HP Elitebook 8560p review

Size wise (and I know the specs on both) how does it feel compared to the MBP 15? I've played with the 15" MBP and it feels fine for taking around with me. In the specs the Elitebook seems to be about .4" wider and .5" taller. Do you feel that difference, or is it about the same to put on your lap etc?

 

hey guys newly registered member, I just wanted to let you know I've ordered both the Macbook pro 15 inch i7QM with ssd drive and an Elitebook 8560p i7 with an ssd upgrade later on. I should have the elitebook tomorrow and the macbook pro in a couple of days as well, I'm a bit torn between the two and decided to try em both
Actually I ordered a MBP15 first and beem eyeballing the elitebook 8560p for a while but it wasn't available in stock. I called HP and they gave me 25% discount unbeatable price so I went for it, if I'm happy I'll keep the elitebook.

I've had a macbook air 13 Ultimate late 2010 with 256GB SSD performance was awsome the ssd was so insanely responsive but found myself using windows due to business software we use at work. Virtualisation works well on os x but battery drains ultra fast so I might be going back to a pc afterall, we'll see.

I've got some questions - is the trackpad in the way of typing comfortably and is there any way to disable it? Question two can you configure some gestures on it/what gestures are supported? Is it a smooth experience in google chrome...

How do you find overall performance, does it heat up after a couple of hours in use?
How's the cpu performance when you play flash movies in 720p, 1080p? Is it around 20%-35% or more...

I was thinking of buying a samsung 470 ssd for the elitebook, I'm curious in performance gains on the elitebook with SSD.

 

width and length is about the same as the MBP. Where it cant compete with the MBP is its thickness. This adds a bit of bulk and weight, however it feels fine on my lap or carrying it around the office to a meeting.

 

That's what I care about, being able to lug it around. Open it on a train, on a tray table, at a desk. Walk around the city without it being too massive. Right now I have a 15.4" HP Pavilion DV6500tCTO. I have to say it still keeps up with computers now (the upgraded RAM I put in helps). But it weighs far more than the 8560 and is an inch smaller (width wise) than the 8560. I'm having HP quote me now. They really stick it to you with the RAM... 8gb of RAM with HP is $350... Corsair 8gb RAM is $80...

I do understand the boot times. I felt like the screen size of the 14 is just too small to enjoy watching a movie or tv on though, and, more importantly I like to put windows side by side and 14 is just too small for that.

 

hmm lugging it around the city I would find it a bit heavy. As far as taking it two and from my work and also in to meeting rooms I find it perfect.

I actually preferred the 14" one. They have the same resolution so you can still do the same thing on the 14". Only thing that made me get the 15inch one is the poor display on the 14.

 

I disagree on both points

Thinness - effects how portable the notebook. With less thickness the notebook is obviously lighter and easier to take in and out of a notebook. If I had to travel a lot thickness/thiness will absolutely be a huge issue and that is why people obsess over it. Also who said that thiness and having a properly designed notebook and reliablility are mutually exclusive. THe macoboks are both.

As for boottime it makes a huge difference also. Just last week I was caught in a meeting at the last minute. I was able to shut down my notebook undock it as I was walking the conference room I hit the power button by the time I was in the door of the conference room my notebook had already booted up. Plugged in the display port cable and BAM i was on the projector presenting. SAVED MY LIFE Also it saves batteries while traveling. I was always hesistant to turn off my computer because boot times were so damn long that it was a huge inconvineince. Now i just shut it down sometimes since going to sleep mode and turning it off takes the same time to recover from. Also it just makes you so much happier and when you have to restart your computer for drivers/setting changes it just pops back up and improves productivity. HAPPIER = Being more productive

 

Yoshi,

I wish I could have SSD on my laptop, but 512gb pricing is just way too much, and I need to the storage (and cd-rom). Realistically, I don't see myself needing my laptop battery to last more than 5 hours (but I would need to last those full 5) am I better off with the 6 cell or 9 cell? I was planning on buying the 9, but now I'm thinking about weight...

 

Also did you ever look into having a company do the supergloss of the screen?

I'm considering that too...

 

I've already gone through this exercise. I concluded that I couldn't keep the 15" MBP because I missed a good docking station too much for large desk monitor and with 3yr onsite HP warranty, MBP was just too expensive to save a 0.50" in thickness and have a better matte display (since I am docked 80% of the time).

I also still found the 15" MBP weight heavy when sitting on my lap compared to my 4 year old Dell 820 that tips the scales a 2 lbs heavier. The MBP was hot, hot, hot on the bottom even after the CPU firmware update (I didn't like using it with shorts on).

