The HP 250 G3's case is constructed entirely of matte plastic. The raw surface doesn't show fingerprints and has good grippability. At a thickness of 2.8 cm (~1.1 inches) and a weight of 2.14 kg (~4.7 lbs), for having a 15.7-inch display, the device is very portable. Compared to the aforementioned competition, our device is 100-200 g (~0.22-0.44 lbs) lighter on average, but it is also 1-3 mm (~0.03-0.11 inches) thicker. The various pieces of the case join cleanly, but, unfortunately, the frame around the Ethernet port is rather sharp-edged, and the display lid yields easily to pressure. In terms of connections, the device offers three USB ports, though only one supports USB 3.0. Many other notebooks highlight their USB 3.0 ports in blue, but this HP device doesn't -- instead it simply houses the newer USB technology on its left side. With the exception of the power input and the Kensington lock, all the computer's connections are located towards the front. The advantage of this design is ease of accessibility; the disadvantage is that a tangle of devices and cables near the front of the notebook can get in the way, especially if you use a USB-based mouse.

Looking at the underside of the notebook, there is no maintenance hatch to be found. Only the battery can be removed without any tools. The Acer Aspire E1-532 proves that this kind of sealed construction isn't necessary for an inexpensive notebook.

