HP ProBook 4520s Review
HP’s four new ProBook models may not be as eye-catching as the company’s EliteBook 2740p tablet, but the notebooks do span a 13.3-inch to 17.3-inch display range and offer the latest Intel Core i3, i5 and i7 processors. Meanwhile pricing kicks off at $719; check out the full details and some hands-on first impressions after the cut.
The smallest model is the HP ProBook 4320s, with a 13.3-inch 1,366 x 768 display, Core i3/i5/i7 processor and up to 8GB of DDR3 memory. Storage is up to a 500GB 7,200rpm HDD, and there’s a standard optical drive (either DVD or Blu-ray) together with an ExpressCard/34 slot. Graphics range from integrated Intel HD through to ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4350 512MB, while connectivity choices include optional EVDO/HSPA (with GPS), WiFi (b/g through to a/b/g/n) and Bluetooth 2.1. There are also three USB 2.0 ports, an eSATA/USB combo, both VGA and HDMI, audio in/out and gigabit ethernet, together with an optional 2-megapixel webcam and a choice of 6-cell 47Whr or 9-cell 93Whr HP ProBook 4520s battery.
Specifications:
Intel Core i5 430M Processor (2.26GHz, 3MB cache)
Microsoft Windows 7 Professional (32-bit)
15.6-inch LED-backlit anti-glare HD display (1366 x 768)
Intel GMA HD Integrated Graphics
4GB DDR2 800MHz RAM
320GB 7200RPM HDD
LightScribe DVD+/-RW Optical Drive
Atheros AR9285 BGN Wifi, Bluetooth 2.1, 1Gb LAN
6-Cell 47WHr Battery
Limited 1-year standard parts and labor warranty
Dimensions: 14.64 x 9.83 x 1.09-inches
Weight: Starting at 5.27lbs
The ProBook 4520s gave us just over 2 hours (2:01) on our DVD battery-rundown test, in which we loop a movie until the battery dies. That score is around 25 minutes shorter than average for this class of notebook and 49 minutes shy of the time logged by last year’s ProBook. The Acer Aspire was only marginally better. Even the Gateway NV7901u, which sports a large, power-hungry 17-inch screen, lasted a bit longer (2:19).
Our review unit came with a 320GB hard drive loaded with a 32-bit version of Windows 7 Professional, as well as a generous selection of business-centric software and utilities, such as HP’s ProtectTools security software. (This handy suite includes password-management and file-sanitizer applications.) You also get Power Assistant, a utility that lets you select a power profile to suit your specific needs and allows IT personnel to track power consumption over a period of time.
Protect your notebook from the rigors of mobile work environments with the new metal design and dress it up with sophisticated color options (caviar and bourdeaux). With a 15.6-inch diagonal display, the HP ProBook 4520s supports optional discrete graphics with 512 MB DDR3 memory and features an HDMI output as well as preloaded multimedia software with one-touch button support. The keyboard layout enhances the streamlined notebook design, while the full-size keyboard with integrated numeric keypad allows you to type comfortably.
With a choice of discrete graphics, the HP ProBook 4320s comes loaded with the new ArcSoft TotalMedia Suite that allows you to play, edit and create video and audio files. New “multi-media controls” for video control such as play, rewind, fast-forward are now integrated into keyboard, simplifying work with video and audio files. And experience life in high-definition with the HDMI port that allows you to connect directly to high-definition displays.
We’ve covered the smaller end of the ProBook spectrum, but HP also offers two larger editions, the 4520s and the 4720s. At 15.6- and 17-inches, respectively, both machines come with numeric keypads on the right side of the keyboard. The ProBook 4520s battery (starts at 5.26 pounds, 14.64”x9.83”x1.09”) keeps the 1366x768 display, while the 4720s (starts at 6.51 pounds, 16.17”x10.49”x1.11”) gets a bump up to 1600x900.
As for the hardware, the larger ProBooks have the same options as their little brothers. Core i7, i5 and i3 processors coupled with up to 8 GB of DDR3 memory, 500 GB 7200rpm hard drives, and ATI Radeon 4350 graphics with 512 MB of vRAM.
