HP's SlateBook 14 Android laptop ships, but with a higher price than expected

Hewlett-Packard’s SlateBook 14 laptop with the Android OS has started shipping on schedule, but it’s priced at US$429, which is $30 more than the company had said it would cost.



The laptop, which has a 14-inch screen and Android 4.3, was announced in June. At the time, HP said it would be priced at $399.

It is available on HP’s website.

The SlateBook 14 was introduced after customers told HP they wanted laptops with Android. The laptop has an interface similar to that on Android tablets and can adjust mobile apps to run on the larger touchscreen. Users will also be able to sync laptop data with mobile devices and vice versa.

The laptop is also for those who rely on the Web for most of their computing, much like Chromebooks. It has a few advantages over Chromebooks, with support for key Android apps such as Skype. Android also boasts better wireless printing support than Chromebooks.

The laptop weighs 1.68 kilograms and offers nine hours of battery life, according to specifications on HP’s website.

It has a quad-core Tegra 4 processor, 2GB of DRAM and 16GB of storage. Connectivity features include 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0. It also has a webcam, USB 3.0 port and a micro-SD slot for expandable storage.

It could be a strong multimedia laptop with a 1920 x 1080 pixel screen and an integrated graphics processor that can handle 4K video. TVs can be connected to the laptop through an HDMI port.

HP Pavilion 11x360 Review

HP Pavilion 11x360
Price: Rs 39,990
Specs: 2.16Ghz quad core Intel Pentium, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD , Intel HD graphics, 11.6-inch (1366 x 768 pixels) touchscreen, Windows 8.1, HDMI out, 1 x USB 3.0 + 2 x USB 2.0, 1.4 kg.

Taking on the Lenovo's popular Yoga series and other convertible laptops, the HP Pavillion 11x360 is a hybrid. It has got dual hinge that makes it flexible enough to convert it into a tablet as well. It has got an eye catchy design and a smooth finish. Our review unit was in red that attracted a lot of appreciation. It features an 11.6inch touch display with 1366 x 768 pixel resolution and weights 1.4 grams.

The keyboard was smooth to type. Running on Windows 8.1 operating system, it is equipped with the new Pentium N3250 quad core processor clocked at 2.16 GHz. It has got 4GB of RAM and 500GB HDD and Intel HD graphics. Setting up this machine for the first time took a very long time.

Designed to be an entry-level laptop, the performance is just about average and it feels slow overall as well. As this is hybrid, it can be used as a tablet too.

But for a tablet, it is too heavy to hold. A detachable keyboard could have been better, When the screen is tilted beyond the laptop mode, the keys and the trackpad get disabled. It even switches orientation in whichever direction the Pavilion is help in the portrait mode. The viewing angles aren't very good.

Ratings: 4.5/ 5 

Bag it or junk it: A basic machine, don't expect superfast performance. 

HP launches $250 Pavilion 10z laptop with AMD Mullins processor

 

AMD officially introduced its new Mullins processors a couple of months ago as part of its latest strategy to compete in mobile devices, whether low-cost laptops or tablets (though not low-cost ones). But so far the company hasn't had the chance to toot its horn much when it comes to design wins, though that may be about to change.

That's because AMD has scored a big "get" with HP's latest notebook, the Pavilion 10z, which is the first major device to ship with a Mullins chip. And at a price of $249.99, it's part of a trend of cheaper Windows laptops that will compete against the Chromebook insurgency.

The 10z features an AMD dual-core E1 Micro-6200T processor with Radeon R2 graphics powering Windows 8.1, 2GB of RAM, 500GB hard drive, and 1,366x768 10.1-inch touchscreen. No optical drive is included, though that's hardly surprising given the price point, form factor (0.89 inches thick, 2.5 pounds) and trend away from built-in DVD drives. At the moment, there doesn't appear to be an option to add more RAM or storage.

It remains to be seen how well the new Mullins processor performs, though it does include a Turbo mode to boost the clock speed in certain situations (which the last generation of AMD low-power mobile chips lacked). AMD is also touting its Enduro technology for improved battery life, but HP's own spec sheet is not encouraging in this regard, claiming that the 10z will only get up to 4 hours of battery life. (In AMD's defense, the 10z only comes with a meager 24WHr battery.)

