HP just launched their new line of low-end business notebooks today (with your choice of 14, 15.6 or 17.3 inch models), giving them the new sub-brand of HP Probooks. The new line of HP Probooks today come under their s-series, which is the entry-level part of HP’s business notebook line (there’s s, b, p and w which stand for standard, business, professional and workstation respectively). Well, there’s really nothing groundbreaking about today’s new releases, besides their price tags which are surprisingly low for business notebooks. There’s the usual feature-trickle from higher-end Elitebook models such as Quick Look 2, HP Spare Key and File Sanitizer, HDMI port, docking station compatibility and the availability of optional dedicated graphics. The BIGGEST (most prominent, rather) change is the new HP Probooks have chiclet keyboards, in-line with the rumor posted three weeks ago… well, what did I tell yeh?!
Because my Mini Note 2133 just did last weekend (ouch, almost broke my heart when it toppled over by accident and crashed eight feet down to the ground) but thankfully, it still works – hard disk, screen, internals are all well… only the casing seam came loose and now there’s a small gap between the front/back parts. But that doesn’t matter anyway, I’m just glad my data is safe and the machine still works.
Still, I can’t help but I wonder, what would have happened if it was one of those plasticky Dell Minis or Acer Aspire Ones…
I heard a rumor (but it has nothing to do with Bananarama)… HP is moving towards using chiclet-style keyboards on future notebook PCs. Apparently the decision has something to do with improved ergonomics and the tactile feel of such keyboards. A little bird said that chiclet keyboards will first appear in the business and mini notebook lines in the next announcement of upgrades this year. Some models (Presumably higher end? Or as an option?) will have backlit keys. [/end of rumor].
Informative note: What the heck is a chiclet keyboard? Some people also call them “island keys”; it’s the design that Sony and Apple computers have been using (if you don’t know what a chiclet-style keyboard looks like, check this out or look it up on Wikipedia)
