Hewlett-Packard has unveiled a pair of Pro Tablet 608 enterprise-targeted tablet computers, with versions running Windows 8.1 or Windows 10 and features meant to help executives and mobile professionals get their work done on the road.
The Pro Tablet 608 tablets will include quad-core Intel Atom Z8500 processors, up to 4GB of RAM and 128GB of onboard eMMc storage, as well as enterprise-ready security and management tools for implementation by business IT departments. The Pro Tablet 608 is also HP’s first tablet to include the USB-C port, which provides an all-in-one port for fast charging, data transfer and other connectivity options.
The new machines, which were announced on June 18, will be available in July for the Windows 8.1 version and in August for the Windows 10 version. The Windows 8.1 version will start at $479, while pricing has not yet been set for the Windows 10 version, according to HP.
The HP Pro Tablet 608 devices will include an 8-inch diagonal QXGA HD screen featuring 2,048-by-1,536 resolution and a 4:3 aspect ratio that is optimized for working with business productivity apps. The tablets also include enterprise-class audio and Webcam support for video conferencing. They are less than 8.35mm thin, weigh under 1 pound and are expected to have up to 8 hours of battery life on a charge, according to HP.
They also feature dual front-facing stereo speakers, dual microphones, DTS Studio Sound and noise-canceling software, as well as a front-facing 2-megapixel camera for Web conferencing in almost any environment. In addition, the machines include an 8MP rear-facing camera.
The new tablets are also built to be rugged, with Corning Gorilla Glass 4 display coverings and metal-reinforced chassis to stand up to work on the road. The devices include dual-band WiFi and can be equipped with optional 3G or 4G connectivity.
A range of optional accessories will be offered, including a pen, rugged case, travel keyboards and a portable docking station, according to HP.
Also unveiled by HP was a special case that turns the HP Pro Tablet 608 into a mobile device that can be used by retailers to conduct and process sales that can then be tied directly into a company’s back-end system, as well as an updated version of HP’s Touchpoint Manager IT management platform for small and medium-size businesses.
The HP Pro Tablet Mobile Retail Solution is a durable case that wraps around the tablet and allows it to be used with a wide range of third-party mobile payment terminals, including EMV, NFC, MSR and most digital wallets, according to HP. The cases are expected to be available starting in October.
The updates to the cloud-based HP Touchpoint Manager, which was unveiled last fall, will include a secure and easy-to-use tool to remotely access and troubleshoot Windows-based devices from browsers or from desktop or mobile devices. The updates will arrive in the July.
