HP ProBook 6550b 15.6-Inch Business Laptop Review

The HP ProBook 6550b is designed to be an affordable business notebook that doesn’t compromise on features and build quality, and it delivers on both of these fronts.

 

HP ProBook 6550b offers similar components (bar the graphics card) that the more expensive EliteBook 8540p offers but at a lower price. What is missing from the 6550b in comparison to the 8540p is the sleeker and more durable structure (magnesium alloy chassis, anodised aluminum lid). The 6550b only offers 1 year parts and labor warranty as opposed to the 3 years offer by the more expensive EliteBooks. HP ProBook 6550b is a well priced notebook aimed at small businesses with a range of high-end components to pick from. Whilst it might not be as rugged at the Elitebooks, the 6550b does a fine job as a portable desktop replacement.

 

Specifications:

• CPU Options: Intel Core i7, Intel Core i5, Intel Core i3, Intel Celeron
• Display size/resolution: 15.6 inches/1366 x 768, 1600 x 900
• Hard Drive size/speed: 160, 250, 320, 500GB/7,200 rpm. Also a 320GB self-encrypting drive, and 128GB SSD
• Graphics: Integrated: Intel HD; Discrete: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4250
• Optical Drive: DVD SuperMulti DL, Blu-Ray
• Wireless: Intel or Broadcom 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1
• Optional EV-DO/HSPA Mobile Broadband
• Size:14.6 x 9.8 x 1.4 inches
• Weight: 5.8 pounds

The ProBook 6550b features the Intel Core i3-350M, i5-520M, i5-540M or i7-620M processor, the Intel HD integrated graphics or ATI Mobility Radeon HD540v 512MB dedicated GPU, up to 8GB of DDR3 memory, a 160 or 320GB hard drive or a 128GB solid state drive, DVD burner, anti-glare 1366×768 or 1600×900 LED-backlit display, and standard 6-cell, Long Life 6-cell or 9-cell ProBook 6550b battery.

 

As with the 6450b, the only hardware difference that sets the 6540b and 6550b apart is the replacement of an USB2.0 port by an eSATA/USB combo port and the availability of the cheaper Intel Core i3 processor. The new ATI HD5xxV series graphics cards are also offered. Weight and dimensions of this notebook remain unchanged. It offers similar components (bar the graphics card) that the more expensive EliteBook 8540p offers but at a lower price. What is missing from the 6550b in comparison to the 8540p is the sleeker and more durable structure (magnesium alloy chassis, anodised aluminum lid). The 6550b only offers 1 year parts and labor warranty as opposed to the 3 years offer by the more expensive EliteBooks. The ProBook 6550b is a well priced notebook aimed at small businesses with a range of high-end components to pick from. Whilst it might not be as rugged at the Elitebooks, the 6550b does a fine job as a portable desktop replacement.

 

The HP ProBook 6550b's 6-cell, 55 Watt-hour hp laptop battery lasted 2hr 12min in our rundown test, in which we disable power management, enable Wi-Fi, maximise the screen's brightness and loop an Xvid-encoded video. This is only two minutes off what the ProBook 6540b recorded with the same battery and only a slightly slower CPU speed. You could get a lot more life out of this HP ProBook 6550b battery by employing a balanced power profile, lowering the brightness and letting the screen switch off during idle periods.

 

The HP ProBook 6550B is very similar to its slightly smaller brother, the 6450B. The big difference between these two is that the 6550B comes with a 15.6-inch diagonal 16:9 HD LED backlit display and a choice of UMA graphics solution or a high performance discrete GPU powered by ATI Mobility. The extra screen space on the ProBook 6550B will come in handy for business users who need to compare documents or spreadsheets on a regular basis.

 

The HP ProBook 6550b Notebook PC offers flexible options for your business needs and budget. Starting at 5.5 lb, you’ll stay productive on the go with a 15.6-inch diagonal HD LED display, innovative security features and wireless connectivity.

 

The HP ProBook 6550b is designed to be an affordable business notebook that doesn't compromise on features and build quality, and it delivers on both of these fronts. Similar to the ProBook 6540b, a sturdy design is what's immediately noticeable when you start handling the HP ProBook 6550b laptop battery: it has metal hinges, the base feels solid when you pick it up from either corner, the lid can take a fair bit of force before puddling appears on the screen and the keyboard has keys that are crisp and perfect for long sessions of typing.

 

The keyboard also includes a number pad. Just above the keyboard is a row of touch-sensitive buttons that can be used to manipulate the volume, launch your email and web browser applications, as well as disable Wi-Fi. We're not a fan of these buttons; not only are they too bright (the LEDs on most HP notebooks seem to be too strong) but they are also a little sluggish. Volume changes, in particular, take a couple of seconds before you can see the effect via an on-screen indicator. The response of the touch buttons is also not reliable and sometimes you have to press a button more than once to activate its function.

 

With a base that's filled with features, a hardware configuration that supplies good performance and management tools that can be useful, the ProBook 6550b is definitely a laptop worth considering. It looks a feels a little bulky, but it's not overly heavy and, most importantly, it's easy to type on.