Hewlett-Packard Co. launched a raft of new ultrabooks, notebooks, and PCs during its conference in Barcelona yesterday – and it’s aiming them towards the small business market.
Branded as HP’s Elite line, its new EliteBooks are touted as “premium” ultrabooks, and one of its top billings is an ultrabook that is thin and durable, as well as a miniaturized, full-fledged desktop that “takes up less workspace than most office phones,” according to a press release.
For its thin ultrabook offering, HP has launched the EliteBook Folio 1040 G1, a notebook that is both thinner and lighter than the company’s last generation of EliteBook. Coming in at 16.1 per cent slimmer and 7.3 per cent lighter than its predecessor, yet it has still passed military-level durability tests. It weighs in at around 3.3 pounds, and it can withstand extreme temperatures, vibration, shocks, being dropped, and it comes with the HP ForcePad.
This new touchpad responds to the same touch gestures used for smartphones and tablets, and it’s sensitive to pressure – a feature that can be handy for new touch users who are only accustomed to the touch screens on their smaller mobile devices.
The EliteBook Folio 1040 G1 also comes with either fourth-gen Intel dual-core i5 or i7 processors, with optional 4G LTE wireless capability. For businesses dealing with sensitive data, the EliteBook Folio also includes HP’s Sure Start security protocol for automatic data restoration, plus HP Trust Circles, which restricts access to files to specific users.
HP also unveiled the EliteDesk 800 G1 Business Desktop Mini, a small PC catering towards businesses. Billed as being smaller than most office phones, it was designed to be efficient on power, security, and manageability. The PC is geared towards organizations in retail, healthcare, hospitals, and call centres.
It has six USB ports, a fast-charging port for tablets and smartphones, and only uses up to eight watts of power when it’s idling. That means it can be left on and connected and not use up too much energy. Plus, with an Intel fourth-gen core processor, it also has HP’s security protection and Trust Circles feature.
A similar product is the HP ProDesk 600 G1 Business Desktop Mini, another PC that has been pared-down in size and also in operating costs. It has the same measurements as the 800 model, and it comes with HP’s client security technology, integrated wireless, and is easy to deploy.
For users who are yearning for a touchscreen, HP also has the EliteDisplay S230tm, a Windows 8-certified touch monitor geared towards business. Measuring in at about 23-inches diagonally, it can support multi-touch and has anti-glare glass for those overly brightly lit offices. It presents images in full HD-quality with in-plane switching, and it includes integrated speakers, a 720p webcam, and dual microphones, allowing users to hold meetings through video conferencing.
While there was no word on Canadian pricing, nor when the products would be available here in Canada, HP did provide some prices and dates for the U.S.
Pricing for the HP EliteBook Folio 1040 G1 starts at $1,300, and the EliteBook is available now. The HP EliteDesk 800 G1 Desktop Mini will start at about $700, while the HP ProDesk 600 G1 Desktop Mini will be priced out at around $489, with both products coming to the U.S. in April 2014. The HP EliteDisplay S230tm will start at around $359, and is slated for January 2014.