I am now going to handle and use the Lenovo X220 (IPS, i7-2620M CPU) and the HP 8460p (1600x900, i7-2620M CPU) side by side for a week and return the loser. Ergonomics, docking and carrying around will probably be more important than the CPU performance (even though I will render some home videos as a test). I need to see the poor 8460p screen myself to see if I can live with it only when I am off the dock for 20% of the time.

 

Keep us posted on the 8460 screen. I am curious. I saw the 8440p screen and the contrast was just yucky but someone else posted its improved since the 8440. From the crappy pcmag review it only mentions the poor vertical viewing angles.

 

I'd go with the 6 cell. With just using word I have easily gotten 5 hours. The laptop is heavy enough as it is you dont need more weight with a battery that sticks out.

 

I agree. I can always order the extended battery addon for times when i need even more juice.

My current laptop weights 6.8lbs, so I'm looking forward to getting a lighter pc

 

So I'm not sure what any of this means re: viewing angles. But from the HP maintenance manuals:

8460p HD+ Monitor:

8560p HD+ Monitor

 

OK got my 8560p an hour ago and I've got the MBP15 side by side, I really dig the keyboard selection of materials on the elitebook. The MBP15 got hot after 2 hours barely in use just screen on, the only thing that stands on the macbook pro is the display. I chose the antiglare and boy it is a pleasure to look at but in daily use I prefer numeric keypad, all the ports.

I don't find the elitebook that thick to be honest, I mean sure compared to the MBP15 but compared to other 15´PCs it's not. I've got an old Thinkpad T43 laying around to compare sizes. I'm afraid Lenovo is not an option for me since they don't offer numeric keypad.

Going to check the display and do some geekbenching, did a quality check on hardware. It's rock solid with one minor concern:

When I close the lid there's tiny millimeter wiggle room, perhaps the lock is a bit loose or maybe it's designed that way.

Edit I turned off the ambient light sensor I still notice a change in dark/light on homescreen.

 

How did you get an x220 with an i7QM cpu? I have only seen the i7M option on the Lenovo CTO site. In any event, there are many of us who are interested in your evaluation, so keep it coming! Thanks.

 

Sorry - typo - didn't mean to cause any heart palpitations. Ordered both X220 and 8460p with i7-2620M. Tracking shows they both arrive Friday from China.

 

Ok guys I need some help the screen is acting up, I turned the ambient light sensor and still whenever I surf around pages screen brightness goes up and down for a couple of seconds. It seems the light sensors are still on, how do I disable them for good?

 

Might take a look in the graphics card settings - I believe there are some extra options selected by default that might cause what you are describing?

 

In the bios you can disable the ambilightsensor and all the other devices.

 

Ahbeyvuhgehduh you are correct my friend, there was a setting AMD graphics called Powerplay that forces the screen to go dim. I just disabled it and now I'm a happy champ,

thanks!

 

Don't disable PowerPlay, disable only Vari-Bright in catalyst drivers.
PowerPlay is ok, it will save you some power, with underclocking gpu...

 

keep power play on. If you turn that off and use a external monitor your performance will be crap. Scrolling and moving screens arond will move at like 2 frames per second. Turn off vari bright that thing sucks. Doesnt jsut make your screen dim but I think it does something with the pixels that makes it all blurry, pixelated and dirty looking. Worst feature ever and its on by default so someone that doesnt know will think the screen is crap.

 

Ok after a days of use the battle elitebook 8560p i7 vs Macbook Pro 15 i7QM ssd I've decided to send it back and keep the more expensive macbook pro, reasons below:

- Win7 with all the HP software feels so sluggish compared to virtual Win7 or bootcamp win 7 on macbook pro
- Display after tweaking and turning off sensor in bios thx to tech support hurt my eyes after hours in use compared to MP15 antiglare high res screen.
I felt screen was too dim but washed out colors.
- battery life better on the MP15 with ssd i can reach 7 hours with moderate use, 4 hours with virtualized windows 7 + tabs open and 50% brightness
- The virtualized windows experience on macbook pro is awsome with all gestures supported, superfast and even more responsive than native install.

Some tradeoffs like less ports, built in battery, one year warranty is a hit I'm willing to take vs performance, battery life and high quality display. Since this is my stationary computer I'm happy with my setup and the performance of the MP15 i7 quadcare feels like a good long term investment compared to the mediocre win7 with HPs software on board.

