HP launches ultrathin Elitebook Folio 1020 laptops

Hewlett-Packard has launched the ultra-thin Elitebook Folio 1020 laptop, with a feature that turns it into mere paperweights in case of theft, PC World reported.

The special feature allows the Elitebook Folio 1020 to be ''always on'' so the laptop can be tracked even when it has been shut off, as with smartphones and tablets.

In the event the laptop was lost or stolen, it could be tracked down to a specific location and the data  remotely wiped out by a system administrator.

The always-on tracking feature was developed for the company's web-based Touchpoint Manager mobile-device management service.

The laptops are powered by an extremely low-power ARM-based chip that remains on to enable the tracking and GPS-like feature, and the Touchpoint Manager service could issue alerts and wipe data if the laptop was stolen or lost.

According to John Groden, director of product development at HP, the Folio 1020 was designed to fit into BYOD (bring your own device) programmes with its security and remote manageability features.

The new laptops also counted among the thinnest ever, developed by the company, at 15.7 millimeters thick.

Weighing upto 1.2 kilograms, they offered nine hours of battery life and 12.5-inch screens.

The HP EliteBook 1020 and the HP EliteBook 1020 Special Edition (SE) are ultra-thin at 15. 7 mm, and the SE takes advantage of HP's exclusive blend of magnesium-lithium alloy and reusable carbon fiber to achieve a weight of only 1 kg.

Both share a tough, cutting-edge design that offers elite business-class performance.

"The HP EliteBook1020 represents game-changing innovation in both materials and mechanical engineering to create the world's thinnest and lightest business notebooks in a form factor that enables our customers to be more productive in more places," said Alex Cho, vice president & general manager, HP Commercial PCs. "Customers demand not only a stylish, thin and light notebook, but also a device that delivers advanced security and can withstand the rigorous demands that come with a highly mobile lifestyle -- and the HP EliteBook 1020 delivers this complete solution."

Focus on security and reliability The HP EliteBook 1020 and the ultra-lightweight HP EliteBook 1020 SE are designed with enterprise mobility in mind, with up to 9 hours of battery life(2) to power a full work day.

Like the rest of the EliteBook family, these are designed to pass military-grade (MIL-STD 810G) testing -- drops, shocks, and exposure to extremes of temperature and humidity, and high pressure testing(3).

These notebooks also deliver both speed and near silent operation with a fanless design and solid state storage, supported by latest Intel Core-M processor technology.

Both devices come with HP Client Management Solutions and optional LANDesk(4) and Intel vPro technology(5) to easily integrate and deploy into an enterprise IT environment.

The notebooks include HP's exclusive enterprise-class security, including certified Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 1.2/2.0(6), pre-boot authentication, fingerprint reader and the exclusive HP Sure Start self-healing BIOS to help better protect your device, data and identity.

The HP EliteBook 1020 with optional touchscreen and HP EliteBook 1020 SE offers brilliant clarity on a high resolution 12.5-inch diagonal Quad HD (QHD) display.

The two are the first EliteBooks to come with the HP Premium Keyboard, a newly designed keyboard that provides optimised, consistent key response based on user testing and feedback. The 720p webcam, front firing speakers featuring HD Audio with DTS Studio Sound and HP Noise Reduction Software, make web conferences and collaboration on-the-go more productive with a difference you can hear.

HP Elite PCs set the standard HP Elite devices are the standard in delivering innovation to customers that's built on security, reliability, manageability and design.

Today's announcement also includes updates to the HP EliteBook line of notebooks and convertibles, which will feature the latest generation of Intel Core processors.

All new HP EliteBooks include the HP Noise Reduction Software for greater clarity in collaborative environments.

Updated HP EliteBooks are pre-loaded with the company's cloud-based management solution HP Touchpoint Manager(7) to easily manage and secure multi-OS devices in an IT environment and can also be deployed on customers' existing devices.

The devices also include enhanced security features with HP Client Security(8) and HP BIOSphere(9) to help keep data and devices safe. In addition, HP EliteBooks and undergo more than 115,000 hours of testing to multiple military reliability standards.