Review HP EliteBook 6930p Notebook
Currently HP differentiates between its categories of business laptops with three main groups. Whilst the well known HP Compaq range wins over the business middle-class with interesting interfaces for the price and performance, the ProBook series was established underneath it (cf. HP ProBook 4510s in our review), which stands out first and foremost through its particularly low-price models. The EliteBooks stand above them all, which sets standards for both case quality, equipment, and performance. Thereby the HP EliteBook 6930p at hand ranks among thecompact all-rounders with a 14" display and thoroughly respectable equipment with many different configuration possibilities.
Case
Aluminium is in - not only in the lifestyle products from Apple but also in the high-value business laptops, for example the EliteBooks from HP. Indeed HP makes do with furnishing the laptop with aluminium applications on the surfaces, which is different to the Californian designer. On the inside of the base unit as well as on the case hull a no less high quality magnesium alloy comes into play. When it comes to haptics the EliteBook 6930p already holds all the aces. The blank, brush-finished aluminium on the display lid and wrist restsfeels very good, and gives off a cool business feeling.
Connectivity
Apart from the obligatory docking port, the required interfaces for a business laptop are barely different from those of a multimedia laptop. The HP EliteBook 6930p shows this connection option also on its underside. Theconnection for a dockable additional battery on the underside, which is standard for the HP business laptops (apart from the ProBook!) is added. HP offers different battery solutions, which are fitted externally on the case, which can in parts significantly extend the battery life of the laptop. Indeed you'll find out more in the battery section.
Consequently you'll only find standard ports on the device. There are three USB interfaces, Firewire, a modem, and a LAN connector as well as an analogue VGA port on the rear of the laptop. Of course headphone and microphone ports belong to the standard equipment. Unfortunately a digital video interface is done without, for instance a display or HDMI port directly on the device. If you want to save the cost of a docking station yet you want to connect an external monitor to the laptop, there's just the built-in VGA connection. In the test at a resolution of 1920x1200 pixels on our 24-inch test display (Dell 2408 Wfp) this produced an acceptable and thoroughly fit for work picture. Indeed this cannot keep up with the quality of a digital video interface.
Regarding the positioning of the individual interfaces it should be noted that they are limited to the rear area of the right-hand side of the case as well as the middle area of the left lateral edge. For this reason there are slight advantages for right-handed people but also left-handed people should generally get on well with the EliteBook 6930p. Ports which are potentially permanently occupied for example the VGA output and the connection for the power supply are fitted on the rear of the device.
As for ex works integrated communications equipment there's Gigabit Ethernet from Intel (Intel 82567LM) and also a wireless LANmodule also from Intel (Wireless WiFi Link 5300), with a data transfer speed of up to 450 Mbps. Also Bluetooth V2.0 belongs to the standard equipment of the 6930p.
Configuration with mobile broadband internet is dependent on the model. Depending on the provider and model variant you can add on a surcharge of around 50-100 Euro.
This is also true for the 2.0 megapixel webcamas well as an integrated SmartCard reader, whose availability is also dependant on the chosen model variant.
As it is a business device of the upper class, HP has equipped the EliteBook 6930p with a 3 year pick up service. Of course, additional upgrades(HP care pack) are possible with regard to thelength of guarantee and scope of works, which last up to 5 years with the on-site service. With appropriate packages there is indeed a surcharge of several hundred Euros to reckon with.
Input Devices
Display
In order to have an appropriate solution for each user to hand, HP also offers different display solutions. As a result the EliteBook 6930p is available with either a 14.1" WXGA panel with a resolution of 1280x800 pixels, optionally as a conventional display or as a LED variant, as well as a higher resolution WXGA+ display(1440x900).
In the device that we tested there was the 0-8-15 WXGA display which is one of the low-price variants. Regarding the brightness measurement, the panel reached a maximum brightness of 208 cd/m² in the central display area. We could also observe a drop in brightness in the corner areas of the display, which indeed could barely be perceived with the bare eyes. Here the maximum brightness falls down to 151.9 cd/m², whereby the illumination of the deployed display (SEC4C42) falls to 73.0% and is definitely to be classified as below average.
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Maximum: 208 cd/m² Average: 174.5 cd/m²
Brightness Distribution: 73 %
Contrast: 138:1 (Black: 1.51 cd/m²)
Brightness Distribution: 73 %
Contrast: 138:1 (Black: 1.51 cd/m²)
Subjectively, the image produced unfortunately appears somewhat sallow and pale, which is perhaps attributed to the matte display surface. Particularly from skin tones the weakness of the colour production of the display stands out.
