HP EliteBook 2560p Review Discussion

The HP EliteBook 2560p is what HP calls its "pint-sized powerhouse." This business laptop is billed as a travel companion with exceptional build quality, a slim form factor, and a weight of just 3.6 pounds. But can this 12.5-inch durable business notebook perform when you're away from the office? Read our full review to find out more about HP's smallest and lightest EliteBook.

Read the full content of this Article: HP EliteBook 2560p Review

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Nice review, only downer is the low screen res and small touchpad but still it's very expensive.
SONY VAIO S and Z series is still a better choice if your going to shell out this much money.

 

I know that HP (and most other PC manufacturers) haven't put USB 3.0 on all notebooks because it's an extra expense and most business/enterprise customers aren't "demanding" USB 3.0 compared to more important features like durable construction, spill resistant keyboards, and extra security options.

Still, USB 3.0 is SOOO much faster than USB 2.0 and we're seeing more USB 3.0 devices all the time that benefit from that extra speed. Modern notebooks in this price range should come with USB 3.0 ... the 2560p is too expensive to cut a corner like that.

The screen resolution is pretty much what you expect for a 12.5-inch screen. If it was 1600x900 the default text would be too small and if you increase the DPI setting then some menus won't look right in various applications. If you want a higher resolution screen on a 13-inch or smaller notebook you should really have an external monitor to use at your desk.

 

Not capable of 1080P graphics? On an i5? Are you kidding me? NO HDMI? Fail. Double fail. I don't care, business AND consumer machines need to have HDMI these days. HDMI is everywhere, in Hotel rooms with flat screens etc.. HDMI is the best delivery method to transport both audio/video to HDTV/monitor. HP thinks these machines will never see the daylight outside a board room. At this price, this machine should not be compromised, and it is. My el cheapo dm1 at 400 dollars has hdmi and can display 1080P graphics. I mean what the hey.

 

My wallet started crying when it saw the $1800 price tag.

Mr. Mysterious

 

Nice review Amber

Although it doesn't have USB 3.0, it has ExpressCard so you could add it. Intel doesn't have native support for it at the moment so it's expensive, it must be added in via third-party card. My EliteBook 8740w has two USB 3.0 ports - maybe it was a size constraint issue?

I'm disappointed in the keyboard layout; I would sincerely miss the home/end/pgup/pgdn keys as dedicated. This is more disappointing than usual considering its predecessor, the 2540p, had them as dedicated:
HP EliteBook 2540p Review

One way or another I think I'd go for the Lenovo ThinkPad X220 over this:
Lenovo ThinkPad X220 Review
Much cheaper + IPS display + superior keyboard layout.

 

Way too expensive for what you get.

Either save $800 and get an X220 or spend an extra $200 and get the Sony Vaio Z, IMO.

 

I think the keyboard in the newest EliteBooks are perhaps their most disappointing "upgrade." The function keys are no longer delineated into groups of 4, the arrow keys are cramped into the lower right hand corner to be in line with the rest of the keys instead of being equally sized and separated. And the keys are flat and chiclet style. I have no issue with key separation, but as far as I know, flat keys really don't help you type at all. I think the keyboard really is one of those things that have become "consumerized" on business notebooks (even on some ThinkPads), and it's now more about aesthetics than typing experience. Otherwise, the new EliteBook series definitely looks more durable (but I don't plan on getting an 8760w, for a lack of 16:10).

That, and when will HP learn to ditch that terrible shaped nub on their TrackPoint? You'd think that the concave shape helps in its use, but it doesn't. It doesn't fully cup the fingers, leaving an awkward void space between the TrackPoint and your finger. That, and mine moves the cursor on its own, even when the sensitivity is the lowest.

