The HP ProBook 5310m Owners' Club

cubone · 10-28-2009, 01:15 AM

Hi, I've been eagerly waiting for this notebook since it was announced in September but it seems to have vanished from the planet. I thought it would be released on 10/22 to coincide with Windows 7 but it looks like no one is selling it. All I've been able to find since the press release from September 15 are these two reviews which make me want it even more hehe

http://www.laptopmag.com/review/lapt...ook-5310m.aspx

http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/produ...ook_5310m.html

I was wondering if anyone knows anything new about the status of this notebook? Thanks!

chrixx · 10-28-2009, 01:16 AM

Where are you located? It's already on sale in many markets across Asia-Pacific, but the 5310m has a severe flaw. It only supports a single DDR3 DIMM, so it is limited to a very expensive 4GB option.

cubone · 10-28-2009, 01:29 AM

Woah, thanks for that lightning quick reply!

I live in Canada, so I guess I have to wait until/if it crosses the Pacific. But hearing that it only has 2 gigs of RAM (I don't think I'd be able to able to spring for that 4 gig stick) is a real downer. One of the major reasons I like this notebook is because of the full powered processor and I'm guessing having only 2 gigs might hurt my overall computing power. Dang I sure wish HP would allow Canadians to order from their site the DM3 with the SP9300 looks like it would be a great alternative.

Charles P. Jefferies · 10-28-2009, 01:37 AM

Where are you located? It's for sale at several places, including HP:
http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en...2-4021356.html
Edit: Nvm, didn't see your second post until after I replied.

The single memory slot is a concern though unless you are using a ton of applications at once 2GB should be fine. When prices come down for the 4GB modules (currently going for $200/ea) that will be a nice upgrade.

chrixx · 10-28-2009, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cubone

Woah, thanks for that lightning quick reply!

I live in Canada, so I guess I have to wait until/if it crosses the Pacific. But hearing that it only has 2 gigs of RAM (I don't think I'd be able to able to spring for that 4 gig stick) is a real downer. One of the major reasons I like this notebook is because of the full powered processor and I'm guessing having only 2 gigs might hurt my overall computing power. Dang I sure wish HP would allow Canadians to order from their site the DM3 with the SP9300 looks like it would be a great alternative.

Have you considered the Pavillion dm3? Can't believe I'm saying this for a Pavillion notebook, but from my initial experience with it, it appears to be a very nice notebook, even for enterprise-level use. It has dual RAM slots, very solidly-built, 2.5" hard drive support, but a glossy screen. The dm3 has the same processor options as the 5310m.

cubone · 10-28-2009, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charles P. Jefferies

Where are you located? It's for sale at several places, including HP:
http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en...2-4021356.html
Edit: Nvm, didn't see your second post until after I replied.

The single memory slot is a concern though unless you are using a ton of applications at once 2GB should be fine. When prices come down for the 4GB modules (currently going for $200/ea) that will be a nice upgrade.

Doh! I kept checking my bookmarked link and kept showing coming soon hehe

http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en...2-4021356.html

Maaaan, why oh why can't they ship to Canada?

cubone · 10-28-2009, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrixx

Have you considered the Pavillion dm3? Can't believe I'm saying this for a Pavillion notebook, but from my initial experience with it, it appears to be a very nice notebook, even for enterprise-level use. It has dual RAM slots, very solidly-built, 2.5" hard drive support, but a glossy screen. The dm3 has the same processor options as the 5310m.

Yeah, the dm3 looks very attractive. Unfortunately the only model I've found so far in Canada is the CULV AMD version

idiscuss · 10-28-2009, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cubone

Yeah, the dm3 looks very attractive. Unfortunately the only model I've found so far in Canada is the CULV AMD version

I actually consider that a plus, it comes with ATI graphic, which is much more powerful than the Intel integrated chips.

But overall, Probook 5310m is not a good buy. I was excited by the looks and reviews at first, but when you compare its functionality and price with other portable business laptops, the 5310m comes up short - no DVD Writer (Add $80-$100 for external drive), limited RAM option, No VGA port, only display port, an adapter is not yet available, it will cost additional $35 when it is.

So even though the laptop itself looks OK, but you will need to lug around both an external DVD drive and a display port adapter, you never know when you will need them in a business setting: CD/DVDs are widely used for business, and few projectors support display port connection just yet.

piecesof8 · 10-28-2009, 10:32 AM

I'm interested in the 5310m too. I'm starting to see it show up at some online vendors - maybe one of them will ship to Canada?

I've seen a couple people say it's not a good buy, but I think it's all in what you're looking for... Full power processor, business build quality, 3.8 pounds, 5.5 hours of battery life for less than $1000 - to me, that's a good buy. I just don't see any comparable business grade laptops at that price. 2GB will be adequate for me, but I'll definitely throw 4 in there when the price comes down.

The dm3 with the SP9300 is an option, but I'm concerned that even with its larger battery, the battery life won't come close to the 5310m due to the discrete graphics. (And I have no need for discrete graphics, so there's no upside.)

idiscuss · 10-28-2009, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piecesof8

I'm interested in the 5310m too. I'm starting to see it show up at some online vendors - maybe one of them will ship to Canada?

I've seen a couple people say it's not a good buy, but I think it's all in what you're looking for... Full power processor, business build quality, 3.8 pounds, 5.5 hours of battery life for less than $1000 - to me, that's a good buy. I just don't see any comparable business grade laptops at that price. 2GB will be adequate for me, but I'll definitely throw 4 in there when the price comes down.

I can gave you an example:

Dell Vostro 1220

Full power C2D processor (Intel® Core™ 2 Duo P8700 2.53GHz, 3MB L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB 25w)

Business build quality with on-site warranty, 3.36lbs, 6-9 hours of battery, 4G RAM, 5000GB 7200rpm hard drive, build-in DVD Writer, VGA connector, windows 7 professional, all for $900 (give or take) in Canada.

on the other hand, the Probook reviewed by laptop magazine with lower spec already cost $900 USD, which means it will be at least $1100 CAD when it comes to Canada

Quote:

Quick Specs
Full SpecsCPU: 2.26-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo SP9300
Operating System: Windows 7 Professional (32-bit)
RAM: 2GB
Hard Drive Size/Speed: 320GB/7,200 rpm
Display Size/Resolution: 13.3 inches/1366 x 768

Price as Reviewed: $899

Add another $150 USD for an external DVD drive, $35 for a display port adapter, it will be more than US$1100 already, if you upgrade the RAM to 4GB, and the hard drive to 500GB, prepare to throw in another $250-$350 USD.