Jointly responsible for this lukewarm result is also the maximum presentable contrast. With a black value of 1.51 cd/m² this reaches a maximum contrast ratio of only 138:1, a similarly below average result.
Jointly responsible for this lukewarm result is also the maximum presentable contrast. With a black value of 1.51 cd/m² this reaches a maximum contrast ratio of only 138:1, a similarly below average result.
The viewing angle stability of the deployed panel is similarly to be considered onlylukewarm. In the horizontal field the picture remains unaltered somewhat longer and above all without unpleasant reflections, in the vertical field indeed it leads to image alterations somewhat shortly. In mobile use of the laptop, you have to pay attention to the current optimal viewing angle, and the opening angle of the display in the given case should be adjusted.
Performance
HP is not willing to compromise in any of the core components. Depending on the deployed graphics solution the EliteBook 6930p either comes with an Intel PM45 or with a GM45 chipset. In connection HP names an entire range of processors that the 6930p can be equipped with: P8400/P8600/P8700/T9400/T9550/T9800 – all of the models of the current Intel Core 2 Duo "Penryn" CPU lineup. With the T9800 chip one of the currently strongest dual-core processors can be used (2.93 GHz, 6MB L2 cache, TDP 35W). For this reason the cooling system should also be extensively dimensioned, in order to allow a weaker performing CPU to have pleasant and permanently quiet use.
The models with discrete graphics cards (PM45 chipset) have a chip from AMD/ATI. TheMobility Radeon HD 3450 graphics card is designed as an entry-level graphics chip, which is found on the same level of the Quadro NVS 150M or respectively a Geforce 9300M GS from its competitor, Nvidia.
However you should not entrust the discrete graphics card with demands that are too high. Inclassic 3D applications, whether they are professional CAD animations or also less serious computer games, the graphics chip runs out of puff comparatively quickly. The graphics card offers support above all in decoding HD videos by means of the integrated Avivo video functions.
However you should not entrust the discrete graphics card with demands that are too high. Inclassic 3D applications, whether they are professional CAD animations or also less serious computer games, the graphics chip runs out of puff comparatively quickly. The graphics card offers support above all in decoding HD videos by means of the integrated Avivo video functions.
As long as you can do without this feature, you are probably also well served with the variant of the HP 6930p with the integrated Intel 4500M HD graphics. For this reason all popular standard functions in office are no problem and what's more you can profit from particularlyenergy efficient use. Our test system was also equipped with this graphics solution. Indeed a T9400 CPU was put to use, which at 2.53 GHz indeed belongs to the best performing of its class, with a TDP of 35W but it also does without a certain hunger for energy. Interestingly, especially from planned mobile use of the laptop, there are already chips of the Pxxx range from Intel. These make do with aTDP of 25W and for this reason preserve the battery as well as the cooling system of the device. As long as no out of the ordinary permanent pressure is expected, you should also find these processors to suffice.
System information HP EliteBook 6930p
3DMark 2001SE Standard | 5039 points | |
3DMark 03 Standard | 2104 points | |
3DMark 06 Standard | 702 points |
Help
PCMark 05 Standard | 5072 points | |
PCMark Vantage Result | 2429 points |
Help
Emissions
System Noise
Quite in the style of an office laptop the HP EliteBook 6930p remained pleasantly quiet in the test from low office load (internet, writing texts,…). Only a quiet noise was to be heard, to which the deployed 7200 rpm hard drive contributed its part. At 33.5 dB(A) the laptop can be described as unproblematically quiet in any case.
Under specific load of the whole system (CPU&GPU) over a period of several hours, we had the fan spin at a maximum of 45.2 dB(A). From momentary performance bursts the laptop only reaches 38.2 dB(A) and for that reason is indeed audible but not disturbing.
Under specific load of the whole system (CPU&GPU) over a period of several hours, we had the fan spin at a maximum of 45.2 dB(A). From momentary performance bursts the laptop only reaches 38.2 dB(A) and for that reason is indeed audible but not disturbing.
Noise Level
Idle |
33.5 / 33.5 / 0 dB(A)
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HDD | 34.2 dB(A) | ||||
DVD | 38.6 / dB(A) | ||||
Load | 38.2 / 45.2 dB(A) | ||||
30 dB
silent
40 dB(A)
audible
50 dB(A)
loud | |||||
min: , med: , max: (15 cm distance)
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Temperature
The underside as well as the upper side of the device remained pleasantly temperate in the stress-test. The upper side of the device heated up on aggregate to a maximum of only 33.6 °C whilst the underside warmed up marginally stronger at up to 37.9 °C. Here the aluminium/magnesium case really scores points. The waste heat is evenly distributed and can be given off to the surroundings. Selective hotspots can therefore be avoided, and the laptop can be run without hesitation on the thighs.
