Buyer's Guides
Buyer's Guides Lists and roundups of the best gear. Period.
$1100
HP EliteBook 2540p
A Great Combination of Power and Looks
The EliteBook 2540p is HP’s answer for consumers who want top-notch performance and battery life out of a laptop that’s only slightly bigger than a netbook. Like the ThinkPad X201s, it sports a 12.1 inch screen, but with a slightly lower resolution of 1280 x 800. Modernly-styled thanks to it full magnesium alloy casing and scratch-resistant anodized aluminum surfaces, this machine’s sleek looks certainly compliment its functionality and are a step above the utilitarian appearance of the Lenovo. Weighing 4 pounds, the inclusion of an optical drive in the low-voltage model makes it slightly heavier than competing machines, but it’s a trade off many should be more than willing to make for the ability to watch DVDs or directly install software using a disc. As a testament to its durability, HP has tested the EliteBook 2540p to match military specifications that include using a 3D accelerometer that will park the hard drive head in the event of a drop to minimize damage. A finger print reader is also available as additional security measure. Since the includes a 2 megapixel webcam, this machine is primed for Skype conference calling, and features nifty business card reading software which automatically inputs contact information based on webcam business card shots. Powered by a 2.13-GHz Intel Core i7 processor and 4GB of ram, there’s no shortage of speed on this laptop, although it has been benchmarked as slightly slower than the ThinkPad X201s which contains matching hardware specs. Powerwise, users can choose 3, 6, or 9 cell battery configurations. The 6 cell provides 6:30 hours of power, while the 9 cell is claimed to deliver 12.5 by HP and add one pound to the computer’s overall weight. Though pre-bundled software is something we’re normally not fans of, the inclusion of HP’s Quick Web software is a nice convenience. Basically it allows users to view an instant-on Linux OS web browser and read-only Outlook email and calendar in under 10 seconds while the machine goes through it’s normal boot up process in the background. Our conclusion is that while it may be more expensive than the Lenovo X201s with a standard smaller battery and hard drive, its good looks, optical drive option, and convenient business-inspired software give it a better work/personal balance for the average consumer.
Buy Now: Starting at $1,099
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| Operating system |
Genuine Windows® 7 Professional 32
Genuine Windows® 7 Professional 64
Windows XP Professional (available through downgrade rights from Genuine Windows® 7 Professional) |
| Processor |
Intel® Core™ i7-620M Processor (2.66 GHz, 4 MB L3 cache)
Intel® Core™ i5-540M Processor (2.53 GHz, 3 MB L3 cache)
Intel® Core™ i5-520M Processor (2.40 GHz, 3 MB L3 cache)
Intel® Core™ i7-640LM Processor (2.13 GHz, 4 MB L3 cache) |
| Processor technology |
Intel® Core™ i5 with vPro/Intel® Core™ i7 with vPro technology capable |
| Dimensions and weight |
| Weight |
Starting at 3.38 lb (1.53 kg) |
| Dimensions (w x d x h) |
11.1 x 8.4 1.10 in (282.2 x 213.4 x 28.0 mm) |
| Memory |
| Maximum memory |
8 GB 1333 MHz DDR3 SDRAM
(Upgradeable to 8 GB maximum (4 GB SODIMM in slots 1 and 2); memory bus runs at a maximum of 1066 MHz) |
| Memory slots |
2 SODIMM |
| Storage |
| Internal drives |
SATA II (5400 rpm)
From: 160 GB
Up to: 250 GB
SATA II (7200 rpm)
Up to: 250 GB
Solid State Drive
From: 80 GB
Up to: 160 GB |
| Optical Drive |
DVD-ROM; DVD+/-RW SuperMulti with Double Layer
(Optical drive only available when configured with 1.8" hard disk drive.) |
| Graphics |
| Display |
12.1" diagonal LED-backlit WXGA anti-glare |
| Graphics |
Intel HD Graphics with dynamic frequency |
| Expansion features |
| Ports |
3 or 4 USB 2.0
1 external VGA monitor
1 DisplayPort
1 1394a
1 combo stereo headphone/mic jack
1 AC power
1 RJ-11
1 RJ-45
1 docking connector
(Fourth USB2.0 port available on configurations with 2.5-inch hard drive) |
| Slots |
1 Express Card/34
1 Smart Card Reader
1 Secure Digital |
| Audio |
High Definition Audio support; Integrated dual-microphone array; Integrated mono speaker; Touch-sensitive controls for volume up, volume down, and mute; Combo headphone/mic jack |
| Integrated camera |
Optional 2 MP webcam with Business Card Reader Software |
| Keyboard |
spill-resistant keyboard with drains |
| Input devices |
Touchpad with scroll zone, two pick buttons |
| Communications |
| Network interface |
Integrated Intel Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000 NIC) |
| Wireless |
Optional HP Mobile Broadband (powered by Gobi™) with GPS
Intel Centrino 802.11a/b/g/n
Broadcom 802.11a/b/g/n
HP Integrated Module with Bluetooth® 2.1 Wireless Technology |
| Broadband service provider |
AT&T, Sprint or Verizon Wireless |
| Power and operating requirements |
| Energy efficiency |
ENERGY STAR® qualified configurations available |
| Power supply |
External 65-watt Smart AC adapter; HP Fast Charge |
| Battery type |
9-cell (93 WHr) Li-Ion
6-cell (62 WHr) Li-Ion
Long Life 6-cell (55 WHr) Li-Ion |
| Battery life |
6-cell (62 WHr) (standard): Up to 7 hours 30 minutes
6-cell (62 WHr) (Low Voltage): Up to 8 hours |
| Operating temperature range |
41 to 95° F (5 to 35° C) |
| Operating humidity range |
10 to 90% RH |
| Storage humidity range |
5 to 95% RH |
| Security management |
| Security management |
Standard: HP ProtectTools, Integrated Smart Card Reader, HP Fingerprint Sensor, TPM Embedded Security Chip 1.2, Kensington Lock slot, Enhanced Pre-Boot Security, HP Spare Key (requires initial user setup), HP Disk Sanitizer
Enhanced Drive Lock, Drive Encryption for HP ProtectTools, Credential Manager for HP ProtectTools, File Sanitizer for HP ProtectToolsOptional: LoJack for HP ProtectTools, McAfee Security Solution |
| What's included |
| Software installed |
Preinstalled software with Windows operating system:
HP SkyRoom (trial version); HP Recovery Manager (available with Windows 7 or Vista only); HP Support Assistant (available with Windows 7 or Vista only); HP ProtectTools Security Manager; HP QuickLaunch Buttons Software; HP QuickLook 3; HP QuickWeb; HP Power Assistant; HP Connection Manager 3.1; HP Wireless Assistant; HP DayStarter; Microsoft Office Professional 2007 60-day Convertible Trial; McAfee Total Protection (60 day trial period for McAfee Total Protection for Small Business software. Internet access required to receive updates. First update included. Subscription required for updates thereafter); PDF Complete SE; Roxio Creator Business 10 (select models); InterVideo WinDVD (select models); Synaptics Touchpad Driver; HP Webcam Software; WinZip 12 (trial version) |
| Warranty |
HP Services includes a one-year or three-year standard parts and labor warranty (depending on model), pick-up or carry-in, and toll-free 7 x 24 hardware technical phone support. On-site service and warranty upgrades are also available. |
