HP EliteBook 8540w
The HP EliteBook 8540w is cut from almost the same cloth as the 8440p (tinyurl.com/2wv47s9), but its screen is larger at 15in. Like the earlier HP, the 8540w has an especially tough chassis, designed to withstand the rigours of professional and industrial work. Its near-3kg weight may discourage daily commuting, though.
Reassuringly stiff hinges support the lid, beneath which is a large antiglare matt screen and eminently tactile keyboard. As well as a modest touchpad, the EliteBook provides a trackstick in the keyboard, with click buttons below. A fingerprint reader on the top deck underlines the business-like design.
HP offers the 8540w with the same 2.66GHz Intel Core i7-620M dual-core processor we saw in the 8440p. Turbo Mode lets it run at 3.33GHz when given the chance.
Whereas the 8440p had Intel graphics, the 8540w uses a discrete nVidia processor. The nVidia Ouadro FX 1800M is not your usual consumer graphics chip, but optimised for workstation use.
The nVidia GeForce series is about delivering fast game action, while the Quadro line-up is designed for precision GPU-accelerated computer-aided design work. It’s this card that undermines battery life. Despite a generous 68Wh pack, we measured a lifespan of just 203 mins in MobileMark 2007. The 8440p, with its smaller 55Wh battery, lasted 327 mins.
Whereas the SSD-equipped 8440p reaped 123 points in WorldBench 6, the 8540w was a little behind at 116 points.
In Fear (‘Maximum’ detail), the HP achieved a framerate of 76fps.
Aside from tank-like build and speedy computing, the 8540w offers a multiplicity of ports. There are three USB 2.0 and two USB 3.0 ports, along with eSATA, DisplayPort and VGA, plus mini FireWire 400. Then there’s ExpressCard 54, SmartCard and a multicard reader.
The optical drive can read/write dual-layer DVDs, and etch graphics using LightScribe technology. It will only read Blu-ray discs – not write them. For pro use, we’d have thought authoring would be as important as enjoying Blu-ray film playback.
Verdict
More than just an inch bigger in the screen department, the EliteBook 8540w adds plenty of high-speed connectivity and a professionally qualified graphics processor. For powerful processing and rendering on a portable workstation, the HP EliteBook 8540w is tough to beat.
Specification
2.66GHz Intel Core i7-620M; Windows 7 Professional 64bit; 8GB DDR3 RAM; 500GB SATA; 15.6in (1920×1080) matt screen; 1GB nVidia Ouadro FX 1800M; 802.Ha/b/g/n; Bluetooth; ethernet; 56k modem; 2 x USB 3.0; 3 x USB 2.0; I x eSATA; 1 x mini FW 400; ExpressCard 54; BD-R0M/DVD ± RW DL; 2Mp webcam; DisplayPort; VGA; 374x25x32mm; 3kg
The HP EliteBook 8540w is cut from almost the same cloth as the 8440p (tinyurl.com/2wv47s9), but its screen is larger at 15in. Like the earlier HP, the 8540w has an especially tough chassis, designed to withstand the rigours of professional and industrial work. Its near-3kg weight may discourage daily commuting, though.
Reassuringly stiff hinges support the lid, beneath which is a large antiglare matt screen and eminently tactile keyboard. As well as a modest touchpad, the EliteBook provides a trackstick in the keyboard, with click buttons below. A fingerprint reader on the top deck underlines the business-like design.
HP offers the 8540w with the same 2.66GHz Intel Core i7-620M dual-core processor we saw in the 8440p. Turbo Mode lets it run at 3.33GHz when given the chance.
Whereas the 8440p had Intel graphics, the 8540w uses a discrete nVidia processor. The nVidia Ouadro FX 1800M is not your usual consumer graphics chip, but optimised for workstation use.
The nVidia GeForce series is about delivering fast game action, while the Quadro line-up is designed for precision GPU-accelerated computer-aided design work. It’s this card that undermines battery life. Despite a generous 68Wh pack, we measured a lifespan of just 203 mins in MobileMark 2007. The 8440p, with its smaller 55Wh battery, lasted 327 mins.
Whereas the SSD-equipped 8440p reaped 123 points in WorldBench 6, the 8540w was a little behind at 116 points.
In Fear (‘Maximum’ detail), the HP achieved a framerate of 76fps.
Aside from tank-like build and speedy computing, the 8540w offers a multiplicity of ports. There are three USB 2.0 and two USB 3.0 ports, along with eSATA, DisplayPort and VGA, plus mini FireWire 400. Then there’s ExpressCard 54, SmartCard and a multicard reader.
The optical drive can read/write dual-layer DVDs, and etch graphics using LightScribe technology. It will only read Blu-ray discs – not write them. For pro use, we’d have thought authoring would be as important as enjoying Blu-ray film playback.
Verdict
More than just an inch bigger in the screen department, the EliteBook 8540w adds plenty of high-speed connectivity and a professionally qualified graphics processor. For powerful processing and rendering on a portable workstation, the HP EliteBook 8540w is tough to beat.
Specification
2.66GHz Intel Core i7-620M; Windows 7 Professional 64bit; 8GB DDR3 RAM; 500GB SATA; 15.6in (1920×1080) matt screen; 1GB nVidia Ouadro FX 1800M; 802.Ha/b/g/n; Bluetooth; ethernet; 56k modem; 2 x USB 3.0; 3 x USB 2.0; I x eSATA; 1 x mini FW 400; ExpressCard 54; BD-R0M/DVD ± RW DL; 2Mp webcam; DisplayPort; VGA; 374x25x32mm; 3kg
