The HP 255 G9 is a straightforward laptop aimed at those who need reliability without the high price tag. As part of HP’s long-standing budget-friendly small-business lineup, this model is designed for everyday use, offering the essentials without frills. It’s a practical choice for small business owners, professionals and even students who prioritise functionality over flashy features and design.
HP has consistently catered to a wide range of users, and the 255 G9 slots perfectly into their portfolio as an affordable, no-nonsense machine. Whether you’re managing spreadsheets, taking online classes, or streaming a movie after work, this laptop aims to handle the basics with ease. But does it truly deliver on its promise of value and utility? Let’s find out.
Pros
- Affordable price point
- Comfortable full-sized keyboard
- Decent port selection
Cons
- Battery life is very limited
- Plastic build
Specifications
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5625U
- Memory: 16GB DDR4 RAM
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS, anti-glare
- Graphics: AMD Radeon Graphics
- Battery Life: Up to 7 hours
- Weight: 1.74 kg
- Ports: 2x USB Type-A, 1x USB Type-C, 1x HDMI, 1x RJ-45, 1x headphone/microphone combo
- Price: Available for $699 directly from HP
Design and Build Quality
The HP 255 G9 sticks to a straightforward design that prioritises practicality over aesthetics. Its plastic chassis has a textured finish that helps resist fingerprints and scratches, which is great for everyday use. While it’s not a head-turner, the build feels sturdy enough to handle daily wear and tear. At 1.74 kg, the laptop is not the most portable device for carrying around.
The 255 G9 also offers some functional touches, like a hinge that opens up to 180 degrees for easier collaboration or presentations. The bezels around the screen are slightly thicker than on more premium models, but this is expected at this price point. Overall, it’s a practical design that gets the job done without unnecessary frills.
Performance
The HP 255 G9 model I’ve reviewed, is powered by the AMD Ryzen™ 5 5625U processor, and it handles day-to-day tasks with ease. During testing, it breezed through activities like managing spreadsheets, writing reports, and juggling multiple browser tabs with streaming in the background. The 6-core, 12-thread processor makes multitasking smooth, even when switching between demanding apps like video calls and light photo editing.
The 16 GB of RAM really shows its worth when running multiple programs simultaneously. For instance, I opened a mix of productivity tools like Excel and Word and a couple of Chrome tabs without any noticeable slowdown. The 512 GB SSD is fast and reliable, allowing apps to launch in seconds and large files to transfer without delays.
While it won’t handle heavy workloads like 4K video editing or gaming on high settings, the AMD Radeon™ Graphics provides enough support for very basic games or editing a few images on the go. It’s a solid performer for anyone focused on productivity over play.
Display
The 15.6-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS display is one of the HP 255 G9’s stronger features for its price range. The anti-glare coating minimizes reflections, making it comfortable to use under bright office lights or by a window. While the colours and contrast are decent for casual media consumption, the display is not particularly vivid, which may disappoint creatives or those used to more vibrant panels.
During hands-on testing, the screen performed well for everyday tasks like reading documents or streaming videos. Text appeared sharp, and viewing angles were wide enough for comfortable collaboration or side-by-side work. That said, the brightness levels might feel insufficient in direct sunlight, so this is more of an indoor performer.
Battery Life
Battery performance on the HP 255 G9 is serviceable but not groundbreaking. During typical usage—browsing, editing documents, and streaming a couple of videos—it lasted around 2 to 3 hours on a single charge. While it’s adequate for a work or school day, heavy multitaskers or users relying on video calls might need to keep the charger handy.
The laptop comes with a 41Wh battery, which feels slightly underwhelming for a device of this size. However, the fast-charging feature compensates somewhat, taking the battery from zero to about 50% in just under an hour. This makes it a decent companion if you’re hopping between meetings or locations and need quick top-ups. For more stationary users, staying plugged in won’t be a dealbreaker.
Keyboard and Trackpad
The keyboard on the HP 255 G9 is a functional, full-sized layout complete with a numeric keypad—a handy addition for anyone working with numbers regularly. Typing feels decent, with adequate key travel and a tactile response that doesn’t feel overly stiff or mushy. However, it’s missing backlighting, which can be a drawback for those who often work in dimly lit spaces.
The trackpad is generously sized and works well for everyday navigation. It supports Windows Precision drivers, making gestures like scrolling and multi-finger swipes smooth and responsive. While it isn’t as premium-feeling as glass-coated trackpads on higher-end laptops, it performs reliably for productivity tasks. During testing, the trackpad accurately registered inputs without any noticeable lag, making it dependable for casual users.
Pros
- Affordable price point for budget-conscious users
- Full HD IPS display with anti-glare coating
- Comfortable full-sized keyboard with numeric keypad
- Reliable performance for productivity tasks
- Decent port selection, including USB-C and HDMI
Cons
- Battery life could be better for heavy users
- Keyboard lacks backlighting
- Plastic build doesn’t feel premium
- Limited graphics performance for demanding tasks
Best For
Small business owners, and professionals who need a reliable laptop for basic productivity tasks without overspending.
Final Verdict
The HP 255 G9 is a practical choice for users who need a no-frills laptop to tackle everyday tasks. Its combination of a capable AMD Ryzen™ 5 processor, 16 GB of memory, and a fast 512 GB SSD ensures a smooth experience for web browsing, office work, and light multitasking. The Full HD display is a solid addition at this price point, making it suitable for long working hours or casual media consumption.
That said, it’s not without its limitations. The lack of keyboard backlighting and average battery life may deter some users, particularly those who work long hours on the go or in low-light conditions. However, for students, professionals, or small business owners who need a reliable machine for basic productivity, the HP 255 G9 delivers solid value without stretching your budget.
