HP debuts mixed bag of notebooks

By Rob Kerr on Jun 16, 2008 8:22 AM
Filed under Hardware

HP unveiled its aircraft-inspired HP EliteBook and another seven newly designed business notebooks in Berlin.

This new line-up is the first to offer a choice of the latest processors, which include both AMD Turion 64 X2 Ultra Dual-Core mobile processors and Intel Centrino 2 vPro technology.

Also new up is the brushed anodized-aluminum,-magnesium alloy based HP Elitebook – the first in a new range of notebooks, adding to the existing HP Compaq business notebook’s series.

Elitebook

HP EliteBook 6930p sports an Intel Core2 Duo 9000/8000, mobile 45 chipset and is only 2.1 kilogrammes in weight, including the 14.1-inch diagonal widescreen display. The box features a shock-resistant hard drive, spill-resistant keyboard and is tough enough to meet MIL-STD 810F military-standard tests of temperatures of over 60 degrees Celsius and below -29C, apparently. If it was only on steroids and well tanned, we’d see it on the latest series of Gladiators.

Its 14.1-inch diagonal WXGA and optional Illumi-Lite LED display comes with an enhanced impact protection panel that can withstand up to 80 per cent more force in twist than previous display enclosures. There’s also a choice of 128 or 256MB on the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3450 Graphics onboard, or just an Intel Graphics Accelerator. The EliteBook is expected in mid August at starting at £967, 1219 Euros or $1,179.

Others that were announced were a whole bunch of redesigned models that fall under the “b” series with a familiar silver finish and magnesium alloy structure.

The HP Compaq 6530b is aimed at the mobile business hot-desker and a starting weight of just 2.41 kilograms and a 14.1-inch diagonal display, with the same proc options at the EiteBook. It’s expected at the end of July.

Both the HP Compaq 6730b and HP Compaq 6735b are aimed at those who desire the beefier 15.4-inch display, with an overall starting weight of 2.69 kilograms. The later model comes with the offerings of AMD Turion X2 Ultra Dual-Core Mobile, Athlon X2 Dual-Core Processor and AMD Sempron processor on a M780G Chipset.

HP Compaq Notebook’s- 6730b, 6830p, 6530b

The other flavour of the new launch is the “s” series, a satin design with a reflective black-on-black finish.

HP Compaq 6730s and HP Compaq 6735s has the same larger display as before, also the varieties of AMD and Intel types previously mentioned too.

HP Compaq 6830s comes with a 17-inch diagonal widescreen display, the largest of the series. With the same CPU offerings as the ElteBook, in addition to graphics too – albeit missing the Intel offering. Availability is as with the rest of them from July, with costs being 769 Euros610 ex VAT.

Missing from the EMEA line-up are the 6530 and 6535 s varieties, and also the 6735b model. No details were available as to why this was at the time of going to press, perhaps they just wouldn’t sell or we’ve all done something wrong and are being punished. µ

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