Hewlett-Packard on March 1 introduced its new ProBook S-series (for Standard) of notebook computers, aimed at the price-conscious midrange and SMB markets. The new machines, which come in display size choices of 12.1-inch, 13.3-inch, 14-inch, 15.6-inch and 17.3-inch, are all powered by Intel dual core processors and are preinstalled with Windows 7, Vista or FreeDOS. The 12.1-inch EliteBook 2540p notebook starts at $719 with a basic feature set, but the prices can be as much as twice that depending upon which options you pick. In addition to high-performance options of 4GB to 8GB of RAM and 250GB to 320GB storage, the new HP laptops feature new matte-brushed aluminum shells with color descriptions that include "Bordeaux" for a faintly garnet-colored model and "Caviar," which looks an awful lot like charcoal black. This slideshow highlights the key features of the product line. HP says the systems can be ordered now for delivery by the end of March.
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HP Unveils New ProBook Notebooks and EliteBook Business Tablets
by Chris Preimesberger
HP's EliteBook 2540p Notebook and Twist-Top EliteBook 2740p Tablet
The 12.1-inch EliteBook 2540p notebook (left) and the multitouch, twist-top EliteBook 2740p Tablet are cousins in that they are about the same size and have many of the same options. But the 2740p, thanks to its high-performance features, is HP's first convertible tablet aimed specifically at the business market.
EliteBook 2740p Tablet
This view of the EliteBook 2740p Tablet gives you an idea of how the display moves and how adaptable it is. It features multitouch options (much like an iTouch or iPhone), can be used with a pen or finger, has zoom and rotate touch functions, comes with an outdoor view (backlit) display, and can turn digitally handwritten notes into text.
EliteBook 2740p Tablet
When used in a regular mode, the EliteBook 2740p Tablet looks and functions like any other high-end notebook. It features an HD graphics card; 160GB, 250GB or 320GB HHD storage options; and 80GB or 160GB SSD storage options. It weighs a mere 3.8 pounds.
HP DayStarter
A new standard feature on all the new HP laptops and notebooks is something called HP DayStarter, an application that runs in the BIOS while the computer is booting up. DayStarter displays the next 12 hours of events on the user's Outlook calendar and displays exactly how much battery power is left via a power meter (lower right).
ProBook 4320s
The 13.3-inch display ProBook 4320s (shown here in the "Bordeaux"-color casing) also features a high-definition LED-backlit display. As with all the 4000 series machines, buyers have a choice of Intel Core i3, i5 or i7 processors and also can choose which graphics card they want: Intel HD graphics or a higher-end ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4350 graphics card.
ProBook 4420s
The 14-inch display ProBook 4420s, shown here in the "Caviar"-color shell, is larger but weighs a shade under 5 pounds. This one includes a face-recognition security feature that HP will likely make greater use of in the future. It also includes as standard the ArcSoft TotalMedia Suite, which allows users to play, edit and create video and audio files; and a spill-resistant keyboard.
Lightweight Aluminum Shells
Here's a closeup of the new lightweight but strong aluminum shells that come with the new line of laptops and notebooks. Plastic is on the way out, HP says.
High-End graphics
HP is trying hard to give other PC manufacturers a run for their money on display graphics. This 17.3-inch ProBook 4720s notebook features high-performance discrete ATI Mobility Radeon graphics with dedicated video memory for more graphics-intensive environments. Additionally, the notebook comes loaded with the new ArcSoft TotalMedia Suite that allows users to play, edit and create video and audio files.
ProBook 4720s Notebook
Here's the 17.3-inch ProBook 4720s notebook as shown from the front. These top-of-the-line notebooks start at about $1,499.
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See All Slideshows
Hewlett-Packard on March 1 introduced its new ProBook S-series (for Standard) of notebook computers, aimed at the price-conscious midrange and SMB markets. The new machines, which come in display size choices of 12.1-inch, 13.3-inch, 14-inch, 15.6-inch and 17.3-inch, are all powered by Intel dual core processors and are preinstalled with Windows 7, Vista or FreeDOS. The 12.1-inch EliteBook 2540p notebook starts at $719 with a basic feature set, but the prices can be as much as twice that depending upon which options you pick. In addition to high-performance options of 4GB to 8GB of RAM and 250GB to 320GB storage, the new HP laptops feature new matte-brushed aluminum shells with color descriptions that include "Bordeaux" for a faintly garnet-colored model and "Caviar," which looks an awful lot like charcoal black. This slideshow highlights the key features of the product line. HP says the systems can be ordered now for delivery by the end of March.