Loudspeakers
The loudspeakers are built into the leading edgein the 6930p. For this reason they beam their sound directly in the direction of the user. The volume provided can be described as satisfactory. Also regarding tone the speakers can positively surprise. The overall true sound allows for playback of music titles. The offered 3.5mm headphone connection showed no abnormalities in the test.
Battery Life
Power Consumption
Off / Standby | 0.2 / 0.3 Watt |
Idle | 9.2 / 13.5 / 17 Watt |
Load | 33.8 / 54.4 Watt |
Key: min: , med: , max: |
Battery Runtime
Idle (without WLAN, min brightness) | 5h 53min | |
WiFi Surfing | 3h 15min | |
DVD | 2h 50min | |
Load (maximum brightness) | 1h 18min |
Verdict
HP EliteBook 6930p
Many thanks to the company Notebook.de which kindly provided us with the test device. You can configure and buy the device here.
Specifications
HP EliteBook 6930p
Processor
Intel Core 2 Duo T94002.53 GHz (Intel Core 2 Duo)
Graphics adapter
Memory
2048 MB
, DDR2 (800 MHz), 1x2048MB, max. 4096MB
Display
14.1 inch 16:10, 1280x800 pixel, glossy: no
Mainboard
Intel GM45
Storage
Seagate Momentus 7200.2 ST9160823AS, 160 GB
, 7200 rpm
Soundcard
HD Audio
Connections
1 Express Card 54mm, 3 USB 2.0, 1 Firewire, 1 VGA, 1 Modem, 1 Kensington Lock, Audio Connections: Headphones, microphone, Card Reader: SD Cardreader
Networking
Intel(R) 82567LM Gigabit Network Connection (10/100/1000MBit), Intel Wireless WiFi Link 5300 (a/b/g/n), Bluetooth 2.0
Optical drive
Optiarc DVD RW AD-7561S
Size
height x width x depth (in mm): 31 x 331 x 243 ( = 1.22 x 13.03 x 9.57 in)
Battery
55 Wh Lithium-Ion
Operating System
Microsoft Windows Vista Business 32 Bit
Additional features
36 Months Warranty
Weight
2.35 kg ( = 82.89 oz / 5.18 pounds), Power Supply: 540 g ( = 19.05 oz / 1.19 pounds)
Price
1450 Euro
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Links
- Tips for buying a notebook -notebookCHECK Purchase Advisory
- Find the right notebook -notebookCHECK Hardware Guide
- Display resolution comparison - DPI (grain size) of Display
- Our test criteria
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HP EliteBook 6930p on Ciao
Pro | |
+ | Very stable and robust case |
+ | Excellent haptics thanks to the high quality materials |
+ | Three year guarantee ex works |
+ | UMTS available |
+ | Excellent keyboard and touchpad |
+ | Good office performance |
+ | Quiet office use and low heating up |
+ | Good battery life (6-cell) |
+ | Extensive configurations possibilities |
Cons | |
- | Shaky battery |
- | Closing mechanism needs getting used to |
- | No digital picture output on the device itself |
- | Unergonomic trackpoint |
- | Below average colour production of the display, low contrast and illumination |
In ShortCut
What we liked
The robust case in nifty aluminium optics. For this reason the laptop is suitable for intensive daily use.
What we missed
A high-quality display. The alternative LED panel unfortunately only offers standard WXGA resolution. The WXGA+ panel with a resolution of 1440x900 could be exciting for the purpose of a better summary.
What surprised us
The acceptable sound of the device for an office laptop. Multimedia qualities like those in the Pavilion HDX are not to be expected, but the speakers always suffice for background playback.
The competition
Almost every well-known manufacturer produces high-quality 14" office systems. For example there's the Lenovo with the T400 or the Dell with the Latitude E6400.
Rating
HP EliteBook 6930p -06/30/2009
J. Simon Leitner
J. Simon Leitner
Office - Weighted Average
> Notebook / Laptop Reviews and News > Reviews > Archive of our own reviews > Review HP EliteBook 6930p Notebook
J. Simon Leitner, 2009-07- 5 (Update: 2012-05-26)
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