Review: HP EliteBook 8460p a Pricey, Potent Laptop for Businesses
Let's talk budget. When the time comes to buy new laptops for your employees, you can either go cheap and hope for the best, or pay a premium for rugged, secure, high-performance machines built to last.
The HP EliteBook 8460p falls squarely into the latter category. It's fast, powered by an Intel Core i5-2520M processor and discrete Radeon HD 6470M graphics. It's secure, bolstered by a fingerprint scanner and a wealth of HP encryption and protection tools. And it's tough, forged with a magnesium-aluminum frame that's designed to withstand the rigors of travel.
It's also pricey. The EliteBook 8460p series starts at $999, but the model I tested sells for $1,199. That may be hard to swallow if you're shopping for multiple systems.
But, again, there's that whole return-on-investment thing. HP backs the EliteBook with an almost unheard-of three-year warranty, which definitely helps justify the higher price tag.
What's more, while not all users need the kind of horsepower packed into the 8460p, there's a lot of good future-proofing here: two USB 3.0 ports, a DisplayPort port, a 720p webcam, and so on. And when you factor in the processor and video muscle, the EliteBook should last you through Windows 7 and Windows 8.
From a design standpoint, I don't love what HP has done here. The EliteBook may be heavy-duty, but it's not aesthetically pleasing. Rather, it looks a lot like every other corporate-minded laptop you've ever seen: dull. It's not especially thin or light, either, despite having a smallish 14-inch display.
But usability rocks. The 8460p runs for up to eight hours on its six-cell battery, and possesses one of the most comfortable keyboards I've used. There's even a keyboard light that pops out from above the screen.
I especially like its oversize multi-touch trackpad; to scroll in Web pages and documents, you just drag two fingers -- a huge improvement over the traditional "scroll strip," which forces you to use one finger along the right edge of the 'pad.
Need a quick peek at a Web site? Instead of waiting for Windows to boot, just press the EliteBook's QuickWeb button. In about 15 seconds, it turns the system on and loads a special shell with a clock, calendar, notepad, and Web browser. It's one of my favorite features, and something I wish every laptop had.
Another unexpected perk: the system wakes from standby almost instantaneously. Not in 10 or 15 seconds, but immediately after you hit the Power button. It's these little things that mean a lot.
Ultimately, the EliteBook 8460p hits and misses. It's definitely a workhorse, but I know a lot of small-business owners who will blanch at the price tag -- especially considering that similar power can be had for half the price. That said, if you can swing it, I think you'll find a lot to like in this laptop.
Pros: Fast hardware, impressive battery life. Mammoth multi-touch touchpad, plus a touchstick for those who prefer it. QuickWeb button puts a Web browser at your fingertips in 15 seconds. Three-year warranty.
Cons: Heavy, bulky, and decidedly industrial-looking. Smallish hard drive, given the price. Priced for corporate budgets, not small-business ones.
Should You Buy It? If your budget will allow, you'll appreciate the EliteBook's muscle, security, and durability. But it's probably overkill for a lot of users, and there are cheaper, lighter options out there.
Price: $1,199.
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