Computers
HP EliteBook 2530p: 12 Inches of Mil-Spec Business Badassery
Posted by Matt Buchanan at 2:01 PM on August 18, 2008
HP is smartly following up the rugged EliteBook biz laptop we doted on a couple months ago with an even more portable version: 12 inches, just over 1.3kg, still Mil-Spec 810F against dust and hot zones. It uses Intel's latest Core 2 Duo ULV (same as X301 and probably MacBook Air refresh), and it's well, loaded. One of our favourite things about it is that it's got more storage options than any other notebook that size.
Here's your list of drive options: 80/120GB 1.8-inch SATA drive plus optical drive, dual 1.8-inch SATA, 120GB 2.5-inch 5400RPM, 160GB 2.5-inch 7200RPM with DriveGuard or 80GB SSD. So yeah, it's pretty flexible.
It also has all of the usual HP business stuff like a biz card reader, lots of security and encryption tools, and the trackpoint nipple if you don't like trackpads. Display is LED-backlit and you have a few different battery options. And hey, besides being touch, we're always sort of a sucker for brushed metal.
With a starting weight of just 3.19 lb /1.45 kg, the HP EliteBook 2530p Notebook PC meets the military standard MIL-STD 810F for tests including dust and high temperature17 and keeps you going without weighing you down. Keeps the ultra mobile--ultra-productive Strengthen security measures and remotely monitor, diagnose, and repair PCs over the network with Intel® Centrino® 2 with vPro™ technology.11 The HP EliteBook 2530p also gives you flexible solutions that work best for you: 1.8-inch or 2.5-inch hard drive, and Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Ultra Low Voltage2
(ULV) or Low Voltage (LV) processor. With two memory slots, you can increase your system's performance, enabling a quicker boot-up and the ability to run multiple programs simultaneously.Empower your business
Benefit from the mercury-free, 12.1-inch diagonal widescreen HP Illumi-Lite LED display which is lighter and more energy-efficient than standard CCFL display technology. The HP EliteBook 2530p also offers three flexible battery solutions for
lightest weight configurations or all-day computing.Whether you're across the street or across the country, integrated HP Mobile Broadband, Gobi technology, 4 Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ WLAN5 and Bluetooth® help you stay connected in more places. You also get the flexibility to add HP Mobile Broadband at a later date.
Built to last. Enhanced reliability features such as HP DuraCase, HP DuraKeys, HP DuraFinish, and HP 3D DriveGuard give you a durable device so your notebook can go the distance. Built to simplify. Boost your productivity while maximizing ease of use. The 2 MP Webcam with Business Card Reader software means you will never forget a name, e-mail or phone number. The webcam is also perfect for video, web conferencing, and VoIP.
Built to protect. HP ProtectTools provides an array of multi-layered, customizable security solutions help defend your network, your applications, and your data.
Operating system Preinstalled:
Genuine Windows Vista® Business
Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic
Genuine Windows Vista® Business with downgrade to Windows® XP Professional custom installed
FreeDOSSupported:
Genuine Windows Vista Enterprise
Certified:
SuSe Linux Enterprise Desktop 10Processor Intel® CoreTM 2 Duo Ultra Low Voltage2 or Low Voltage
Chipset Mobile Intel® GS45 Express Chipset ICH9M-Enhanced (supports Intel® Centrino® 2 with vPro™ technology)11Memory DDR2 SDRAM, 800 MHz, two slots supporting dual channel memory,15 1024/2048/4096 MB SODIMMs, up to 8192 MB total
Internal storage7 80/120 GB 5400 rpm1.8-inch SATA hard drive, 120 GB 5400 rpm 2.5-inch SATA hard drive, or 160 GB 7200 rpm 2.5-inch SATA hard drive (with HP 3D DriveGuard); 80 GB Solid State Drive
