5 Things To Know About HP's New Business Chromebooks And Thin Clients

HP is unveiling three new business-class Chromebooks along with two thin-client devices.

HP Inc. is doubling down on mobile PCs that are built around cloud and virtual desktop access as countless employees continue to work remotely.

HP on Tuesday unveiled three new business-class Chromebooks--which run Google's cloud-connected Chrome OS--as well as two new thin-client devices that connect to virtual-desktop infrastructure (VDI) solutions including Citrix and VMware.

[Related: HP Unveils New ZBooks Combining Strong Performance And Portability For Creative Pros]

The new mobile devices come as many businesses have shifted to work-from-home deployments amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and as highly portable PCs such as laptops remain in high demand.

What follows are five key things to know about HP's new business Chromebooks and thin clients.

HP Elite c1030 Chromebook Enterprise

HP announced its highest-end Chromebook for business to date with the Elite c1030 Chromebook Enterprise--which becomes the first-ever 1000 series Chromebook in the company's portfolio.

The device (pictured above) features a 13.5-inch, 3:2 display with FHD resolution and an option for up to 1,000 nits of brightness. The notebook also includes very slim bezels around the convertible touch screen display for a 90.1-percent screen-to-body ratio.

Security features include a webcam privacy switch, located on the side of the device, for more easily turning the webcam on and off--along with enterprise-grade security and manageability through the inclusion of the Chrome Enterprise upgrade, HP said.

Other key capabilities include 10th-gen Intel Core processors, optional LTE connectivity, up to 12 hours of battery life, an aluminum exterior (with 75 percent recycled aluminum on the top lid), a spill-resistant keyboard and several port options (including USB-C, USB-A and microSD).

The Elite c1030 Chromebook Enterprise also rates high on portability with a weight of 2.97 pounds and a thickness of two-thirds of an inch.

HP's Elite c1030 Chromebook Enterprise is planned to be available in August.

HP Pro c640 Chromebook Enterprise

HP says that its Pro c640 Chromebook Enterprise is its first-ever Pro series Chromebook, as well.

The company is touting the notebook as the "world's thinnest 14-inch business Chromebook" with a thickness of 0.65 of an inch. The device also weighs 3.3 pounds and features a durable aluminum exterior, with a 180-degree hinge for laying the device flat.

On security, the Pro c640 Chromebook Enterprise includes a built-in webcam shutter, an optional built-in fingerprint reader and the Chrome Enterprise upgrade.

Other notable features include a wide-angle webcam, Bang & Olufsen speakers, 10th-gen Intel Core processors, up to 12 hours of battery life and fast-charging capabilities.

On ports, the notebook stands out by including a HDMI port and two USB-A ports--even in spite of its thin form factor--along with two USB-C ports.

HP plans to have the Pro c640 Chromebook Enterprise available in June.

HP Chromebook Enterprise 14 G6

One new HP Chromebook is available now--the Chromebook Enterprise 14 G6.

The redesigned device includes a 14-inch display (with FHD/HD touch screen or non-touch), up to 13.5 hours of battery life, fast-charging, Intel Celeron processors, a spill-resistant keyboard and the Chrome Enterprise upgrade.

On portability, the notebook has a starting weight of 3.36 pounds and a thickness of two-thirds of an inch--while on ports, the device offers one USB-C, two USB-A, HDMI and microSD.

HP mt22 Mobile Thin Client

While it looks very similar to a typical HP notebook, the mt22 Mobile Thin Client is focused on enabling VDI from the likes of Citrix or VMware. Operating system options include Windows 10 IoT Enterprise--which supports the increasingly popular Windows Virtual Desktop--and HP's Linux-based ThinPro OS.

The device itself includes a 14-inch FHD touch or non-touch display with a 180-degree hinge, a 10th-gen Intel Celeron processor, up to nearly 15 hours of battery life, a webcam privacy shutter and a spill-resistant keyboard.

There are plenty of portion options, as well--with USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, Ethernet and an SD card reader.

HP is planning to debut the mt22 Mobile Thin Client this month.

HP ThinPro Go

HP's second thin-client device, the ThinPro Go, is a bootable USB key aimed at providing secure access to VDI workspaces, the company said.

The USB stick can be plugged into a PC and then enables the PC to be booted up directly into the HP ThinPro OS.

The main use case for the ThinPro Go is for allowing users to turn a PC into a secure thin client temporarily, HP said.