HP Follows Dell in New Business Laptop Push

Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ) has announced a line of portable lightweight computers aimed at business travelers to compete with a product range announced by rival Dell (NASDAQ: DELL) last week.

HP said on Monday that the lineup included the EliteBook 2530p, which is the smallest and lightest of its computers with a weight of just over three pounds and an extended battery life.

The company said its EliteBook 2730p is an ultrathin computer that converts to a touchscreen, pen-based tablet computer with a twist of its screen and weighs 3.7 pounds. HP said it expected the HP EliteBook 2530p and HP EliteBook 2730p to become available by early September, with estimated prices of $1,499 and $1,670, respectively.

The two new EliteBook models also feature an optional integrated Webcam with business card reader software, and an integrated light that shines on the keyboard to improve visibility in low-light.

A new third model, the Compaq 2230s, is heavier at 4.07 pounds, and is aimed at a lower-priced audience. The notebook PC is available now, with an estimated price of $999.

Last week, Dell unveiled several new notebook models, targeting business users with a variety of high-end features and design changes.

The new Dell models all incorporate Intel’s new Montevina mobile chipset, announced last month, as well as Dell’s new Internet tracing security feature, also introduced last month.

Both Dell and HP are fighting for the top spot in global PC shipments, which is becoming increasingly dominated by sales in the notebook category. Gartner last month announced that HP retained the throne in overall sales with 18.1 percent of the market during second quarter.

Dell, meanwhile, claimed 15.6 percent of the market during the quarter, showing 21.9 percent year-over-year growth — faster than HP’s 17.1 percent growth, Gartner said.