Hewlett-Packard has launched a new line of business notebooks aimed at small and medium-sized businesses. The ProBook line will join the more expensive EliteBook line as HP attempts to tap into the crucial business market.
The ProBook s-series offers either AMD or Intel CPUs along with 14-, 15.6-, or 17.3-inch high-definition widescreens offering a 16:9 aspect ratio. Customers have the choice of using Microsoft Windows Vista -- along with an XP downgrade -- or the SuSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 11 version.
Most of the devices will have the following hardware specs:
- 800MHz DDR2 SDRam two slots expandable up to 8GB
- 500GB SATA HDD
- Wi-Fi
- ExpressCard
- Media Card Reader
- Four USB 2.0 ports, VGA and HDMI
The ProBook marks the first time HP has offered a Linux pre-install for its mobile devices aside from netbooks..jpg)
Customers can choose from an onboard or discrete graphic cards and will also be offered the choice of using built-in Wi-Fi or a Qualcomm Gobi mobile broadband antenna with each notebook.
Pricing starts at $529 MSRP.
Manufacturers continue to aim product launches towards business, although it is unknown whether businesses will be highly interested in spending money on new notebooks in such a turbulent economy. Since the MSRP pricing starts at a low number, it appears HP understands that businesses may be weary of buying new products, and hopes its lower prices will help woo customers.
