyer just personally prefers HP's design language over Lenovo's. Both carry our 15-day testing warranty (full refund or free replacement on any genuine fault discovered). Both are upgradeable to 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD. Both will run Windows 11 fluidly through 2028 and Linux through whenever you stop wanting to. For personalised advice — including current cosmetic-grade options and exact pricing — WhatsApp 0314 4000131. We'll send photos of available units and confirm which one best matches your specific use case. COD available in Lahore; nationwide shipping to Karachi, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Faisalabad available at standard courier rates.
| Spec | LeftLenovo ThinkPad T480 i5 i5-8350U 8GB 256GB Used Laptop Lahore | RightHP EliteBook 840 G5 i5 i5-8350U 8GB 256GB Used Laptop Lahore |
|---|---|---|
CPU | Intel Core i5-8350U (Kaby Lake Refresh) | Intel Core i5-8350U (Kaby Lake Refresh) |
Cores / Threads | 4 cores / 8 threads, up to 3.6 GHz | 4 cores / 8 threads, up to 3.6 GHz |
RAM (default) | 8GB DDR4-2400 | 8GB DDR4-2400 |
RAM (max) | 32GB (2× SO-DIMM) | 32GB (2× SO-DIMM) |
Storage | 256GB NVMe SSD | 256GB NVMe SSD |
GPU | Intel UHD 620 | Intel UHD 620 |
Display size | 14.0-inch | 14.0-inch |
Display resolution | 1920×1080 FHD IPS Anti-Glare | 1920×1080 FHD IPS Anti-Glare |
Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
Battery (Wh) | 24 Wh internal + 24 Wh hot-swap (48 Wh combined) | 50 Wh internal (sealed) |
Battery (claimed) | 10 to 14 hours with both batteries | 7 to 9 hours mixed use |
Weight | 1.58 kg | 1.48 kg |
Ports | 2× USB-A 3.1, 2× USB-C (Thunderbolt 3), HDMI, RJ45, microSD | 2× USB-A 3.1, 2× USB-C (Thunderbolt 3), HDMI, RJ45, smartcard |
Keyboard | ThinkPad backlit, 1.8 mm travel, TrackPoint | Backlit DuraKeys, 1.5 mm travel, spill-resistant |
Build | Reinforced PPS-GFR + glass-fibre, MIL-STD-810G | Machined aluminium + magnesium, MIL-STD-810G |
Price (N.N Laptops Lahore) | Rs. 61,000 | Rs. 61,000 |
Best for | Developers, long flights, classic ThinkPad fans | Office workers who want a premium-feeling lid |
Reliability score | 9.0 / 10 | 8.7 / 10 |
The decision here is straightforward. The ThinkPad T480 keeps the user-removable battery design — yes, the same Power Bridge two-battery setup that made earlier ThinkPads legendary — while the EliteBook 840 G5 went with a sealed internal cell to look slimmer. If you ever want to swap a worn battery yourself in five years, the T480 is the only answer; you can carry a spare in your bag. The EliteBook fights back with build quality: it feels premium in a way the T480 doesn't, the aluminium lid resists fingerprints, and the keyboard, while shallower at 1.5 mm, is excellent for an HP. Performance is identical because the chips are identical — both run an i5-8350U at the same clocks with the same Intel UHD 620 graphics. The HP wins on weight by 100 grams. The Lenovo wins on keyboard travel, repairability, and battery flexibility. Pricing at N.N Laptops is essentially the same (around Rs. 60,000 to 70,000 for the i5/8/256 spec), so neither is the 'value' pick. Buy the EliteBook 840 G5 if you sit at a desk and want the laptop to feel premium when colleagues see it. Buy the ThinkPad T480 if you actually type all day, fly often, or plan to keep the machine alive past 2030.
Both are extremely reliable — these are corporate-fleet laptops built to MIL-STD-810G. Real-world failure rates at our shop are nearly identical for the chassis and screen. The T480 wins slightly on long-term maintainability because the battery is user-replaceable, while the 840 G5 sealed battery needs a service centre visit when it degrades.
The ThinkPad T480 keyboard is widely considered the better typing experience: 1.8 mm key travel, perfect tactile bump, and the TrackPoint stick eliminates the need to leave the home row. The EliteBook 840 G5 keyboard is good — better than most HP consumer laptops — but it's 1.5 mm travel and slightly mushier. Type-heavy work strongly favours the T480.
Yes. Both have two Thunderbolt 3 ports plus HDMI, so you can run dual 4K external displays at 60 Hz through a single Thunderbolt dock, or use one HDMI + one TB3 directly. For office or development setups, both are fully docking-station compatible (Dell WD15/WD19, Lenovo USB-C dock, HP Thunderbolt G2 dock).
The HP EliteBook 840 G5 at 1.48 kg is 100 grams lighter than the ThinkPad T480 at 1.58 kg. The HP also feels thinner because of its sealed-battery design. If carrying weight is the deciding factor (daily commute, frequent travel), the 840 G5 has a small but noticeable advantage.
For matched specs (i5-8350U, 8GB, 256GB SSD), both land in the Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 70,000 range depending on cosmetic grade and battery health. The ThinkPad T480 is occasionally Rs. 2,000 to 3,000 cheaper because Lenovo enterprise lots arrive in larger quantities. WhatsApp 0314 4000131 for current stock.
Both have bottom-firing stereo speakers that are 'adequate' rather than 'good'. EliteBook 840 G5 wins slightly with Bang & Olufsen tuning that gives marginally better bass response. T480 speakers are flatter but clearer for voice. Neither is a music laptop — for Netflix or YouTube use headphones (3.5mm jack works perfectly on both) or a Bluetooth speaker.
Yes on both. The T480 works with Lenovo's TB3 dock (Rs. 18,000-25,000 used in Lahore) and pushes 2x 4K @ 60Hz. The EliteBook 840 G5 works with HP's Thunderbolt G2 dock and supports the same dual-4K config. Both also support charging through the dock, so one cable to the laptop powers everything.
Yes, officially. Both meet Microsoft's strict Windows 11 requirements: TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, 8th-gen Intel CPU, 4GB+ RAM. Performance under Windows 11 is identical to Windows 10 with the bonus of newer Snap layouts and better widgets. We typically install Windows 11 Pro on every laptop we sell unless customer requests Windows 10.
Both have 720p HD webcams of similar mediocre quality. EliteBook 840 G5 wins very slightly thanks to slightly better low-light noise reduction. Neither is good in dim Pakistani office lighting — invest Rs. 4,000-6,000 in an external Logitech C270 or C615 webcam if professional video calls matter.
T480: 250 nits, fine indoors but struggles in direct sunlight. EliteBook 840 G5: 220-300 nits depending on variant. Neither is an outdoor-friendly laptop. If you work in cafés with bright windows, consider a unit with an HP Sure View privacy panel (an EliteBook 840 G5 option) which doubles as a brightness booster.
For Lightroom and basic Photoshop, yes — both have IPS panels with sRGB coverage around 60-70%, adequate for casual editing. For professional photo editing where colour accuracy matters (wedding photography, magazine work), neither is ideal. Look at the X1 Carbon Gen 6 with the optional QHD panel or a MacBook Pro 13 M1.
AutoCAD 2D drafting: yes, both run smoothly. AutoCAD 3D with complex models: both struggle because the Intel UHD 620 iGPU isn't certified for ISV workflows. For serious AutoCAD work, get a Dell Precision 3540 or HP ZBook 14u G6 instead — both have entry-tier discrete pro GPUs (Radeon Pro / Quadro).
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