PALO ALTO – HP has launched three new ultraportable notebooks geared towards business users, including a pair of new systems in the EliteBook line and a budget-priced Compaq ultraportable.

The new HP EliteBook 2530p and 2730p both feature Intel Core 2 processors, solid state hard drives, and HP’s durable DuraCase design of a brushed, anodized aluminum casing and magnesium alloy chassis. The screens are mercury-free Illumi-Lite LED, and HP has set a goal to remove mercury from all its notebook screens by 2010.

Optional to both models is an integrated 2-megapixel web cam with business card reader software, and an HP NightLight that shines on the keyboard to illuminate it in low-light conditions.

Starting at $1,499, the HP EliteBook 2530p features a 12.1-inch screen and weighs as little as 3.19 pounds. Users have a choice of a 1.8-inch or 2.5-inch hard drive, depending on desired capacity. HP is touting the 2530p as the smallest 3-pound notebook to feature a built-in optical drive.

The HP EliteBook 2730p ($1,670), weights as little as 3.7 pounds and features a swivelling screen that can be rotated to convert the notebook into a pen-driven tablet PC with touch-sensitive screen, integrated touchpad, tablet buttons and jog dial.

The EliteBook 2730p offers an optional ultra-slim battery accessory that yields up to 12 combined hours of battery life. Another optional accessory is a docking station with an integrated DVD+/-RW combo drive.

“HP continues to distinguish the EliteBook brand with sophisticated, innovative designs that combine military-standard durability with easy-to-use features and the right levels of performance,” said Keith LeFebvre, Vice President and General Manager, Business Notebooks, Personal Systems Group Americas, HP. “These great-looking notebooks can withstand the rigors of the road, meet the most demanding tasks and keep up with the ever-changing mobile lifestyle.”

Rounding out HP’s trio of new ultraportables is the HP Compaq 2230s, which is value-priced at $999. Weighing as little as 4.07 pounds with a 12.1-inch screen, the Compaq 2230s features three USB ports, VGA and HDMI connections, two memory card slots for a maximum upgradable memory of 8 gigabytes, and a hard drive capacity of 120 to 320 gigabytes.

All three ultraportables come loaded with HP software including QuickLook 2 for email, calendar, task and contact management; SpareKey for password management, and security tools including ProtectTools Security Manager, Drive Encryption for HP ProtectTools, and File Sanitizer for permanently deleting personal information from the notebook when it comes time to recycle it.

The Compaq 2230s is available now, and the two new EliteBooks will be available in early September, according to HP.

This column was written by Erin Bell of ConnectIT

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