IT: First look at HP Probook 5310M

With the introduction of the Probook series, HP is attempting to engage the SME markets where brands like acer, dell etc are doing for some time. Its latest, the HP Probook 5310M is primarily design as a thin-and-light notebook for executive of SMEs with limited budget.

Below are the specs of the reviewed 5310M
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo SP9300 2.26Ghz
Memory: 2GB
Hard dis: 320GB 5400rpm
Screen: 13.3" LCD with webcam
Optical Drive: external DVD writer multi-format
Card reader: can read SD/MMC only
Graphics: Intel GMA 4500HDA graphics card
Connectivity: Bluetooth, wireless 802.11a/b/g/n, Gigabit LAN
OS: Windows 7 business 32-bit
Additional ports: VGA, display port (Apple make this infamous)3 USB
Battery: 4 Cell offering up to 2 1/2 hours usage
Weight: 1.72kg with 4-cell battery
Warranty: 1 year standard next business day

At first glance, furnishing is gloss corporate black. So oily finger marks are not so visible on the notebook. The keyboard is nothing to shout at, I think all probook keyboard have the same feel. It is very comfortable to type on the notebook.

In the next review, we will look into the performance of this notebook using Windows 7 business 32-bit.

IT: Review on HP Mini 5101 Part 1- Hardware

Netbooks is getting very popular nowadays. Not just they are light (<1.5kg), they offer acceptable processor performance. They are moving into the range of previously expensive thin-light notebook models.

HP being the leader of the IT pack, revamp its netbook range and offer the HP Mini 5101. Its weight of 1.2kg caught my attention and so does it thickness. When compare with the Dell Latitude 2100, another business-class netbook, the 5101 looks space-age and has the feel of a high-end thin-and-light notebook due to its same chassis design as the HP Pro-book series. The keyboard is 95% full-size and is very responsive when typing with thick fingers like myself.

The intel processor is Z280 1.6Ghz, 512KB L2 cache comes standard with 1GB ram. There are two slots for the RAM so it can go up to 4GB of Ram which is a lot for a netbook. (The review unit comes with 2GB Ram (single slot)) Its 160GB hard disk with HP driveguard (for shock protection) provides more than sufficient storage space for daily office usage. There is option to get up a 300GB hard disk. Even though the reviewed model only has a 10.1" LCD with webcam capable of only 1300x600, the picture contrast and pixel is very sharp and detailed.

For connectivity, it has 3 USB port with one of the USB double-up as a quick charge connector (charge USB devices like iphone when netbook is not on) and VGA port.There is also the Gigabit Ethernet and 802.11n wireless adapter. If 3G mobile broadband is need, there is option to add one in. A 2-in-1 media card reader for SD and MMC rounds up the netbook. There is the option of purchasing with a 6 cell battery instead of the standard 4 cell battery (2 hours of continuous video playing usage).

Having used the acer netbook and asus models, the HP mini 5101 is a very much improved version. In the next review, we will talk more about software and OS system performance of this netbook.

Review: HP 2210p

Notebook manufacturers are always balancing performance & weight of their notebooks in the quest for thin and light notebooks. Some like Fujitsu has many ranges of light yet powerful notebook but expensive. HP came out a good contender for the thin and light arena, its HP 2210p.

HP has dropped its NC series for a numerical identification for its notebooks and only time will tell if this move does contribute business value. The pictured 12.1" model is powered by the Intel Core 2 Duo T7300 (2MB L2 Cache), has 1 GB DDR2-667 RAM, 80GB hard disk running at 5400rpm. Users can use its combo drive to burn CDs though a DVD+-RW will be better. A 4-cell battery, 3 USB ports, fingerprint reader, Bluetooth & intel 802.11a/b/g wireless top up this deal and backing all these is the friendly HP warranty of 3 years parts and labour carry-in. This model weighs in at 1.68kg

One good thing about HP carry-in is you can drop/collect it at any nearest singpost office (Available for those living in Singapore only). The only other manufacturer that makes such an arrangement is IBM. Other manufacturers require a visit to their service centers where could be out of place for someone who do not drive. This is also one of the earlier models of light notebooks (2kg and below) that comes with its built-in optical drive. Others like the IBM X61 and Apple Mac book air uses a external drive which may be cumbersome to use.

The full size keyboard is good for typing but users be warn, users with fat fingers may be at an disadvantage as its key spacings can be quite close for some. Its Intel X3100 graphics is so-so but good enough for office use with the occasional engineering drawings viewing.

The pictured model retails at S$2,300 (w/o GST) which is quite affordable. A lady best friend without breaking the piggy bank....