First Look: New HP EliteBook Mobile Workstations Discussion

HP today announced a new lineup of powerful mobile workstations, ideal for engineering, power-computing and graphic design. We spent some hands-on time with pre-production samples of these notebooks and can finally share what we've learned.

Read the full content of this Article: First Look: New HP EliteBook Mobile Workstations

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• HP EliteBook 8540w Mobile Workstation Review
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• HP ProBook 4520s Review
• HP EliteBook 2540p Review

 

They are looking great! I wonder what the price and what gpu is going on the 8460w, I hope its something better than a rebranded 6470m

 

strange that the 8560w gets 3 button mouse but 8560p only gets 2, unless I'm mistaken. also strange that they copied the Thinkpad red nubbin
hmmm... I didn't like it from the initial studio-like pictures, but it looks much better here and I'm sure it looks even better in person. or maybe it's just the gunmetal finish that makes it look that much better
regardless, I'm more than content with my 8540w... or I'll just keep telling that to myself until the Ivy Bridge update comes out

no details on the ATI graphics for the 8460w??

Just noticed it has gained a bit of size/weight. Not a big deal, but my 8540w barely fits in my laptop bags and backpack as it is... seems like the 8560w has grown just enough that it won't fit into most 15.6" bags.
8560w: 15 x 10.1 x 1.36 @ 6.69 lbs (starting)
8540w: 14.7 x 9.9 x 1.28 @ 6.5 lbs (starting)

 

looks really good!
the handsome version of thinkpad

 

In that last pic, it looks like you guys got 4! Did you get two of the 8760w? Can you tell us what specs they have? Can you ask HP why they appear to be offering weaker Firepro GPU on the 8760w than was available on the 8740w? Is that enough questions?

 

I'm surprised how the 14" looks so much smaller than the 15" (you'd expect the 14" to be a 13" from looking at the pictures alone). Is this normal in general, or just typical for these new hp series?

 

I'm glad I bought my 8740w when I did . . . unless that 8760w is packing a higher-than 1920x1080 resolution (unlikely), it's missing 120 vertical pixels compared to my 1920x1200 screen.

Nice writeup Jerry. The notebooks look better in your pictures than they did in the press pics we saw a few weeks ago.

 

That was just the stack of pre-production samples that we had access to for a limited period of time while speaking with the HP representatives. I think the reason they had an extra one was because only one of them had a lid with a spiral brush pattern that was accurate for what we'll see in the production-level machines.

The specs on the pre-production systems are mostly irrelevant since we couldn't benchmark them and it's common for pre-production systems to have configurations that won't be offered in production-level machines. I can say that the 17-inch 8760w pre-production system we saw had a DreamColor display and it looked nice.

I don't know what drove HP's decision process regarding configurations, but they claim that we'll see performance increases across the board in the new configurations compared to the old configurations. We'll have to see when review units finally show up.

 

Am I the only one who prefer the style of the previous generation (8x40w)?

Not only the 8760w now has a 16:9 screen (the 8740w has a 16:10 screen), but the inverted-T cursor keys are gone! I'm pretty sure 17.3" size is a 16:9 aspect ratio. However, the touchpad area is larger than the old one.

@Charles: Me too, despite of all of the issues I have had to deal with my 8740w.

 

16:10 is dead... Sticking with my 8730w, thank you very much.

(Actually, I found that as a college student, my longer lasting Cr-48 has been a boat load more useful).

 

Many, many notebook users and many, many notebook manufacturers want 16:10 screens because it makes more sense to have extra vertical resolution on a computer screen.

Unfortunately, LCD panel manufactures like the 16:9 ratio because they don't have to make adjustments in their production lines to switch back and forth between HDTVs with 16:9 screens and smaller devices with 16:10 screens. Also, LCD panel manufacturers can make more 16:9 screens from a single sheet of glass with less waste than 16:10 screens.

