The HP 8300 Elite is a fine desktop choice for businesses whose operations are primarily over the Web or network (such as database management, information management, or Web design) and need to deploy many units.
It gives IT managers the most options in configurations, securities and more chassis choices, like converting the minitower into a horizontal orientation for a more traditional “monitor on top of desktop” configuration for small workstations.
Plus, it includes backward compatibility with old-school hardware like PS2 peripherals that connect via serial ports. It is ideal for either a startup or an enterprise department than need to replace aging systems or need to deploy many units at ago.
Design
The 8300 Elite is a small form factor (SFF) PC that is small enough (4 by 14.9 by 13.3 inches, HWD) to fit under a desk or a small workstation, but it still retains some full-size components, like its Intel Core i5-2500S processor and an integrated Intel HD 2500 graphics card. Though the system being compact, it still has some room for a few upgrades. There are two SO-DIMM memory slots (one is filled), and an MXM graphics slot in case you need to configure the 8300 with a discrete graphics card.
Apart from that, the compact size means you won’t have other upgrades, unless you install additional storage. You (or likely IT folk) can easily add extra functionality using the system’s ten USB ports. It gets a share of legacy ports including the PS/2 ports for both keyboard and mouse, and a VGA port for the monitor. If your company is no longer uses PS/2, the only alternative is the single DisplayPort on the back of the system, next to the Ethernet port.
Connectivity
Of the ten USB ports, four are USB 3.0 and the remaining six are USB 2.0, but you don’t get HDMI or eSATA ports. There simply isn’t room – the few tradeoffs you need to make for such a compact system. Servicing the machine is pretty easy, a lockable case door on the side comes off quickly, push back the optical drive and next is the hard drive.
Performance
A 3.2GHz Intel Core i5-3470 processor, with built-in Intel HD Graphics 2500, 8GB of DDR3 memory and 500GB hard drive, making the 8300 Elite a quick, affordable, productivity PC. As configured, the HP 8300 Elite SFF is certainly a capable compact desktop for your medium-to-enterprise-sized business.
It has the power to fulfill your day-to-day needs, particularly if you’re a Web-based business or your activities are based on traditional databases and Excel spreadsheets, and it can easily handle light-to-medium graphics tasks.
The integrated HD Graphics 2500 doesn’t offer much when it comes to playing modern titles but it can handle basic tasks that don’t need a discrete graphics card. If you need something for your games and media creation tasks, the CyberPower Gamer GXiVR8060A5 – our Editors Choice for entry-level gaming desktops, is an excellent pick, with a discrete Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 graphics card and an 8th Gen Intel Core i5-8400 processor. It combines everything we’ve come to expect of CyberPowerPC’s devices including, including out-of-the-box VR capability, powerful components and a likable design.
Bottom Line
The HP 8300 Elite Small Form Factor desktop, used as a personal computer or small-medium-enterprise, will work just fine. If you’re on a tight budget and need a nice desktop, or your firm needs to deploy like 20 units for all workstations in the office but on a budget, then 8300 Elite is a nice buy.
In fact, there is nothing this simple desktop can’t do for a web developer, student, or small business user. However, for power users with more modest needs, the Acer Aspire TC-885-ACCFLi5O is a better buy.
For the business user who needs workstation-like performance for a small budget, the HP 8300 SFF delivers everything it promises, like reliable performance to keep you up and running and a compact design that won’t dwarf you in your office. It is our Editors’ Choice for budget SMB business desktops.
Recommended Configuration
HP 8300 Elite Small Form Factor Desktop Computer, Intel Core i5-3470 3.2GHz Quad-Core, 8GB RAM, 500GB SATA, Windows 10 Pro 64-Bit, USB 3.0, Display Port (Renewed)
The Review
HP 8300 Elite Small Form Factor
The HP 8300 Elite Small Form Factor desktop, used as a personal computer or small-medium-enterprise, will work just fine. For the business user who needs workstation-like performance for a small budget, this SFF delivers everything it promises, like reliable performance and a compact design.
PROS
- Compact form factor
- Very affordable
- Easy-open side panel makes maintenance and repair easy
CONS
- No HDMI, eSATA ports
- Limited capacity storage
Review Breakdown
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EDITORS RATING