Removable media Fixed 9.5 mm SATA optical drive (available only with 1.8-inch hard drive): DVD+/-RW SuperMulti DL LightScribe,DVD-ROM
Display 12.1-inch diagonal Illumi-Lite WXGA (1280 × 800)
Graphics Mobile Intel GMA X4500 HD, up to 384 MB of shared system memory
Audio High Definition Audio, integrated speaker, stereo headphone/line out, stereo microphone in, integrated dual-microphone array
Wireless support Optional HP un2400 EV-DO/HSPA Mobile Broadband Module (requires mobile network operator service); Intel 802.11a/b/g/draft-n, Broadcom 802.11 a/b/g/draft-n, a/b/g; Bluetooth™ 2.0, HP Wireless Assistant
Communications Intel Gigabit Network Connection9 (10/100/1000 NIC), 56K v.92 modem
Expansion slots 1 ExpressCard/54 slot, Secure Digital slot
Ports and connectors 2 USB 2.0 ports (third USB available with 2.5-inch hard drive), VGA, stereo microphone in, stereo headphone/line out, 1394a, power connector, RJ-11/modem, RJ-45/ethernet, docking connector for HP 2400/2500 Ultra-Light Docking Station
Input devices Full-sized keyboard, enhanced dual pointing devices (touchpad and pointstick) with scroll zone, optional 2 MP Webcam with Business Card Reader Software
Manageability Intel® Centrino® 2 with vPro technology capable,11 HP Recovery Manager, HP Client Manager Software, HP Client Configuration Management Agent
Security Standard: HP ProtectTools, TPM Embedded Security Chip 1.2, Enhanced Pre-Boot Security, HP Spare Key, HP Disk Sanitizer, Enhanced Drive Lock, HP Fingerprint Sensor, Drive Encryption for HP ProtectTools, Credential Manager for HP ProtectTools, File Sanitizer for HP ProtectTools
Optional: Smart Card Reader,12 Kensington lock, HP Privacy Filter, McAfee Security Solution16
Dimensions (h × w × d) 0.99 in (at front) x 11.11 in x 8.44 in / 25.2 mm (at front) x 282.3 mm x 214.3 mm
Weight Starting at: 3.19 lb / 1.45 kg (weight will vary by configuration)
Power 9-cell (83 WHr), 6-cell (55 WHr), or 3-cell (31 WHr) Lithium-Ion battery, 65W HP Smart AC Adaptor, HP Fast Charge10
Expansion solutions12 HP 2400/2500 Ultra-Light Docking Station, External MultiBay II, HP Monitor Stand, HP Adjustable Notebook Stand
Warranty Limited 3-year,1-year and 90-day warranty options available depending on country, 1-year limited warranty on primary battery. Optional HP Care Pack Services are extended service contracts which go beyond your standard warranties. For more details visit: http://www.hp.com/go/lookuptool.
[HP]

Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
matt buchanan
Posted 2:39 PM 18/8/08
@goaliegeek: Centrino 2 is a mobile platform, Core 2 Duo is a family of processors. This uses a new ULV one that's also in the new X301 and will probably be in the next MacBook Air refresh.
matt buchanan
goaliegeek
Posted 2:29 PM 18/8/08
Very nice, but this begs the question, do laptops really need 56k modems installed on them still? But can some one answer this for me? Isn't the Centreno 2 quad core? Cause this chip will probably be installed on the Macbook Pro refresh later next month that I will be purchasing, cause I read that it is on the Mac rumors site and a few others, but no other sites say anything, just Core 2 Duo (then a letter and number, PT800)
goaliegeek
Totalfixation
Posted 2:21 PM 18/8/08
oh ya i'm getting a hard on right now.
Totalfixation
PC+Mac Coexist
Posted 2:08 PM 18/8/08
Oh my god.
PC+Mac Coexist
goaliegeek
Posted 2:53 PM 18/8/08
@matt buchanan: Gotcha. But is Centreno 2 quad core or just dual core?
goaliegeek
endless
Posted 2:48 PM 18/8/08
an HP i am interested in? this cannot be.
with a war in the middle east and russia and iran being threatening and this... everyone best be ready for the end. it must be near.
endless
mhlaxp
Posted 3:10 PM 18/8/08
I would ask about price, but I'm sure it's in the range of "more than I'm willing to spend on yet another laptop I don't need."