Bottom line, 16:9 ratio screens are cheaper to produce and that cost savings is also helping with the slim profit margins on most laptops. Like it or not, 16:9 is here to stay ... for now.

 

It's already confirmed the 17.3" screen has 1920x1080p resolution.

So in short: QuickLook button removed, no inverted-T cursor keys, full-chiclet style keys, 16:9 screen, FirePro M5950 on the "AMD graphics side" (M7820 in 8740w, similar to a Radeon M5870), still no SATA III interface, plus the rig looks like a M1 Abrams tank and a backlit logo! (for what?, a bussiness laptop shouldn't be serious)?

 

I actually like this design a lot for the 8760. Looks very clean and crisp, though it could pass for one of the many designs apple could have come up with for their next lineup. I guess the only negative would be the 16:9 screen not because it's 16:9 (and I am a 16:10 fanboy) but because the resolution should be higher than 1080p, especially for this grade of notebook.

I wonder if the GPU is MXM based...

EDIT: wait...no SATA III support? Ok, disregard everything positive I said about this notebook :/

 

32GB RAM is crazy. I think these are the first laptops to have 8GB sticks...

 

I think the older line had it as well

I really doubt non sata 3 support, are they really going to ditch the 2 sata 3 ports?

I dont know if it affects raid if you go the mixed route

 

Would it be asking too much for HP to throw in a 1080p screen in their 8460w? Sony did it for their Z series, which is even a smaller screen.
I'm seriously disliking the extra width of the 16:9 15.6" laptops. The shift from 16:10 15.4" to 16:9 15.6" seems to have reduced the portability IMO.

 

Shows what I know about elitebooks. Still, 32GB is insane.

 

indeed it is! I like the design so far, although it reminds me of the older clevo 8560cu, specially the hinge design.

 

If you mean the cost of upgrading to 32GB, then yes, it is insane! (unless of course you actually need 32GB to do your work, then you just pass the cost onto your clients).

 

Anyone have any info on the gpu for the 8460w? Im guessing/hoping that its a 6600/6700 series rebrand, and not a 6400 series

 

According to HP Fansite, the 8460w offers Firepro M3900 which they claim is based on 6470M. The M5950 offered in both 8560w and 8760w is based on 6770M.

Notebookcheck ranks the 6770M well below M7820 (offered on 8740w)...so it is highly unlikely HP's claim of performance increases across the board will hold true for anything GPU intensive on a 8760w with M5950.

 

Instant No Button! Star Wars funnies FTW!

and indeed if its based on the 6770 the 8760w is going to offer a much lesser power

 

I take it the 14in screen is going to be a bit disappointing if we are either use to very good screens, or want a very good screen?

 

HP will most likely offer more powerful GPU with the production units. Otherwise, they would clearly fall behind Dell. the M6600 is said to sport the FirePro M8900 (HD6970M) or Quadro 5100M (GTX485M+4GB vRam).

 

It is pretty ironic that the 8740w led in the race of powerful GPU's and Dell had to play catch up with the M6500's.

 

If I was buying this generation, I'd be more interested in Dell at this point. However, if HP does offer M8900 soon after launch, having the option of the M5950 would then be a nice bonus. There are users who need lots of ram and screen real estate, but have no use for a GPU. Assuming pricing of the hypothetical M8900 matched M7820, offering an even lower price option for a medium performance AMD card could make it difficult for Dell to compete for these kinds of users.

 

even having an AMD option at all is still nice, or even a 17" option

I'm looking at you Lenovo...you did some bad bad things with your W-series line...

 

I agree it is better to have the mid-range AMD than no AMD in the 8760w. But for me, the GPU per dollar offered in the 8740w with M7820 was a key deciding factor for me to abandon my intend purchase of the 8540w with M5800 in favor of the 8740w with M7820. I carry this every day, so it wasn't a decision I made lightly...also note my current 8740w is not the one I bought...long story...don't ask here. Anyway, for non-CUDA users, there is little compelling reason to lug around the extra weight of the 8760w when you can get the same card in the 8560w.