It also remains to be seen if other manufacturers will embrace the Mullins processor lineup, though snaring HP is certainly a good start. 

HP Hybrid Laptop does double duty

 

Are you ready for a touch-screen computer?

I’m pretty sure we’re all going to be using our fingers on the screen eventually.
I say this because I’ve been testing the HP Pavilion 11t-n000 x360 (we’ll just call it the x360) for the last few weeks, and I’m liking the touch screen more than I thought I would.

At first glance, the x360 ($399, bit.ly/1jQx1YT) looks like a plain old HP netbook, but what makes it stand out is its hinge.

Yes, the hinge that attaches the screen to the laptop’s body.

As the x360’s name might imply, the hinge allows the screen to rotate all the way around to allow you to use it like a tablet (the keyboard is flat against the opposite side of the screen).

You don’t have to worry about the keyboard when you’re in tablet mode, as the physical keyboard is turned off once the hinge rotates past 180 degrees. Any input in tablet mode is done from an on-screen keyboard.

At first I was struck by how much heavier the x360 was than my iPad, but I realized that’s not a fair comparison. The hinge is actually very helpful in almost any configuration you can try.

I usually sit in my chair in the living room with an iPad in my hands or on my lap.

The x360, at 3.5 pounds, is a bit heavy for a tablet, but if you use the keyboard as a platform and raise the screen to meet your eye (a 45-degree angle), the x360 is comfortable to use as a tablet.

There are also configurations of the hinge and screen that make it easier to watch movies and play games.

The x360 is the least expensive convertible touch-screen laptop I’ve seen, but like any $400 laptop, there are some compromises that find their way onto the spec sheet.

The 11.6-inch touch screen responds well, but the resolution is only 1,366 x 768 pixels.

The base configuration is 4 gigabytes of RAM and a 500-gigabyte hard drive (a spinning drive, not a solid state drive).

The processor is an Intel Pentium N3520 running at 1.66 GHz, and the OS is Windows 8.1.

The CPU is plenty fast for surfing the Internet and writing emails. I was a bit disappointed with the feedback from the trackpad, which wasn’t nearly as snappy as the one on my Macbook Pro.

Because of the 360-degree hinge, the ports are on both sides. There’s one USB 3.0 port and two USB 2.0 ports, along with an SD card slot. Networking is via 802.11n Wi-Fi or an Ethernet port. You can output video from the x360’s full-size HDMI port.

The x360 has a headphone jack and volume buttons on the side as well.
There is no internal optical drive.

Sound is enhanced by Beats Audio, and it did sound good for a laptop. The battery is not removable. PC Magazine’s testing shows it lasted 5 hours and 40 minutes.

The keyboard is Chiclet style with decent spacing between the keys.
Overall, I think the x360 is a really nice entry-level laptop, and the addition of the touch screen and tablet mode makes it a good choice for anyone’s first taste of a touch-screen operating system.

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Get an HP Pavilion 17.3-inch laptop for $299.99

When is a laptop not a laptop? When it's designed to spend most of its time in one place, like a desktop. In other words, when it's too big for travel, but great for when you want a spacious screen and keyboard.

Today only, and while supplies last, Best Buy has the refurbished HP Pavilion gcrf-17-e113dx 17.3-inch laptop for $299.99. Shipping is free, though you'll probably be on the hook for sales tax. (Pro tip: Offset that a bit by taking advantage of a cashback service. TopCashback, for example, is currently offering 2.5 percent back on Best Buy purchases.)

This particular Pavilion comes in anodized silver (pretty sharp, IMHO). It's stocked with an AMD quad-core processor, Radeon HD 7640G discrete-class graphics, 4GB of RAM (expandable to 8GB), and a 750GB hard drive.

You also get the usual DVD burner, webcam, SD card reader, and USB ports (two 3.0, one 2.0 -- though I don't understand why PC makers don't just go all-3.0).

The display resolution is 1,600 x 900, which some may find disappointing, but I think that's sufficient for a screen of this size.

