HP ProBook 4710s hands-on
By Paul Miller 
posted April 29th 2009 9:25PM
posted April 29th 2009 9:25PM
posted April 29th 2009 9:25PM
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I like the styling, especially for $699!
Really $700? Thats not bad. I am too lazy, and not interested, to look at the specs, but they can't be that great.
Also, ProBook? Anyone else thinking the same thing, especially with those keys?
Sony?
Fujistu Siemens?
Very Sony
Hotness!
its disappointing that nowadays style actually factors into purchase decision vs. real usefulness and specs
That's not disappointing in the slightest. I think wanting a powerful machine that looks nice is a beautiful thing, and I for one am glad to see people actually appreciating the industrial design/ aesthetics/ build quality of a computer that they are going to be using every day for the next few years.
still plastic?
Dude....it has a full out num pad.
it should have a full number pad, its a 17" laptop
tell that to Apple...
the 15" also has a number pad
Seems to be a very nice laptop-especially for the price. How well is this thing going to be able to run any sort of demanding programs?
I like the style and the num-pad is a good touch- overall looks like a good design, I'd like to see this in person.
From the HP site
Processors available
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T9600 (2.80 GHz, 6 MB L2 cache, 1066 MHz FSB)
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor P8700 (2.53 GHz, 3 MB L2 cache, 1066 MHz FSB)
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor P7370 (2.00 GHz, 3 MB L2 cache, 1066 MHz FSB)
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T6570 (2.10 GHz, 2 MB L2 cache, 800 MHz FSB)
I think it should do ok
CENTER THE @*#%@&# TRACKPAD.
Other than that, a very nice looking machine.
It is centered...with the keyboard. I'd say most people go back and forth between the trackpad and the keyboard, and putting that off center relative to the keyboard would feel weird.
i think people's opinion on the trackpad location is a good quick test to see who favors form over function and vice versa. i like it where it is, personally.
i mean...I F$%##$^^IN LIKE IT!!
If it were centered, your right hand we be on top of it as you typed (if you rest your hands when you type).
Wow, this really looks cheaply built even when compared to the other HP laptops.
If I hadn't gotten a laptop back in december I'd be all over this. Way to go HP for a MATTE display!
O hai macbook keyboard, I didnt see you hiding there.
Didn't Sony have those keyboards before Apple? Or am I remembering wrong?
I think this is different, the corners aren't rounded as much as the Macbook ones.
Actually he is right. It looks almost identical to the macbook keyboard, right down to the font they used for each individual letters. You Windows fanboys must be blind and delusional.
It seems to be a natural development in laptop design, but nonetheless, I think it's worth nothing the deployment of MacBook-style keyboards (for better or for worse - I personally prefer my pre-unibody MacBook Pro's keyboard).
What is curious to me is the font styling on the "ProBook" logo text. That similarity is undeniable.
Apple neither owns the intellectual rights to chiclet keyboards and arial font nor did they invent them.
WOW! That is shmexy... Is there an XP downgrade available still?
Unless you're a business user with critical applications that are XP only what would be the point?
i dont understand why they dont have a slot loading dvd drive.
because slot loading drives - in my experience - tend to break a lot more than tray drives.
Also, you can't open them without power.
Because they suck.
omfg! nerdgasm! buy buy buy! no matter the cost! i want this NAO!
cool. it's affordable too. BUY BUY BUY!!!1
(or eqv. expressions)
Get rid of the numpad and center the trackpad. No sense in why a 17" laptop needs a miniscule trackpad, or why everyone has to conform to what Apple has done. :p
Get off your ass and innovate!!! What's with that font (MacBook/Pro Anyone?)
Yes, because having a numberpad on a 17 inch (and 15 inch) laptop is SOOOO conforming to Apple!
Sony had the keyboard design before Apple. So if HP lacks any innovation its because they are copying Sony. :p
No need to re-invent the wheel (keyboard), especially if its a good one. I use Mac, but sold and love HPs. 17" for $700 is really good, with a 10-key. I bet apple would charge an extra $300 for a 10-key, but that's how Apple rolls.
The resolution on the 17" screen in unforgivable. It's the same size (1368x768) as the 14" model. I'd only get this if it were possible to install Mac OSX on the 14" model.
The gloss under the keyboard seems a bit unnecessary. Just another place to attract smudge. Other than that it's a good idea. Don't really like the name ProBook, reminds me of something and I'm sure that's why HP called it that.
Is it just me or does HP ProBook remind you of "Macbook Pro" ?? Pro....Book similar names
@Josh
High-end business buyers don't exist anymore.
@HP
You had me at number pad.
Nice, Sony keyboard keys, with Apple-style backlight, name and power button.
This would have been a nice looking laptop if it wasn't for the excessive gloss... eww! Cheap glossy plastic just looks nasty, all bumpy and bleh. Not to mention the bucket load of finger prints it will attract.
FAIL
Well to me no clit mouse its not a 'business machine'
Wouldn't something like this be more worth it it was $849.00 last month.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834115555
Personally, Apple keyboard design got uglier when keyboard changed color to black (as oppose to the same color as body). The ugly keyboard is even more noticable on the 17 inch with all the empty space on sides.
Wow a Macbook Pro knockoff. I'm glad it doesn't have OSX, because I'd rather buy the real thing (OSX) so that I wouldn't waste my time installing the latest drivers, anti-virus updates, and restarting my computer several times a day. Think about the amount of time wasted doing that over the course of 3 years....
Funny.... I recall having to install new cups drivers for my printer, and new twain drivers for my scanner recently and having to restart my mac both times. Only to run into some -9672 error when trying to add the printer again, fixing disk permissions solved it. And honestly, the macbook runs much slower than it did when I got it 2 years ago. This HP laptop would be appealing if I could get it with XP. Computers are computers, troll elsewhere.