HP Announces 3 New Notebooks for Business Travelers

Hewlett-Packard, the leading manufacturer of portable computer systems, has announced today three ultra-portable notebook computers, including a 3-pound EliteBook, the company's smallest and lightest notebook with a built-in optical drive. A new high-performing, ultra-thin convertible tablet that measures only 1.11 inches, when the screen is rotated, is also featured among the three.

"HP continues to distinguish the EliteBook brand with sophisticated, innovative designs that combine military-standard durability with easy-to-use features and the right levels of performance," said Keith LeFebvre, vice president and general manager, Business Notebooks, Personal Systems Group - Americas, HP. "These great-looking notebooks can withstand the rigors of the road, meet the most demanding tasks and keep up with the ever-changing mobile lifestyle." Mr. LeFebvre added.

Simply dubbed EliteBook 2530p, the new notebook features a 12.1-inch widescreen HP Illumi-Life LED display that is lighter than standard notebook displays, thus setting the overall weight to 3.19 pounds. Furthermore, the display technology of the EliteBook 2530p will improve its battery life by up to 90 minutes. In addition, HP has designed its new notebook with a sleek and durable DuraCase that provides a brushed, anodized aluminum exterior casing combined with a magnesium alloy chassis, engineered to pass several military-standard durability tests, such as extreme temperature, dust and humidity.

The notebook has been designed to equip a 1.8-inch hard drive and a built-in optical drive, or a high-capacity 2.5-inch hard drive.

The HP EliteBook 2730p notebook is meant to provide users with the computing power of a standard notebook, but with the portability features of a pen tablet-PC. It weighs only 3.7 pounds and features an integrated touchpad, tablet buttons and jog dial. In addition, HP claims that the ultra-slim battery that is packed into the 2730p is capable of offering users a maximum battery lifetime of up to 12 combined hours.

The last of the three new portable computers is the HP EliteBook 2230s, which is approximately 4.07 pounds in weight and comes equipped with a 12.1-inch widescreen display. Featuring WLAN and integrated Bluetooth wireless technology, the newly announced notebook has been designed with mobile professionals in mind.

Regarding pricing and availability, it looks like the EliteBook 2530p and HP EliteBook 2730p are expected to become available by early September, at estimated starting U.S. street pricings of $1,499 and $1,670, respectively.

The HP Compaq 2230s is currently available at an estimated starting U.S. street price of $999.