In day to day use I'm very happy with my decision oh and the heat from the MBP15 after a tweaks is history I barely reach 55C in high use, mostly staying around 40C it's a beast of a system the bench marks it scored 4 times better than the elitebook in just about every benchmark tested (geekbench, PC Mark etc)

I will try to make a video and load it up during the weekend if anyone is interested.

 

What tweaks did you make? Any that cause performance compromise? The 15" MBP actually burned my bare thighs.

 

-- Win7 with all the HP software feels so sluggish compared to virtual Win7 or bootcamp win 7 on macbook pro


There is your first problem, who leaves that crap on their computers anyway? Soon as I get a laptop, wipe with clean Windows 7 on it, and drivers only = super fast computer. Not sure about the screen, but mine looks pretty nice after the tweaks I made to it with the calabration tool in Windows 7.

Anyway, to each his own on the mac, but there is no way in hell that Mac can keep up with the speed of my laptop. Nothing can. I love it (except for the keyboard!!!)

 

I think people that buy two lap tops to keep the one they like are disgusting.
The tragedy of the commons.

 

huh? why is it disgusting? If the HP elitebooks were actually available to view in stores I dont think we would see this problem. How do you know if you will like the laptop if you dont actually get one in your hands and use it.

 

Which is the best way to make a clean install, if you have win7 pro oem license (preinstalled)? I have elitebook 8460p
I assume that serial which is on the sticker will work? Probably then I need to make a manual activation? Which medium (dvd) to use?

@Yoshimeow, can you also give some pointers on that? You made clean install on ssd...

 

lol there are no stores available where I can try the elitebook, so I went ahead and ordered it online. I tried a macbook with virtual win7 and was completely chocked at how snappy so I ordered it. I was still negative because for my usage alot of biz software I couldn't imagine using mac at all since I know I'll be spending alot of time in win. I later removed the bootcamp partition didn't need it.

This is my first Macbook pro, so be gentle. I carefully compared it with the elitebook/win 7 in stuff like email, webb, flash 720p, 1080p (flash used to be a weak point on mac os performance wise its improved but battery life still drains around 10%-20% quicker than on a pc I'm afraid) Price wise around 40% more money I'm hoping either one will keep me going for a couple of years - I don't trade laptops that often.

To tell you the truth I was scared to death buying the MBP15 hearing so much the heat issues, thermal paste etc. I honestly thought it was a design flaw to keep the damn laptop pretty looking, thought Apple was all about looks then performance and everyday usage.

No performance comprises whatsoever I made a smart move ordering the SSD from apple they've obviously tweaked it somehow + using SMCFan control and have three modes for fan default 2000RPM medium 2900RPM and high 3200RPM. I've had it on my bed, in a car, on my lap no issues whatsoever. I just monitor the temps if it goes above 55C i just gear up the fans to medium, simple. The aluminium body is good at diverting heat but might cause an unpleasant experience feeling the heat trick I discovered is turning the fans just up a notch as soon as you start doing intensive usage or discover the temp is above 60C - the amazing part side by side performance wise an optimized quadcore i7 eats most tasks and heavy virtualization software without reaching 10C,20C spikes I discovered mac os is pretty good at minimizing CPU spikes compared to windows 7.

Basically I could remove the fans altogether when doing basic stuff like browsing, email, words, watching flash clips up to 420p, opening virtual windows doing basic stuff there without hitting 50C mark

 

Pannel is LG-Philips LP156WD1, 6bit, 250nit, 500:1

Here's calbrated results:

 

Seconded. I have heard people who purchased an EliteBook praise the ProtectTools suite, although I personally do not use it.

 

Is it just me or is the HP order status site down?

Ps Yoshi, according to my HP rep it is possible to do the f keys in bios.

Josh

 

Hmm didn't see it. The bios looks all different now. Again hp reps might not know what they are talking about again. But I'll happily eat crow if I'm wrong.

 

@Yoshimeow:

Great review and posts! Thanks!

You said you changed the harddisk with your Samsung SSD.
Did you encounter any problems with this change?
Could you post a short how-to?

Thanks!

 

@sweswe234

All what You wrote about MBP just seems too good to be true ... but ... my question is: Did You order MBP and Elitebook with the same configuration? I mean did Elitebook had same CPU, RAM etc. Does MBP still has vent covered by screen when fully open? or did they change it's placement?

Because You do sound a bit like those guys that are hired for whisper marketing. If You want credibility - post bench pics. plus specs of both Elitebook and MPB used.

