Special Feature
Style Meets Substance
Easy on the pocket, the newly launched HP ProBooks combine exclusive business features with stylish design
Designed for the business professional, the latest launch from the HP stable—the ProBook series—combines style, business performance and functionality. HP has unleashed a marketing campaign called HP WOW to popularize this affordable range among small and medium business users.
With an entry-level price of Rs 40,990 plus taxes, the ProBook is currently available in two models—the 15.6 inch 4510s with a diagonal high definition display, and the 14 inch 4410s with a display that is ideal for business professionals seeking mobility. Says Vikram Mulye, Category Head, Business Notebooks, HP India, “It’s not just about good looks or low cost, ProBooks deliver the right blend of features and professional innovations for a great user experience.”
Mulye opines that with the exponential growth in notebook consumption, new customer segments have emerged. The philosophy ‘one size fits all,’ he insists, no longer stands true. “Our customer feedback showed a growing segment of professional users who want style and performance at an affordable cost. The ProBook is designed to do just that,” he adds.
The ProBook packs in a few key features (like the HP QuickLook software) that were earlier found only in high-end HP business notebooks. QuickLook provides access to e-mail, calendar, and task and contact information even without booting.
While distinguishing ProBook from the EliteBook (a business notebook range) which was launched in May, Mulye says, “The EliteBook is a rugged business notebook ideal for on-the-move productivity, while the ProBook offers the best combination of business features, functionality, and most importantly, affordability.”
The ProBook features the HP SpareKey to help address the hassle of forgotten passwords. It uses a sequence of three predetermined personal identification questions to gain immediate entry into the system. For added data security, the range comes with the File Sanitizer that permanently deletes individual files, folders and personally identifiable information from the notebook and allows customers to recycle the notebook without any worry about their confidential data being misused.
With renewed emphasis on going green, the ProBook range comes with an EPEAT silver rating, and is Energy Star compliant. The models are configured with the Microsoft Windows OS and hence include a power management capability to save energy by automatically switching the PC into a low-power mode after a period of inactivity. Additionally, HP Smart AC Adapters allow the notebooks to automatically make power adjustments as needed. As more than 90 percent of the weight of HP notebooks are recyclable or recoverable, they don’t go to a landfill and therefore earn that extra brownie point in the green race.
HP has chosen a group of 60 partners called the Probook Professional Circle Partners. These partners will be armed with the requisite sales skills to best leverage the brand and gain more business.
In addition, road shows will be conducted in cities like Jaipur, Lucknow, Chandigarh, Pune and Ahmedabad. “We aim to engage partners and customers through these events, and help them understand the innovative features of the ProBook. Through this constant dialog we will be able to gauge and help in addressing their concerns regarding the new notebook range,” informs Mulye.
Change, we think, is on the cards for the business notebook market. |