Aimed at boosting performance and productivity, the new EliteBooks and ProBooks boast all metal casing and, of course, Intel’s 2011 Sandy Bridge processors.
First up is the ProBook b-series, which features three new machines in 13.3-inch, 14-inch and 15.6-inch flavours. Starting at $799, all three feature a spill-resistant keyboard, along with a bottom-case drain that helps protect against accidental minor keyboard spills. HP has also added a DisplaySafe frame for added panel protection along with display latches. The casing is is made from magnesium reinforced ABS and the cover is bead blasted aluminium. Specswise, the 13.3-inch 6360b, the 14-inch 6460b and 15.6-inch 6560b pack HD LED backlit displays, AMD Radeon 640 graphics and can be configured with either Intel’s Celeron or Core i-Series. There’s also the option for a HD webcam if that tickles your fancy.
The s-series ProBooks are a little more low-end and it’s immediately obvious that HP is going to stylish but affordable here. Available in five sizes (the 12.1-inch 4230s, the 13.3-inch 4330s, the 14-inch 4430s, the 15.6-inch 4530s and the 17.3-inch 4730s), the budget s-series boasts a sleek brushed-aluminum finish and spill-resistant keyboard. Under the hood there’s a choice of Intel’s second-gen Core i-series or Celeron processors, optional Power Express Switchable Graphics or integrated graphics, and a HD webcam. Pricing for the ProBook s-series starts at $579.
Last but definitely not least (they’re actually the most expensive of the bunch), is the new EliteBooks p-series, which features the 14-inch 8460p and 15.6-inch 8560p. With CPU options ranging from dual-core Core i3 to quad-core core i7, there’s also the choice of UMA or AMD Radeon HD 6470M discrete graphics. Both come with support for both USB 2.0 and 3.0 and a choice of either HDD or SSD storage. There’s the option for either a 3-, 6-, or 9-cell battery and if you’re willing to pick up the new HP Ultra-Capacity Notebook Battery, HP is saying you can get up to 32 hours from your notebook. This is a similar claim to Lenovo’s 30 hours of battery promise with the new ThinkPad T420. Pricing for the 8460p and 8560p start at $999 and $1099, respectively.
All of the laptops will be available to customers in the United States starting March 15.
