HP 15t 3LM40AV_1, 4HL43AV_1 (2018) Inexpensive 15.6″ Laptop with Intel Core CPUs, Optional Touch

The HP 15t 3LM40AV_1 and 4HL43AV_1 are 2018 models from the entry-level HP 15t 15.6-inch notebook series. They start at around $450. The 3LM40AV_1 and 4HL43AV_1 are configurable models available on the official HP Store. You can also find the same laptop in form of pre-configured models via various sellers.

All of the 2018 HP 15t series notebooks feature a plastic chassis, with seven color options available. On the base, they have a full-size keyboard with numeric pad and optional backlight.

The main differences between the HP 15t 3LM40AV_1 and 4HL43AV_1 are processor and screen choices. The 3LM40AV_1 comes with the Intel Core i3 and i5 processors, namely the 7th Gen i3-7100U, 8th Gen i3-8130U, and 8th Gen i5-8250U. On the other side, the 4HL43AV_1 comes with either the 7th Gen Intel Core i7-7500U or 8th Gen i7-8550U. As for the screen, the 3LM40AV_1 provides three display choices – a basic HD glossy panel, the same HD screen with touch support, and a sharper Full HD display with matte anti-glare coating. The 4HL43AV_1 variant provides only one screen choice – the HD touch-screen. All of the displays are apparently TN panels with narrower viewing angles than IPS panels, since they are marked as “SVA”. HP’s notebooks with IPS wide viewing angles are usually marked with “UWVA”.

The HP 15t 3LM40AV_1 / 4HL43AV_1 is available with up to 16GB of RAM via two RAM slots. As the basic data storage option, the laptop provides a 1-Terabyte mechanical hard drive with Intel Optane 16GB add-on for faster performance. The second option is a 1TB HDD plus 256GB of fast solid state drive storage. Or, you can select 512GB of SSD-only storage for the best data storage performance.

The notebook has a medium-sized 41 WHr battery. According to HP, the maximal battery life is “up to 10 hours and 15 minutes” on models with HD displays (on Full HD it is shorter). But, that’s probably measured with very low workload and screen brightness.

Here are the specs of the HP 15t 3LM40AV_1, 4HL43AV_1 (2018) with descriptions of its features. For comparison against other laptops, you can use the "Compare Specs" button.