The HP ProBook 4520s has a decent set of core hardware components for a laptop targeted for businesses. It's powered off an Intel Core i3-350M 2.26-GHz processor, 3GB RAM, 500GB hard drive, and onboard Intel GMA HD graphics. It comes with a DVD Writer, four USB, eSATA, HDMI, audio, and VGA-out ports. Not only this, the HP ProBook 4520s also incorporates Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi 802.11n and Bluetooth 2.1 wireless connectivity. A 2MP webcam and mic, ExpressCard slot, multicard reader, and fingerprint reader completes the HP ProBook 4520s' impressive feature set -- unrivalled by any laptop in our Top 5 Mainstream Laptops listing.
The HP ProBook 4520s laptop battery comes with a standard six-cell battery and runs on 32-bit Windows 7 Professional edition. This business laptop from HP also comes with a set of proprietary software that's quite useful -- it isn't bloatware.
To improve personal security, the 4520s offers an impressive suite of proprietary software that takes advantage of the Webcam (for facial recognition) and optional fingerprint sensor (not available on our review copy) to limit profile access based on biometric data. The hardware performed as advertised during testing, though I found that the (optional) 2-megapixel Webcam integrated above the display did a poor job of recognizing facial features under lighting conditions other than direct sunlight; the indirect lighting in our office did an impressive job of fouling up this feature during testing. Being repeatedly blocked from logging in due to poor image quality has the potential to drive a harried business user insane. Thankfully, HP offers the option of switching off the security suite at will, though small-business owners will appreciate features like Drive Encryption and a File Sanitizer. Also noteworthy is the QuickLook 3 software, a shell that displays basic contact and calendar info at the press of a button without requiring you to boot into Windows 7.
Overall the ProBook 4520s is a creditable low-cost "jack-of-all trades" laptop for working professionals, and the various customization options available offers budget-conscious consumers a little leeway in making the best of their budget. Pretentious color schemes aside (I had hoped for the caviar, but got stuck with the bordeaux), the latest ProBook is sleek, sturdy, and equally adept at home, in the office, or anywhere in between.
The smallest model is the HP ProBook 4320s, with a 13.3-inch 1,366 x 768 display, Core i3/i5/i7 processor and up to 8GB of DDR3 memory. Storage is up to a 500GB 7,200rpm HDD, and there’s a standard optical drive (either DVD or Blu-ray) together with an ExpressCard/34 slot. Graphics range from integrated Intel HD through to ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4350 512MB, while connectivity choices include optional EVDO/HSPA (with GPS), WiFi (b/g through to a/b/g/n) and Bluetooth 2.1. There are also three USB 2.0 ports, an eSATA/USB combo, both VGA and HDMI, audio in/out and gigabit ethernet, together with an optional 2-megapixel webcam and a choice of 6-cell 47Whr or 9-cell 93Whr HP ProBook 4520s battery.
Specifications:
Intel Core i5 430M Processor (2.26GHz, 3MB cache)
Microsoft Windows 7 Professional (32-bit)
15.6-inch LED-backlit anti-glare HD display (1366 x 768)
Intel GMA HD Integrated Graphics
4GB DDR2 800MHz RAM
320GB 7200RPM HDD
LightScribe DVD+/-RW Optical Drive
Atheros AR9285 BGN Wifi, Bluetooth 2.1, 1Gb LAN
6-Cell 47WHr Battery
Limited 1-year standard parts and labor warranty
Dimensions: 14.64 x 9.83 x 1.09-inches
Weight: Starting at 5.27lbs
The ProBook 4520s gave us just over 2 hours (2:01) on our DVD battery-rundown test, in which we loop a movie until the battery dies. That score is around 25 minutes shorter than average for this class of notebook and 49 minutes shy of the time logged by last year’s ProBook. The Acer Aspire was only marginally better. Even the Gateway NV7901u, which sports a large, power-hungry 17-inch screen, lasted a bit longer (2:19).
