HP ProBook B Series review

The HP B Series for business users offers a variety of models specialising in processor, memory and security.

In the interest of commuters they all come relatively compact with HP’s new DuraFinish brushed metal look and a magnesium alloy support offering added protection for mobile use.

In this review we will be looking at the following four models: the 6540b, 6545b, 6555b and 6550b.

What we like best

For general features the B Series offers a range of intra-office applications, such as the HP Power assistant. This feature allows each notebook within an office to interact so that power consumption can be monitored and controlled.

This in turn enables a reduction in energy costs and carbon footprint.

The design for the B Series allows your notebook to withstand the test of time, not only do they contain up to the minute components but the casing is scratch-proof, so it will not show too much general wear and tear.

A variety of processors are available for each model, including dual, triple and quad-core capabilities in the 6555b notebook and new AMD processors are available for heightened processing power, as well as the tried and true Intel iCore chips.

What we like least

One of the greater issues people might raise with the B Series is the general insubstantiality of the speakers which are set in the chassis as one big speaker. It does not provide great quality or volume.

This is easily remedied with plug-ins, however for an office presentation the mono-speaker will not be satisfactory.

Under duress the cooling system will be noticeable, however, it does however do its job and keeping a 15.6 inch screen and high powered processor cool is no mean feat!

Though the B Series is sturdily built there is some malleability, though not to excess. If for example you were to hold the notebook in one hand there would be a slight give under the weight.