HP ProBook 6555b 15.6-inch business notebook review

The new HP ProBook 6555b is a 15.6-inch AMD powered business series laptop.Get flexibility, functionality and value with the HP ProBook 6555b Notebook PC. Starting at 2.51kg, it’s easy to stay productive with a 15.6-inch diagonal HD LED display, innovative security features, enhanced graphics and wireless connectivity.

The HP ProBook 6555b features a sophisticated brushed-aluminum metal case in caviar or bordeaux. Weighing only 4.71 pounds, it offers enhanced graphics capabilities, outstanding performance and a long ProBook 6555b battery life. Designed for small and midsize business professionals who want stylish, affordable notebooks for everyday office applications, the HP ProBook 6555b includes various productivity enhancing HP Professional Innovations, as well as Central Management for HP ProtectTools.

HP ProBook 6555b Laptop Specifications:

• 15.6-inch diagonal LED-backlit HD anti-glare display
• Runs on Genuine Windows 7 OS
• 2 megapixel web camera
• WiFi 802.11a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR & Gigabit Ethernet
• Up to 8 GB 1333 MHz DDR3 SDRAM
• ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4250 graphics
• DVD+/-RW SuperMulti DL LightScribe optical drive
• 160GB to 500GB SATA II (7200 rpm)
• Express Card slot, & Media Card Reader
• Solid State Drive Up to 128 GB
• 3 USB 2.0, VGA, & DisplayPort
• eSATA/USB 2.0 Combo ports
• Integrated stereo speakers, & microphone
• HP Premier sound

The ProBook 6555B additionally facilities Durafinish on the keys for a longer hold up and a magnesium amalgamate await make up for lengthened durability. Adding to the strong inlet of this commercial operation category notebook, the 6555B includes a tough expostulate insurance to close the expostulate in box of falls and a brief resistant keyboard that sends small amounts of glass out drains in the bottom of the set of keys to keep the notebook running. Finally, the HP Power Assistant provides an easy approach for user to conduct their energy make use of and magnify HP ProBook 6555b laptop battery life.

 

The 6555b will feature dual, triple, and quad core versions. It offers the HD4250 integrated graphics card instead of the Intel integrated and ATI dedicated graphics card. Even though it is physically larger, the 6555b is in fact lighter than the EliteBook 8540p/w. It offers a range of high-end components such as solid state drives, Blu-Ray drive, and a high definition HD+ LED screen (1600x900). With a lower price tag, the 6555b provides corporate and small business buyers with an affordable desktop replacement option alongside the more expensive Intel based 6550b.

 

The display type is LED backlit HD anti-glare and is managed by an ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4250. Module offers connectivity and Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, an Ethernet network adapter and a module for WiFi 802.11b/g/n wireless communications. Optionally you can install the module Gobi for broadband communications also equipped with GPS in tow. HP ProBook 6555b also offers a Premier Sound audio section with integrated speakers, a webcam for video conferencing and various ports and interfaces, including mention an ExpressCard slot, three USB 2.0 ports, 1 eSATA / USB 2.0 Combo, VGA video output , 1 DisplayPort, FireWire port, one serial and audio connectors for microphone and headphones.

 

Like the rest of the ProBook B series, the HP ProBook 6555B comes with HP Professional Innovations software installed. This software includes: HP Protect Tools (for security), HP QuickLook to provide offline access to e-mail, calendar, task and contact information at the touch of a button, without having to boot up the notebook and HP QuickWeb for quick access to the web.

 

On the base plate there is also a covered battery connection. In order to increase the operating time, one can connect either the travel battery for extended runtimes (AJ359ET) or the 12 cell battery with an extremely high capacity (AT486AA). It is a kind of battery slice which is clamped on to the base unit. HP claims an additional 10 hours of operating time with the 12 cell slice. Considering the so-so runtime of just three hours (WLAN) with the standard HP ProBook 6555b battery, we think this claim is somewhat overly optimistic.

 

The keyboard with separate numeric keypad, type is a full-size and spill-resistant for maximum quiet during use. The software paid in addition to Windows 7 operating system available in various versions, highlight Microsoft Office Professional 2007 (60 days trial), McAfee Total Protection (trial) and Intervideo WinDVD - DVD Player. There are also several proprietary application management system.

 

Although the ProBook is HP’s entry-level brand for business users, its design is far from dull. Underneath the glossy (and fingerprint-prone) black lid, the chassis has a mix of textures: a glossy keyboard deck, a satin palm rest, and a speaker strip lining the top. Because the bezel is thin, it’s easy to focus instead on the bright 16:9 display. As an added touch, the power and QuickLook 2 buttons and LED lights all glow turquoise blue, which also keep the design interesting. The notebook is also available in red (HP calls it merlot)—a pleasant surprise for a business machine.

 

At 5.6 pounds, the ProBook is not unreasonably heavy for a 15-inch system. Because of its 16:9 display, it has a wider footprint, at 14.6 x 9.8 inches. And with a thickness ranging from 1.2 to 1.5 inches, it’s less svelte than some other 15-inch systems.

 

Power 9-cell (93 WHr) Lithium-Ion battery, 6-cell (55 WHr) Lithium-Ion battery, 6-cell (47 WHr) Lithium-Ion battery, 6-cell (51 WHr) HP Long Life Battery,24.3-cell (47 WHr) HP Long Life Battery (AMO),25 optional HP Extended Life Battery (52 WHr),18 optional HP Ultra-Capacity HP ProBook 6555b battery (95 WHr),18.90W HP Smart AC Adapter (discrete graphics) or 65W HP Smart AC Adapter (integrated graphics).

 

The HP ProBook 6555b presents itself as the upper class of business mainstreamers. Equipped with all trimmings like Docking-Port, a matte display, HSDPA module or the excellent keyboard, the first impression remains undiluted. The AMD platform even exceeds the externally identically constructed Intel Variante 6540b with an eSATA port, improved sound from the loudspeakers and a low-vibration 7.200 RPM harddrive.

 

The AMD Models are expected to have UMA graphics while the Intel Models will uses Intel HD graphics and the option to use ATI Mobility Radeon HD540v graphics card will be available to both series. The 6450b and 6455b comes with a 14-inch display and the 6555b and 6550b comes with a 15.6-inch screen. The HP ProBook 6455b/6555b and ProBook 6450b/6550b will be released in June starting at $770 and $859 respectively.