HP EliteBook 2570p (B6Q10EA) Pro Reviews

As we said at the beginning of our review, the HP EliteBook 2570p isn't the newest or sexiest Windows PC, but it is an extremely appealing notebook for enterprise businesses with a large mobile workforce. The durability, serviceability and expandability of the 2570p are second to none. If you can look past the boxy all-business exterior and the somewhat average performance for its class, you're left with a very useful work laptop. Bottom line, if your an IT manager looking for a tough laptop for corporate road warriors then the EliteBook 2570p still offers a great value.

The HP EliteBook 2570p may look like an anachronism. After all, ultrabooks and similar sleek systems are all the rage right now, if reviews and ad campaigns are to be believed. Sometimes, however, business users need systems that offer lots of flexibility and options while remaining compact. The 2570p should serve those users well. The presence of a hard docking connector, Smart Card and ExpressCard slots, and available mobile broadband place this EliteBook squarely in the mobile business user camp. It's not sexy or svelte, but it will get the job done. Typing and pointing work well, once you get used to the oddball layout. The feel of the keyboard is excellent.

HP's Elitebook 2570p has the same strengths and weaknesses as the predecessor. Our main point of criticism remains the display - even though it is now slightly brighter, it is still too dark and consequently mobility (outdoor use) suffers. Plus points are the very comfortable keyboard and the touchpad / point stick combination. Build quality, sturdiness, port selection, and security features all support the status of the little Elitebook as a serious business laptop. We especially appreciate the inclusion of an optical drive in this small 12.5-inch subnotebook. Equipped with a speedy SSD, the notebook is capable of convincing performance. The hardware components (Core i7 3520M CPU, Graphics 4000, and 4 GB RAM) are certainly sufficient for the typical office and Internet tasks. Even the top model of the 2570p is not suited for graphics intensive applications. The Elitebook 2570p appeals to business travelers who have high demands as far as sturdiness and connectivity options are concerned. Many potential buyers are not going to like the dark display with its low contrast. Those who travel a lot, might consider the Thinkpad X230 with its much brighter IPS display instead.