 

Good input, I agree. The new Chiclet (I can't stand that name) keyboards are about looking 'modern' and not necessarily any more functional. I don't recall anyone complaining about typing difficulties before. I've seen a downgrade in typing quality since the switch with some notebooks, namely the Lenovo IdeaPads (which had one of the best-feeling standard keyboards around).
The last time we had keys with all this spacing in between them was on ... typewriters.

Yeah the EliteBook rubber track stick is awful, I use mine as a last resort. I have a ThinkPad T420 with me for review, its track stick is far superior. I think the HP/Lenovo tracksticks are interchangeable.

 

I dunno I still kind of like the fact it comes with an optical drive built in. Would be nice to see more 11-12in machine with built in optical drives as I still use it, and not just for personal use, but for work.

 

Unfortunately, and as you and I know, it's not going to happen until Ivy Bridge...

I prefer it over 'island style', but I think there needs to be some industry wide consensus on what we should call it.

 

I had the 2530p, and now have the 2560p - and the keyboard layout is a huge step backward. Particularly the lack of dedicated home / end / page up / page down. I want to be able to do this stuff one handed whilst drinking some coffee.....

Pardon my ignorance, but can't you get a cheap Displayport to HDMI converter?

Whilst USB3.0 is desirable, it does have eSATA. I get consistent 65mb/sec transfers with it, so its not too shabby.

My biggest gripe (besides the keyboard) is the weight which has truly ballooned over the old 2530p. The keyboard light doesn't have an effective spread unlike the 2530p.

The build however is top notch.

 

Thanks for the input. Glad to see someone agrees with me about the keyboard layout ... I throw a fit when I don't have those dedicated keys.

Yes, you can get DisplayPort > HDMI converters. I am not sure if the cable converters (DisplayPort on one end and HDMI on the other) are still sold, there was some legal dispute a while ago; however you can get straight-up adapters. I have one with my 8740w but it doesn't send sound ... it needs to be DisplayPort 1.1a compatible I believe.
If you find one, post a link here and we'll take a look.

 

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Seriously 4.24lbs is too much for a 12.5in machine. There are 14 and one or two 15in machine that weights about the same. I can't really see why each model is increasing in weight, specially if durability looks similar as the previous model.

 

2560P Owner's Lounge shows how to personalize a 2560P

In case anybody is reading this discussion but wants to have more ideas of how to extend their 2560P (eg: i7-quad user upgrade, optical bay caddy, weight saver blank), then hop over to the http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-...litebook-2560p-owners-lounge.html#post7601921 .

 

Whoa, what's up with HPs and the dim, dim screens?

Review HP EliteBook 2560p LG666EA Subnotebook - Notebookcheck.net Reviews

Average brightness of 151 nits? For a notebook that's this expensive? How much money does HP save by putting in a screen that's half as bright as a 300+ nit Macbook Pro or Air?

I rejected the 2530P, and then the 2540P, because I thought a 200 nit screen was too dim. Heck, for $500 through NewEgg, a 2530P with a 3 year warranty was quite a deal, and currently the 2540P is selling through TigerDirect for $600.

HP EliteBook 2540p XT931UT Notebook PC - Intel Core i5-560M Processor 2.66GHz, 4GB DDR3, 320GB HDD, 12.1 Display, Windows 7 Professional 64-bit, Silver at TigerDirect.com

Elitebooks become dirt cheap when its time to clear out old inventories, but when stocks of the 2560P are discounted for the final clearance, I won't be a taker at any price. Not with a 150-nit screen. Not at any price.

 

vmwhite got a Samsung panel with his 2560P, I got an AUO with mine. The AUO is brighter than the AUO I had in my 2530P so I can only assume then that perhaps the NBR reviewed 2560P was equipped with a Samsung panel?

As to clearance 2560P pricing, you may be in for a bit of a surprise. There is already talk of IVB 35W quad-cores, so likely they willl be offered as a hefy upgrade option. Can get a quad SB in a cheap 2560P now as a user upgrade. Meaning then I expect 2560P to hold their s/h values simply because of their upgrade potential.