Hewlett-Packard, the world’s top PC maker, is launching a new line of inexpensive business laptops with fresh features targeting users at small and medium-size companies.
The HP ProBook s-series, which starts shipping globally on Tuesday, is HP’s (NYSE: HPQ) new mainstream business notebook, following the release of its higher-end, lightweight EliteBook line last year.
The ProBook replaces the HP Compaq line, although the Compaq name will continue to be used as a master brand name in other PCs.
The ProBook offers users a number of new features, including an optional Linux-based operating system pre-installed — Novell’s SuSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 11 — for those seeking an alternative to the dominant Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) Windows platform.
It is HP’s first-ever Linux pre-install on a standard business laptop, the company said. The PC maker does offer some netbooks with Linux.
“It’s pretty much a natural evolution,” said Carol Hess- Nickels, HP’s director of marketing for worldwide business notebooks.
“We want to provide a different option … it’s probably a little time yet before we’ll know exactly what the demand is, but we did think it was something worth trying.”
The ProBooks come with 14-inch, 15.6-inch and 17.3-inch screen sizes, with prices starting at $529. In another first for an HP business notebook, buyers will be able to add a color finish — “merlot” — if they choose.
Some models will also feature Qualcomm Inc’s Gobi technology, allowing them to use a single module to access different mobile broadband network technologies and mobile operators.
HP will also bring higher-end durability features, like its 3D DriveGuard — which protects the hard drive if a laptop is dropped — and a spill-resistant keyboard to the ProBook.
HP is the world’s No. 1 PC vendor, with a first-quarter global market share of more than 20 percent, according to research house IDC, well ahead of second-place Dell Inc. HP also took over the top spot in the U.S. market from Dell in the first quarter.
