Find tech advice for business here
Reviews from around the WebPowered by alaTest
-
alaTest.com
Editors' rating: 83
Summary: alaTest has collected and analyzed 19 reviews of HP EliteBook 2530p from international magazines and websites. Experts rate this product 83/100 and users 92/100. Comparing these reviews to 19815 other Netbooks (Mini-laptops) reviews gives this product an overall alaScore™ 83/100 = Very Good.
-
notebookcheck.net
Editors' rating: 87
Summary: Business notebooks in the classic 12" subnotebook category. HP Compaq 2230s, the Toshiba Portégé A600/R500, Lenovo Thinkpad X200s..
-
pcworld.com
Editors' rating: 77
Summary: But, really, the lack of an easy way to control volume is not much of a drawback on an ultraportable. In all other ways the EliteBook lives up to its name. If you have the money, it has all the panache you could want in a light, fast, and easy-to-use ...
-
laptopmag.com
Editors' rating: 80
Summary: The 2-megapixel webcam captured sharp, well-lit still photos. Our VGA video showed delays, even when we captured video, which doesn't involve a (potentially slow) Internet connection. When we made a Skype call, our friend noticed some latency around ...
-
wired.com
Editors' rating: 70
-
pcmag.com
Editors' rating: 80
Summary: If battery life ranks high on your list of business needs, the HP EliteBook 2530p won't disappoint.
CNET editors' buying advice
We have not reviewed this product but here is CNET's buying advice on Laptops. This content was chosen based on the features included with this model of laptop.
Ultraportable laptop computer
The smallest, most lightweight laptops are called ultraportables. Their compact form factor is crucial for people who need to have their PC with them all the time, especially frequent business travelers. What you gain in portability, however, you usually give up in terms of weaker performance, smaller keyboards and displays, and fewer features. And what's more, ultraportable laptops almost always carry a premium price tag. Still, a compact, lightweight profile can make all the difference if you spend a lot of time on the road.
Read more in the Laptop Buying Guide
See more Ultraportable laptop computer products
Laptop computer memory size
To maximize battery life, notebook computer processors are often designed to save more energy and run cooler than desktop processors. The drawback is slower performance, but more memory can help, which it won't consume energy or radiate heat. Even better, up to 4GB of RAM can now be found in budget configurations. If you want more memory later, expansion is often a simple procedure.
See more Notebook computer RAM products
Notebook computer processors
The central processor (CPU) is the heart of any computer system and an excellent litmus test as to whether a desktop computer or notebook fits your needs. The trouble is, processor names like Athlon and Celeron are as cryptic as system names like Latitude and Pavilion. Here's a quick guide to see which chip is a fit:
| Manufacturer | Processor name | Processing power | Designed use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intel | Core 2 Extreme Quad | Very high | Gaming and graphics |
| Intel | Core 2 Quad | Very high | Gaming and graphics |
| AMD | Turion | High | Mainstream |
| AMD | Athlon | High | Mainstream |
| Intel | Core 2 Duo | High | Mainstream |
| AMD | Sempron | Medium | Entry level |
| Intel | Celeron | Medium | Entry level |
| Intel | Pentium Dual Core | Medium | Entry level |
| AMD | Athlon Neo | Low | Netbook |
| Intel | Atom | Low | Netbook |
| Via | C7-M | Low | Netbook |
| Via | Nano | Low | Netbook |
| Intel | Pentium | Low | Budget |
See more Notebook processor products
CNET product brief
Description: This configuration of the HP EliteBook 2530p is a 3.2-pound, thin-and-light notebook computer.Compared to other thin-and-light notebooks on the market, it is expensive at around $2,400.The 12.1 inch widescreen has a native resolution of 1280 x 800, which is fairly standard among notebooks.Powered by the Intel Core 2 Duo chip.This notebook includes a 120GB hard disk drive and 4 GB of memory.
Pros: The built in Bluetooth connectivity will let you pair headphones or sync your mobile contacts.The built-in fingerprint reader will speed up the log in process while adding a strong layer of data protection.An anti-theft security tether can be fastened into the built-in lock slot.
Cons: Has a modest 1.86 GHz CPU speed, which is somewhat slower than some similarly priced notebooks.For example, the Sony VAIO VGN-Z790DLX, a 3.3-pound notebook at around $2, 550, has a 2.8 GHz CPU speed.Also, this notebook has only a 120GB hard drive, which is somewhat smaller than some similarly priced notebooks.For example, the Sony VAIO VGN-Z790YAB, a 3.3-pound notebook at around $2, 540, has a 500GB hard drive.Integrated graphics controllers that rely on shared video memory are sometimes an acceptable trade-off for budget-minded users.
Suitability: Suited for those who want a balance between power and portability.The sturdy frame and other features are part of this system's rugged design which make it more suitable for outdoor or industrial settings.If you have a wireless network at home, wirelessly browse the Web from any room in your house with this Wi-Fi enabled laptop.The excellent battery performance will keep your laptop running longer without plugging in.Archive your digital videos using this laptop's DVD writer.
Value: Overall, this notebook's price seems a bit steep, with respect to its features.For example, when it comes to screen size, the average price of thin-and-light products with a comparable screen size is quite a bit less -- in fact around $1,812.
Suggestions: (1) Given this device's Wi-Fi capability, you may want to get a wireless access point for your home, so that you can browse the Internet more conveniently from any room.(2) This laptop comes with an expansion device that makes it easy to plug in at a permanent workstation, where you may have an external monitor, keyboard, printer, etc.
CNET's Product Briefs are generated by a software tool that combines product specifications with knowledge of our editorial experts. They do not reflect hands-on assessment or labs testing. For more information about how we create Product Briefs, contact us.
