Review: HP Adds EliteBook 8440w To Workstation Lineup

Road test 

The HP EliteBook 8440w scored a very respectable PCMark score of 6666 using the Futuremark PCMark Vantage benchmark. I tested the EliteBook 8440w as shipped from HP. The system was running Windows 7 Professional and was running on wall power during the test. During test runs, which generally lasted 26 minutes, the system was consistently quiet, with very little fan noise. 

During test runs and routine office work on the EliteBook 8440w the wrist rest area of the typing area stayed reasonable cool, a personal consideration that I count quite high when looking at notebook systems. The underside of the system did warm up quickly and at 5.3 pounds, including the DVD optical drive, using the EliteBook 8440w on my lap only lasted for about 30 minutes. 

The EliteBook 8440w comes with a host of included software and nice-to-have convenience features. HP Power Assistant is a simple to use power management dashboard. Compared to power management tools included in Windows 7, I was quickly able to use HP Power Assistant to see current power usage including remaining battery life and also set preferences for how the EliteBook 8440w used power. Nearly every component that consumes power on the EliteBook 8440w can be controlled from the HP Power Assistant including the wireless LAN radios and screen brightness. The wireless LAN radios and screen brightness can also be controlled using touch-sensitive keys placed above the keyboard. 

The slightly recessed touchpad is well designed. I had almost no trouble with stray gestures caused by palm touches. The touchpad is also capable of using gestures although this feature is turned off by default. I turned on the gestures function through the mouse properties and was able to use (what should by now for most users) familiar gestures to swipe, pinch and rotate objects on the screen by using my fingers on the touchpad.

Continuing a trend in professional-class notebook systems, the EliteBook 8440w provides HP QuickWeb and HP QuickLook in the form of one-touch buttons at the top of the keyboard. Both functions bypass the installed OS to provide quick (under 20 seconds) access to the web and the Microsoft Outlook email client. QuickWeb is a Linux-based browser that I used to get fast access to the Internet without waiting for EliteBook 8440w to boot up. HP QuickLook works as I’ve seen in other notebook systems by connecting to an already installed Outlook client and then providing fast access to a snapshot of the messages. It’s possible to read and send email that is then processed the next time the EliteBook 8440w is fully booted and the full Outlook client gains network connectivity.

Construction and ports

As is customary in this class of business notebook, a magnesium alloy chassis and other durable materials have been used throughout the EliteBook 8440w to ensure a long operational life. The display enclosure warrants that it will withstand up to 300 pounds of pressure. The redesigned keyboard provided good key press action and smooth typing experience while also adding a spill-resistant tray that diverts small spills to drain holes and away from sensitive internal parts.

The EliteBook 8440w is generously equipped with external I/O ports including three USB 2.0, an eSATA/USB 2.0 combo, an external VGA monitor, a DisplayPort, 1394a Firewire, RJ-11 network, RJ-45 telephone ports. The system also provides an ExpressCard/54, Smart Card reader and a Secure Digital slot.