New HP Notebooks Get Set For Windows 7

HP is targeting mobile workers with the latest editions to its notebook line, the HP ProBook 5310m and HP Pavilion dm3. Both HP notebooks are designed with internal specifications aimed at professionals who need to get work done on the road but don't want to be slowed down by excessive weight.

And in the case of the HP ProBook 5310m, HP really is cutting the fat. The 13.3-inch notebook measures a scant 0.9-inch thick and tips the scale at just 3.7 pounds. Inside the anodized aluminum and magnesium frame is a 2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo SP9300 processor that delivers up to seven hours of battery life. The notebook can support up to 320 GB of storage and up to 4 GB of DDR2 memory.

If longer battery life is more top of mind, the HP ProBook 5310m can also be equipped with a 1.2GHz Intel Celeron dual-core, ultra-low-voltage processor to extend the workday without worry and are aimed at users who may not need the full processing power the Core 2 Duo brings to the table.

HP didn't forget its consumer customers either, lifting the curtain on the Pavilion dm3, a notebook designed for users who don't need a machine to do heavy lifting. Customers can choose between an Intel Core 2 Duo or AMD Neo Core processor.

The brushed aluminum chassis measures less than an inch thick and weighs a little bit more than its ProBook cousin, at 4.2 pounds. The Pavilion dm3 can be built with either a 1.6GHz AMD Neo X2 or 1.3GHz Intel Pentium SU4100 chip.

Customization of the Pavilion dm3 depends on the chip choice. Users opting for the AMD Neo X2 can expect 4 GB of DDR2 memory with a 320-GB hard drive for storage. Meanwhile, the Intel Pentium will deliver 4 GB of DDR3 memory and 500 GB of storage space.

The HP ProBook 5310m will start at $699 and is currently only available for purchase in the Asia-Pacific region. The Pavilion dm3 will start at $549.

Both notebooks will be available worldwide on Oct. 22, coinciding with the release of Microsoft Windows 7.