Brand	HP
Laptop Type	Standard non-convertible laptop This laptop features a clamshell-only design, without ability to convert itself into a tablet.
Screen Size	15.6-inch This is by far the most popular laptop screen size. It provides a lot of screen real estate, while avoiding bulkiness of the 17.3" laptops.
Screen Resolution	1366x768 pixels HD This is an entry-level screen resolution, oftentimes found on budget laptops. It doesn't deliver picture sharpness and space on the screen like the Full HD or higher resolution laptop displays do. 1920x1080 pixels Full HD Full HD is the most common laptop screen resolution today. It provides a good image sharpness and a decent amount of space on the display for the user interface and programs. However, it isn't as good as the top-tier 4K Ultra HD.
Touchscreen	Finger multi-touch input (optional) The device optionally comes with touchscreen capability.
Other Display Specs	TN type Displays based on the old TN technology lack wide viewing angles you can find on IPS screens. The colors may look washed out or inverted at certain viewing angles. Glossy reflective coating The glossy reflective displays provide vivid colors, but are prone to ambient light reflections. Anti-glare coating Anti-glare coating reduces ambient light reflections, as opposed to the glare-type displays with more vivid colors.
Processor (CPU)	Intel Core i3-7100U 7th Gen (low-mid-range processor for home and office use, older model) Intel Core i3-8130U 8th Gen (enables smooth everyday computing) Intel Core i5-8250U 8th Gen (enables smooth everyday computing) Intel Core i7-7500U 7th Gen (older mid-range processor for home and office use) Intel Core i7-8550U 8th Gen (decent for heavier tasks, besides enabling effortless daily computing)
Graphics (GPU)	Intel HD 620 integrated graphics of 7th Gen Core i3, i5, i7 (for light gaming) Intel UHD 620 integrated graphics of 8th Gen Core i3, i5, i7 (for light gaming)
System Memory (RAM) Size	4GB RAM 4GB is a small RAM size for computing in 2023. For smooth operation of a laptop during everyday tasks, at least 8GB is recommended. 8GB RAM The 8GB RAM size is the standard one in 2023. It provides comfortable multi-tasking for the most home and office users. 12GB RAM 12GB is greater than the recommended minimum of 8GB and enables very comfortable multitasking during everyday tasks. However, many games and professional software may require 16GB or more. 16GB RAM 16GB and greater RAM sizes are recommended for heavy multitasking, gaming, and specialized programs that require a lot of RAM.
Data Storage	512GB SSD 512GB storage capacity is recommended if you store a lot of large files and install many programs. 1000GB (1TB) HDD + 16GB Optane This is an excellent capacity, but the HDD portion is a slow type of storage. 1000GB (1TB) HDD + 256GB SSD This is an excellent capacity, but the HDD portion is a slow type of storage.
DVD Optical Drive	None
Keyboard & Input	Backlit keyboard with dedicated number pad The keyboard has backlit keys and a separate numeric pad on the right side of the keyboard. Non-backlit keyboard with dedicated number pad The keyboard has a separate numeric pad on the right side of the keyboard, but it has no keyboard backlight. Touchpad with separate physical click buttons The touchpad features physical left and right click buttons, as opposed to click buttons integrated into the touchpad surface. Touchscreen (optional)
Speakers & Audio	Stereo speakers As usual, the device features a pair of built-in stereo speakers. Combo microphone and headphones audio jack This laptop has the ordinary 3.5mm combo audio jack that supports both headphone output and microphone input simultaneously.
Camera	Front-facing web camera Laptops usually feature a frontal webcam located on the display bezel. This laptop is no exception. HD 720p resolution This is the most common web camera resolution in laptops. However, it's low in comparison to camera resolutions of modern smartphones, so it can't produce as sharp picture.
Wi-Fi Wireless	802.11AC The 802.11AC is the previous-generation wireless networking standard. It's also known as Wi-Fi 5. 802.11AC is succeeded by 802.11AX Wi-Fi 6 with data transfer speed and multi-device connectivity improvements. 802.11N 802.11N is an old Wi-Fi standard, precursor of the 802.11AC and the latest 802.11AX with improved data transfer speeds and connectivity. 802.11N is rarely used in modern laptops.
Ethernet Network Port	Yes This laptop has an Ethernet LAN port for wired internet and networking connectivity.
Bluetooth	Yes This laptop has a built-in Bluetooth module. It enables you to connect the computer to Bluetooth mice and other Bluetooth peripherals, smartphones, and other Bluetooth-equipped devices.
Mobile broadband (4G LTE)	No
USB Ports	2 x USB 3.1 + 1 x USB 2.0 A total of three full-size Type A USB ports.
Video Output Ports	1 x HDMI HDMI is a widely used digital video output port. You can find HDMI-in ports on most computer monitors and TVs.
Media Card Reader	SD card reader The laptop has a slot for full-size SD memory cards, used in many digital cameras. You can also use microSD cards with a card adapter.
Battery	3-cell 41 WHr
Weight	3.9 pounds
Height	0.8"
Width	14.8"
Depth	9.7"
Windows Version	Windows 10 Home Windows 10 Home is aimed at the regular home and office computer users. Only select business users need the Professional edition. Windows 10 Home users are eligible for a free upgrade to the latest Windows 11 Home. Windows 10 Pro Windows 10 Pro version adds some business-specific features in comparison to the standard Windows Home. Windows 10 Pro upgradeable to the latest Windows 11 Pro for free.
Warranty	1-year A typical laptop warranty.