HP Unveils 3 New 12-inch Notebooks

HP has unveiled three new 12-inch notebooks Monday based on Intel’s new Centrino 2 platform

HP has announced three new ultra-portable notebooks Monday with the introduction of their HP EliteBook 2530p, HP EliteBook 2730p, and HP Compaq 2230s. All three new notebooks are based on Intel’s new Centrino 2 platform.

First up is the slim HP Elitebook 2530p, featuring a 12.1-inch widescreen LED display, military grade build quality, and a slew of storage options including SSD, dual hard drives, and optical drive. The notebook weighs in at just 3.19 pounds, has a 0.99-inch thickness, and offers the road warrior a durable anodized aluminum exterior and magnesium shell that HP calls DuraCase.

The HP EliteBook 2730p has a bit of a twist to it, as it’s a pen-based tablet PC with a 12.1-inch widescreen display and 1.11-inch thickness. For those looking for a tablet PC may enjoy the added jog dial, touchpad, tablet buttons, and optional 12 hour battery life. It weighs in at 3.74 pounds, with many of the same options as the HP Elitebook 2530p.

Both the two HP EliteBook notebooks mentioned feature Intel’s ULV and LV Core 2 Duo processors, Intel’s GMA 4500MHD integrated graphics, Wi-Fi, WWAN, Bluetooth, webcam with business card reading software, and spill resistant keyboards. The HP EliteBook 2530p and HP EliteBook 2730p should be available early September, fashionably late for the back-to-school shopper, and priced starting at $1,499 and $1,670, respectively.

Rounding off the set of new notebooks is the already available and more affordable HP Compaq 2230s. It has a 12.1" widescreen display, weighs in at 4.07 pounds, and has both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The graphics are also powered by the new Intel GMA 4500MHD, which won’t satisfy most casual gamers, but is a great option if on a tight budget. Its pricing starts at $999.