Our review unit came with a 320GB hard drive loaded with a 32-bit version of Windows 7 Professional, as well as a generous selection of business-centric software and utilities, such as HP’s ProtectTools security software. (This handy suite includes password-management and file-sanitizer applications.) You also get Power Assistant, a utility that lets you select a power profile to suit your specific needs and allows IT personnel to track power consumption over a period of time.
Protect your notebook from the rigors of mobile work environments with the new metal design and dress it up with sophisticated color options (caviar and bourdeaux). With a 15.6-inch diagonal display, the HP ProBook 4520s supports optional discrete graphics with 512 MB DDR3 memory and features an HDMI output as well as preloaded multimedia software with one-touch button support. The keyboard layout enhances the streamlined notebook design, while the full-size keyboard with integrated numeric keypad allows you to type comfortably.
With a choice of discrete graphics, the HP ProBook 4320s comes loaded with the new ArcSoft TotalMedia Suite that allows you to play, edit and create video and audio files. New “multi-media controls” for video control such as play, rewind, fast-forward are now integrated into keyboard, simplifying work with video and audio files. And experience life in high-definition with the HDMI port that allows you to connect directly to high-definition displays.
We’ve covered the smaller end of the ProBook spectrum, but HP also offers two larger editions, the 4520s and the 4720s. At 15.6- and 17-inches, respectively, both machines come with numeric keypads on the right side of the keyboard. The ProBook 4520s battery (starts at 5.26 pounds, 14.64”x9.83”x1.09”) keeps the 1366x768 display, while the 4720s (starts at 6.51 pounds, 16.17”x10.49”x1.11”) gets a bump up to 1600x900.
As for the hardware, the larger ProBooks have the same options as their little brothers. Core i7, i5 and i3 processors coupled with up to 8 GB of DDR3 memory, 500 GB 7200rpm hard drives, and ATI Radeon 4350 graphics with 512 MB of vRAM.
The HP ProBook 4520s has a decent set of core hardware components for a laptop targeted for businesses. It's powered off an Intel Core i3-350M 2.26-GHz processor, 3GB RAM, 500GB hard drive, and onboard Intel GMA HD graphics. It comes with a DVD Writer, four USB, eSATA, HDMI, audio, and VGA-out ports. Not only this, the HP ProBook 4520s also incorporates Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi 802.11n and Bluetooth 2.1 wireless connectivity. A 2MP webcam and mic, ExpressCard slot, multicard reader, and fingerprint reader completes the HP ProBook 4520s' impressive feature set -- unrivalled by any laptop in our Top 5 Mainstream Laptops listing.
The HP ProBook 4520s laptop battery comes with a standard six-cell battery and runs on 32-bit Windows 7 Professional edition. This business laptop from HP also comes with a set of proprietary software that's quite useful -- it isn't bloatware.
To improve personal security, the 4520s offers an impressive suite of proprietary software that takes advantage of the Webcam (for facial recognition) and optional fingerprint sensor (not available on our review copy) to limit profile access based on biometric data. The hardware performed as advertised during testing, though I found that the (optional) 2-megapixel Webcam integrated above the display did a poor job of recognizing facial features under lighting conditions other than direct sunlight; the indirect lighting in our office did an impressive job of fouling up this feature during testing. Being repeatedly blocked from logging in due to poor image quality has the potential to drive a harried business user insane. Thankfully, HP offers the option of switching off the security suite at will, though small-business owners will appreciate features like Drive Encryption and a File Sanitizer. Also noteworthy is the QuickLook 3 software, a shell that displays basic contact and calendar info at the press of a button without requiring you to boot into Windows 7.
Overall the ProBook 4520s is a creditable low-cost "jack-of-all trades" laptop for working professionals, and the various customization options available offers budget-conscious consumers a little leeway in making the best of their budget. Pretentious color schemes aside (I had hoped for the caviar, but got stuck with the bordeaux), the latest ProBook is sleek, sturdy, and equally adept at home, in the office, or anywhere in between.
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