Review: HP ProBook Takes Small-Biz Security Seriously

I'm as much of a sucker for brilliant design as the next guy. And on that count, the HP ProBook 5330m does alright - it's not a marvel of industrial design, but it's no ugly duckling, either.

But does that really matter? Seriously? Here's what I think: If looks are your top priority for a business laptop, have fun in bankruptcy court.

By other, more important standards - usability, security, connectivity, and under-the-hood horsepower - this ProBook is a solid product at a decent price. It's not perfect by any means, especially if battery life is a high priority for you. Warts and all, however, the ProBook 5330m deserves a place on almost any business user's short list of laptop options.

Laptop Security Done Right

I'll start with the single most important issue that should concern any business laptop user these days: security. The ProBook 3550m piles on layers of security features, including a fingerprint reader, face recognition, full-disk encryption, and HP's SpareKey password recovery tool.

The multi-layer security is both effective and convenient. It provides single sign-on capabilities that control access at startup, when logging into Windows, and as a password manager for online access. And while a fingerprint reader is more than adequate for most users, the ProBook's face recognition worked perfectly - even when I set it up in a relatively low-light environment while wearing my glasses.

Want still more security? You can combine the biometrics with a traditional PIN code or link your ProBook to a Bluetooth-enabled phone. If you activate the Bluetooth feature, the laptop will only authenticate you if your linked phone or other mobile device is within range.

Finally, the ProBook supports Intel's vPro security technology. Not many small businesses use vPro, but the ones that do won't buy a laptop without it.

Is all of this overkill? Probably, unless you're literally carrying data worth dying for (or killing over). But I'll take overkill any day over a business laptop that treats security as an afterthought.

Pay-as-You-Go Mobile Broadband

The second most important set of features on the ProBook 5330m centers around its connectivity options. Besides the standard Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n) and Bluetooth support, the ProBook includes a 3G mobile broadband module that uses Sprint's cellular network. HP's private-label DataPass service allows users to sign up for pay-as-you-go mobile broadband, without requiring a long-term contract.

The 3G radio isn't just a tethered add-on module, by the way. It's a built-in 3G radio, and it's still fairly unusual to find one in a sub-$1,000 business laptop. Combined with Wi-Fi and the DataPass option, it's downright easy to keep the ProBook connected almost anywhere you go.

Finally, HP likes to tout its QuickWeb technology. This is a small Linux-based OS that provides quick access to a Web browser and some other basic applications without forcing you to start up Windows. It's a nice touch, and some folks will find it useful. But really, how many business travelers these days won't use a smartphone for that kind of quick-and-dirty online access?

Hardware That (Mostly) Gets the Job Done

For $799, the entry-level ProBook 5330m ships with an Intel Core i3 processor, 4GB of RAM, a 500 GB hard drive, and the built-in 3G radio. Optional add-ons include more memory, faster processors, and a 128GB solid-state disk. (The latter is an especially wise investment if you travel a lot with your laptop; SSD technology may be expensive, but it can survive a beating that would reduce a traditional hard disk to junk.)

You'll also get Intel integrated graphics - no discrete graphics here. (Sorry, gamers.)  That's not a problem for me, since the ProBook handled 1080p video without a hiccup. Unless you spend more time gaming than working, you'll find the graphics on this laptop more than adequate.

Then there's the display, which is a 13-inch screen with a 1366 x 768 resolution.  What makes this display different isn't the size - it's the finish. In a world where glossy displays are the norm, the ProBook 5330m uses a matte-finish display that turns screen glare into a non-issue.

Naturally, you'll have to trade off a bit of the magic you get from watching a movie on one of those super-glossy displays. But you're here to work, not to watch movies, right? And in a work environment, I'll take a matte display over a glossy one any time.

If there's a disappointment lurking under the ProBook's hood, it's the anemic four-cell battery. A typical user will be lucky to work longer than 4.5 hours before plugging in, and that's below par for today's laptop batteries.

At about 4 lbs. (excluding its AC charger) the ProBook isn't heavy by any means, although nobody is going to mistake it for a MacBook Air.

The ProBook's keyboard uses chiclet-style keys. They're nicely spaced and a little firmer than I like, but not enough to cause a problem. The keyboard is also backlit, giving the ProBook yet another feature that you typically find in more expensive laptops.

Finally, a word - and a minor complaint - about the ProBook's physical connectivity options. The integrated eSATA, SSD, and HDMI connections are wonderful. The lack of USB 3.0 support is not. USB 3.0 should, at this point, be standard-issue on any serious business laptop, and its absence here is disappointing.

Surprise! A Small-Biz Laptop with Small-Biz Features

I like the fact that HP is marketing the ProBook 5330m as a small-business laptop - and then actually shipping it with features useful to small businesses. The plethora of security options would befuddle many consumer users, but they're absolutely essential for today's business users. The same is true of the matte display - consumers may think a matte display is unhip, but business users should praise it to the skies.

Throw in the 3G radio with a pay-as-you-go option and lots of hardware upgrade options - including the SSD drive - and you've got a first-rate business laptop.

Unfortunately, the ProBook's paltry battery life will be a deal-killer for some business users. It's pretty clear that this is one area where HP cut corners to keep down the ProBook's price, and some shoppers won't be able to get past this limitation. Everyone else, however, will find that this laptop delivers great value at a relatively modest price.

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HP ProBook 5330m
MSRP: $749; includes 4GB RAM, Intel Core i3 processor, integrated Intel graphics, 500 GB hard disk, 3G wireless radio. Optional extras include processor upgrades; 128GB SSD drive; up to 8GB RAM.

PROS:

• Integrated 3G radio 
• Low-glare matte display 
• Outstanding security features

CONS:

• Wimpy battery 
• No USB 3.0 support

THE BOTTOM LINE:

It's a shame that the ProBook doesn't offer more robust battery life. Even so, this is an outstanding small-business laptop that's packed with features you'd normally expect to see in more expensive models.