HP EliteBook 2530p

size

price

100% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

performance, battery, portability, usability, screen

90% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

If you have the money, the HP EliteBook 2530p has all the panache you could want in a light, fast, and easy-to-use portable.

Small, sturdy build quality, long battery life, plenty of features

Fingerprint reader gets in the way of typing, has trialware installed

Small, strong and well-featured, HP's EliteBook 2530p is an ideal choice for business users who want something that will withstand the rigours of travel and last a long time away from a power outlet.

Boots quick and runs for hours. About as compact as a notebook can be and still have a full-size keyboard. Squeezes in a touchpad and a pointing stick for users who prefer one over the other. Optional wireless modem works with multiple carriers (though...

It’s how much? What is this, a MacBook Air? Slow, sucky integrated graphics. Awkward, over-engineered touch volume controls hard to control. Six-cell battery sticks out from the rear, taking a little of the notebook’s compactness with it

Standard plus extended battery yield over 20 hours of battery life. Built-in optical drive. Very good keyboard. Dual pointing devices. Multiple wireless technologies.

VGA is the only video-out port. Weak speakers. You'll need to carry that extra battery to get the great battery life.

The 2530p's features are geared toward business travel. It has a built-in dual-layer DVD burner, while the ThinkPad X200, at the same weight, doesn't. The Sony Z590, on the other hand, packs in a Blu-ray burner that doubles as a DVD writer. Adding to...

Dual pointing devices Great, big battery with an external gage

Stubborn volume controls

But, really, the lack of an easy way to control volume is not much of a drawback on an ultraportable. In all other ways the EliteBook lives up to its name. If you have the money, it has all the panache you could want in a light, fast, and easy-to-use...

Dual pointing devices ; Great, big battery with an external gage

Stubborn volume controls

Pricey but worth it, the HP EliteBook 2530P lives up to its name with extras not ordinarily found on an ultraportable.

Robust and elegant case; Shock-resistant hard drive; Spill-resistant keyboard; Good processor performance for applications; Screen suitable for use outside; Easy-to-use transport lock; Can be connected to a docking station; Optical drive

Lid hinges not very firm; Positioning of the audio ports; Only 2 USB 2.0 ports on this model

Business notebooks in the classic 12" subnotebook category. HP Compaq 2230s, the Toshiba Portégé A600/R500, Lenovo Thinkpad X200s...

Small, sturdy build quality, long battery life, plenty of features

Fingerprint reader gets in the way of typing, has trialware installed

Small, strong and well-featured, HP's EliteBook 2530p is an ideal choice for business users who want something that will withstand the rigours of travel and last a long time away from a power outlet.

Attractive and sleek design ; Extreme durability in an extremely small package ; Excellent overall performance in its class ; Fantastic screen with good viewing angles and excellent brightness ; Great port selection for a 12-inch notebook ; Small form...

Less than ideal location for tiny mono-speaker ; Fan can run a little loud ; Too much bloatware for a business notebook ; HP won't let me keep it

Bottom line, if you're looking fo a business-grade 12-inch notebook then the HP EliteBook 2530p belongs at the top of your list