HP Unveils New Compaq Business PC Lineup

Hewlett-Packard today announced a slew of new HP Compaq business desktops and a desktop Workstation for even more serious workloads.

All these HP systems are designed to keep rank-and-file workers, as well as your IT folks, happy. IT buying managers champing at the bit to get the new Intel architecture into their businesses should take note: these systems are available with third-generation Intel Core processors and their improved integrated graphics.

HP Compaq Pro 4300 All-in-One and Small Form Factor.
Starting with the entry-level offerings, the HP Compaq Pro 4300 systems are designed to be the cost-effective, yet corporate level desktops that you'll buy for your rank-and-file workers. The HP Compaq Pro 4300 SFF (Small Form Factor) is the entry-level system, yet it comes with the latest Intel Core i3 and i5 processors so they'll still "feel fast" to your workers long after the 15-month guaranteed availability pledge from HP.

HP pledged to provide the same specs and drive image compatibility to business buyers for 15 months from the introduction of the 4300, so you know that the systems you buy in late 2013 are compatible with the systems you buy in mid-2012. Lower-priced models of the HP Compaq 4300 SFF will use second-generation Intel Core processors, but will continue to be compatible with disk images and drivers. The small form factor chassis comes with some expandability, including low-powered, discrete graphics for those that need it. The HP Compaq Pro 4300 will start at $499 and will be available to corporate customers on July 9.

The HP Compaq Pro 4300 All-in-One extends all-in-one computing to the majority of your workers. Sometimes you need the simplicity of a single chassis system, but you don't want to issue more fragile, portable laptops to your workers. In this case, the 4300 All-in-One excels. It comes with the latest third-generation Intel Core processors, Intel HD graphics, and a 20-inch widescreen display. Like other HP Compaq Pro systems, the All-in-One comes with a serial port (for compatibility with older proprietary peripherals), SSD options, and self-encrypting drives for security. Look for the 4300 All-in-One later this fall.

HP Compaq Pro 6300
The HP Compaq Pro 6300 is the next step up in HP's corporate business desktop line. The 6300 is available in SFF and microtower configurations, for more flexibility in your organization. If you need mid-level graphics cards or full-height expansion cards for your business, get the tower, otherwise the 6300 SFF systems will work just as well. The HP Compaq Pro 6300 also supports more system memory than the 4300 series, so your workers will be able to open larger files and multitask more before reaching the system's limits.

The 6300 series features third-generation Intel Core processors across the board, and supports dual monitors out of the box even without a discrete graphics card. HP BIOS supports pre-boot IT management, as well as USB port disabling, and the 6300 systems come with TPM built in for added security. Like the 4300 series, the 6300 series comes with a standard, three-year warranty. The HP Compaq 6300 series starts at $579 base price, and will be available starting June 4.

HP Compaq Pro 8300
The HP Compaq Pro 8300 is HP's top of the line business PC systems, and as such give the user the most performance short of a professional workstation system. The 8300 series give your IT managers the most options in configurations, management suites, security, and technologies like RAID and Intel Smart Response Technology. The 8300 has even more chassis choices, including the convertible minitower desktop, which gives you the option of ordering the optical drives in a horizontal orientation for a more traditional "monitor on top of desktop" configuration. Again, you'll find third-generation Intel Core processors and three-year warranties on the 8300 series. HP Compaq Pro 8300 starts at $679, and will also be available starting June 4.

HP Z220 Workstation
The HP Z220 Workstation represents HP's entry point into the world of professional workstations. It comes with Intel Xeon processors based on the same third-generation Intel Core technologies as the business PCs, but with extra performance from added cache sizes or more processor cores. Like the HP Compaq Pro 8300, the Z220 comes in either a SFF or a convertible mini tower chassis. The tower gives your IT managers the most choices in expandability and optioning out graphics cards. The Z220 comes with ISV certifications for programs like Autodesk and Solidworks, in case your contracts require certified equipment. HP is aiming the Z220 systems at AEC (architecture, engineering, and construction), product development, media and entertainment, education, healthcare, and government users. Pricing is still coming from HP, but the Z220 is expected to be on the market later this summer.