And, let's be honest: you shouldn't be looking at this system if you plan to do high-end image editing, massive spreadsheets, or other tasks that would benefit from higher resolution. This is a fairly entry-level PC, one that happens to have an extra-large screen.

It also has a full one-year warranty, courtesy of Best Buy's Geek Squad Certification. That's a big plus, as most refurbished laptops are covered for just 90 days.

Consequently, I don't know how long these will last at this price. Here's hoping you're able to snag one before they're gone. (If not, I apologize -- very often deals like this vanish before the morning is out.)

Bonus deal: If you'd rather upgrade your old PC than buy a new one, Amazon has a deal on one of the best upgrade options ever: the Kingston Digital SSDNow 240GB solid-state drive for $99.99, shipped. This top-rated 2.5-inch SSD can seriously boost your PC's performance, at the same time making it quieter and lowering its power consumption. Kingston backs it with a three-year warranty.

HP shows up with new Pavilion notebooks, a convertible and an AIO for India

Earlier this month, HP unleashed a fresh lineup of devices in India and now, it’s adding more products to its portfolio. The fresh lineup includes the Pavilion 14 and Pavilion 15 notebooks, the Envy 15 laptop, the Pavilion x360 convertible and the Pavilion 23 AIO desktop.

Let’s start off with the Envy 15. This notebook is a high-end one designed for business users. It packs a 15.6-inch FHD display with a multi-gesture trackpad that supports Windows 8 gestures. Along with options of fourth generation Intel Core processors, the notebook features discrete graphics from Nvidia, up to 1TB of HDD storage and 8GB of DDR3L RAM.

Next up are the affordable HP Pavilion 14 and 15 notebooks which come in a variety of colors such as aqua blue, vibrant red, natural silver and snow white. Specs-wise, they feature HD displays, third generation Core processors, Intel HD Graphics 4000 and other decent components.

The most attractive laptop in the new series is the Pavilion x360 convertible which falls in the mid-range. This notebook has a flip-hinge design which allows you to push the display back by 360 degrees for use in multiple modes such as stand and tablet. It dons an 11.6-inch LED display and packs a quad core Bay Trail processor on the inside along with 4GB of RAM and a 500GB HDD.

The HP Envy 15 is priced at Rs 62990, but it isn’t the costliest option. The Pavilion 23 AIO desktop will set you back by Rs 67990, while the Pavilion 14/15 and the Pavilion x360 have starting prices of Rs 39990.

HP Slate 8+ could be the first non-Huawei device to pack HiSilicon processor

Being a Huawei-owned company, we have only seen the HiSilicon’s processors in Huawei products until now but looks like it is going to change soon. An unannounced HP tablet has leaked online, which is powered by 1.6GHz HiSilicon quad-core processor.

As the specs-sheet published by Chinese publication CNMO.com, this tablet will most likely carry Slate 8+ moniker and come with an 8-inch HD display, 1GB of RAM, 5MP rear camera and 1MP front camera. The tablet will also pack Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, SIM card slot, and microSD card slot.

There is no word on the release date right now but the tablet is reportedly going on pre-order soon for a price of 299 euros. It is likely to be released in select European markets, Asia and Latin American countries.

No other details are available at this point but we will update the story if anything new pops up.

HP Pavilion notebooks, x360 convertible, AIO and more outed inIndia

At the ongoing APJ Media Summit 2014 in Mumbai, HP has gone on to showcase a range of new computer products for the country’s market including new notebooks, a convertible and more. These new unveiling are aimed directly at usual consumers, and grab competitive pricing to stand out among contemporaries.

First up in the range are HP Pavilion 14 and Pavilion 15 notebooks which grab 14-inch and 15-inch displays. This series starts at Rs 39990, and grabs a decent set of specs. These laptops come dressed in a number of different color options, including natural silver, snow white, aqua blue and vibrant red.

Then comes the HP Pavilion x360 which is a convertible PC, offering a 360-degree hinge for its display. Running windows 8, the x360 features an 11.6-inch LED screen and offers the prowess of a quad core Bay-Trail processor. The machine also houses 4GB worth of RAM and a 500GB hard disk for storage. It is priced at Rs 39990.