 

Does anyone know if switchable graphics will be enabled for any of these laptops? I know that it can be a pain with drivers and things like that, but it would really push me over the edge to get the 8560w over the W520. I need the flexibility of extended battery life.

 

Jerry, can you confirm support (or non-support) of SATA III in these models?

 

I thought the previous generation had this already.

I don't think anyone makes a 1080p panel in 14", so yes, it would be asking too much as HP doesn't make panels.

No business 14" will have powerful graphics, even the workstations...

I don't think even the p versions have it, so the w versions won't either. If they do then it's a possibility.

 

According to the ark the HM chipset dont support VT-d and that is one thing that people are hoping for. So no switch

And I can only dream about having a powerful card on a 14'' business class

 

Boy, that light metal hinge is ugly — in fact, the 8640w hinge is far nicer than the 8560w hinge.

It’s not the boxy design that makes it look ugly; it’s the lighter-than-everything-else color. It reminds me of the bumper of a semi truck — and I have this overwhelming urge to hang an “OVERSIZE LOAD” banner from it.

The same is true of the light trim around all the ports — it’s ugly!

Really, they should at least make those the same color as the rest of the body. It’s definitely too late to redesign the shape, but I can’t imagine it being all that hard to change the color.

Additionally: why isn’t there switchable graphics? Some of the coolest features of Intel’s latest chips require the IGP; namely, the hardware VNC server (vPro) and Intel Wireless Display.

 

Hmmmm... these things are kinda sexy in a spartan, unadorned sorta way.

 

Now, something I'd love to try: taking off the ugly hinge "cover", and attaching a handle of some sort.

The old design (on my 8530w): the whole LCD bezel is one piece, and the whole back side is once piece, aside from the top edge.

 

Nope, both 8540p and 8540w had 3 buttons.
The nubbin is nothing new, but they changed the color to red/orange from black.

Dana, totally agree... dunno what HP is thinking with all these two tone color accents. HP is trying a little too hard to be fashionable. This is a business notebook, stick with one neutral color.

 

Say, is that a CompactFlash slot on the front, next to the MMC/SD card slot?

http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/pscmisc/vac/us/product_pdfs/HP_Elitebook_8560w_Datasheet.pdf

...Wait, it's unlabeled in the specs PDF, missing in the front-view stock shots, and present in the angle-view photo! What is going on here?

Aaand.... now that I look closer, I would almost swear it says "CFast" -- and CFast is a SATA-based CompactFlash!


EDIT: Wow, it really IS CFast! Check the second pic in the bottom set of photos:
http://notebooks.com/2011/04/12/hp-elitebook-8560w-details-specs-and-pricing-video/

 

8760w Datasheet

Quick Specs

The Mobile Intel QM67 Chipset appears to support SATA III

'11 Lineup

 

I don't know why there's so much criticism of the new Elitebooks, but I suppose that's the nature of business laptop users--we tend to be conservative and prefer older, proven designs to new ones, particularly if there's a notable shift in the design language (ie, new Dell Latitude).

I actually like the new Elitebooks: they appear to have very solid build with great attention to detail (ie, ports reinforced by an outside ring, well-coordinated colors and pieces, etc). The switch to physical buttons for the convenience keys and the use of single-color discrete white LEDs is much nicer than before, in my opinion. The Elitebook latches also seem more durable than those on, say, the Thinkpads, since the component on the lid doesn't seem to move. Only critique I have of the design is that they really should stick to a black trackpoint. Red looks extremely strange on an Elitebook...

Only a few things worry me about the Elitebooks: weight, price, heat/noise, and switchable graphics. Traditionally, Elitebooks have been much heavier and more expensive than other business laptops, and it doesn't seem like that will change. The Elitebooks I've seen also ran noticeably louder than comparable Thinkpads. Hopefully that changes with these new models, although I'm not holding my breath. Also, now that an Intel integrated GPU is on every SB CPU, I don't see why HP doesn't seem to have switchable graphics support on these computers.

