HP updates ProBook and EliteBook ranges

HP has unveiled revamped business notebooks, all based on Intel's new Sandy Bridge second-generation Core processors.

The new laptops, announced on Wednesday, feature a new industrial design that HP calls Forge. The design offers aluminium-alloy hinges, cast titanium-alloy display latches and the company's DisplaySafe frame for extra screen protection.

The EliteBook p-series laptops are at the high-end of HP's business range, using military-standard, "aerospace-inspired" cases. The 14-inch EliteBook 8460p (pictured) weighs 2.1kg, while the 15.6-inch 8560p weighs 2.8kg. Both have high-definition displays and come with optional AMD Radeon HD 6470M discrete graphics — if this is not chosen, the new Core processors already inside offer improved handling of HD content compared with the first generation.

The p-series notebooks have various battery options, and HP claims the 8460p can manage up to 32 hours when used with the company's new Ultra-Capacity Notebook Battery.

The 8460p and 8560p will go on sale in the UK in April — the same launch date for all the new HP models — at £915 and £1,400 respectively, excluding VAT.

HP's ProBook b-series notebooks sit in the middle of the company's business range.

The ProBook 6360b (pictured) is the smallest of the pack, as it has a 13.3-inch screen; the 6460b has a 14-inch screen and the 6560b, a 15.6-inch display. All come with second-generation Core processors or Intel's older Celeron chips.

The ProBook b-series will start at £530 excluding VAT.

The ProBook s-series is at the bottom of HP's business line-up, and is targeted at small to medium-sized firms and home business users.

The ProBook 4430s (pictured) has a 14-inch screen, putting it in the middle of the s-series range in terms of size. The range runs from the 12.1-inch 4230s to the 13.3-inch 4330s, and from the 15.6-inch 4530s to the 17.3-inch 4730s. All come with a choice of Sandy Bridge Core processors or Celeron chips.

HP's s-series range will start at £430 excluding VAT.