HP Unveils EliteBooks

August 19, 2008

HP introduced three ultra-portable notebook computers, including a three-pound EliteBook, the smallest and lightest HP notebook with a built-in optical drive.

HP Compaq 2230s Notebook PC

Inspired by aircraft construction and designed for style-conscious mobile professionals, the HP EliteBook 2530p features the sleek and durable HP DuraCase – a brushed, anodized aluminum exterior casing combined with a magnesium alloy chassis that is engineered to pass several military-standard durability tests such as extreme temperature, dust and humidity.

The HP EliteBook 2730p is an ultra-thin, convertible tablet that – with a twist of the screen – transforms from an ultra-light notebook PC into a pen-based tablet. The value-priced HP Compaq 2230s rounds out one of the most comprehensive ultra-portable notebook lineups in the industry.

“HP continues to distinguish the EliteBook brand with sophisticated, innovative designs that combine military-standard durability with easy-to-use features and the right levels of performance,” said Keith LeFebvre, vice president and general manager, Business Notebooks, Personal Systems Group – Americas, HP. “These great-looking notebooks can withstand the rigors of the road, meet the most demanding tasks and keep up with the ever-changing mobile lifestyle.”

The HP EliteBook series incorporates the latest Intel processors, solid-state hard drives and the most up-to-date wireless technologies, making them ideal for the business user on the go.

Offering the latest Intel technology for extended battery life and enhanced system performance, HP EliteBooks also support Intel Core 2 Duo ultra-low-voltage (ULV) or low-voltage (LV) processors to optimize performance and minimize power consumption.

The two new EliteBook models feature an optional integrated 2 megapixel webcam with business card reader software, and an integrated HP NightLight that shines on the keyboard to improve visibility in low light. A shock-resistant hard drive and spill-resistant keyboard, standard with the HP EliteBook series, help defend data against bumps, drops and spills.

HP EliteBook 2530p Notebook PC – For the business professional on the go, HP’s smallest and lightest-weight business notebook offers performance in a 3.19-pound package.  The 12.1-inch diagonal widescreen HP Illumi-Lite LED display is lighter than standard notebook display technology and improves battery life by up to 90 minutes.

The HP EliteBook 2530p offers the choice of an ultra-small 1.8-inch hard drive with a built-in optical drive or a higher-capacity 2.5-inch hard drive. For added protection against bang-ups, the inner magnesium shell of the notebook’s HP DuraCase is equipped with a honeycomb pattern that is thermally bonded to anodized aluminum for a solid construction to withstand active day-to-day use on the road.

HP EliteBook 2730p Notebook PC – This high-performing, ultra-thin, convertible tablet sports an innovative design and weighs in at only 3.7 pounds.Rotating the screen transforms it into a pen-based tablet measuring only 1.11-inches thin. New features include an integrated touchpad, tablet buttons and a jog dial. Frequent travelers can take advantage of the optional ultra-slim battery accessory that offers up to 12 combined hours of battery life.(4) The HP EliteBook 2730p also supports a convenient, ultra-slim docking solution with an integrated DVD+/-RW drive.

Stylish and powerful, the 4.07-pound HP Compaq 2230s Notebook PC offers a 12.1-inch diagonal widescreen display and a satin, reflective, black-on-black surface. With the Wi-Fi-certified wireless local area network (WLAN) and integrated Bluetooth wireless technology, mobile professionals can send and receive emails or access the Internet – at work, at home or at their favorite hotspots. This modernized classic business notebook includes HP 3D DriveGuard, which uses a three-axis accelerometer to detect sudden movement and initiate protective action, helping safeguard the hard drive against bumps or drops.

All HP business notebooks are designed with the environment in mind, offering energy-efficient features and select materials for easier recycling. Both the EliteBook 2530p and 2730p have an Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) Gold rating and feature a mercury-free Illumi-Lite LED display, which is lighter and more energy-efficient than standard notebook display technology. HP has set a goal to remove all mercury – a potentially hazardous substance commonly found in notebook screens – from its notebooks by 2010.

The notebooks feature HP Mobile Broadband with built-in Gobi technology from Qualcomm and use a single module, the HP un2400, to support multiple mobile broadband network technologies and mobile operators. This increases users’ international roaming options and offers greater choice and flexibility in choosing a mobile data plan.

Included HP QuickLook 2 software provides access to email, calendar, task and contact information within seconds at the touch of a button with no need to boot the operating system.(7) HP SpareKey addresses the hassle of forgotten passwords by using a sequence of three predetermined personal identification questions to gain entry into the system.

All of the new notebook models are loaded with strong security features, including HP ProtectTools Security Manager and Drive Encryption for HP ProtectTools, which encodes information on the hard drive to make sensitive information unreadable if a notebook is lost or stolen. For added data security, the built-in File Sanitizer permanently deletes individual files, folders and personally identifiable information from the notebook, allowing customers to recycle the notebook with confidence that their business data has been removed.

The HP EliteBook 2530p and HP EliteBook 2730p are expected to be available by early September, with estimated starting U.S. street pricing of $1,499 and $1,670, respectively.

The HP Compaq 2230s is currently available at an estimated starting U.S. street price of $999.