The HP ProBook 6550b is a professional companion that is geared towards small to medium-sized businesses and therefore comes with a comprehensive package of security features. But it is not only there that the notebook scores highly – it also impresses in terms of its build quality.
As the name suggests, HP ProBooks are part of HP’s line of professional business notebooks, though they do not represent the top echelon of the assortment. They are a range of affordable, robust notebooks that are forgiving even to users who tend to be heavy-handed. This is clear from the strengthened display hinges and the tub under the keyboard. Furthermore, depending on needs and budgets, the notebooks can also be individually configured to specific demands. So HP offers the ProBook 6550b models with a large array of Intel Core i3, i5, and i7 processor options. Also in terms of the graphics solution there is a choice between an integrated graphics card or potent dedicated graphics.
The keyboard also includes a number pad. Just above the keyboard is a row of touch-sensitive buttons that can be used to manipulate the volume and launch your email and web browser applications, as well as to enable/disable Wi-Fi.
Multiple configurations of the ProBook 6550b are available, but the one reviewed used an Intel Core i5-540M CPU running at 2.53GHz, an integrated Intel HD graphics adapter, a 7200rpm, 320GB hard drive and 4GB of DDR3SDRAM, around 1GB of which was used by the graphics adapter. The notebook ran the 32-bit version of Windows 7, so an update to the 64-bit version will be required if you want to install more RAM (the laptop supports up to 8GB).
The HP 6550b is also delivered with a large palette of software which should improve the workday’s efficiency and above all make it more secure. Part of the software deals only with securing the actual data or alternatively is only activated in specific cases. If the ‘worst case scenario’ does arise, and the notebook is in fact stolen, there is relevant software to freeze or delete the data, or to allow the notebook to be restored.
For the design of the case, HP went with a combination of black and silver plastic. The display lid and the palm rests are made of silver plastic, while the case’s substructure is constructed of magnesium. And there is nothing to complain about in terms of its construction: the whole machine is well built and feels solid.
The ProBook 6550b’s connection options are impressive, as it carries an impressive number of different interfaces. In total, the notebook has four USB 2.0 connections. Care was taken with the arrangement of the connections so that often-used connection are housed on the two sides, while those connections used less, or needed for stationary use, are relegated to the back.
On the left of the notebook there is the DisplayPort connection and three of the four USB 2.0 connections. The right USB 2.0 connection is a combination of a USB and e-SATA connection. Furthermore, there is also an ExpressCard slot and audio connections for both a microphone and a headset.
With business notebooks, a great deal of emphasis is placed on security; after all, there is often a great deal of important company data stored on them. While large companies usually have their own security solutions, small companies will be happy with the security features and software available with the notebook. The HP ProBook 6550b has quite a bit to offer here. In order to protect it against theft, there is a Kensington lock on the back by which one can chain down the notebook in order to prevent any unwarranted removal, and unauthorised access to the notebook’s data can be prevented with the finger-print reader in the palm rest.
Those looking for a relatively inexpensive business notebook with comprehensive security features may hit pay-dirt with the ProBook 6550b. The price for this business machine is €1,025.