HP EliteBook 1030 business laptop features 13-hour battery life, hefty price tag
HP EliteBook 1030 business laptop
HP is expanding its EliteBook family of premium laptops with the new 1030, which naturally sits between the 1020 and 1040 in the lineup. Like its predecessors, the business notebook offers a sophisticated design -- with a correspondingly high-class price tag.
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The company says it's squeezed a 13.3-inch screen into a 12.2-inch all-metal chassis (weighing roughly 2.55 pounds), resulting in a nearly edge-to-edge display, which is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass and is available in either full HD (1,920x1,080) or QHD+ (3,200x1,800) resolution. (If you choose the latter option, it also includes touchscreen capabilities.) The 1030 comes with a choice of Intel Core M processors, which aren't as powerful as Core i3/i5/i7 mobile CPUs, but allow for a fanless design and provide up to 13 hours of battery life, according to HP.
The new EliteBook also includes SSD storage options up to 512GB and including a 256GB PCIe drive, and up to 16GB of RAM. Not only does the 1030 feature a pair of USB 3.0 ports and a HDMI connection, but HP throws in a USB-C port to boot. The included HP "Premium keyboard" is back-lit and spill-resistant, The company touts the premium audio features of its EliteBook lineup for voice-based collaboration, using Bang & Olufsen technology for its built-in speakers and including HP's own noise reduction software.
Despite the design flare usually reserved for consumer laptops, the EliteBook 1030 includes security features that enterprises will desire. These include HP Sure Start with Dynamic Protection, which monitors and repairs the BIOS, a fingerprint reader, embedded TPM 2.0 chip, and optional support for Intel's vPro technology and LANDesk software.
Cost-conscious businesses might not be ready to plop down $1,249 for the 1030 base configuration, but that isn't the potential customer HP is targeting with its EliteBook line. Execs and others with larger tech budgets can go to HP's site and sign up to be notified when the 1030 becomes available.