HP Intros ProBook 6445b/6545b Notebooks

HP Intros ProBook 6445b/6545b Notebooks

HP is hoping to capture business from companies upgrading their notebooks to Windows 7 models with the introduction of the value-based Probook b-series. The b-series notebooks, including the 6445b and 6545b, feature AMD processors and graphics. The 6445b features a 14-inch display while the 6545b features a 15.6-inch; both displays have LED backlighting. HP claims power consumption improvements over previous HP AMD-powered notebooks and a battery life of up to eight hours.

The ProBook b-series will be available worldwide on 22 October starting at $799 and in mid-November in the United States starting at $789.

HP Press Release (BusinessWire.com)

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If they got rid of the plasticky feel of the old ones these will do better i think. i liked the way the old ones looked but these look better.

 

These do look nice, I'll be keeping an eye on them. $789 starting sounds a little steep, though I will wait until they're released to make a judgment.

 

That 15.6" laptop better not have a 1366x768 screen. At least give us the option for something more.

 

Yeah, especially in a business environment. Only 768 pixels of vertical res is a productivity killer, unless you only need to see a couple of rows in Excel or a third of a word document.

Currently HP offers WXGA and WSXGA+ on their 15.4" value notebooks and WXGA and WXGA+ on their 14" models.

 

I really hate HP's port placement. Looking at the 6545b picture there's 3 USB ports right next to each other. 3. That's absolutely asinine. Try using a USB drive, USB mouse, and USB cable next to each other. Not going to happen. They managed to do it on my 8730w too. 1 on the left side (I'm guessing for mousing convenience), 3 scrunched together on the right. HP needs to engineer usability.

 

You haven't seen a bit of it yet - some older unknown laptops such as ECS G335 have them 4 in a row and on the right-handed side

I'm a bit confused about the HP suffixes. Previously HP used to suffix the most basic models with "s" and small business with "b". Now its the other way around?

 

The HP specs for the 6545b say:

Can someone translate what that means? Specifying screens for business use using HD is meaningless.

John

 

Maybe 1600x900 then? That would maybe be acceptable, though I'd like to see 1920x1080.

 

Hm, these are probooks, but they look like elitebooks. Very weird

 

Looks nice! If the 6545b w/ dedicated graphics model is cheaper than USD 900 I'm definitely getting it.

 

These are above the 4500b series which were launched earlier. The main difference is the docking station support. The B series is priced between the S series and the P Elitebook series, so this is only one notch below the Professional EliteBook range. The docking station is also a full docking station like those for the EliteBook, not some half-arsed USB solution.

 

Thanks for the news Charles, though not terribly exciting design wise the price to features on these notebooks are at least compelling. I love the press release, it's got 16 footnotes and runs longer than the actual announcement itself. Well done to HP corporate communications wags.

 

My eyes fool me? These look like EliteBooks but are Probooks? huh?

 

i dont like numerical keyboard :/ i hope 14' wont have it but i guess it will be more expensive than 15.6'

 

Why do people say that having a USB port on the left makes using a mouse easier? I've always wondered ...

 

For right handed people anyways... Having the port on the left or (ideally) in the rear reduces the amount of cable slack, allowing for fewer obstructions while mousing. In addition, if the mouse is plugged in on the right, the plug sticks out a bit, making you mouse further away from the computer.

 

There has been a general shift in the notebook industry towards moving all the ports to the sides of the notebook. As a desktop replacement user I personally prefer having ports on the back; it keeps cables out of the way and my setup looks less cluttered. Good example: my old Sager 15.4".

I agree that three USB ports in a row is not ideal. My particular HP (just a Pavilion, not a business model) has two on the left and two on the right. I have no issues with that setup other than it looking very cluttered with all four filled.

 

XD Sad part is...I'm right handed. I guess why i'm so ambivalent about it is that my two side mounted USB ports are literally below the right hinge of my notebook, out of the way of my mousing movements. Also, my desk at home is barely bigger than the computer itself, so the mouse cord mostly dangles off the edge, at school the same thing happens since the opening for my legs is on the right of the desk.

I can definitely see now how a USB port placed near the center of the computer on the right hand side can be annoying, as well as if you had no place to let the cord dangle. lol. Thanks for the explanation, cant believe it took me that long.