Another product that has been unveiled by HP is the Envy 15 notebook which grabs a touchscreen display and optimizations for Windows 8.1. Equipped with a full HD display, it will be sold in India Rs 62990. And lastly, there’s the HP Pavilion 23 all-in-one desktop which has been priced at Rs 67,990.

All these HP products including the Pavilion notebooks are to be made available in India soon, along with new speakers, headphones and headsets made by the company. This HP range will have huge competition from other similarly priced products that are occupying the Indian market currently.

HP Launches Four New PC In India; Prices Starting At Rs 39,990

In an attempt to increase its share in the Indian PC market, HP has launched four new devices across segments, with prices starting at Rs 39,990. The company's new range includes the Pavilion notebook series, the x360 convertible PC, an all-in-one PC and a new Envy 15 laptop.

The new Pavilion 14 & 15 range of notebooks feature a unibody design and come in four vibrant colours to attract younger buyers. The devices will be priced starting at Rs 39,990 and come with Beats Audio speakers that the company claims will deliver a rich sound quality.

Next up was HP's Pavilion x360 convertible that features a 360-degree hinge, allowing the device to transform from laptop to a weird tent like form and finally into a tablet. The x360 runs on Windows 8 and is powered by a quad-core Bay-Trail processor coupled with 4GB of RAM. It also was launched at a price of Rs 39,990.

Moving into the more high-end laptop segment, HP unveiled its new Envy 15 that features a touch screen and is optimised to run on Windows 8.1. The new range of Envy 15 devices will go on sale starting July 20 and prices will start at Rs 62,990.

For desktop customers, HP also unveiled its new Pavilion 23 all-in-one PC that features a large high-definition touch screen. It too will hit shelves in India on July 20, with prices starting at Rs 67,990.

Apart from these four new devices, the company also launched a range of accessories in shades to match its colourful new products.

HP Redefines HPC Portfolio

HP has announced the HP Apollo family of high-performance computing (HPC) systems that can deliver up to four times the performance of standard rack servers while using less space and energy. 



The new HP Apollo portfolio includes air-cooled HP Apollo 6000 System, which maximizes performance efficiency and makes HPC capabilities accessible to a wide range of enterprise customers. The HP Apollo 8000 System, a supercomputer that combines high levels of processing power with water-cooling design for low energy usage.

Leveraging an advanced air-cooled server rack design, external power shelf and the HP Advanced Power Manager, the HP Apollo 6000, packs up to 160 servers per rack. When compared to competitive blade solutions, these servers can deliver greater performance and efficiency in less space while using up to 46 percent less in energy, and lowering total operational expenses.

“We are seeing up to 35 percent performance increase in our Electronic Design Automation application workloads,” said Kim Stevenson, Chief Information Officer, Intel. “We have deployed more than 5,000 of these Intel architecture–based servers, achieving better rack density and power efficiency, while' delivering higher application performance to Intel silicon design engineers.”

The HP Apollo 8000 system is the world’s first 100-percent liquid-cooled supercomputer with built-in technology that protects the hardware.  Built on a scalable rack design with up to 144 servers per rack, the system can offer four times the teraflops per rack compared to air-cooled designs, and the energy-efficient design helps organizations eliminate up to 3,800 tons of carbon dioxide waste from their data center per year.

“Demand for HPC applications across industries is growing rapidly, and today’s data centers are ill-equipped to handle the extensive space, power and infrastructure necessary to run the required level of processing power,” said Stephen Bovis, Vice President and General Manager, HP Servers, Asia Pacific and Japan. 

The HP Apollo 6000 and the HP Apollo 8000 are available for order from HP and channel partners immediately. Pricing is available upon request.
HP is also supporting the two new launches with HP Apollo Services that make HPC more accessible through financing, assessment services, deployment and HP Data Center Care support. This includes HP Apollo 6000 & 8000 servers financing, the company said. 

To address the growing demand for HPC, HP also introduced HP Helion Self Service HPC, a private cloud solution-based on the HP Helion OpenStack cloud platform that provides a self-service portal containing high performance compute resources via a user-friendly application interface. Organizations have the option of self-managing the solution, or selecting HP to manage the system with a pay-for-use model.  

The HP Helion Self-Service offering is available now with modular pricing.