HP Readies New Desktops for Enterprises

Hewlett-Packard is ramping up its desktop line with additions to four models that will emphasize energy efficiency and long life cycles for business customers.

As it has with other models in its Compaq line, the Palo Alto, Calif., company will offer Intels Core 2 Duo processors in two of these desktops. In addition, one model, the HP Compaq dc5750, will support Advanced Micro Devices Athlon 64 X2 dual-core processor.

HP plans on introducing the new features in these desktops at the Green California Summit, which starts March 13.

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When HP first introduced this line of desktops in September, the company emphasized the inclusion of high-performance processors, better supporting chip sets, security and manageability.

This time, HP is placing the emphasis on power efficiency.

With the high-end Compaq dc7700 and the midrange Compaq dc5700 and dc7550 models, HP will offer configurations that will give users 80 percent energy efficiency in these desktops, said Nancy Bowman, an HP product manager for North America.

In addition, Bowman said when the 80 percent energy efficiency technology is combined with new "idle power" consumption requirements, these desktops will meet the latest requirements of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys Energy Star program.

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The new version of Energy Star, called 4.0, will be the first changes the EPA has made to the program in 15 years. The EPA announced the new requirements in October and the new standards are expected to go into effect in July.

By announcing that some of its desktops will meet these requirements early, Bowman said HP is looking to make its desktops attractive to enterprises concerned about energy consumption and power costs, as well as businesses looking to implement "green" policies.

"I think these desktops really show HPs emphasis on engineering and it also shows that we are ahead of the game by giving customers a chance to get these 80 percent efficient machines that meet the Energy Star 4.0 requirements early," Bowman said.

"This is also about worry-free computing," she added. "Our customers who ask for these PCs dont have to worry about if their machines will meet these requirements."

The desktops that are designed for either 80 percent efficiency or meet the new Energy Star standards will cost customers an extra $15 to $20 per machine. However, HP said that these PCs could save as much as 52 percent on a companys energy bill, which could translate into an annual savings of $6 to $65 per machine.

HP is also placing emphasis on the life cycles of these desktops. The dc7700, for example, offers a life cycle of 15 months or more, while the dc5700 and the dc5750 offer life cycles of 12 months or more.

Next Page: Desktop sales dropping.