HP is introducing three new business Chromebooks, including a $399+ model you can buy now and two higher-end products arriving in the summer.
The $399 and up HP Chromebook Enterprise 14 G6 is designed for “frontline workers” who are directly interacting with customers on a day-to-day basis, according to Alex Thatcher, HP’s director for Chrome product management, including staffers at hospitals or at retail stores.
HP Chromebook Enterprise 14 G6
To address these users, HP designed the new 3.3-pound Chromebook to be durable. It comes with a spill-resistant keyboard, and reinforced USB-C ports, which helped the product pass over a dozen US military standard “MIL-STD” tests, along with a 2.25-feet drop test. The same Chromebook can also withstand repeated cleanings using disinfectant wipes, which will help make the product safer to share within a workforce.
The company fitted a 14-inch screen on the laptop. But for employees who like to work with a large monitor, the Chromebook comes with an HDMI port on the side. In addition, the product has an HD webcam and a dual microphone setup to enable video conferencing.
The other selling point is the battery life; HP says it can run for 13.5 hours on a single charge. However, to achieve the affordable price point, HP designed the new Chromebook to only be configurable with Intel’s cheaper and lower-powered Celeron processors.
Look for it now at retailers including CDW, Connection, and Promevo.
HP Pro c640 Chromebook Enterprise
Chromebooks have made a name for themselves as affordable, but limited laptops. You’re essentially getting PC hardware that focuses on connecting to the web and Google services, but not much else. With the HP Pro c640 Chromebook Enterprise, a higher-end product that’ll arrive in June, HP at least gives it a power boost.
The 3.3-pound, 14-inch laptop ditches the Celeron processors for Intel’s 10th generation “Ice Lake” Core chip line, which powers a number of higher-end Windows laptops. The silicon has been built with Intel’s 10-nanometer fabrication technology to enable better onboard graphics and fast application speeds for thin and light notebooks. Expect the battery life to reach up to 12 hours.
The other change is the casing. You’re getting an aluminum-built laptop that measures 0.65 inches at the hinge for what HP says is the world’s thinnest business Chromebook. However, the company made no compromises on durability. The HP Pro c640 also underwent over a dozen MIL-STD tests.
The company is remaining mum on the price, but it’s scheduled to go on sale in June.
HP Elite c1030 Chromebook Enterprise
For customers looking for truly premium Chromebook gear, the HP Elite c1030 is based on Intel’s Project Athena, an effort to create the best performing laptops. The result is a 13.5-inch laptop convertible fitted inside a sleek aluminum case. It comes with a display that stretches from one end to the next, for a 90.1 percent screen-to-body ratio, which HP says is the highest ever on a Chromebook.
The 3-pound device will be ideal for business employees who are constantly multi-tasking with cloud-based apps for work purposes and want fast performance, says Thatcher. “We really wanted to design the ultimate Chromebook for these folks. We didn’t sacrifice anything in terms of performance.”
HP is relying on Intel’s 10th generation “Ice Lake” Core chip line. Buyers will be able to select from an i3, i5, or i7 U-series processor, which promise to offer a 12-hour battery life on a single charge.
HP Elite c1030 Chromebook Enterprise
Thanks to the 360-degree hinge, HP’s new Chromebook can also flip into a tablet. Another perk is the integrated privacy filter; with the press of a button, you can turn on the built-in HP Sure View technology, which can reduce up to 95 percent of the visible light from your laptop when viewed at angle, and prevent prying eyes from seeing what’s on the laptop’s screen.
Other features include Wi-Fi 6, two USB-C ports along with a single USB Type-A port, a microSD card slot, and the option to upgrade the Chromebook with a 4G LTE modem. However, the company decided to nix the HDMI port from the product.
The bad news is that the HP Elite c1030 won’t arrive until August. Pricing details will be disclosed later. But we wouldn’t be surprised if it cost from $800 to $1,000, which is what other Project Athena Chromebooks are going for.
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