Overall, though, I like these new Elitebooks

 

I agree with MidnightSun regarding the dislikes (and likes). I wish the Elitebook 8560 was a pound lighter and had switchable graphics. I love the Workstation 15in notebooks but they are a PITA to travel with. I'm typing this on a T61p and while I'm salivating at all the goodness the 8560w has, I shudder to think of carrying something even heavier than my T61p.

A bit off topic but there is a rumored Sony Z update that is supposed to utilize an external GPU/optical drive attachment (about the size of a usb optical drive) that allows them to keep the notebook thin and light whilst providing the GPU power (for the internal display) when needed via a thunderbolt connection. I'm keeping an eye on that as it fits my particular need. I don't mind a heavy notebook except when i'm traveling (by air) which is also when I rarely need graphical grunt.

Right now its either the Elitebook and a thin and light notebook for travel or the Sony solution (or a MBP 15...yuk).

 

I do like how they've got rid of the sharp little ledge on the edge of the palm rest, looks kinda macbook pro-ish to me.
Personally liking the look of the Thinkpad the most, the new Dell the least
Everything else being identical would be the only time I would choose by looks between brands, and I won't be buying a new WS this time around anyway.
Whats the advantage of those new types of keyboards ?, the keys look really small and like they wouldn't have much travel

 

My Macbook Pro says it's not.

Anyway, this laptop sure is beautiful. Looking forward to the review. If I'm impressed enough, the Mac goes on the auction block.

 

It also seems like Fujitsu is sticking with 16:10 in their SB models, I don't know why HP couldn't offer it as an option for those people who want it.

 

Now, the only few things the 8760w needs to be perfect:

• Better coloration on the hinge -- same color as the body.
• Switchable Graphics, so I can have the hardware VNC server.
• The 3D display (and emitter) from the Envy 17 3D.

That last one is a big one. The FirePro and Quadro cards can do the true quad-buffered stereo that the Radeon can't do... So why the heck not pair it with a stereo display? I'd have more use for that than for DreamColor!

P.S. One time when Dreamworks gave a talk at Cal Poly, they said everyone had two monitors: one 3D, one DreamColor. My thoughts: they should make another partnership with HP to make a DreamColor 3D display!

 

I wouldn't worry much about the keyboards. The reason that most of us associated chiclet with crap keyboards is that they are found in cheap consumer laptops that have really bad stuff underneath their chiclet keycaps. Take a look at the Thinkpad Edge/Thinkpad X120e, they both switched to chiclet and the keyboards are still excellent. I still think HP should have made keycaps that hug your fingers (like the Edge keycaps) rather than the flat tops, or just kept a traditional keyboard though.

The other 2 major business laptop vendors, Lenovo and Dell, seem to be going 16:9. Its cheaper for HP to join the bandwagon.

 

I don't really see the lack of space between groups of keys thing being much of a problem. I didn't look long enough to see that they ditched the inverted T.

I think the keyboard will probably be accepted after a generation or two of laptops. I still am really confused why they would change it in the first place though.

On the topic of 16:9. So HP started this 16:9 madness... *stands outside HP office with picket sign*
I really wish 4:3 came back...

 

The 8760w lists an anti glare Dreamcolor. Is this the first DC anti glare screen?

 

Pseudorandom: HP did not start 16:9, they just went along with the crowd. Business machines held out a bit longer than consumer machines. Last generation, HP moved their 14" and 15" platforms to 16:9 keeping their 17" at 16:10. Lenovo and Dell both moved their 15" to 16:9 but held onto 16:10 on their 14" and 17" models.

Albatross: no

 

I disagree, most components are the same, what differs is build quality, screen quality, and noise.

Performance should be the same.

 

Does anyone know when these are going to be released?