HP Lightens the Load for Business Travelers

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--HP (NYSE:HPQ) today introduced three ultra-portable notebook computers, including a three-pound⁽¹⁾ EliteBook, the smallest and lightest HP notebook with a built-in optical drive.

Inspired by aircraft construction and designed for style-conscious mobile professionals, the HP EliteBook 2530p features the sleek and durable HP DuraCase – a brushed, anodized aluminum exterior casing combined with a magnesium alloy chassis that is engineered to pass several military-standard durability tests such as extreme temperature, dust and humidity.⁽²⁾

The HP EliteBook 2730p is an ultra-thin, convertible tablet that – with a twist of the screen – transforms from an ultra-light notebook PC into a pen-based tablet. The value-priced HP Compaq 2230s rounds out one of the most comprehensive ultra-portable notebook lineups in the industry.

“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.”

New notebooks for the corporate road warrior

The HP EliteBook series incorporates the latest Intel® processors, solid-state hard drives and the most up-to-date wireless technologies, making them ideal for the business user on the go.

Offering the latest Intel technology for extended battery life and enhanced system performance, HP EliteBooks also support Intel Core™ 2 Duo⁽³⁾ ultra-low-voltage (ULV) or low-voltage (LV) processors to optimize performance and minimize power consumption.

The two new EliteBook models feature an optional integrated 2 megapixel webcam with business card reader software, and an integrated HP NightLight that shines on the keyboard to improve visibility in low light. A shock-resistant hard drive and spill-resistant keyboard, standard with the HP EliteBook series, help defend data against bumps, drops and spills.

HP EliteBook 2530p Notebook PC – For the business professional on the go, HP’s smallest and lightest-weight business notebook offers performance in a 3.19-pound package.⁽¹⁾ The 12.1-inch diagonal widescreen HP Illumi-Lite LED display is lighter than standard notebook display technology and improves battery life by up to 90 minutes.⁽⁴⁾

The HP EliteBook 2530p offers the choice of an ultra-small 1.8-inch hard drive with a built-in optical drive or a higher-capacity 2.5-inch hard drive. For added protection against bang-ups, the inner magnesium shell of the notebook’s HP DuraCase is equipped with a honeycomb pattern that is thermally bonded to anodized aluminum for a solid construction to withstand active day-to-day use on the road.

HP EliteBook 2730p Notebook PC – This high-performing, ultra-thin, convertible tablet sports an innovative design and weighs in at only 3.7 pounds.⁽¹⁾ Rotating the screen transforms it into a pen-based tablet measuring only 1.11-inches thin. New features include an integrated touchpad, tablet buttons and a jog dial. Frequent travelers can take advantage of the optional ultra-slim battery accessory that offers up to 12 combined hours of battery life.⁽⁴⁾ The HP EliteBook 2730p also supports a convenient, ultra-slim docking solution with an integrated DVD+/-RW drive.

Style and affordability

Stylish and powerful, the 4.07-pound⁽¹⁾ HP Compaq 2230s Notebook PC offers a 12.1-inch diagonal widescreen display and a satin, reflective, black-on-black surface. With the Wi-Fi-certified wireless local area network (WLAN) and integrated Bluetooth® wireless technology, mobile professionals can send and receive emails or access the Internet – at work, at home or at their favorite hotspots.⁽⁵⁾ This modernized classic business notebook includes HP 3D DriveGuard, which uses a three-axis accelerometer to detect sudden movement and initiate protective action, helping safeguard the hard drive against bumps or drops.

Security options on energy-efficient notebooks

All HP business notebooks are designed with the environment in mind, offering energy-efficient features and select materials for easier recycling. Both the EliteBook 2530p and 2730p have an Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) Gold rating and feature a mercury-free Illumi-Lite LED display, which is lighter and more energy-efficient than standard notebook display technology. HP has set a goal to remove all mercury – a potentially hazardous substance commonly found in notebook screens – from its notebooks by 2010.

