HP Focuses on Business Needs with the EliteBook 2570p

Mobile computing has been a big topic for consumers and business folk alike. After all, the tornado of hype surrounding the latest ultrabooks, ultra-portables, tablets and convertibles has left little room for discussion for the laptop needs of the typical business user. Nevertheless, HP has tried to rise above the din and make a case for common sense over flash, at least when it comes to mobile computing for small businesses.

Case in point is the EliteBook 2570p notebook, which eschews style for substance and focuses on what small business users need to accomplish their day-to-day chores. It may not be as “cool” as the latest ultrabook and it may not be as portable as the latest ultraportable, but the EliteBook 2570p strives for another goal – one that is defined as productivity.

At first glance, the EliteBook 2570p looks no different than the notebook style of laptops from yesteryear. However, a closer look at HP’s 3.6-pound portable PC reveals a unit that is smaller and lighter than a first glance would indicate. The 12.5-inch LED backlit display – housed within the 12.02- x 8.23- x 1.08 -inch unit – sports an anti-glare coating and an industry-standard resolution of 1366 x 768.

HP EliteBook2570p small business notebook

Figure 1: The HP EliteBook2570p small business notebook.

It also includes a third-generation Intel Core processor, as much as 16 GB of RAM, a hard disk ranging to 750 GB in size and an optical drive. Your choice of a 9-cell, 6-Cell, or 3-Cell battery provides off-the-grid power. More cells means longer life, but you trade that for increased travel weight.

Hands On with the EliteBook 2570p Notebook

HP sent over a shiny new EliteBook 2570P with Microsoft’s latest operating system, Windows 8 Pro for testing. The EliteBook was equipped as a midrange model, featuring a 2.50Ghz Intel Core i5-3210M, Intel HD Graphics 4000, 4 GB of 1600Mhz memory, 500 GB Hitachi 7200 RPM SATA Drive, an HP DVD RAM drive and a six cell Li-On battery. Although that is not a top-of-the-line configuration, the unit performed quite well and should be up to the chores of most business applications, save for CAD/CAM work.

Performance aside, the EliteBook 2570p proves to be a well-constructed laptop, featuring a ruggedized design that uses composite materials, as well as aluminum to make the unit somewhat shock proof – we dropped the system from desk height onto a carpeted office floor several times and had no problems whatsoever with the device.

The EliteBook 2750p incorporates several security features, ranging from an integrated fingerprint scanner to a 1.2 megapixel camera to TPM chip-based encryption. At a direct price of $949.00, the tested configuration is at the bottom of the price scale for the EliteBook series, which can cost as much as $1,978.00 when equipped with i7 processing power, additional RAM and SSD based storage.

Other features that lend themselves well to a business environment include a docking station port, integrated management utilities, a full spectrum of wireless connectivity, as well as multiple ports, including e-SATA, USB 3.0, RJ-45, as well as a few other ports. The Elitebook line features a three-year warranty, as well as additional service contracts to increase the protection of the unit.

All things considered, HP has successfully put the “business” back into a business notebook, without sacrificing size, weight or features.  

Frank Ohlhorst is an award-winning technology journalist, professional speaker and IT business consultant with more than 25 years of experience in the technology arena. He has written for ComputerWorld, TechTarget, PCWorld, ExtremeTech, Tom’s Hardware, Entrepreneur, Forbes and BNET. Ohlhorst was also the Executive Technology Editor for eWeek and former director of the CRN Test Center.

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