Sturdy and lightweight – Gadling reviews the HP ProBook 5310m Notebook PC

by Scott Carmichael on

If you are looking for a cheap plastic laptop, then I’m going to disappoint you – this review is going to take a closer look at a very sturdy and well built laptop. And any laptop with “sturdy” in the description is usually not going to be a cheap machine.

Thankfully, the HP ProBook 5310m isn’t going to empty your wallet completely, and in the review, I’ll show how you actually get a huge amount of value for your money.

But lets start with the basics – the ProBook 5310m runs on either an Intel Celeron low power chip, or a more powerful Intel Core2Duo. Storage comes from a variety of options – from 160 to 320GB Harddrives, or a 128GB solid state drive. It features an LED backlit 13.3″ anti-glare screen powered by an Intel 4500MHD graphics accelerator.
The ProBook for travelers

As always on Gadling, we like to look at our gadgets from the perspective of a traveler – which is why the ProBook is so interesting. The machine starts at just 3.79lb, which is obviously more than a netbook, but the target audience for this computer is someone looking for a full size computer, without the shortcomings of a netbook.

The ProBook 5310m is the thinnest full performance computer on the market – and it accomplishes this while still being able to bring seven hours of battery life to the table. Other important features travelers will appreciate:

  • Optional 3G mobile broadband adapter
  • Strong magnesium frame
  • Standard HP power connector makes finding extra or replacement chargers easier
  • HP Driveguard 3D uses accelerometers to detect drops, safeguarding your data
  • HP QuickLook 3 offers instant access to email and web without having to boot the laptop
  • High quality 2 megapixel webcam with dual microphones
  • Full size “chiclet” keyboard

The ProBook comes with the usual assortment of expansion ports – 3 USB ports, a DisplayPort monitor port, Ethernet and audio. Users in need of an HDMI or VGA connector will need to invest in an adapter. There is no optical drive in the ProBook – which obviously helps with battery life and weight.

Performance

HP isn’t kidding when they call this the thinnest full performance computer. This machine really does perform incredibly well. When using basic applications like email and web, you’ll probably not even notice that you are working on a notebook.

And once you throw some heavier applications at it, you’ll still be switching between apps without any noticeable delays. Video is equally impressive – the ProBook had no problems with SD and HD video files, even when played at full screen. Web video from Youtube and Hulu played perfectly in HD full screen without any stuttering.

Design

I hate to use the phrase – but I really do find this to be a “sexy computer”. The combination of the awesome chiclet keyboard and metal finish make for a really good looking (and feeling) computer. The trackpad is probably one of the best I’ve seen in a long time – nice and responsive with good buttons (you’d be amazed how many companies screw that up).

Self-tinkering geeks will also appreciate how easy HP makes it to do your own upgrades – just 2 screws release a large panel on the bottom offering easy access to the memory, MiniPCI and HD bays.

Final thoughts

There is little not to like on the ProBook 5310m – it could very well be the perfect travel notebook for people who need more than a netbook can offer. The machine is lightweight, it offers plenty of expansion options, comes with Bluetooth and optional mobile broadband, and a decent suite of security applications.

The ProBook 5310m I tested lists for $899 but a more basic version starts at just $699. Yes – this is of course at least $200 more than the cheap machines at your local electronics superstore, but if you rely on your notebook to get work done on the road, you really do need to invest in something that can survive your trips.

PROS: Fantastic sturdy design, great performance and battery life
CONS: No integrated optical drive, price for high-spec versions

The HP ProBook 5310m is available directly from HP, or from your local HP retailer.

Gadling gear review – HP Mini 5101 netbook

by Scott Carmichael on

In this review I’m going to introduce you to one of the newest netbook computers from HP. The Mini 5101 is a very compact machine designed with the business traveler in mind. When building a computer for business use, HP obviously put a lot of time into making the machine able to stand up to the rough environment.

