The HP ProBook’s case is a treat in terms of looks. On top of that, a solid notebook is created by the used materials. The case’s workmanship is excellent and is continued over the entire device. The reinforced magnesium chassis however also has a drawback. The laptop is almost at the absolute limit of acceptability in terms of portability with 2.9 kg. You notice every gram of your HP ProBook when it’s carried around. The dimensions of 37.4 cm x 25.1 cm x 3.4 cm are also peak values for a laptop of this device category. The model, 6460b (review will follow soon), might be of interest in case of high demands on portability. It is more compact with its 14 inch screen and thus a bit lighter.

The aluminum case should be resistant against vibrations and other environmental influences. Unfortunately, you’ll soon find your fingerprints all over the platinum colored case. The case’s lid, where the 15.6 inch screen is inserted, can also be opened with only one hand. However, you need quite a lot of strength because the HP ProBook’s new hinges are still very stiff. The case’s closed lid is tightly fastened to the rest of the laptop by two, securely grasping transportation hooks.

The HP ProBook not only has a lot to offer on the inside that is not found in every notebook’s basic configuration, but also on the out. Three USBs, 1 IEEE1394 (FireWire), 1 eSATA/USB combo and a serial interface belong to that. Regrettably, the laptop doesn’t have a USB 3.0 port. Furthermore, the device has a card reader for SD and MMC memory cards. There is also a PC ExpressCard54 slot on the case.

Both a VGA and a display port are available for video transmission to an external screen. The interfaces are well distributed on the notebook’s sides. Nevertheless, both sides of the ProBook 6560b-LG658EA don’t look overloaded despite the vast amount of jacks and interface options. Positive: the LAN port, power socket and DVI port have been placed on the rear edge. Thus, the majority of occupied ports can be led directly to the rear even without a docking station and don’t get in the way beside the device.

There is also a port for an optionally available docking station on the device’s bottom. It costs about 220 euros and has additional 4 USB ports, a display port, a DVI and VGA out. It is definitely worth considering if you frequently switch between office and portable use.

Communication

The ProBook has several options for connecting to the company network or Internet available right away. For one thing, the 10/100/1000 compatible LAN socket and for another wireless LAN standard IEEE 802.11 b/g/n. Besides that, our configuration of the ProBook has Bluetooth 2.1 EDR, a 56k modem and a 3G compatible WWAN module.

Security

The HP ProBook is equipped with many security functions. Among them: HP ProtectTools, TPM Embedded Security Chip 1.2, Enhanced Pre-Boot Security, HP Disk Sanitizer, hard disk encryption for HP ProtectTools, Credential Manager for HP ProtectTools, File Sanitizer for HP ProtectTools and a slot for a security lock (Kensington lock). The security tool, HP Spare Key, isn’t pre-installed, but can be installed subsequently upon customer’s inquiry (bypassing passwords with personal questions).

The ProBook 6560-LG658EA also has a fingerprint sensor that allows the user to log into the system if this function has been enabled. HP optionally offers HP Computrace Pro (locating a stolen product) and a smart card reader. The latter replaces the ExpressCard slot.

Supplies

HP restricts itself to the most necessary in terms of included supplies. Apart from a few leaflets and various CD media, you’ll only find the power adapter next to the laptop. The operating system, Windows 7 Professional 64 bit, is already installed. Installation DVDs can be created via software on DVD or CD media over the internal DVD burner. There is quite a bit of software installed on the ProBook in its state of delivery. For example, Microsoft Office 2010 that is only useable to an extent without a license.

Also, Norton Internet Security 2011 with a 60 day trial period. You have to buy a license or live without the latest updates, or use different software after that. Roxio Secure Burn is on the hard disk for burning DVDs.

Warranty

The laptop comes with a 12 month warranty. It can be expanded with an optionally available and fee-based onsite service warranty extension. An extension of up to 5 years including onsite service is possible with the HP Care Packs.

Keyboard

The QWERTZ keyboard is, like in its bigger brother the Elitebook 8560b, an eye catcher. The single keys of the spill proof keyboard stand alone and can be used easily. Besides the actual keyboard, there is a separate number pad that is very useful particularly in the business field.

As in the Elitebook 8560p-LQ589AW, the four arrow keysare very small and are on the same level as the other keys on the keyboard. HP has restricted itself to the most important keys in the layout. The number of FN key combinations is kept within limits.