 

I registered on this forum because there were no reviews of the elitebook 8560p. I will post two amateur videos just to prove you wrong, it's private youtube video because it's my first video review ever forgive shaky cam, lots of uhms unprepared talk. Hope it helps so I just unpacked the elitebook 8560p once again just to shoot it on video compared to macbook pro,

Chris_ast1 to be correct the elitebook i ordered was an i7 highest end dualcore 2.3Ghz vs 7200RPM HDD MBP15 i7 2.0 Quadcore low to midend with apple mediocre SSD
I cant show benchmarks I've removed bootcamp from MBP search for PCMARK and you see MBP15i7 around 7200 on the elitebook i got around 2300 clean install.

Once iphone finished uploading I will post last two clips and that's it for me here on this section unless someone asks some questions or find themselves in same shoes as me.

Bottomline I'm more productive on Mac OS virtual windows is an absolute joy with multitrackpad, pinch to zoom, snappy performance fast startup low cpu low ram usage and combined with Alfred search on mac I never find myself starting virtual windows applications - to get a sense watch the video YouTube - MBP15 elitebook 8560p where I shut down the virtualization software, type EXPL it brings up the internet explorer 7 from the virtual machine starts the virtual machine up, opens explorer and connects to internet in couple of noticable seconds.


Be right back with two more videos...

edit one more video showing dimensions MBP15 vs elitebook 8560p enjoy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=692an6SB5tk

 

lol.. Im sorry but your title is incredibly misleading. you should title your video Windows on Macbook Pro. You have a elitebook 8560p sitting to the side and thats it. Horrible video for the 8560p. Post your video under the apple section.

Also believe me the MBP is a amazing machine I have one but wrong forum unless your next two videos actually show the Elitebook

 

also here are two professional reviews although I think mine is more informative and better

HP EliteBook 8560p Review - ComputerShopper.com


Plus these so called professionals cant even get their facts straight. One review mentions the bottom being made out of cheap plastic.. UMM HELLO ITS METAL..
and the other review says the two screen options are 1366 x 768 and 1920 x 1080. .. UMM NOO wrong again its 1600 x 900.

HP EliteBook 8560p Review

 

Thats fine, as long as you are willing to pay full price for a machine that has been fondled by sweswe234. But I suspect you are not. I suspect you would feel ripped off if you got your new lap top delivered and you could tell that sweswe234 had been playing with it.

 

lol fondled by me

second video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=692an6SB5tk

more elitebook less mbp

 

im sure it goes thru some sort of cleanup/ repackage/rebuild process on returned products. What would you do if you bought a laptop and absolutely hated it? Would you just keep it after spending 3000???
Have you never returned anything in your life??? Do you keep everything you buy? I doubt it... so dont by a hyprocrite.

 

Yoshi,

Any luck figuring the f-keys? I get back from vaca this weekend and my laptop should be shipping out any day now

 

I have an HDX 18t that I'm considering upgrading with an Elitebook 8760, and a Macbook Pro Fall 2010.

BEGIN OFF-TOPIC TANGENT
The only problem I have with the MBP is the keystroke contortions necessary to highlight a line of text and to do home & end. I've tried and continue to try some keyboard customization programs but they are weird compared to Windows - on Windows you just drag keys from the top keyboard diagram to the bottom keyboard diagram, whereas on the Mac all of the programs I've tried have *lists* have key exchanges, not all of which work.

I use the MBP to run XCode for iPhone App dev. The best part of a Mac IMHO is the little or no tweaking required to maintain a working system. On Windows you have to be a hobbyist, which of course I am, but if you don't stay on top of Task Manager (or Process Explorer etc.) and the Services snap-in, various programs including Microsoft programs including Windows components take over your CPU cycles.

Windows 7 is actually a more advanced OS, but I would never buy it for anyone I personally have to provide support for

END OFF-TOPIC TANGENT

 

Hi all, I know this thread is a bit dated now, but thought I'd sign up to say great review and I love my newly acquired 8560p. I got the 3G and SSD options and i7-2720QM.... A few points I'd like to make though:

1. Display Port vs. HDMI. I did some research on this before purchasing as well. Turns out it should support HDMI with a passive converter. It will also pass both audio and video. Basically the video card detects the presence and lowers the voltage for HDMI. Judging by what I've read, DP seems to trump over HDMI when computing gets involved and there is also no signal loss when converting, so the argument here should be moot.