Because of this, the entire machine is built around a magnesium frame, it also features an aluminum screen lid, near full size keyboard, hard drive drop protection, a special keyboard coating and an easy to upgrade memory bay.
The basics

Lets start with the basics – inside the entry level HP Mini 5101 is an Intel Atom N280 1.6G6Hz processor, 1GB of ram and a 7200RPM 160GB hard drive. These specifications are nothing special, and are what you’ll find in almost any netbook nowadays.

Design

The design of the 5101 is where you start to notice major differences between most other netbook computers. As soon as you pick the 5101 up, you know that it isn’t just another all plastic computer. A metal screen lid, rubberized bottom, and not a squeak to be found (many cheap machines squeak a bit due to all the poorly joined plastic pieces).

On the bottom of the unit is a memory slot and the battery compartment. One the left side is the power port, a VGA D-SUB monitor connector and 2 USB ports. On the right is where you’ll find the Kensington lock port, 10/100/1000 Ethernet port, a high power USB port (for devices like a DVD drive), audio in/out and an SD memory card reader.

Once you open the Mini 5101, you find the real treat this machine has to offer – a 95% full size keyboard. For the first time (as far as I can tell), the HP designers were smart enough to design the keyboard without any bezel around the edges. This means all the keys come up right to the edge of the machine. Typing on this thing is absolutely amazing, and I can honestly say that it has the best keyboard I have ever used on a laptop. Not just on a netbook, but the best on any laptop.

The trackpad is equally well designed – for some reason, many manufacturers manage to screw up the trackpad design (I’m talking to you Dell). The Mini 5101 has the perfect trackpad – not too big, not too small, buttons on the bottom with a nice click. Seriously – the combination of the great keyboard with the well designed trackpad means you can actually get some work done on this machine. Above the display is a 2MP camera, which is also a step above the crappy low res webcams found on many other machines.

Software and OS

Because the Mini 5101 is targeted towards business users, it is only available with Windows XP Home or SUSE Linux. A third option delivers the machine with nothing but the FreeDOS operating system, which is great if you want to put your own operating system on it.

In addition to XP, the machine I reviewed also came complete with Corel Home Office (a very decent word/spreadsheet/presentation package) with full Microsoft Office compatibility. This package normally retails for $69.99, so it really does provide a good value for your money.

Also included is the HP 3D Driveguard monitor software. This application works alongside the built in accelerometer to protect your hard drive in the event the Mini 5101 falls.

And finally, the Mini 5101 also comes with a file syncing application, designed to help keep the files on your netbook in sync with those on your (home) office desktop PC.

Battery life

On my Mini 5101 review unit, a 29Wh 4-cell lithium-ion battery was included – when running the machine as normally as possible (WiFi on, browser open), I reached 3 hours 25 minutes before it shut itself down. This is very normal for a battery with those specifications. The 6 cell battery increases power to 55Wh (and just over 5 hours of use).

The battery has a small status button and a couple of LED’s to show its current power level.

Expansions and optional extras

In its basic form, the Mini 5101 features a 1024×600 matte display, 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi and 1GB of memory. Once you start thinking about getting one, you can order it from the HP site with a whole host of extra features.

The following are some of the options available when you pick a customized Mini 5101:

  • HD display (+$25) – increases the screen resolution to 1366×768
  • HP Mobile Broadband adapter – (+$125) powered by GOBI – allows for 3G (GSM and CDMA) connections
  • Bluetooth adapter (+$18) – integrated inside the machine
  • 6 cell lithium-ion battery (+$25)

Of course, the site also lets you order a variety of additional software, chargers and cases. The only memory configuration available from HP is 1GB, but you can upgrade that memory module to 2GB in a matter of seconds, thanks to the easy-access memory port. Unlike other machines, you do not need a screwdriver to access the memory bay on the 5101.

Final thoughts

The HP Mini 5101 starts at $399. This will get you a machine with Windows XP Home, 160GB hard drive, Bluetooth and a 4 cell battery. This is surprisingly cheap, as machines with these specifications, (but without all the extras HP includes) are normally around $350. You obviously pay a premium for the rugged design and other features, but considering how well this thing is built, I’m convinced that it is well worth it. Especially if you travel a lot, you’ll need a machine that can survive the airport. Design aside, what makes this machine well worth its price is the keyboard.

