HP gives its PC range a makeover
Massive vendor revamps the look of its consumer PC range
Hewlett-Packard (HP) has overhauled its consumer PC range with a new look as it attempts to retain its lead over Dell in the global PC market.
The PCs have been designed to look more contemporary and fit in with people’s existing consumer electronics devices, particularly thin high-definition (HD) TVs.
Drab grey has been replaced with models sporting glossy, piano black finishes, silver trim and LED lights. The company will be marketing the brand with “The Computer is Personal Again” campaign. In addition, consumers will have the chance to customise all of HP’s PCs.
Satjiv Chahil, senior vice-president, global marketing, HP personal systems group, said: “Consumers today are demanding higher standards of digital entertainment experiences that enhance the very personal environments of their home. HP designers have achieved a much needed balance of form and functionality that enriches the experience and ease of use of today’s personal technology.”
New features include the shifting of the power button to the top of the chassis for easy reach, a dedicated bay for removable storage devices and a more accessible media card reader.
The line-up completes the design makeover of HP’s full range, as notebooks, servers and HDTVs have already been re-styled. The new series include the HP Pavilion s3000 Series Slimline PC, which is a third of the size of a regular PC. The Pavilion a6000 Series of full-sized desktops are aimed at all levels of computer user while the Pavilion Media Center TV m8000 Series is designed for the living room and comes with an optional HD, DVD drive.
Richard Doherty, research director at The Envisioneering Group, said: “Designing and delivering integrated digital entertainment systems is a challenge to most traditional consumer electronics and PC firms. It’s good to see HP has listened to consumers owning products in both categories in crafting and delivering a broad product lineup that meshes the best of both consumer electronics and the PC.” C