HP launches laptops at small businesses
Vendor says new range will offer channel up-sell opportunities
Hewlett-Packard (HP) has unveiled its first SME laptop offering using combined HP and Compaq development teams since the merger almost three years ago.
The firm has claimed the seven new notebooks, which are based on Intel's Sonoma mobile platform, will offer channel partners fresh up-sell opportunities into the SME sector.
HP said this is merely the first announcement this year centred around its Mobility 2005 strategy. The vendor added that it intends to deliver a new generation of smart devices and unveil a partnership with Nokia to bring mobile forms processing to the enterprise market later this year.
David Smith, commercial and SME communications manager at HP, said the new laptop range is "the birth child of the [Compaq] merger". He claimed HP channel partners will benefit significantly.
"By capturing the periphery with this new mobility notebook range, our partners will be able to get more opportunities to secure, manage and develop their customer's infrastructures," he said.
"We will bring these new products together with other partnerships that drive up sales for us and the channel."
Abdul Terry, marketing manager at VAR Equanet, said: "The range sounds good. New laptops and new technology always give us a new reason to talk to customers. There are also always upgrade opportunities provided by technologies such as these for the SME sector."
However, Sue Richards, managing director of VAR EBM, said she is more sceptical about how much added value the notebook range will present. "HP always tell us there's added value," she said. "I hope it's right. It is hard to find margins on hardware. We are pushing mobility; it's essential for many business sectors."
Also as part of Mobility 2005, HP has developed One Place, an online portal where resellers' marketing and sales departments can find product specifications, model comparisons and marketing and education tools.
FEATURES OF HP'S NEW RANGE
HP Mobile Data Protection System: reduces the risk of data corruption by up to 50 per cent by protecting the hard drive from shock and vibration, according to the firm.
Ambient light sensor: adjusts the brightness of the display based on the surrounding environment. HP has claimed it can extend battery life by up to 20 per cent.
High-capacity batteries: provides up to five-and-a-half hours of power.
Features are common to HP's nx8220, nc8230, nw8240, nc6220, nx6110, nx6120 and nc4200 products.