Of course, once you start configuring the Mini 5101 just how you like it, you’ll creep towards $750. This will add mobile broadband , the 6 cell battery and the HD display.

Two new travel friendly notebook computers from HP

by Scott Carmichael on

HP has long been on the forefront of the newest generation of portable machines – they were the first to offer a netbook with a near full size keyboard, and they have continued to innovate ever since.

Today, they announced two new light and highly portable machines for their end of year lineup.

On the left is the HP Mini 110 by Studio Tord Boontje. The innards of this machine may be fairly bland (1.6GHz Intel Atom processor, 1GB of RAM and Windows 7 starter), but the outside is nothing short of stunning. HP teamed up with Dutch designer Tord Boontje and applied what they call “Imprint 3D” to the lid of the machine, decorating it in an intricate floral pattern. It will be available late October starting at $399.

Next up is the Mini 311. This machine features an 11.6″ HD display, and is powered by the Nvidia ION platform. This combines the Intel Atom processor with a low powered version of the Nvidia GeForce 9400 video chip. Sounds like gobbledygook? All you need to know is that this machine will have the power to play HD video, something most current netbook size machines can’t pull off. It’ll come with 1GB of memory and a 160GB hard drive. The best part of this impressive machine? It too will start at just $399 and will be available in two weeks. Initially, it will ship with Windows XP, but a Windows 7 version will be available in October.

HP unveils the Mini 5101 – makes the Netbook look all grown up

by Scott Carmichael on

HP is on a roll this month – just 2 weeks after adding 3 new machines to their Mini PC lineup, they just announced the Mini 5101.

The new Mini 5101 weighs in at just 2.6 pounds, and comes with the usual Intel Atom processor. The machine features the awesome 95% full keyboard found on their other popular Netbook sized machines, though they have moved to a “chiclet” style keyboard – something I really like.

The base model ships with a 7200rpm hard drive, but 80 and 128GB SSD drives are available as optional extras.

Since this machine is aimed at business users, you’ll get the HP 3D DriveGuard protection system and their DuraKeys keyboard coating. These technologies also make the Mini 5101 perfect for travelers who need a durable machine capable of being dragged around the world.

Battery life depends on the choice of either a 4-cell pack or a larger 6-cell pack. The 6 cell battery will keep the Mini 5101 going for up to 8 hours.

The Mini 5101 is available with either a standard WSGA screen, or a high-definition screen. Other options include Bluetooth and mobile broadband wireless interfaces as well as a new lineup of portable accessories.

Expect to find the machine available for orders towards the end of July, the expected retail price is $449.

Daily deal – HP iPaq 111 Classic PDA for $189.99

by Scott Carmichael on

My daily deal for today is a rarity – it’s a good old PDA. I’m calling it rare, because it’s actually quite hard nowadays to find a personal organizer that is not a phone, GPS unit and camera at the same time.

From my personal experience, I know a lot of people just want something small and easy to use, that does not involve signing up for a 2 year contract or subscribing to an expensive data plan.

The HP iPaq 111 Classic runs Windows Mobile, which means it comes delivered with an email client and pocket versions of Internet Explorer, Word and even Excel.

Inside the device you’ll find Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, which means you’ll be able to get online at the airport or your hotel when you are in range of a hotspot.

This Classic PDA normally retails for over $300, but Amazon.com currently has it on sale for just $189.99. And while this may be more than many smartphones (the iPhone is just $10 more), it does not involve any monthly fees or contracts.

The iPaq can be expanded using cheap SD cards, and with a 4GB card currently costing under $15, you’ll even be able to turn the device into a music and video playing machine thanks to the built in Windows Media Player.

All in all, the iPaq 111 Classic is true to its name; a rock solid little PDA without trying to be too many things at once.