Check out HP's new business Chromebooks and thin client devices for hybrid work
Hybrid work appears here to stay, and it's changing business's and professionals' IT priorities. That means as the PC market continues to grow, but at a slower pace, major PC makers like HP have to be more attuned than ever to the needs of hybrid workers.
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To that end, HP on Thursday unveiled a handful of new devices largely designed to tap into data and applications stored in the cloud. The company also debuted new peripheral hardware, new software and new services, all designed to help hybrid workforces. The new devices include business Chromebooks, as well as thin client PCs -- devices that rely on remote servers to access data and programs.
Here's an overview of the new offerings:
Elite Chromebooks
The HP Elite c645 G2 Chromebook Enterprise
The HP Elite c645 G2 Chromebook Enterprise
- powered by AMD Ryzen 5000 C-Series processors
- Screen options include a 14-inch diagonal 400-nit FHD panel, HP Eye Ease for low blue light exposure. HP Sure View Reflect integrated privacy screen, as well as a 1000-nit outdoor viewable option
- Connectivity via Wi-Fi 6E and optional 4G LTE
- HP Privacy Camera with a sliding cover for the webcam lens
- Expected to be available in early June.
The HP Elite c640 G3 Chromebook Enterprise
The HP Elite c640 G3 Chromebook Enterprise
- powered by 12th Gen Intel Core processors and the Intel vPro platform
- Virtual collaboration features: 5MP camera for enhanced visual clarity, Al-based Noise Reduction to filter out background noise
- optional integrated fingerprint reader
- the first Chromebook to offer an integrated smartcard reader, a preferred authentication method for many companies using Citrix
- Expected to be available in mid-May
HP also announced that select HP Chromebook Enterprise devices now come bundled with one year of Parallels Desktop for Chrome OS. This lets Chromebooks run full-featured Windows applications, even when disconnected from a network.
Thin Clients
The HP Elite t655 Thin Client
HP's thin client devices are designed for Windows and Linux-based cloud computing. The HP Elite t655 Thin Client is designed for virtualization while offering the power necessary for video collaboration.
- powered by the next-gen AMD Ryzen Embedded R-Series with Radeon Graphics
- supports up to three 4k displays
- offers highly flexible port configurations and mounting options
- always-on security with AMD Memory Guard and TPM 2.0
- expected to be available in August
The HP Elite mt645 G7 Mobile Thin Client
HP calls the HP Elite mt645 G7 Mobile Thin Client the world's highest-performing mobile thin client
- powered an AMD Ryzen 5000 Series processor
- optional 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 6 and RJ-45 connectivity options
- NVMe storage SSD for faster load times --HD camera with temporal noise reduction
- fingerprint sensor or smartcard reader for two-factor authentication
- HP Sure View Reflect integrated privacy screen with a low blue light option
- HP Sure Stort self-healing BIOS
- HP Tamper Lock locks the PC if it has been physically opened or compromised and notifies the user
- HP Privacy Camera with sliding cover
- expected to be available this summer
The HP Pro mt440 G4 Mobile Thin Client
The HP Pro mt440 G4 Mobile Thin Client provides a security-first OS and hybrid-ready management.
- 12th Gen Intel Celeron processor
- WLAN or WWAN connectivity options
- NVMe storage
- HP Sure Start, HP TamperLock and an optional HP Privacy Camera
- expected to be available this summer
More tools and services
The HP Universal USB-C Multiport Hub
The HP Universal USB-C Multiport Hub, with seven ports, supports any USB-C compatible PC, regardless of the brand or OS. It's available now for $99.
HP is also making HP Cloud Endpoint Manager available as a tech preview for select customers, giving IT teams a way to manage growing fleets of HP Thin Clients. It offers real-time device monitoring of thin clients with OEM device management software, with instant alerts and policy-driven management to eliminate repetitive tasks.
For IT and end-users, the Linux-based HP ThinPro 8.0 OS offers a secure and simple user experience, with drive encryption and support for remote device management. It also features updated support for multiple cloud computing and collaboration tools.