HP has always had a knack for knowing the requirements of different segments of users, minute enhancements always make all the difference in the overpopulated world of notebooks. Their Elitebook series, meant for the serious business person, has spawned again this time with juicier Centrino 2 interiors, and rugged exteriors, so let’s see what it can do.
Form and build
Featuring a revamped chassis made of anodized aluminum, this piece looks the part right from the word go. And what part is that? Of a rugged commutable heavy duty laptop. It’s obviously not fully military grade rugged, but HP claims that it does pass some MIL-STD 810F tests. The keys' surface is mildly matted to give good tactile feel.
The aluminum brushed surface extends inside too around the mouse pad, thus giving the aesthetics a 2 tone appearance, and these two colors, aluminum and matte black, is the best combination for anything that can compute.
The touchpad is keyboard centralized, while size of shift, enter keys is normal. Overall key positioning and size is optimal, with a row of flush touch sensitive indicator/buttons for wireless, volume mute, volume control etc. on the top of the keyboard. Power button is slotted seamlessly into this row. The screen is slightly reflective here, but hinge quality is really very good, no lose movement of the screen is observed.
Plus, the screen folds out 180 degrees. There is a fingerprint sensor for security, a must for traveling business people. The pointing stick is contoured with a dotted surface to increase ergonomics, but while using it feels bit iffy, not perfectly in control. We will stick to the touchpad, which has a medium sized scroll zone.
95K for this low-config crap. HP needs to realize that the recession is far from over!!! 
