HP ProBook 4310s hands-on

While we might gripe about the style choices of HP's consumer line, HP has done wonders for its "professional" image with the ProBook line. The new ProBook 4310s merely carries on that tradition, but it still cuts a nice figure in the flesh. While we normally like to play it safe on color choice, we have to say that the matte lid of the crimson version (pictured) really triumphs in a sea of gloss. Our only gripes are that it's a tad bit thick and heavy -- totally standard for this tier of laptop, but annoying nonetheless -- and that the sharp, square chiclet keys aren't perfect for touch typing, and are actually a little mushy in practice. We'd also much prefer some two finger scrolling to the piddling sidescrolling on offer, but we're grumpy like that.

Gallery: HP ProBook 4310s hands-on

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[Templarian @ Jun 25th 2009 3:06PM]

Gives a more of a Dell look than HP, but good to see them improving. Nice style.

[Zhanna @ Jun 25th 2009 3:07PM]

Yup, it does look nice.

[Soulsaber @ Jun 25th 2009 3:08PM]

too much bezel!

[Yipcanjo @ Jun 25th 2009 3:55PM]

That's what she said!

Wait...that totally doesn't work :(

[Danny Moore @ Jun 25th 2009 3:19PM]

On the PC side , its all about effective pricing, the consumer experience domain is easily won by Apple.

[Venom16 @ Jun 25th 2009 3:24PM]

If by consumer experience you mean "annoy the hell out of me and placate idiots."

Then yes, it wins.

[The Walrus @ Jun 25th 2009 3:29PM]

Please tell me what consumer experience is? It just NOT working with the majority of video cards? Workstation equipped with previous generation video cards? Lack of blu ray support?

[Mitch @ Jun 25th 2009 3:22PM]

Lenovo x200 FTW

[Venom16 @ Jun 25th 2009 3:25PM]

x200t ftw.

Bring on the tablets.

[ioannisnousias @ Jun 25th 2009 3:26PM]

I think HP has found a winner style with the ProBook line. However, it does need a thinner bezel.

[Roy Olson @ Jun 25th 2009 4:02PM]

It can't get much less bezel without making the keyboard narrower as that usally defines the screen size

[decapitor @ Jun 25th 2009 5:47PM]

i think the ideal notebook size is whatever width a fullsized keyboard is, then let the scren size follow from that to be the maximum it can be with no bezel or as little as possible. Then just work on making it thinner and thinner. That is the form factor for me.

[things_fan @ Jun 25th 2009 3:31PM]

look, it's a another PRObook with glossy screen..

[AndrewNoNumbers @ Jun 25th 2009 3:33PM]

I don't know why everyone likes two-finger scrolling. My touchpad has both and I use the sidebar-scrolling a lot more.

[monteb @ Jun 25th 2009 3:44PM]

Heavy? It's on a par with the Macbook. Which of course if that's being reviewed would be 'wonderfully light'. I come to engadget for the scoops but jeez, such a total bunch of Crapple fanboys who aren't worth the title of journalists.

[Brian @ Jun 25th 2009 3:53PM]

So just being the same size as the macbook makes it exactly the same? My god, I'll agree in saying that the apple reviews are a little biased, but just because it's similar in price it doesn't mean that it will be the same weight.

[Cody @ Jun 25th 2009 4:03PM]

Actually, after going to Apple's site it says that both the 13 inch Macbook and Macbook Pro are heavier than the HP 4310.

I don't care either way. I just don't have anything to do right now.

[Dan @ Jun 25th 2009 4:26PM]

"Actually, after going to Apple's site it says that both the 13 inch Macbook and Macbook Pro are heavier than the HP 4310."

Beautiful.

[Dan @ Jun 25th 2009 4:31PM]

Dang thing didn't reply to the right person.

Oh well, turns out that it's really not any thicker either according to Apple's site, if the previous spec story on this site is correct about the 4310s being an inch thick.
"0.95 inch (2.41 cm)"

[dkarageo @ Jun 25th 2009 4:29PM]

I'll stick with Sony or Toshiba; thanks anyway, H-P. Come talk to me again when your build quality improves.

[Dan @ Jun 25th 2009 4:33PM]

The build quality on their business machines has been high,

Though, if it's build quality you really want it's gotta be a ThinkPad.

[AwesomeWells @ Jun 25th 2009 7:57PM]

@Dan

Agreed. Outside of IBM, I typically tend to go for business laptops in place of consumer models; and the HP line is second to none. It also comes with a 3yr warranty as standard as opposed to some add-on you have to pay extra for.

[Mav @ Jun 25th 2009 5:32PM]

This thing is sexy!

[urdaddy @ Jun 25th 2009 6:10PM]

lose the exterior gloss, ginormous bezel, thin it up a little bit, and throw in a slot load drive and you got yourself a deal to replace my aging HP DV5000t

[jollygreen @ Jun 25th 2009 6:41PM]

Heavy? Get a Netbook or Air if you want light. If the only annoying aspect a review can come up with is it requires more daily workouts than lifting a latte and a manpurse full of Wired Magazines around, don't even mention it.

I dig the less than "popular" look. Steel/Gloss W&B is the new rolled jeans people.

[canyouthink? @ Jun 25th 2009 9:05PM]

Thinkpad all the way.

[Jasondefaoite @ Jun 25th 2009 9:36PM]

Any ideas what that calculator app on the desktop is?

[Bhushir @ Jun 27th 2009 1:56AM]

nice! bezel or no bezel, its a whole lot better than the older professional notebooks.
but HP really needs to do something about its awfully long power connector. Just kills the entire look and feel of the notebook with that thing sticking out.

[joeyjoejoe @ Sep 18th 2009 4:58PM]

question; is this any good for personal use?
what is specific about its business functionality?