Notebook HP ProBook 4730S is the result of the development of a series of corporate laptops ProBook. The first generation 4320S models had a 13.3-inch screen and processors based on the Arrandale core. Specifications HP ProBook 4730S have undergone a tangible change. Here we already have a 17.3-inch display and Intel’s advanced Sandy Bridge mobile platform along with AMD’s more advanced discrete video accelerator.
The model, despite its age respectful for such a technique, is still very popular. In addition, users increasingly prefer large laptops. Such solutions are more comfortable for both office work and leisure. In the case of corporate gadgets, a comfortable perception of data is much more important than possible transportation problems.
Not particularly impressive in terms of performance characteristics of the HP ProBook 4730S made it attractive for office workers and other undemanding users. A modest set of chipsets, while cheapening a laptop, but does not allow to lose its main feature - ergonomics. But first things first.
We present to your attention a review of the HP ProBook 4730S notebook. Consider the main characteristics of the model, its advantages and disadvantages, as well as other features.
Equipment
The office series has never been rich in bundles, and the HP ProBook 4730S is no exception. The only thing the manufacturer put, in addition to the standard set, is a nice bag for transportation.
Contents of delivery:
- laptop itself;
- 90 W power supply;
- a bag;
- drivers for the HP ProBook 4730S laptop on a CD;
- user manual;
- warranty card.
Appearance
The design of the model has undergone some changes, compared with the previous generation. Physically and visually, the new HP ProBook 4730S has become a little thinner than its counterparts. This went to the model exclusively for the benefit. She became more comfortable and a little prettier.
The color scheme remained conservative, no bright solutions were added, only gray and black colors. The aluminum cover pleasantly cools the hand and gives a high cost. Judging by the reviews of the HP ProBook 4730S, users call its exterior solid, attractive and respectable.
Inside
The inside of the laptop is competently framed in contrasts of gray and black. This solution looks fresh even for modern technology and causes sympathy. The workspace is dominated mainly by plastic, but of high quality. The owners did not leave any negative feedback on the assembly: the elements do not bend, do not creak and sit tight in their place.
Keyboard
The keyboard layout can be called classic and familiar for brand laptops. Here we have large function keys, convenient arrows, as well as a full-sized digital unit. Owners speak about the keyboard HP ProBook 4730S only positively.
The keys have a small and silent stroke, but with a clear response. Working on such a keyboard is a pleasure, and without regard to the time spent on the laptop. In addition, the presence of minimal protection against water avoids unpleasant moments with spilled coffee and helps to quickly clean the work area. It’s impossible to bathe a laptop, of course, but it’s possible to dampen a rag abundantly with a fingerprint and dirt.
Touchpad
The touch panel pleases with an impressive working area, and it’s very comfortable to operate it. Unlike previous generations of corporate brand laptops, this series got a touchpad more familiar for today - with a couple of separate buttons at the bottom.
To the right of the sensor is a fingerprint sensor. The owners also speak positively of him. It works quickly and does not blunt over trifles. The only thing is that users specify that the sensor flatly refuses to perceive the greasy and wet fingers.
Bottom
The bottom is practically devoid of ventilation holes and completely flat to the touch. To remove heat, there are two gratings that are closer to the front. Judging by the user reviews, they easily overlap, but this affects the device’s heating in a minimal way. Even with severe loads and blocking the ventilation holes, the temperature of the internal elements did not reach critical temperatures.
The laptop has the ability to upgrade. After removing the bottom opens access to RAM (two slats DDR3) and the hard drive. Here you can see the branded battery HP ProBook 4730S, which can also be changed if necessary.
Interfaces
No matter how massive laptops are fraught, but they have one significant advantage over ultra-thin models - this is an abundance of all kinds of interfaces. This point is especially important for an office device to which third-party peripherals are connected.
The 4730S has a complete set of interfaces with a set of interfaces: the device is equipped with them to the eyeballs. On the left side you can see the power connector with LED, Kensington lock, D-Sub output, RJ-45 Internet connector, a modern HDMI video output, two USB ports and an ExpressCard / 34 micro-card slot. On the right side are two more USB ports and a DVD drive.
In front are two audio outputs for a 3.5 mm mini-jack, microphone input, as well as a classic card reader. No connectors are provided behind. Judging by the reviews, the owners are completely satisfied with the quantity and quality of the interfaces and do not experience any problems with connecting peripheral devices.
Display
The model received a matte panel with a TN-matrix. A resolution of 1600 by 900 pixels is enough for 17 inches. Pixelization is not visible, even if you look closely. Working with an aspect ratio of 16 to 9 is quite comfortable, but only if we are talking about text editors and other office applications.
Judging by the reviews of the owners, watching movies is not very convenient at this resolution. A significant part of the films comes with a ratio of 21 to 9, and the other part is in the 1920 x 1080 pixel spread. So when viewing from above and below, black bars stand out.
Owners rate the color rendering as normal. The same can be said about the stock of brightness with contrast. Viewing angles are average, but you can’t expect much from the TN matrix.
Performance
Previous generations of corporate laptops were equipped with Intel i3-2310M processors. 4730S series received a more advanced set of chipsets based on i5-2410M. Judging by the reviews, the difference is felt, and very substantial.
The discrete graphics card from AMD's HD 6490M series is responsible for the graphics, working in tandem with the local Intel HD Graphics 3000 GPU. By default, 4 GB of DDR3 memory is installed. Native straps operate at a frequency of 1333 MHz. But you can put more high-speed modern modules. True, you will have to update the drivers for the HP ProBook 4730S on the official website of the company.
User data is stored on a Seagate hard drive running on a SerialATA interface with 5400 rpm. If desired, it can also be replaced with a more capacious terabyte hard drive if there is not enough free space.
As for demanding, including gaming applications, you can’t count on anything serious. A set of chipsets paired with a graphics accelerator from AMD will overpower the games of the level of "Crisis-2", Mass Effect 3, Borderlands 2 and "Starcraft-2" at medium settings. In this case, a stable frame rate of 30-35 FPS is maintained. This is enough for a comfortable game. Modern shooters and RPGs of the Witcher-3 level will no longer pull the laptop even at the minimum graphic settings.
All office applications go without problems and without any hints of lags. But the model, in fact, is just designed for the corporate environment and, judging by the reviews, completely copes with it.
Autonomy
The laptop received an 8-cell lithium-ion battery capacity of 73 Wh (4900 mAh, 14.8 V). Despite the rather modest (for laptops) battery performance, the laptop will quietly work up to 10 hours in mixed load mode, but without the Internet.
The model connected to the network will last up to 6 hours. If you watch video in high resolution at an average (default) brightness level, then the battery will last about an hour for 4. The same can be said about gaming applications.
Owners are generally satisfied with the autonomy of the device and leave only positive reviews about this. Not every laptop, even an office one, can last such a long time without recharging.
Finally
In general, the next corporate model from a well-known brand was successful. The laptop has a stylish exterior, comfortable keyboard, good display, acceptable performance, and also has high build quality and long battery life.
Among the obvious advantages, it is possible to upgrade the system by adding RAM strips and replacing the hard drive. So this model is quite relevant today. Also, the manufacturer did not stint on interfaces, which is very important for office equipment. A lot of peripherals can be connected to the laptop.
The only thing owners sometimes complain about in their reviews is the level of performance. But here you need to understand that we have a corporate laptop, designed to perform office tasks, not gaming. In addition, the cost of the device does not have a productive set of chipsets. So fans of games and video layouts will have to look for more advanced, and at the same time more expensive options.