HP EliteBook 2560p Review: Extra-Rugged Ultraportable

The corporate-oriented HP EliteBook 2560p has all of the common ultraportable goodies, but its actual attraction is its excellent sturdiness. It's constructed to have a lickin' and carry on tickin' (apologies to Timex). A refresh depending on second-generation Intel Core processors, the 2560p is actually a first rate performer with some wonderful ergonomic and style flourishes. It can be somewhat stodgy-looking and hefty for an ultraportable, but that is an understandable trade-off for that ruggedness.

Constructed mainly from aluminum and magnesium, the 2560p completes its macho metal trilogy with supersturdy titanium hinges. The 2560p passes the U.S. military's MIL-STD-810G drop examination, which number of laptops even attempt. Yet another remarkable function of the 2560p--one that every vendor should consider duplicating--is the really effortless access to elements. Slide a latch again, and the single panel that covers the whole bottom from the laptop computer slides absent (it may be locked having a screw) to expose each of the main parts within. The unit is somewhat hefty for an ultraportable at virtually 4 pounds, but the additional heft lends for the system's reliable really feel.

However not the quickest ultraportable we've tested, our EliteBook 2560p examination configuration proved more than competent. Carrying a Core i5-2410M CPU, 4GB of DDR3 RAM, plus a 7200-rpm, 320GB Toshiba difficult push, the notebook delivered a score of 114 in WorldBench 6. That mark is really a minor underneath regular for your classification and configuration, but subjectively the 2560p is quite responsive.

Within our exams, gaming body prices from your built-in Intel High definition 3000 graphics ended up playable only in the extremely lowest resolutions and detail settings. Battery lifestyle utilizing the 62-watt-hour battery included with our test unit was six hours, 45 minutes--good, but nicely shy in the 8 hrs or maybe more we've seen from a few other ultraportables.

The EliteBook is offered inside a selection of flavors, ranging in the $1099 no-optical-drive price range configuration we examined to $1699 for any model with a DVD burner plus a 128GB solid-state push (prices are as of August 23, 2011). No Blu-Ray push is obtainable. A 1366-by-768-pixel, 12.5-inch display is normal on all types and offers a crisp picture with very even backlighting. Video playback is as sleek as can be, as well as the speaker sound is really good for an ultraportable, although it's got tiny while in the means of bass reaction.

Ports and connectivity are mainly up to snuff, despite the fact that USB 3.0 is absent. The company's reps explained to me that USB two.0 was all which was essential. (They are almost certainly correct--for the next 6 months.) The 2560p has four USB two.0 ports (one among that is usually powered as long as the notebook is plugged in), and also yet another in the twin eSATA/USB form, mitigating a bit the lack of USB 3.0. An additional deliberate omission is definitely an audio input jack: For audio input, the laptop relies on the dual microphones bracketing the Hi-def webcam within the display screen bezel. The ethernet link is gigabit, the built-in Wi-Fi supports both the two.4GHz and 5GHz bands, and Bluetooth is involved.

The 2560p's input ergonomics are extremely good. The keyboard is recessed into your deck much enough which you attain a cozy wrist angle along with your palms resting within the front part of explained deck. The reaction is comparatively crisp; and in contrast to many Chiclet-style designs, the keyboard has slightly concave keys to promote assured finger placement. The touchpad, with its two sets of buttons (over for use when typing, and under for two-handed cursoring), gives wonderful reaction. Staying ready to double-tap within the upper-left corner to permit or disable it is just a neat touch, too.

HP's preinstalled applets are remarkably helpful, although any person acquainted with Windows can skip several of them. HP's ProtectTools now incorporates a cleaner interface and provides drive encryption, finger-swipe biometrics, and facial recognition with Bluetooth confirmation. You will also discover a good electrical power utility which will even handle some external monitors--if they occur for being HP versions. The running technique is Windows 7 Professional.

In case you want an ultraportable notebook that you simply can be self-assured will stand up to a few a long time of large use, the HP EliteBook 2560p deserves a seem. A three-year warranty and on-site service are available to offer extra peacefulness.