HP Laptops Offering AMD’s Latest Processors

By Doug Olenick -- TWICE, 5/17/2010

PALO ALTO, CALIF. — Hewlett-Packard this month rolled out a wide selection of AMD-powered notebooks.

The introductions run the gamut from the high-end Envy laptop to the Mini netbook line, and HP is offering AMD’s Vision technology processors as an option across the new models.

The Envy introductions include the Envy 14 and Envy 17. The former is based on a 14.5-inch HD Radiance display that HP said delivers an image 59 percent brighter and has more than 13 hours of battery life.

Both are available with Intel quad-core processors and feature a “sound experience” designed by rapper Dr. Dre, called Beats by Dr. Dre, and have a WWAN/3G option.

The 17-inch Envy 17 has a 2TB storage capacity and ATI’s Eyefinity Technology to support multiple external displays.

The Envy 14 is available on June 27 with a $999 suggested retail; the Envy 17 ships on May 26 at $1,399.

The mainstream Pavilion line will gain four new units, the DM4, DV5 DV6 and DV7.

The DM4 is available on May 19 at $729. At 1 inch thick and weighing 4.4 pounds, it is a thin and light design with a 14-inch HD LED. It comes with an Intel dual-core standard-voltage processor with optional ATI discrete graphics, 640GB of storage, WLAN, WWAN, GPS, Bluetooth and an optional optical drive.

The $649 DV5 also ships on May 19. It has a slightly larger 14.5-inch display, HP MediaSmart software, an island-style keyboard and comes in three new colors: Black Cherry, Champagne, and Sonoma Red. Storage capacity is 1TB, and it has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

The DV6 carries the same price and ship dates as the DV5 when equipped with an Intel processor, but the cost drops to $549 if an AMD chip is used. The DV6 has a 15.6-inch HD display and the same color scheme and features as the DV5.

The 17-inch DV7, shipping May 19 for $799, also comes with an Intel or AMD option. It is equipped with Altec Lansing speakers, HP’s Triple Bass subwoofers, 2TB of storage and a dual-hard-drive confi guration.

In the netbook category, HP has two new designs for the Mini 210: Preppy Pink and White Crystal. The pink version has a plaid-like appearance using HP’s 3D Imprint technology. It is available on June 15 for $354. The Mini 110 ships the same day at $279.