HP puts out ProBook b-, s-series with Sandy Bridge chips
updated 12:00 am EST, Wed February 23, 2011
HP ProBook b-series and s-series speed up for 2011
HP on Wednesday respun its ProBook line to take advantage of Intel's second-run Core (Sandy Bridge) processors. The ProBook b-series in 6360b, 6460b and 6560b form makes the leap to newer Core i3, i5 and i7 chips and also have a design built to harden the chassis without the cost of the EliteBooks. All of them have anodized aluminum lids, magnesium-backed main frames and design touches that reduce the damage from water spills and improve the sealing on the notebook when closed.
Many of the internals are a close match to those of the EliteBooks, although the 13.3-inch 6360b doesn't have the option of the dedicated Radeon HD 6470M video shared by the 14- and 15.6-inch 6460b and 6560b. The choices let users opt for as much as 8GB of RAM and a 750GB hard drive with a 160GB SSD as an alternative. An HSPA+ 3G modem is an option here as well.
The s-series is a business corollary to HP's 2011 mainstream notebooks with the aluminum trim of the dv6 and dv7 but without as much ruggedization. They can still carry many of the same features, up to a Core i7, 8GB of RAM, a 750GB hard drive and as much as a Radeon HD 6470M for video. They mostly shed high-performance options such as the SSD choices and the HSPA+ modem, opting instead for regular HSPA or a dual-mode HSPA/EVDO link. Screen sizes vary more in return and dip to as small as the 13.3-inch 4330s, scaling through 14- and 15.6-inch models to reach the desktop replacement, 17.3-inch 4730s.
All of the ProBooks will be ready on March 15, with prices starting at $579 for the regular s-series and $799 for a b-series.
ProBook s-series
