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We always have to chuckle when laptop makers talk about making business systems look more palatable to the employees toting 'em. After all, it's not like we're going to walk off the job because we don't like the looks of that black box we've been assigned. Or are we? Nonetheless, laptop manufacturers are going out of their way to make their corporate systems look (and perform) more in line with their sexier consumer cousins. Take the Lenovo ThinkPad X1, for instance, a slimmed-down version of the company's signature design -- updated with a buttonless touchpad, Dolby sound, and a much-maligned glossy display. Toshiba, meanwhile, recently revamped its line of business notebooks to look like the lightweight Portege R705 -- also a crossover hit.
Which brings us to the HP ProBook 5330m. This 13.3-incher has a metal-clad body and Beats Audio -- a first on an HP business machine, but a staple across its consumer stable. And yet, the company's wooing the IT guys, too, with a matte display, optional prepaid mobile broadband, Intel vPro technology, and TPM circuitry. With a starting price of $799, it scores big points for value, but can it hang? Let's find out.
We'll be honest: after spending a few minutes with the 5330m back in April, we came away with the visceral feeling that its two-tone keyboard deck, beige trackpad, and boxy shape weren't particularly sexy -- let alone youthful. And you know what? We still don't think it's current, per se, but after a week of testing, we can at least appreciate what a well-made machine it is.
A big part of that, of course, is the materials used. With the exception of the bottom, the chassis and the hinge are both fashioned out of sturdy aluminum. As for the underside, it's made of magnesium, whereas even some high-end notebooks revert to plastic, and it has a soft, rubbery finish. The bottom also looks clean, with a pop-out door housing the removable battery like Dell Inspiron E1405 Battery , Dell TC023 Battery , Dell XPS M140 Battery , Dell PP19L Battery , dell Inspiron E1705 battery , dell Inspiron 6000 battery (dell 6000 battery ), dell Inspiron 9300 battery , dell Inspiron 9400 battery , dell 310-6321 battery (you will have to whip out your Phillips screwdriver to swap the hard drive or add RAM).
It's too bad, then, that this laptop that tries so hard to be hip still manages to look dated. Our big bone of contention has always been the strip of matte aluminum ringing the keyboard deck and palm rest. The contrast between the brushed and smooth metals and the light and darker greys is one busy combo, and makes the keyboard deck seem more cramped than it is. Even if HP had opted for an entirely brushed aluminum chassis (as it has with past ProBooks), the 5330m would have still looked the part of a serious business laptop, only more elegant than the one we're looking at. In the end, clearly, it comes down to perception (or spin, perhaps). An HP rep described the look as "timeless." We say it's stodgy.
Also, one last gripe that's neither here nor there: what's up with the gratuitous Beats Audio branding? You'll find the logos painted on the upper-right hand corner of the bezel, as well as the front edge of the notebook -- both stinging annoyances since you can't do anything to remove them. And yes, we know how many of you guys feel about stickers, but if HP has some contractual obligation to promote the hell out of its partnership with Dr. Dre, at least use a medium people can dispose of once they unbox the laptop.
These quibbles aside, we were pleasantly surprised by how lightweight the 5330m is. Given its boxy 0.99-inch thick profile, we wouldn't blame you if you guessed this thing felt heavy. Indeed, at 3.99 pounds it weighs more than the 3.7-pound ThinkPad X1, though the wedge-shaped X1 is considerably thicker at its chunkiest point. In fact, the 5330m's heft means it'll feel more grounded when you use it in your lap. Not that the X1 ever slipped off while we were typing, of course; it's just that the 5330m has a more reassuring weight distribution. And, because the 5330m is narrower (12.9 inches across, compared to the X1's 13.3), it's easier to grip with one hand.
The 5330m's port list includes three USB 2.0 ports, including one that doubles as an eSATA connector. It also has a fingerprint reader, HDMI and VGA-out, an Ethernet jack, a Kensington lock slot, an SD / MMC memory card slot, and a combined headphone / mic port. Missing, oddly, is USB 3.0, a feature HP says it's reserving for its higher-end EliteBook series (for now, at least). It's a shame -- this would have been a sweet, sensible addition, particularly from a productivity standpoint.
The laptop also has a 720p webcam, which delivers bright picture quality with balanced colors, though as you can see in the resized still below, images are grainy, even with ample lighting.