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HP ProBook Laptop Lineup Targets Cost-Conscious Businesses
By: Michelle Maisto
2009-04-28
Article Rating:    / 6
There are 5 user comments on this Desktops & Notebooks story.
HP has introduced the ProBook series, a new lineup of laptops geared toward cost-conscious business users and focusing on design, pricing and features for professionals. Options include Microsoft Windows Vista operating systems or Linux, and either Intel and AMD processors.Hewlett-Packard announced its ProBook laptop series April 28, a new line of
business notebooks that strive to combine good looks, low pricing and
professional-minded features that will appeal to cost-conscious users.
The ProBooks feature high-definition LED backlit display screens and a new
keyboard layout thats said to be more spacious, spill-proof, and have raised
keys that discourage crumbs and dirt from falling inside.
Its got a very streamlined, clean look and feel. You dont see a lot of
buttons, explained Carol Hess-Nickels, a director of marketing with HP. We
also kept the dropped hinge because it lets the panel sit lower, which makes it
very comfortable to use on an airline fold-down table.
On the inside, the ProBooks offer optional HP Mobile Broadband, which is
essentially 128-bit encryption combined with Qualcomm Gobi technology, for
mobile broadband connectivity across different geographies, technologies and
carriers, as Qualcomm materials succinctly put it.
In short, Gobi eliminates the need for external PC
cards, simplifies international roaming and can help to keep wireless budgets
on track, since traveling workers dont need to pay for hotel Wi-Fi or other
similar charges.
The ProBook line also offers a choice of Microsoft Windows operating systemsVista
Business, Home Basic or Home Premium 32, or Vista with a
downgrade to XP Professional. FreeDos is also an option, as is Red Flag Linux,
in China, and certain models offer the open-source Novell
SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 11 OSa first as a preinstall on an HP
notebookwhich offers a way to mingle Linux and Windows environments.
Price-sensitive users can also choose to use the Linux option exclusively.
HPs Professional Innovations suite of hardware and software features is also
included, and among its features is one-button access to e-mail, calendar,
tasks and contact information, using HP QuickLook 2 software.
Powered down your notebook, but then realized you needed a phone number in an e-mail,
or a piece of data? With QuickLook 2, you can push the black button beside the
power button, and within 10 seconds have access to applications and utilities.
Also a part of the Innovations Suite is an accelerometer on the hard drive,
which parks the heads of the drive when it senses a fall, offering a degree of
protection to the drive and its data should the notebook be dropped.
On the security front, all models offer HP SpareKeywhich asks a series of
questions in order to grant access to a password-forgetting userand File
Sanitizer and Disc Sanitizer, which uses a Department of Defense algorithm to
permanently delete files, folders and identification information, offering
peace of mind when it comes time
to recycle the device.
Speaking
of recycling, the notebooks are more than 90 percent recyclable or
recoverable, meaning the materials can be reused, instead of thrown away. The
ProBook line has an EPEAT silver rating, is Energy Star qualified, doesnt
contain mercury and can be switched into a low-power mode during periods of
inactivity.
The lineup comprises the:
HP ProBook 4410 and ProBook 4415, which come with a 14-inch diagonal display,
an integrated optical drive, and optional Blu-ray and 2-megapixel Web cam.
Users also have a choice of graphics controllers and either Intel (4410) or
Advanced Micro Devices (4415) processors.
The 4410 and 4415 are available in Asia and Latin
America, and are available in Noir or Merlotthe first time color
has been introduced to an HP business notebook. Pricing for the Intel version
begins at $699, and the AMD starts at $599.
The HP ProBook 4510 and 4515 feature a 15.6-inch screen, and users have the option
of HP Mobile Broadband and a choice of Intel (4510) or AMD
(4515) processors. Pricing for the Intel version begins at $529, while the AMD version begins at $699.
The HP ProBook 4710 comes with a 17.3-inch screen and includes the ATI
Mobility Radeon HD 4330, with up to 512MB of GDDR2 for video memory, and Intel
Core 2 Duo processors. An HDMI port for HD displays is included. Pricing begins
at $899.
Both the 17-inch and 15-inch models include keyboards with integrated numeric
keypads. An HP USB 2.0 Docking Stationfor
audio, video and network connectivity, and up to four USB-connected
devices at onceis also new for the series, retailing for $139.
The ProBooks announced today are part of the standard series, or s-series. Certain
Compaq notebooks, currently part of a b-series, will fall under the ProBook
distinction the next time they receive a refresh.
On Jan. 6, HP also introduced
the Mini 2140, its latest addition to the
very popular netbook category.
Editor's Note: Changes have been made to include new pricing information and the latest HP Mini model.
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