With the aim of hooking laptop users of small and medium-size companies, the Palo Alto, California-based Hewlett-Packard (HP) has launched the ProBook s-series - a new line of its low-priced business notebooks, with fresh features. The ProBook substitutes HP’s Compaq line, though the company will continue with the Compaq name a master brand name in its other PCs.

The range of economical laptops, with $529 starting price, amalgamates business functionality with features HD graphics and Blu-ray drives, and, across most of the models, provides the users the option of selecting either an Intel processor or an AMD processor; as also the alternative of choosing among a 14-inch, 15.6-inch, or 17.3-inch diagonal HD widescreens with an aspect ratio of 16:9.

Among other noteworthy features of the ProBook are - an optional Linux-based operating system pre-installed - Novell Inc's SuSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 11 - for users who are looking for a change from the overriding Windows platform from Microsoft. Furthermore, the new higher-end durability features include a 3D DriveGuard to protects the hard drive if the laptop is dropped; and a spill-resistant keyboard.

To begin with, the HP ProBook models – which will start global shipping Tuesday onwards - are available in lustrous ‘noir’ (black), along with ‘merlot’ being also available for the 14-inch and 15-inch models’ range, but not before June.

(Via TopNews. Contributed by Jimmy Peterson)