2. 8GB RAM. Well the system comes packed with a single 4GB module so you only need an additional 4GB module (not an 8GB kit). Something to consider when upgrading.

3. Why a serial port and modem? hehe well I'm one of the 1% then I guess that required a serial port as standard - why? Well I'm a consultant and do a lot of Cisco and HP networking which by and large, still use serial ports, so I need the serial. I also run x64 Win7 and there are limited choices with USB serial adapters that actually work under x64. I also lost two of my USB serials and sold a third to a customer, so I'd rather have it built-in

The modem is a no-brainer for us as well. We need the modem for dialing in to our Cisco gear if we have a router failure or some type of catastrophe in our datacentre. For us it's that peace of mind that gives us insurance to feel better prepared when s**t hits the fan. We also have an IP fax serice we run in the colo and the modem gets used for testing when we commission new clients.

4. Bloatware. Well ours came with W7x86 so we had to reformat and reinstall. On the SSD it took about 30mins to reinstall and then just put the drivers on. About 40mins total - probably the amount of time it would take to remove half the programs on there anyway, or install Bootcamp on a MAC

We did consider a MAC as we are increasingly getting support calls for our corporate clients who are purchasing them for home use. The solution - stick with the second hand iMAC's we purchased about a year ago for $250 ea It would have been good to go MAC as we get the best of both worlds, but we also would have missed the serial, 3G, UPS and additional ports that this little tacker provides.

Again I know this isn't for you all, but it was definitely the reasons two of us in our company purchased these.

Jason.

 

I didn't read the whole thread but rather just the OP.
One thing popped out - moaning about 8560p having displayport instead of HDMI.
U seemed to think that it's a disadvantage but actually it really is an advantage to have dp instead of HDMI.
The reason being that u can't feed monitors with higher resolution than full-hd thru HDMI, i.e. I wouldn't be able to drive my 30" montor @ 2560x1600 resolution without displayport (or Dual-link-DVI). Thus I find Elitebooks having dp instead of crappy HDMI a HUGE advantage over most other laptops - actually I wouldn't have even bought Elitebook if it only had HDMI.
Just get an adapter if u want to use external devices thru HDMI.

Great review, nonetheless.

 

Hello guys! Maybe I am a bit late to the party, but I want to bump this thread sharin joy from my last purchase. I have bought a preconfigured model for a relatively low 1150USD.
My model includes i5, 4gb, 128ssd, 1600-900 screen.
8560p has been compared with Mbp, I don't own one, but I do own an aging 8710p notebook whic was the reason I registered on this forum.
I can see a huge progress hp made in terms of design.
- better materials, no flex
- better port placement, no problem with thick USB sticks and the like
- better bottom - tool less access to hardware
- better touchpad, 200% oversized
- touch sensitive brightness control is gone

I have been a happy 8710p user for 3+ years, the only time I needed hp warranty was cleaning the fan system after 32 moths of usage. But this machine is better in almost every way imaginable.

The ssd responsiveness is already appreciated by many. What suprised me pleasantly - 15 sec boot time with all "bloat ware", which is not it for me. My am3 desktop in comparison boots the same 15 sec, but 20 seconds are eaten by bios boots and the like. What surprised me unpleasantly - only 65gb of usable space on ssd, and only 55 after simple update of win7 and hp tools. That's right! Half of usable space is preoccupied. An ssd is micron c400, also called crucial m4. I plan to switch 256gb plextor m3 ssd with this one. Whe support guy failed to recommend a way to clone only os partition with hp tools partition without recovery partition. Well, I'll just do a clean install. The support guy also stated that any ssd 'bigger' than 160gb may violate the warranty. I find amusing that he didn't say anything about the size of the drive, it's interface, form factor, compatibility limitations, just the number of gigabytes. I laughed out loud right into the chat window, yep!

 

Your specs are identical to my 8560p. Love my Elitebook also.

 

I am looking for a display port to hdmi adapter. Found this thread. Could anyone contact me to confirm that this is working? If yes, which adapter do I need? Is it really a 5$ solution?
Thanks,
OJ
Netherlands

 

Depends on if you want to connect only one or two HDMI displays to the displayport
I own e.g. from Delock this one http://geizhals.at/eu/delock-displayport-hdmi-adapterkabel-schwarz-61849-a640478.html

then a displayport to mini displayport adapter which is connected to a one to three outputs box DVI/HDMI/displayport

and from Zotac a displayport to two HDMI out box which works fine forvideo buthas gapsin the sound if used. .
There are a number

All work fine on the 8560p and may zBook 15