HP Wants Students To Get Creative With Sprout Pro

HP was revealed a new version of its Sprout computing platform that looks to inspire the next generation of creatives as part of its bid to introduce ‘Blended Reality’ computing.

The HP Sprout Pro builds on the previous device, released back in 2014, with some powerful upgraded hardware provided by Intel’s latest Skylake 6th Generation Core i7 processors, DDR4 memory and Windows 10 Pro.

Combining a desktop PC, camera, 2D and 3D scanners, and the opportunity to add many more features, HP says the Sprout Pro is perfect for helping encourage hands-on learning in schools, as well as offering a new way for businesses to collaborate and work together more effectively.

Inspiring

Visually, the Sprout Pro takes after its older brother, comprising of a monitor connected to a touchmat where a keyboard normally sits.

Users can interact with the mat using an overhead camera, (pictured left) which is able to scan and replicate items placed on there for 3D printing or 360-degree analysis, perfect for children learning how things are made or to get a closer look at items.

These can then be hooked up to plug-in accessories such as 3D printers, projectors or styluses, allowing for a real hands-on experience.

Away from the classroom, HP says that the Sprout Pro will also help change how several areas of business work and interact.

Thanks to integrated collaboration tools, including a tie-up with Skype for Business, the device can be used to make conference calls more interactive than ever before, allowing for prototype products to be shown off and even sent through to another user on a separate Sprout device – removing lengthy steps in the product development cycle.

Also included in HP’s bundled software with the Sprout Pro is HP External Display Mixer, which allows users to share what’s on the Sprout dual screen, video from the webcam, or the downward facing camera – or all at the same time. There’s also an integrated scanning program, HP Scan, which provides added professional-level document scanning and optical character recognition with features like custom resolution.

“Sprout Pro adds tools for creative professionals, students and instructors to the ground breaking Sprout platform,” said Louis Kim, HP’s global head and general manager of ‘Immersive Computing’.

“Instant 2D/3D scanning, augmented reality and an immersive dual screen is now boosted by pro-class applications and security – accelerating workflows and safeguarding data. Sprout Pro is another milestone in expanding HP’s vision of Blended Reality.”

The HP Sprout Pro will cost from £1,899 when it goes on sale in the UK and several other European and Middle Eastern markets from May.

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