HP EliteBook 8470p Review

In a word, the EliteBook 8470p can be described as solid. Designed to withstand the rigors of business travel, its rugged design can handle its fair share of bumps and bruises, so you can stick it in a crammed suitcase without any worries. Just make sure it's a large suitcase, as the EliteBook 8470's magnesium alloy chassis measures 1.25 by 13.31 by 9.11 inches (HWD) and weighs 5.35 pounds. Not to say that it's an eyesore—far from it. The platinum finish on the chassis adds a touch of class to what could have otherwise been a drab, purely business affair. The same cannot be said of the underside, which is fashioned in a utilitarian, black plastic finish, and features a socket that can readily be attached to a docking station.

Although it's not as sharp as the dazzling 1,920-by-1,080 true 1080p HD screen seen in the comparably sized Editors' Choice Lenovo IdeaPad Y580, the EliteBook 8470p's 14-inch 1,600-by-900 resolution is nonetheless better than that of most other 14-inch displays on the market, many of which have 1,366-by-768 resolution. Thanks to its higher resolution, texts and images look crisp and sharp on the matte-finished screen. Movies also look terrific on the 720p display, a feature that can easily be put to good use since the EliteBook 8470p comes equipped with a built-in optical drive. The speakers won't necessarily disturb your next-door neighbors at two in the morning, but they can nonetheless fill a medium-sized room.