Elitebook 2530p: Checking Before Buying

I'm on the verge of buying a HP Elitebook 2530p, and would like to know if there are any not so well known problems that exist with this notebook.

I know that the screen is "grainy" to some, but that really wouldn't bother me at all. The rubbery touchpad buttons would be a plus, not a negative for me, since I'd love silent usage. The shallow travel with the keyboard wouldn't bother me either, since I'm already used to typing on ultraportables with similar feel.

I'm looking to get the two spindle model, with a SL9300 processor, and will be installing either a Runcore IV 1.8" SATA SSD (yummy Indilinx), or a Intel X18-M SSD.

 

If anyone could also comment on the durability of its lid, that'd be great. As I understand, it has only a tiny bit of give, but I'd like to know how much that matters after extended usage.

 

Well uhhh, I'm not sure if this applies to all EliteBooks, but I'll note some annoyances that I found with my friend's 8530p...

1. Touchpad buttons are TERRIBLE. I LOVE rubber buttons, but the way the buttons are engineered, you must hit them dead center for them to work. Otherwise, your button presses may not register (they may, it's not guaranteed though). A little too mushy too (compared to the rubber ones on my nx9420).
2. (Not really a valid complaint, but I'll list it anyways) More of personal preference, I prefer the older HP keyboards in terms of typability. The newer EliteBook keyboards aren't as noisey as the nx/nw and xx10p/w series. They seem a bit more firm in each press (as in, a little stiffer). In addition, I'm not sure if I like the font that HP has been using recently (the italic, all white kind of font). I prefer the old lower case fonts that seem friendlier to read, and with the fn functions labeled in blue. It does, however, feel that it would wear better than older keyboards (my W key is turning into a V key).

Otherwise, I find nothing else wrong with the EliteBooks in general. Plus, according to HP, the 2530p meets the MIL STD 180F drop test. The only other EliteBook to do so is the 6930p.

 

I can offer some input, I currently own an HP 2510p with some upgrades, mainly a SSD and 4 GB of RAM. But we currently got a few 2530p's in at work and I recently finished building an image for them and I installed Windows 7 on one to play around with one weekend so I am pretty familiar with them.

The ones we order at work are pretty much maxed out as they are for Executives only, they have the 80 GB Intel SSD, 2.1 GHz Dual Core, 4 GB RAM, Webcam, I do not think I need to explain that they are very fast. Def a nice step up from my 2510p and I like how they have two DIMMs for memory so you can install up to 8 GB. I love the feel of the keyboard, it has a satin feel to it much like my 2510p does but new it just feels better I am also a fan of the rubber touchpad buttons but like mention above I have noticed they can be a little picky about where you hit them but that is by no means a dealbeaker. The only thing that disappoints me about the notebook is you still cannot do DVI out with the graphics, only VGA. Unless it supports it and they will be coming out with a new dock that does DVI but I am not sure. But I would say go for it, the notebook feels very well built BTW too, better than my 2510p, the LCD hinges are nice and tight which I always like and the lid latches shut securely and tightly, the brushed alum look is kinda neat too but we will see how it hold up over time. I think it is going to look horrid once it gets beat up but that should not be an issue for you if you take care of it.

 

Yeah - DVI is an issue. Can get it with by using a desktop video card connected to an external LCD using a DIY VIDock. US$50-PE4 + US$70-HD4650 + US$15-12V AC/DC adapter. Means can play games on it too Confirmed to work with a 2530P, but with 2GB installed as shown here.

 

Here's the official NotebookReview.com review of the EliteBook 2530p:

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4663

 

I've read that review several times, thanks for pointing it out though. I started this thread with the goal of uncovering problems that appear only after extended usage, not one-day impressions.

I will be going ahead with this buy. It was my dream notebook earlier this year, but was out of my price range when I'd begun shopping. Now that its price has come down, I'm pulling the trigger.

Thanks all!

 

Enjoy it. I think the Elitebooks are excellent.

 

What a mistake! You should have gotten a Lenovo T400 instead!

 

I lol'd. 10ch

 

Isn't that like comparing Apples to the headlight switch in a 1978 Chevy Nova?

 

T400s maybe. T400 no way. Both are 14" units. Larger and heavier than a 2530P.

 

It's a joke. Students and I got in a catfight over Lenovo earlier