HP unveils low-cost business laptops

Hewlett-Packard launched a new line of low-cost business notebooks called the ProBook s-series that merge business functionality with consumer goodies like HD graphics and Blu-ray drives. The HP ProBooks give you a choice of an Intel or AMD processor across most of the line, as well as choices of 14-, 15.6-, or 17.3-inch diagonal HD widescreens with a 16:9 aspect ratio.

Models come in glossy noir (black) or merlot, though merlot is only available on the 14- and 15-inch models and is not expected to be available until June.

HP is offering two OS flavors: Windows Vista with available XP downgrade or Novell's newly released SuSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 11. The ProBook series also has a few HP specialties including the HP SpareKey button which lets you answer three personal identification questions in case you forget your system password; one-touch access to e-mail, calendar, and contacts with QuickLook 2; and the File Sanitizer utility that can completely wipe individual files, folders and personally identifying information from your hard drive.

The ProBook series starts at $529 MSRP.

Most of the ProBooks share similar features including:

-800 MHz DDR2 SDRAM two slots expandable up to 8GB-Up to 500GB SATA HDD internal storage-Wi-Fi a/b/g/n-ExpressCard/34 slot

-Media Card Reader-Ports: four USB 2.0, VGA and HDMI-Full-size keyboard

-Options include: Blu-ray ROM DVD+/-RW SuperMulti DL LightScribe Drive5; 2 MP webcam; and Bluetooth 2.0

Here's the breakdown for specific models:4410s (Intel) and 4415s (AMD)-14-inch diagonal widescreen with 16:9 ratio-ATI Radeon HD 3200 integrated graphics, ATI Mobility RadeonTM HD 4330 discrete graphics, with 512 MB dedicated video memory-6-cell Lithium-Ion battery-Weight: 5 pounds with optical drive-Dimensions: 1.22 (at front) x 13.2 x 9.15 in

4510s (Intel) and 4515s (AMD)-15.5-inch diagonal widescreen with 16:9 ratio-integrated number pad–HP un2400 EV-DO/HSPA Mobile Broadband Module that HP says will work with multiple mobile broadband carriers-Mobile Intel GMA 4500MHD, ATI Mobility RadeonTM HD 4330, with 512 MB dedicated video memory (4510s)

– ATI Radeon HD 3200 integrated graphics, ATI Mobility RadeonTM HD 4330 discrete graphics, with 512 MB dedicated video memory (4515s)-8-or 6-cell Lithium-Ion battery-Weight: 5.7 pounds including optical drive-Dimensions: 1.24 (at front) x 14.6 x 9.83 in