HP rolls out trio of Pavilion desktop PCs; starts at $299.99

Hewlett-Packard is paying some more attention to its Pavilion consumer desktop collection, and these PCs have been slimmed down considerably.

 

Starting with the smallest, the Slimline s5 series (pictured right) is “less than half” the size of a conventional PC tower. With a $329 starting price tag (and the fact that this computer is directed at non-business/enterprise consumers), don’t expect more than than the basic specs. However, there are plenty of customizable options, including choices between Intel and AMD processors.
Next up on the spec spectrum is the Pavilion P7 series (pictured above). While it’s definitely larger than the s5, it comes with a smaller starting price tag of $299. This machine is ideal for users who need a little more graphics support with an integrated graphics card and built-in support for multi-channel surround sound. Buyers also have the choice between Intel and AMD processors on this machine.
Finally, there is the HP Pavilion HPE h8 series (pictured below), which starts at $599. If you’re looking for a computer for a home office or other more intense computing purposes (i.e. gaming), this is the machine to pick out of these three options. Consumers can choose from Intel Core i7 or AMD Phenom processors as well as NVIDIA and ATI graphics cards. Additionally, the HPE h8 series desktops can support up to two monitors simultaneously with up to 24GB of RAM and up to three hard drives onboard.
There are a number of similar threads running throughout all three of these new Pavilion models. Along with Beats Audio technology (which also popped up on a number of the new HP laptops and netbooks), HP has integrated its signature LinkUp program that permits users to access files wirelessly from a laptop on their Pavilion desktops on the same home network. That could come in handy for home office set-ups or larger households with multiple computers.
Both the HP Pavilion p7 and HPE h8 series will be launched first on May 18, followed by the Slimline s5 series on June 15.

 

Report: HP unveils x2301 'micro thin' LED backlit 23-inch monitor

Last week, Hewlett-Packard debuted the ultra slim, 0.4-inch thin Elite L2201x. HP has a nearly equally thin consumer display to unveil this week: the 23-inch x2301.

 

Measuring roughly 0.4-inches (9.8mm) thin as well, this is a rather sophisticated-looking piece of machinery with its brushed-aluminum bezel. As for the full HD (1,920 x 1,080) display itself, this LED-backlit panel offers 72% of the color gamut, a 8,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, a 3ms GtG response time, and BrightView technology. On a greener note, the x2301 is also mercury- and arsenic-free with Energy Star 5.0 and EPEAT Silver certifications.
Also like the Elite L2201x, the x2301 reserves all of the power and connectivity to the bottom of the display in the aquamarine base to make the monitor as thin as it can be. Those connectivity options include HDMI, VGA and DVI-D. It’s also a plug-and-play display, so there shouldn’t be much of any set-up required.
The HP x2301 display will be available on June 10 for $279.99. HP also notes that this model is a limited edition product, although there isn’t an end date in sight yet.

 

Dell officially launches XPS 15z -- world's thinnest (non-Apple) 15-inch laptop, starting at $999.99

[Update: I apologize for taking Dell's spin at its word about the "world's thinnest" moniker. I've adjusted the headline accordingly]
It may not be as sexy as we were led to believe via various online teasers, but Dell’s new XPS 15z is finally here, mixing style, performance, and value in a 15-inch laptop.
Starting at $999.99, the 15z is 0.97 inches thin, making it the skinniest 15-inch notebook on the planet, if not as svelte as the MacBook Air or Samsung Series 9 ultra-portables. It offers standard mobile Intel Sandy Bridge processors: the base configuration comes with the Core i5-2410M, while a $1,499.99 model sports the Core i7-2620M. The base model also comes with 6GB of RAM, 500GB hard drive, and Nvidia GeForce GT 525M graphics with 1GB of video memory. Pricier versions come with a 2GB version of the 525M. On the $1,299.99 and $1,499.99 configs, you get bumped up to a 300-nit 15.6-inch 1080p display.
Dell claims 8-hour battery life for the 15z using an eight-cell battery. You also get a chiclet-style backlit keyboard, and anodized aluminum styling that is reminiscent of the dearly departed Adamo line.

On its blog, Dell claims that the 15z is “the first in a series of Dell devices that will mix performance with slick form factors designed for mobility” and promises something in a smaller size soon. So this may be an appetizer for a new look to the company’s laptop lineup. Will the main course be enough to steal attention from those tablet PCs hogging all the headlines?

10.1" Dell Streak Pro with Android Honeycomb to hit stores in June

Dell’s 10.1″, dual-core tablet running Android Honeycomb is due to arrive in June, according to SlashGear. More details on the Dell tablet has surfaced, thanks to a leaked photo of the upcoming device.
The slate will be powered by a 1GHz dual-core NVIDIA Tegra 2 T20 processor, and feature dual cameras (a 2 megapixel front camera and a 5 megapixel rear one) and a 1280 x 800 pixel display. Other specifications include Wi-Fi connectivity, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, as well as a choice of 16, 32 or 64 GB of flash memory, as well as a SDHC card reader.
To stand out amongst all the other Honeycomb tablets with similar specs that are slated to arrive this summer, the Streak Pro will be available in black, pink, blue or red  and have a brushed aluminum back panel. Accessories like an in-car charger, a “productivity” dock and a folding cover with an integrated keyboard will be included in-box. Of course, the Dell will come pre-loaded with Dell’s Stage 2.0 software — it wouldn’t be a Dell unless it has bloatware. Pricing has not been announced but should be forthcoming as launch date nears.
What do you think of the Streak Pro?