HP Reinvent 2019: 5 New Devices In PC And VR

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HP Inc. is continuing its busy pace of new releases in personal systems in 2019, with a number of device launches at the company's Reinvent 2019 partner conference. During the conference this week in Houston, HP is unveiling new devices in PC, virtual reality and conferencing. Those include PCs targeted at the SMB market--two ProBook laptops and a new ProDesk desktop--as well as the brand-new HP Reverb VR headset, which seeks to break fresh ground in the realm of commercial VR.

What follows are five new HP devices in PC, VR and conferencing being unveiled at Reinvent 2019.

HP ProBook 445R G6

HP said it is seeking to bring some of the key premium features in its commercial PCs down to its ProBook lineup of SMB-focused laptops--starting with the ProBook 445R G6. The 14-inch notebook design features an aluminum body that is 14-percent thinner (at 0.71 of an inch thick) and 20-percent lighter (at 3.53 pounds) than the previous 14-inch ProBook, HP said. Improved security comes from the addition of Windows Hello facial authentication, a hardened fingerprint touch sensor and HP Sure Click malware protection.

Other key enhancements for the ProBook 445R G6 include improved durability, while the notebook offers strong performance from second-gen AMD Ryzen processors with Radeon Vega graphics and up to 16 GB of RAM. For the display, resolution options are between FHD and HD, with up to 220 nits of brightness.

The HP ProBook 445R G6 is expected to be available in June. Pricing was not disclosed.

HP ProBook 455R G6 The

ProBook 455R G6 is the larger-screened version of HP's refreshed SMB laptop lineup. The notebook features a 15.6-inch display with options between FHD and HD resolution. Other specs and features are similar to the 14-inch model, with second-gen AMD Ryzen processors and Radeon Vega graphics; a more-durable, aluminum chassis; and security capabilities such as Windows Hello facial recognition and Sure Click malware protection. The ProBook 455R G6 is just a bit thicker than the 14-inch model, at 0.75 of an inch thick, and nearly a pound heavier at 4.41 pounds.

The HP ProBook 455R G6 is expected to be available in June. Pricing was not disclosed.

HP ProDesk 405 G4

Along with the refreshed ProBook notebooks for small and medium-sized businesses, HP is also unveiling a new mini desktop for the SMB market with the ProDesk 405 G4. The compact-sized desktop can be attached behind a display for use in tight spaces, and includes

a configurable I/O port for connecting to displays. Key security capabilities including Sure Click malware protection as well as HP BIOSphere Gen4. For performance, the ProDesk 405 G4 offers choices between AMD Ryzen 3 PRO, AMD Ryzen 5 PRO and AMD Athlon PRO processors--all of which come with integrated AMD Radeon Vega graphics--along with up to 32 GB of RAM.

The HP ProDesk 405 G4 has a starting price of $499, and is expected to be available in April.

HP Reverb Virtual Reality Headset - Professional Edition

HP is expanding its commercial VR push in a big way with the launch of the new HP Reverb Virtual Reality Headset, which the company says is targeted for verticals such as health care and for uses such as employee training. HP is touting the Windows Mixed Reality headset as having the highest VR resolution yet among offerings from major vendors, with resolution of 2,160 x 2,160 per eye. That level of clarity is crucial for some business applications that require reading text on the display screen, and compares to 1,440 x 1,440 per eye on HP's previously released Windows Mixed Reality Headset. The Reverb headset also features 114-degree field-of-view, integrated spatial audio and improved comfort, according to HP. In addition, the Reverb features a sleeker design and weighs just 0.95 of a pound, compared to 1.84 pounds on the HP Windows Mixed Reality headset.

The HP Reverb Virtual Reality Headset - Professional Edition is expected to be available in late April. Pricing was not immediately disclosed.

HP Collaboration Devices With Zoom Rooms

The rising popularity of the Zoom conferencing solution has led HP to add support for Zoom onto its line of collaboration devices, including the Elite Slice, a modular desktop computer that can be used for running group calls and conferences. The three HP devices that will be offered with support for Zoom Rooms are the HP Elite Slice G2 (Audio Ready), the HP Elite Slice G2 and the HP Collaboration PC G5. All three are "Zoom-ready out of the box," and include support for in-room video and conferencing displays, HP said.

HP's Zoom Rooms solutions are expected to be available in July. Pricing was not disclosed.