Mobile Computing News

HP has introduced a new line of laptops under the name “EliteBook”, that aren’t entirely outdoors ready, but still robust enough for typical daily activities. A second hard drive even manages to fit in the 14 inch and two kilo laptop.

The “EliteBook” series replaces the previous business laptops from HP, whose model number ended with a “p”. The first elite computer model is the “HP EliteBook 6930p”. It is contained within the always popular 14 inch form, and the display is available with either 1,280 x 800 or 1,440 x 900 pixels. The lower resolution display is also available with background illumination. HP has not said if the display is non-reflecting. But because this was the case with the previous p series, it is likely to also be so with the EliteBooks.

The computer weighs a total of 2.1 kilograms including the 37 Watt-hour battery and hard drive (with sizes up to 250 GB). Batteries with 55 or 95 Watt-hours are also optionally available, with which the laptop should reach running times of up to 8 hours. HP has yet to offer an SSD for the EliteBook, but the standard hard drives have been additionally outfitted with vibration protection.

A second hard drive can fit into the optical drive slot, in addition to various other devices including a DVD/CD-R combination drive or a DVD burner or even a Blu-ray burner. However, a second battery cannot be placed there.

HP has kept quiet in regard to the components and is only talking about Intel’s series 8000 or 9000 mobile processors and 4 series of mobile chipsets. Intel has recently delayed the latter, although HP is likely referring to the GM45 with integrated graphics or the PM45 for external graphics processors. The EliteBook is also available with a Radeon HD3650 from AMD. It is also one of the few devices with both a discrete DirectX-10 GPU and a docking station.

This is also necessary should you want to connect a monitor via DVI. Only one VGA output is available on the 6930p itself, and the other ports include three USB 2.0, gigabit Ethernet, firewire, 56k modem, analogue sound and ExpressCard. The included 2 megapixel camera is quite unusual for a business laptop, and the integrated card reader for SD cards is not that common either.

The EliteBook accesses the internet wirelessly via 802.11a/b/g and Draft-n, as well as using an optional HSDPA module. A finger printer reader, a TPM 1.2 module for trusted computing and up to 8 GB of DDR2-800-DRAM round off the laptop’s professional qualities.

The casing consists partly of a magnesium alloy, while other parts were produced using a specially developed material, called “DuraFinish”, that is said to be very resistant to abrasions. The keyboard and the entire computer are safe from splashes of water, but won’t last long in the storming rain. The EliteBook is also very robust when being transported, such as in the car: the device should be able to withstand temperatures ranging from minus 29 degrees Celsius to 60 degrees Celsius.

HP has yet to name a price for the hardened computer, and it is first expected in Europe in September 2008. The company is also introducing new devices from the Compaq series alongside the EliteBook.