Hewlett-Packard, the world's biggest computer maker, unveils today its new line of inexpensive business laptops targeting small and medium businesses.

 

The ProBook series features 14-, 15.6- and 17.3 inch laptops that were made with focus on business functionality as well as style and low price tags. The 4410s/4415s models have 14-inch screens, the 4510s/4515s models have 15-inch screens and the 4710s models have 17-inch screens. 

 

The HP ProBook s-series is the company's mainstream business laptop after the release of its high-end EliteBook line in 2008. the ProBook line replaces the Compaq line, but the latter name will continue to be used in other PCs.

 

The ProBook has a number of new features with which it plans to positively surprise its users. The list of new features includes an optional Linux-based operating system that is pre-installed (Novell Inc's SuSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 11). 

 

"It's pretty much a natural evolution," said Carol Hess- Nickels, director of marketing for worldwide business notebooks at HP. "We want to provide a different option.”

The prices start at $529.

Besides the fact that it is the first HP business laptop with an option to run Linux, another first that this laptop line brings to HP is that it also gives customers the option of adding a color finish if they want to. 

The new line of laptops also features 3D DriveGuard, which protects the hard drive if a laptop is dropped, and a spill-resistant keyboard.