They make up the new EliteBook Folio 1020 lineup

Dec 2, 2014 13:00 GMT  ·  By

Mobile PCs aren't what they used to be, and by that we mean that they are very, very thin and light compared to a few years ago, without any performance drawbacks to speak of. HP decided to show that once again with the EliteBook Folio 1020 collection.

“Collection” might be too strong a word at present, since there are only two laptops in the line, and one is just an improved version of the other. But HP fully intends to eventually add more members to the line, so it set the name of the collection in advance.

The two laptops are called EliteBook 1020 and the EliteBook 1020 Special Edition. Although we should probably be more specific and call them ultrabooks.

HP says that the EliteBook 1020 and the EliteBook 1020 Special Edition are the thinnest and lightest business mobile PCs currently on the market.

Given their weight of 2.2 pounds / 0.99 kilos and thickness of 15.7 mm / 0.61 inches, we're tempted to believe that. In any case, even if there is some ultrabook out there that beats them, it won't be by much.

The specs of the HP EliteBook 1020 and EliteBook 1020 Special Edition

Let's start with their screens. The diagonal of 12.5 inches may not be that great, but it's still above the “netbook” limit, and the resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels (Quad HD / QHD) is definitely not low-end.

An Intel Core M CPU acts as the heart and brain of the computer, sharing that responsibility with an SSD (storage) and a customizable memory capacity.

Between that and the battery, whose charge can last for up to 9 hours, you should have all you need to view/edit documents, write spreadsheets, hold teleconferences with other people, and do everything else a business PC is supposed to do.

The new EliteBook 1020 ultrabooks might not be the best things for the office, but they'll let you do your job when you're on a business trip or delegation somewhere. Especially with MIL-STD 810G military-grade testing, which means it can withstand decent drops, shocks, and exposure to extremes of temperature and humidity.

What sets the EliteBook 1020 Special Edition apart from the regular model is the weight. Apparently, while they both measure the same, only the special edition weighs 2.2 pounds / 0.99 kilos. The other is a bit heavier.

No doubt this has to do with the frame materials rather than the internal hardware, and will warrant only a slight price premium.

Availability and pricing

Unfortunately, HP doesn't intend to ship the EliteBook 1020 until February 2015, and the EliteBook 1020 Special Edition until April of the same year. The prices will stay under wraps until then. Given the 720p-resolution webcam, DTS Audio, HP Noise Reduction software and other addons mentioned in the press release, they won't be the lowest in the world.

Show Press Release

HP EliteBook 1020 & Special Edition (6 Images)

HP EliteBook laptop next to other Elite-series systems
HP EliteBook 1020HP EliteBook 1020, I/O side
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