This isn't necessarily a fatal flaw, though, since DisplayPort to HDMI adapters are fairly commonplace and ultimately yield the same results as an HDMI cable by itself would. As is often the case with business-class systems, the EliteBook 8470p does not feature an HDMI port. The rear of the system houses VGA and Ethernet ports, as well as an old-school dial-up modem port. The left side, meanwhile, has a 4-pin FireWire 400 port, a card reader that supports SD an Memory Stick formats (SD/SDHC/SDXC/MMC/MMC+), and two USB 3.0 ports, but neither sport the blue marking that typically distinguishes USB 3.0 ports from their slower USB 2.0 counterparts. In addition to headphone and microphone jacks and a DisplayPort input, the right side also features two USB 2.0 ports one of these conveniently doubles as an eSATA port while the other has sleep and charge for powering other devices like smartphones or tablets. Two sets of right- and left-click buttons abut the top and bottom edges of the trackpad, with the top pair designed to be used in conjunction with the pointing stick lodged in the middle of the keyboard. The trackpad, meanwhile, is among the best we've ever used, with a smooth finish that allows your fingers to glide effortlessly as they scroll and pinch-zoom about. Although a white LED light above the display can be switched on to shine down onto the keyboard, the light is rather dim and doesn't provide nearly enough illumination in dark quarters. The only fly in the ointment is the fact that the keyboard isn't backlit. All this makes for a pleasantly comfortable typing experience. The keyboard is well constructed, feeling appropriately sturdy without surrendering to excessive rigidity. The EliteBook 8470p's raised tiled keyboard sports black matte-finish keys. The speakers won't necessarily disturb your next-door neighbors at two in the morning, but they can nonetheless fill a medium-sized room.
#ELITEBOOK 8470P REVIEW 720P#
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. Thanks to its higher resolution, texts and images look crisp and sharp on the matte-finished screen.
#ELITEBOOK 8470P REVIEW 1080P#
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.Īlthough 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. The platinum finish on the chassis adds a touch of class to what could have otherwise been a drab, purely business affair. Not to say that it's an eyesore-far from it. 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. 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. In a word, the EliteBook 8470p can be described as solid. For the most part, these attributes make up for its bulky chassis and less-than-stellar battery life, making it a good system for anyone looking to work during the day and play by night. The EliteBook 8470p is a versatile all-around performer armed with enough firepower to double as a multimedia powerhouse and, to a lesser extent, gaming rig. But that classification doesn't cover all of its capabilities. Strictly speaking, the HP EliteBook 8470p ($1,499 direct) is a business-class laptop.