Review: HP ProBook 4520s Business Laptop


PCWorld: Review – HP ProBook 4520s Business Laptop

“A sturdy, stylish business laptop that performs well at work or on the go” is how PC World describes this laptop. Pros include the suite of HP security software and its ergonomic design. Cons include the shoddy webcam and mediocre battery life.


“Weighing in at just under 6 pounds sans power brick, the new HP ProBook 4520s feels solid and sturdy enough to bear the brunt of your daily commute. Improving on the plastic chassis from last year’s 4510s series, HP doesn’t aim this business laptop at the netbook crowd; with a 15.6-inch high-definition matte screen and a brushed aluminum exterior, the hefty device targets professionals who want a notebook with the power to handle marathon spreadsheet sessions as well as the occasional Blu-ray break on a long business trip. Starting at $719 (though our review unit cost a little more than $800 as of July 1, 2010), the 4520s is a modest performance machine ideal for small business users on a budget.

The new ProBook packs an Intel Core i3-370M processor under the keys; and even though HP’s push for multimedia performance exacts a toll on battery life, our PCWorld Labs laptop analysts got almost 4 hours of viewing time from the 4520s while running high-definition video playback at the maximum native resolution of 1366 by 768. After marathon viewing sessions of The Lord of the Rings in HD, BBC Video’s Planet Earth series on Blu-ray, and a number of World Cup 2010 matches stored on the 250GB 7200-rpm SATA drive, we can report that the Intel integrated graphics handled 720p HD playback and upscaling competently, without sacrificing a high frame rate. The antiglare backlit LED screen was comfortable for prolonged viewing and colors remained sharp at viewing angles of roughly 60 degrees from center, making the 4520s perfect for presentations or sharing a movie during long flights.”

Small Business Computing Staff
Small Business Computing Staff
Small Business Computing addresses the technology needs of small businesses, which are defined as businesses with fewer than 500 employees and/or less than $7 million in annual sales.

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