Still pretty awesome looking machine. That 9-cell battery probably answers my main complaint these days.
mhlaxp
eblingmis
Posted 3:08 PM 18/8/08
goaliegeek: your shiny new mbp will NOT have a quad core processor.
eblingmis
flynboarder07
Posted 4:37 PM 18/8/08
@goaliegeek: Centrino 2 isn't really an indication of processor type. right now you will only see it on dual cores, in the future when mobile quads become more common you will see it on them too.
flynboarder07
ShadowX
Posted 4:50 PM 18/8/08
Well it looks prety but Im afraid that unless they state it as being "Andrew Proof" the it sjust another one of those Yupie toys that think its hard.
I am the proud owner of a toughbook. After dealing to more than 3 laptops in less than a year at a cost of about $2k each I decided to splash out. I must admint that the guys did let me test drive it for a few days. :)
My job usually has be climbing around rooftops setting up corporate communications links and takign the laptop with me. Its beed dropped, rained on, knocked and abused as well as been in a few haszardous enviroments including an area that was full of chlorine and in an anodising plant.
It is still ticking along niceley and the only complaint is the battery really needs replacing after 3 years of work. Its gone from having about 8 hours of worktime to 3 hours if im lucky.
I would recomend one of these to anyone due to their rugedness and the fact they are "Andrew Proof", or should I call it Shadow Rated :).
Its nice HP producing someting shiny that almost looks the part but how werll does it perform, Can i use it as a step to reach the top shelf of the rack. When I drop it will it survive and If im on the roof and it stated bucketing down with rain will it become like an iphone.
ShadowX
EL_RIEL
Posted 5:26 PM 18/8/08
@matt buchanan: If this laptop will have the same CPU as the Lenovo X301 I dont see why the MBA refresh will use them since these new ULV Core 2 Duo (ultra low voltage) U9300 (1.2GHz) and U9400 (1.4GHz) those are even slower than the CURRENT MBA and Voodoo CPU which are 1.6 to 1.8 Ghz... =/ .. WTF
MBA and Voodoo have faster CPUs now, than the future HP elitebook and the newly unreleased X301..
EL_RIEL
Hvedhrungr
Posted 6:19 PM 18/8/08
enabling a quicker boot-up and the ability to run multiple programs simultaneously.
Wow, what is this baby an upgrade to? Windows 3.11?
Hvedhrungr
herbvee
Posted 7:31 PM 18/8/08
The ExpressCard slot is the killing point for most busineses and municipalities. It would be nice if HP offered PCMCIA as an option
herbvee
Townie
Posted 8:06 PM 18/8/08
ShadowX i always wonderd if those thoughbooks were anygood! But you convinced me bigtime!
Townie
kwvdc
Posted 9:20 PM 18/8/08
concerning the 56.6 modem ..... for those that travel internationlly, broadband is not available and dial-up is still a necessity ......
kwvdc
Paul Dullford
Posted 9:58 PM 18/8/08
I like to mix my business with my games, so integrated graphics is a dealbreaker for me. I have a Dell desktop replacement (whose model name shall go undisclosed). I tried to play Portal on it, but the 945GM chipset's integrated graphics couldn't meet the needs of the game. In the end, I had to install OS X and run Portal under CrossOver Games under OS X on my PC in order to run it stably. I imagine it would require the same process to run it good on this PC.
@Hvedhrungr: Maybe the case is that Vista before SP1 could not run multiple programs simultaneously very well.
Paul Dullford
matt buchanan
Posted 11:03 PM 18/8/08
@EL_RIEL: You're right, I had it in my head that there were faster ULV chips getting released, the U9300 and U9400 are too slow. Still, if the pot's already cooking...
matt buchanan
GeekyNerdGuy
Posted 11:38 PM 18/8/08
@kwvdc: Not just internationally -- there's still middle of nowhere spots in the U.S. too. Nothing like filming an oil rig in Wyoming and having to drive to the farm house to dial-up.
GeekyNerdGuy
welasharp
Posted 11:37 AM 19/8/08
nothing can beat my lenovo x61 tablet :)
welasharp