Mississauga-based Hewlett Packard (NYSE: HPQ) unveiled their fall line up of desktop and notebook computers in Toronto yesterday, featuring more energy-efficient desktops and more durable, portable computers for businesses and SOHO users.
HP’s latest products were designed with feedback from channel partners in mind; the theme for this season’s collection – green.
Michael McAvoy, director, small and mid-sized business, HP Canada said a survey from last year revealed that 83 per cent of small business owners consider the environment when making purchases, and that number is probably even higher this year.
“Resellers have been telling us that customers want products that are energy efficient and that will save them money,” he said.
HP’s latest introduction to the desktop line, the HP Compaq dc7900, was designed with an HP Power Manager program, allowing consumers to track energy savings in dollars and cents. The program shows you how much energy you are saving each day as you change your conservation settings from high to low.
The computer uses 87 per cent energy efficient power supplies that is Energy Star qualified and EPEAT Gold registered.
The computer is also designed with security in mind. Built with DASH 1.0 and Intel Core 2 processors with vPro technology, the computer also has ProtectTools software, a backup and recovery manager and optional RAID 1 configurations.
The company’s largest all-in-one device desktop, HP Touchsmart IQ816 PC, is also Energy Star certified with EPEAT silver qualifications, said Jeff Cates, vice president of consumer business.
The 25.5 inch high-definition screen with Intel Core 2 Duo processor uses HP power management technology to provide up to 45 per cent energy savings.
The family-friendly touch screen has a program for leaving notes, Web cam, voice recorder, a calendar and is wall mountable with a wireless keyboard. It is designed to simplify access to photos, video, music and other applications.
The HP EX470/EX475 MediaSmart Servers are also designed for family homes and improved file-sharing of photos and music. The expandable storage device powered by Microsoft Windows Home Server allows consumers to centralize files and automatically stream from iTunes music libraries.
Customers can choose between 500 GB and 1 TB capacities with one eSATA port for storage expandability.
Cates said most people buy the device as a file back-up, but as more applications are released, such as MiniNotes or small Flash, there will be a bigger need for scalable storage.
The system accommodates 10 users and comes with four internal hard-drive bays and four USB 2.0 ports.
HP’s Thin Client t5540 and t5145 are thin client devices for industries like banking, healthcare and education, said Cates, where virtualization is becoming a buzzword. It’s an area of growth that channel partners are becoming very excited about, he said.
The HP t5145 Thin Client with HP ThinConnect is a straightforward network access solution designed to manage and support efficient ICA and RDP network connections.
The HP t5540 is the enhanced line with support for legacy ports, ICA, RDP, terminal emulation, Windows Media Player and basic web browsing. The t5540 has a one Ghz VIA Eden processor rather than 500 Mhz.
HP’s new Elitebooks for business come in three different configurations the 2530p Notebook PC, 2730p Notebook PC and the 8530w Mobile Workstation, and are more stylish and durable than previous models.
Taking a few features from the consumer line, the Elitebooks have an optional webcam built in that function as a business card scanner and has a nightlight for working late on planes or trains.
The 2530 is the lightest model, weighing three pounds. The 2730 is a notebook and a tablet, illustrating HP’s “productivity with a twist.” It is a bit heavier at 3.7 pounds, but has a convertible hinge and 12.1 inch display screen.
Both models have protection for people on the go. The protection tools locks the hard drive if it is being dropped vertically or shuffled horizontally and are built with a stronger skin: the HP DuraCase, HP DuraKeys, HP Dura-Finish and HP 3D DriveGuard.
The 8530 mobile workstation is designed for people in industries that would appreciate the portability of a laptop but need more power and durability, such as individuals in oil and gas, Cates said.
The 15.4 inch screen supports graphics with up to 512 MB of VRAM. It has the Intel Core 2 Extreme and Quad-Core processors and Dual Link DVI for ultra-high resolution monitors.
The upper end SOHO line, the HP Pavillion HDX X18 and HDX X16, improves display quality for entertainment functions. The screen is 55 per cent wider and features Ultra Bright Infinity display. It also comes with a triple bass subwoofer for improved sound.
The computers are designed to be family-friendly, but also appear classy with neutral colours and delicate patterning. “We’re staying away from the candy-coloured fad and are choosing colours that will last,” Cates said.
