Choosing a compact laptop means balancing durability and performance and price. The HP EliteBook 840 and Lenovo IdeaPad S145 and Dell Inspiron 5370 all fit in the 13 and 14 inch working space but they focus very different purchasers. Below i compare them across build and design and performance and screens and input devices and battery and portability and ports and connectivity and security and business features and value so you can pick the right one for your needs.
Design
HP EliteBook 840
The EliteBook is clearly aimed at business users and expect a premium conservative design ( metal or sturdy alloy chassis ) and tighter tolerances and a more solid hinge. It feels built to survive daily travel and heavy use. Its aesthetic is professional rather than flashy.
Lenovo IdeaPad S145
The IdeaPad S145 is a budget consumer machine. The chassis is mostly plastic lighter in finish and less rigid. Thats fine for everyday home or student use but it won’t give the same reassurance as the EliteBook under sustained rough handling.
Dell Inspiron 5370
The Inspiron 5370 sits between the two better made than a low end IdeaPad but not quite as business grade as an Elite Book. It often uses a mix of metal and plastic parts to keep costs down while improving feel.
Performance
All three are offered with a range of CPUs and memory options so the performance depends on the specific configuration you choose.
EliteBook 840 — typically available with higher-end Intel Core processors and options for vPro, more RAM and faster SSDs. It’s engineered for sustained workloads and business multitasking.
IdeaPad S145 — often marketed with entry-level Intel or AMD chips aimed at light productivity: web, streaming and document work. Good for students and casual users.
Inspiron 5370 offers midrange options that balance everyday responsiveness and battery life. It is a solid choice for users who need more than basic speed but don’t require workstation power.
If you plan to run heavier tasks ( virtual machines or compiling or large spreadsheets ) the EliteBook higher tier CPU and business configurations make it the best fit. For light browsing and media and document editing the S145 is the most economical. The Inspiron is the sensible middle ground.
Display
Expect 13 or 14 inch screens across the three with Full HD ( 1080p ) as the practical sweet spot.
EliteBook 840 better display options ( higher brightness or optional low blue light or privacy filters ) and more consistent color and viewing angles which helps for long working days or presentations.
IdeaPad S145 panels are serviceable for casual use but tend to be dimmer and with narrower color gamut. Fine for streaming and schoolwork not ideal for color critical tasks.
Inspiron 5370 generally offers acceptable brightness and contrast for day to day use better than most budget panels but not as calibrated as business models.
Keyboard and Trackpad and Input
EliteBook 840 — typically has a comfortable, tactile keyboard and a precise trackpad; business models also include robust pointing options and better key travel for long typing sessions.
IdeaPad S145 — keyboard is okay for casual typing; key travel and feedback are lighter. Trackpad functionality is fine but feels cheaper.
Inspiron 5370 — keyboard is usually decent and often better than the IdeaPad; trackpad is reliable for gestures and daily use.
Battery and Portability
All three are designed to be portable, but battery life will vary by configuration and CPU.
EliteBook 840 — tuned for long business days; larger battery options and power-management features help extend runtime.
IdeaPad S145 — offers acceptable battery life for students and casual users; more focus on value than extreme battery longevity.
Inspiron 5370 — tends to hit a middle ground: respectable runtimes with compact dimensions.
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Ports connectivity & expandability
EliteBook 840 — better port selection on many models (often including Ethernet options via adapter, docking-dock support, and enterprise Wi-Fi options). Also easier to service or upgrade in many configurations.
IdeaPad S145 — basic port set: USB-A, HDMI and audio jack. Limited expandability.
Inspiron 5370 — competitive port selection for consumers, and often includes at least one USB-C alongside USB-A and HDMI.
Conclusion
All three laptops serve clear and different markets. The EliteBook 840 is the premium business oriented choice secure and configurable. The IdeaPad S145 is the budget champion inexpensive and adequate for everyday tasks. The Dell Inspiron 5370 sits in the middle offering a good compromise between cost and build quality and features. Pick based on which of those priorities matters most security and longevity ( EliteBook ) price and simplicity ( IdeaPad ) or balanced everyday performance ( Inspiron ).
