Hands On: HP Compaq Elite 8300 All-in-One Desktop

Cutting costs, saving space, and increasing energy efficiency: the trifecta for which every business strives. Like most goals, though, they're pretty elusive, with the complexities typically multiplying whenever technology is involved. HP is evidently prepared to help businesses take a step in the right direction with the HP Compaq Elite 8300, a new all-in-one desktop that it unveiled today.

As is often the case with all-in-one desktops, the first thing about the 8300 you'll notice is its 23-inch HD (1,920 by 1,080) display. Regardless of whether you choose the optional touch capability, the display can be oriented in either portrait or landscape mode. It can even be mounted, making it perfect for tight spaces, like lobbies and kiosks.

But there is, quite literally, more than meets the eye. According to HP, the 8300 is the highest quality of its new fleet of all-in-one business PCs (more on the others below), and a quick rundown of its specs certainly reveals a considerable amount of firepower lurking beneath the surface.

The 8300 can be configured with 3rd generation Intel Core i5 or i7 Processors, as well as a 2nd Generation Core i3 Processor. Integrated Intel HD Graphics is available in different flavors depending on the selected processor: Basic, 2000, 2500, or 4000. Businesses aiming to work with more visually intensive applications have the additional option to configure their system with a discrete MXM GPU. The two SODIMM slots on the 8300's motherboard can be configured with up to 16GB of DDR3 SDRAM. As far as internal storage is concerned, users can select hard disk drives as large as 1TB or either a 128GB or 256GB solid-state-drive (SSD). Thanks to the built-in Intel Smart Response Technology, the 8300 can be booted up and shut down quickly.

Back on the outside, the 8300 sports a grand total of four USB 3.0 ports, with two located on the side and the remaining two in the rear alongside two USB 2.0 ports. It can be decked out with an optional Media Card reader (SD/SDHC/MMC/MS). Businesses that rely on virtual conferencing can also opt to configure their systems with a 2-megapixel webcam featuring a dual microphones array that purportedly delivers clear communication in most listening environments.

We were lucky enough to get a brief hands-on session with the HP Compaq Elite 8300. Although merely a preliminary assessment, the 8300 appears to live up to the hype. The unit we used had touch-screen capabilities, and it seemed quick and responsive. Accessing websites and multimedia didn't present any difficulties, and it didn't seem to be that much of a stretch to imagine seeing the 8300 mounted in lobbies and kiosks.

The HP Compaq Elite 8300 All-in-One starts at $929 (touch-enabled) and $879 (non-touch configuration). It's slated to be available in the U.S. on September 10.

HP Further Expands its All-in-One Desktop PC Portfolio
In related news, HP also announced that two additional all-in-one desktop PCs will be added to its portfolio alongside the Compaq Elite 8300: the HP Compaq Pro 6300 and the HP Compaq Pro 4300. In essence, both are less-powerful (and, consequently, more affordable) iterations of the 8300.

This is especially true of the HP Compaq Pro 6300. It shares the same feature set and options as the 8300, but with one crucial distinction: it has a smaller, 21.5-inch HD (1,920-by-1,080) display, and multi-touch is not offered. The difference is attributable to its intended audience: whereas the 8300 is geared towards large-scale businesses, the 6300 was designed with mid-market and growing businesses in mind. Otherwise, it sports all of the same features and configurable options as the 8300. The HP Compaq Pro 6300 All-in-One starts at $799 and is slated for U.S. availability on Sept. 3.

Meanwhile, the HP Compaq Pro 4300 all-in-one is geared towards small to mid-sized businesses, as evidenced by its smaller, 20-inch HD display which, like the 6300, does not feature multi-touch capabilities. An additional distinction lies in the fact that it features an Intel H61 Express chipset (both the 8300 and 6300 units sport an Intel Q77 chipset). All other features and configurable options are available. The HP Compaq Pro 4300 All-in-One starts at $529 and is set to be available in the U.S. on Sept. 10.