The notebooks feature HP Mobile Broadband with built-in Gobi technology from Qualcomm and use a single module, the HP un2400, to support multiple mobile broadband network technologies and mobile operators. This increases users’ international roaming options and offers greater choice and flexibility in choosing a mobile data plan.⁽⁶⁾

Included HP QuickLook 2 software provides access to email, calendar, task and contact information within seconds at the touch of a button with no need to boot the operating system.⁽⁷⁾ HP SpareKey addresses the hassle of forgotten passwords by using a sequence of three predetermined personal identification questions to gain entry into the system.⁽⁸⁾

All of the new notebook models are loaded with strong security features, including HP ProtectTools Security Manager and Drive Encryption for HP ProtectTools, which encodes information on the hard drive to make sensitive information unreadable if a notebook is lost or stolen. For added data security, the built-in File Sanitizer permanently deletes individual files, folders and personally identifiable information from the notebook, allowing customers to recycle the notebook with confidence that their business data has been removed.

Pricing and availability⁽⁹⁾

The HP EliteBook 2530p and HP EliteBook 2730p are expected to be available by early September, with estimated starting U.S. street pricing of $1,499 and $1,670, respectively.

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

More information about these HP notebook PCs and other HP mobility solutions is available in an online press kit at http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press_kits/2008/mobility/index.html.

About HP

HP focuses on simplifying technology experiences for all of its customers – from individual consumers to the largest businesses. With a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure, HP is among the world’s largest IT companies, with revenue totaling $110.4 billion for the four fiscal quarters ended April 30, 2008. More information about HP is available at http://www.hp.com/.

Note to editors: More news from HP, including links to RSS feeds, is available at http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/.

⁽¹⁾ Weight will vary by configuration.

⁽²⁾ Testing was not intended to demonstrate fitness for U.S. Department of Defense contracts requirements or for military use. Test results are not a guarantee of future performance under these test conditions.

⁽³⁾ Dual Core is a new technology designed to improve performance of certain software products. Not all customers or software applications will necessarily benefit from use of this technology. 64-bit computing on Intel architecture requires a computer system with a processor, chipset, BIOS, operating system, device drivers and applications enabled for Intel 64 architecture. Processors will not operate (including 32-bit operation) without an Intel 64 architecture-enabled BIOS. Performance will vary depending on hardware and software configurations. More information is available at www.intel.com/info/em64t.

⁽⁴⁾ Battery life will vary depending on the product model, configuration, loaded applications, features and power management settings. The maximum capacity of the battery will decrease with time and usage.

⁽⁵⁾ Wireless access point required and is not included. Availability of public wireless access points is limited. Wireless Internet use requires separately purchased Internet service contract.

⁽⁶⁾ Gobi and Broadband technologies require separately purchased wireless data service contracts. Check with local service provider for coverage and availability.

⁽⁷⁾ HP QuickLook 2 is accessible when the notebook is off or in hibernation from Microsoft Windows® XP or Microsoft Windows Vista®. Timings may vary depending on the system configuration and state.

⁽⁸⁾ Requires initial user setup.

⁽⁹⁾ Estimated street prices, actual pricing may vary.

Intel and Intel Core are trademarks of Intel Corp. in the United States and other countries. Microsoft, Windows and Vista are U.S. registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp. Bluetooth is a trademark owned by its proprietor and used by Hewlett-Packard Company under license.

This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. If such risks or uncertainties materialize or such assumptions prove incorrect, the results of HP and its consolidated subsidiaries could differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and assumptions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements concerning expected development, performance or market share relating to products and services; anticipated operational and financial results; any statements of expectation or belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include the execution and performance of contracts by HP and its customers, suppliers and partners; the achievement of expected results; and other risks that are described in HP’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended April 30, 2008 and HP’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to HP’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2007. HP assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements.

© 2008 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein.