First Look: HP Releases ElitePad 1000, ProPad 600

Tablet Productivity

Hewlett-Packard is doubling down on Windows-based tablets for workers in the enterprise, and small and midsize business. At the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona yesterday, the company unveiled a pair of new tablet models intended to increase the productivity of workers in a multitude of vertically oriented lines of business. HP gave the CRN Test Center a sneak peek at the new tablet products in a confidential briefing prior to the announcement. Here's what we learned.

ElitePad 1000 G2

The ElitePad 1000 G2 replaces the ElitePad 900 with a 64-bit quad-core Atom processor, higher screen resolution, a more powerful GPU and 4G LTE connectivity. "The ElitePad provides a flexible design to address multiple-use cases," said Derek Everett, HP's director of worldwide product management for commercial Windows tablets. "The desk jockey and the road warrior have different requirements, and the ElitePad is their core solution with an ecosystem system of jackets to tailor it." More on the jackets later. Next we compare the ElitePad 1000 with its predecessor.

ElitePad 1000 Vs. 900

The newer device is built around Intel's power-efficient Bay Trail processor. Both offer a 10.1-inch display with Gorilla Glass and an aluminum case. The 1000 displays 1,920-x-1,200 compared with 1,280-x-800, doubles the RAM to 4 GB, and adds a 128-GB storage option to the 64 GB of both. Intel HD Graphics replace an Intel Graphics Accelerator, and 64-bit replaces 32-only. The new device has a 30 WHr battery (compared with 25 WHr) but is less than 2 ounces heavier. Both offer dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 and 2- and 8-megapixel front and rear cameras.

ElitePad 600 G1

Designed for the small and midsize business is the ProPad, an all-new tablet with much of the punch of the ElitePad 1000 but with less of the price. Its 10.1-inch multitouch Gorilla Glass panel puts out 1,920-x-1,200, can be powered by 32- or 64-bit quad-core Bay Trail (Atom) processors, configured with 2 GB or 4 GB of RAM and 32 GB or 64 GB of storage (expandable via microSD), and come preinstalled with various Win8 editions topping out at Win 8.1 Pro 64.

600 Vs. 1000

Aside from have-it-your-way configurability, the ProPad 600 has key features missing from its higher-end cousin. These include connected standby, micro-USB (2.0) and micro-HDMI ports, and a microSD card slot that supports up to 2 TB of storage expansion. But the ProPad lacks an aluminum case and, more importantly, the ability to be serviced by the reseller. There's also no cellular option and it works only with HP's docking station; it doesn't support the company's expansion jackets for vertical customization. But it does support a new HP device that's informally targeted at "line busting." That's covered next.

TX-1 For POS

"At times, retailers might want to break a cashier away and process people who are standing in line," said HP's Everett. He was referring to one possible use case for the TX-1 POS Solution, which clamps onto a ProPad and adds a bar code scanner and credit card reader for retail applications. The full solution (shown) includes an optional stand, receipt printer and cash drawer. For prices and availability of all of HP's new devices, hit next.

Availability

The ElitePad 1000 G2 is set to be released in March and lists for $739, including a one-year warranty on parts, labor and on-site service. The ProPad 600 will begin shipping in April. Prices have not been disclosed; its one-year warranty will cover parts only. The TX-1 POS Solution will be available in May; prices and warranty details were not provided.