Touchpad

A fairly big touchpad is in front of the keyboard. It supports multi-touch inputs and gesture control. It also has an area that can be used for 2 way scrolling. Both mouse keys are in front of the touchpad. There is an almost invisible dot in the touchpad. The touchpad is disabled when it’s double clicked with a finger. It is a practical innovation for prolific typists, who don’t always want to follow the cursor on the screen.  An LED signalizes the touchpad’s offline mode. A double click in the area reactivates the touchpad.

The 110×57 mm touchpad area’s gliding traits is very good.

WebCAM

HP has built in a 720p webcam above the HD display. It allows pictures and videos to be transmitted via Skype or other messenger programs.

The business notebook from HP’s ProBook 6560b range is equipped with a 15.6 inch LED screen that can display a maximum HD+ resolution of 1600×900 pixels. The display surface is matt and prevents reflections in everyday office surroundings. In addition to the processor’s integrated Intel HD Graphics 3000, an AMD Radeon HD 6470M is also responsible for video output.
Additional, external monitors can also be connected to the screen via VGA and display port so that the notebook can be used as a multi-display workplace in the office.

The matt display loses its indoor advantage in outdoor use. The color intensity and the good contrast no longer exist in direct sunlight. The colors fade and the screen’s content is harder to see. Displayed content can also only be seen with more effort even on the highest brightness level (see picture). That means that working outdoors is only possible in the shady beer garden. Overall, a higher display brightness would have been desirable in this case.

A Western Digital WDC WD5000BEKT with a gross memory capacity of 500 GB is installed as the hard disk. The hard disk has a size of 2.5 inches and the internal disks rotate with 7200 rpm. The average transfer rate is 81.3 MB/s, established with HDTune. CrystalDiskMark 3.0 could even evoke 95 MB/s from the Western Digital disk.

The burst rate was 143.2 MB/s at a CPU capacity of 2.3 percent in the test. The good access rate of only 16.1 milliseconds was also striking. Thus, the hard disk’s rates were overall convincing. It was also confirmed by other test tools from the PCMark series and is responsible for the good results to a large extent.

Speakers

The ProBook has two small stereo speakers for sound rendering. They are located underneath the case. The sound is satisfactory in normal use. However, the louder the sound is turned up, the more both speakers clang.
The given quality is just enough to fill a room with sound adequately during a presentation, for example. You should make use of headphones or external speakers when playing a movie.

The HP ProBook 6560-LG658EA (almost) convinces in every way. The aluminum case that has been additionally reinforced with magnesium isn’t only an optical treat. The notebook is very robust and can put up with a lot during daily use. This is also what it’s been designed for. The HP ProBook 6560-LG658EA is very resistant against environmental influences and the keyboard can also endure a lot. It even (hopefully) forgives a light rain shower or accidental spill. The platinum-like surfacedoesn’t like fingerprints, though. In line with the motto: If you love your notebook, you’ll always be cleaning it.

The 15.6 inch HD+ display, with a resolution of clearly arranged 1600×900 pixels is very rich in contrast and renders saturated colors. They however are lost quickly when the laptop is to be used outdoors and in direct sunlight. You have to pay attention to how you set up the display when working with the ProBook at the office. The possible viewing angles are only on an average level.

The installed hardware is perfect for the notebook. A fast dual core CPU (Core i5 2520M) from Intel, with a base clock of 2.5 GHz (up to 3.2 GHz in Turbo Boost mode), and an AMD Radeon HD 6470M graphics card model hardly leave anything to be desired in the business field.

The HP ProBook also has a lot to offer in terms of connectivity. Besides WLAN(802.11 b/g/n) and Bluetooth 2.1 EDR, a 56k modem and a HSPA+ module(WWAN) is also installed (in our model).

You can work for at least good 5 hours without a power socket. However, the battery didn’t even last for an hour during load. Fortunately, HP offers dozens of upgrade options, even for the battery.

If you disregard the heavy metal notebook’s weight of 2900 grams, the HP ProBook 6560-LG658EA is a good and mobile workhorse that does its work at the office and on the road fast and (mostly) quietly. The price of around 900 euros sounds very enticing for the almost perfect notebook, but it only has a basic warranty of 12 months.