HP introduced a new range of powerful commercial notebook PCs designed to meet the performance and reliability demands of business users. Among the new products being announced are:

• The HP EliteBook 8440 p/w and 8540 p/w series notebooks incorporate the latest mobile technologies, are engineered to meet the tough MIL-STD 810G military-standard tests for vibration, dust, humidity, altitude, and high and low temperatures, and also are BFR/PVC-free.
• The HP ProBook 6440b and HP ProBook 6540b are aimed at corporate customers who want an affordable combination of business-critical and innovative features in a full-function notebook PC.
• The HP Notebook Projection Companion, a compact projector using a mercury-free LED light source that measures only 4 inches by 3 inches and weighs less than 0.45 kilos.

"HP continues to exceed customer expectations with a range of business products designed with style and productivity in mind," said Chua Hwee Koon, vice president, Mobile Business Unit, Personal Systems Group, HP Asia Pacific and Japan. "With great designs, energy-saving features and efficient, faster-performing products, customers can feel confident choosing HP products to better position themselves in the ever-competitive business world."

New precision-crafted HP EliteBooks for business-rugged professionals
Drawing inspiration from aircraft design, HP has updated its state-of-the-art HP EliteBook lineup.

• The HP EliteBook 8440w and HP EliteBook 8540w mobile workstations feature a gunmetal anodized-aluminum finish with a full magnesium-alloy chassis to create an incredibly strong case that protects the top and bottom of the notebook against rigorous usage. The HP EliteBook 8440w represents the company's first 14-inch diagonal mobile workstation, answering customers' requests for a smaller notebook.
• The HP EliteBook 8440p and HP EliteBook 8540p retain the classic platinum anodized-aluminum finish and the full magnesium-alloy chassis.

Depending on the model, HP EliteBooks offer a wide variety of configurable options such as choice of Intel Unified Mobile Access (UMA) or NVIDIA discrete graphics; choice of Intel Core i7 processors or future Intel Core or Core vPro processors; and either high-definition (HD) or HD Plus resolution displays. All new HP EliteBooks also come preloaded with HP SkyRoom, an affordable, HD videoconferencing software that offers live, real-time collaboration for face-to-face meetings.

Two new additions to the HP ProBook family
The company also announced two new additions to the HP ProBook b-series. The HP ProBook 6440b and HP ProBook 6540b are aimed at corporate customers who want an affordable combination of business-critical and innovative features in a full-function notebook PC. Featuring future Intel Core processors, and available with 14-inch or 15.6-inch diagonal HD LED-backlit widescreen displays, the new HP ProBook b-series PCs are ideal for users who need powerful, reliable performance.

Both the new HP EliteBook and HP ProBook notebook series include HP QuickWeb, which allows users to access the web in seconds when the notebook is shut down; HP QuickLook, which allows users to look up and edit email, calendar and contacts without having to boot the notebook; HP Power Assistant; and spill-resistant keyboards with a drain.

Additionally, the HP Long Life Battery, which provides up to a three-year life span - up to twice as long as most li-ion notebook batteries - will be a configurable option on the new HP EliteBook and HP ProBook b-series notebooks. This new technology reduces overall battery waste by requiring fewer batteries to be used over the life of the notebook.

Project a better image
The HP Notebook Projection Companion is an ideal notebook accessory for mobile users who want to make a big impression. Just 4 inches by 3 inches and weighing less than 0.45 kilos, it can project an image up to 60 inches from a distance of 2.6 meters. Because the projector features an LED light source with up to 10,000 hours of usage life (up to five years of typical use) there are seldom any bulbs to buy or parts to replace, which helps reduce its total cost of ownership.

Pricing and availability

• The HP EliteBooks and the HP ProBook b-series start at US$1,299 and US$999, respectively, and are expected to be available in Asia Pacific in Feb.
• The HP Notebook Projection Companion starts at US$499 and is expected to be available in Asia Pacific on Jan. 15.