HP on Tuesday announced its new ProBook s-series, a new line of low-cost notebooks for business users.
Aimed at small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), the laptops focus on security, reliability and ease of use.
Users can select between Intel 4410 and AMD 4415 CPUs. For operating systems, buyers can opt for Windows Vista, downgradable to XP, or Novell Suse Linux Enterprise Desktop 11.
The line begins at under US$600.
More About ProBooks
There are three models in the ProBook s-series, two of which offer the option of Intel or AMD CPUs, and one docking station.
The AMD CPUs offered are the AMD Turion X2 and Athlon dual-core series or the AMD Sempron. Buyers who prefer Intel CPUs can get the Intel Core Duo, Celeron Dual-Core or the Intel Celeron.
[Click Image to Enlarge]Users can choose high-performance ATI discrete graphics with 512 MB of dedicated video memory or integrated ATI UMA graphics.
Screen sizes are 14 inches, 15.6 inches or 17.3 inches, depending on the model.
The laptops are equipped with HP 3D DriveGuard, which protects the hard drive against impacts.
Taking Care of Business Users
ProBook laptops are equipped with an external modem port so business travelers can use them in countries that may not have broadband support, Sarah Bussell, an HP senior product manager, told TechNewsWorld.
The external modems can also be used for disaster recovery. “If a company’s networks are down, its staff needs a way to connect, and they can do that through external modems,” she said.
ProBook models with 15.6-inch and 17.3-inch screens are equipped with numeric keypads for business users, according to Bussell.
All ProBook models have HP QuickLook2 software preinstalled. This provides rapid access to email, calendar, and task and contact information.
Security for the Traveling Executive
The ProBook laptops come with various preinstalled security features and products, including HP Protect Tools. Protect Tools is an integrated suite of security control modules that protect a user’s data and connections.
The laptops are also equipped with File Sanitizer for HP Protect Tools. This permanently deletes individual files, folders and personally identifiable information from the hard drive so the user can recycle the laptop without fear of information theft.
Users who forget their passwords can still access their laptops through the HP SpareKey feature. This puts up three predetermined personal identification questions the user has to answer.
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Horse Hockey. Do your homework. MS will continue to support XP through 2014. They will discontinue support for SP1 in June, 2009.