HP reveals EliteBook ultraportable, tablet

HP today added yet again to its EliteBook lineup with two new systems that push the line towards the ultra-mobile category. The 12.1-inch 2730p (shown at top) is the first convertible tablet in the line and is characterized as one of the thinnest notebooks in its class at just over 1.1 inches; though the styling is similar to the earlier Compaq 2710p, it now finds room for a full trackpad as well as separate tablet buttons and a jogwheel for fast scrolling through documents.

The 2730p is also HP's first Centrino 2 tablet and will use newer-generation ultra-low and low voltage Core 2 Duo processors, faster GMA X4500 integrated graphics and DDR3 memory support; the system is one of the first tablets to support a full 8GB of RAM when used with a 64-bit operating system.

The system is equipped by default with an 80GB, 1.8-inch hard drive but can be upgraded either to a 120GB drive or an 80GB solid-state drive. Cellular Internet access over either EVDO or HSDPA is also an option on the system when it ships in early September for a starting price of $1,670.

Also 12.1 inches, the 2530p resembles more conventional EliteBooks but weighs just under 3.2 pounds and has an LED-backlit screen that HP claims should add about 90 minutes of battery life versus a fluorescent backlight. It uses the same low-power processors and storage options as the 2730p but also has an expansion bay that can either carry a DVD burner or a second, 2.5-inch hard drive up to 160GB. It ships in the same launch window as its tablet counterpart but trims the price down to $1,499 through its non-touch display.

EliteBook 2730p

EliteBook 2530p