HP Unveils ProBook Laptop Line

Hewlett-Packard is launching a new line of inexpensive business laptops with fresh features targeting users at small and medium-size companies. The HP ProBook s-series, which starts shipping globally today, is the company’s new mainstream business notebook, following the release of its higher-end, lightweight EliteBook line last year.

The ProBook replaces the HP Compaq line, although the Compaq name will continue to be used as a master brand name in other PCs. The ProBook offers users a number of new features, including an optional Linux-based operating system pre-installed – Novell’s SuSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 11 – for those seeking an alternative to the dominant Microsoft Windows platform. It is HP’s first-ever Linux pre-install on a standard business laptop, the company said.

The PC maker does offer some netbooks with Linux. “It’s pretty much a natural evolution,” said Carol Hess-Nickels, HP’s director of marketing for worldwide business notebooks. “We want to provide a different option … it’s probably a little time yet before we’ll know exactly what the demand is, but we did think it was something worth trying.”

The ProBooks come with 14-inch, 15.6-inch and 17.3-inch screen sizes, with prices starting at $529. In another first for an HP business notebook, buyers will be able to add a colour finish – ‘merlot’ – if they choose. Some models will also feature Qualcomm’s Gobi technology, allowing them to use a single module to access different mobile broadband network technologies and mobile operators. HP will also bring higher-end durability features, like its 3D DriveGuard – which protects the hard drive if a laptop is dropped – and a spill-resistant keyboard to the ProBook. (Reuters)