HP ProBook 5310m: A Slender Laptop for Business Users
by Jarred Walton on April 26, 2010 4:52 PM ESTHP ProBook 5310m Performance
While the general design of the 5310m is reminiscent of CULV laptops, the SP9300 CPU in our test system is obviously a good deal faster than any CULV processor. Even overclocked CULV (i.e. Alienware M11x or ASUS UL series) won't match the stock 2.26GHz clock speed of SP9300. Something else to note is that Intel's pricing on SP9300 is roughly the same as the pricing on the SU7300, so other than using more power you can get almost twice the CPU performance. The SP9300 ends up performing about the same as a P8600—a slightly lower clock speed but twice the cache makes it a wash.
For CPU limited applications like video encoding, 3D rendering, or Peacekeeper we get performance roughly equal to the Dell Studio 14z. As mentioned, the 6MB L2 cache generally makes up for the 133MHz clock deficit. Peacekeeper prefers the added cache while CINEBENCH and x264 give a slight advantage to higher clock speeds. PCMark muddies the waters, as it includes 3D rendering metrics along with storage and processor comparisons, all rolled into one score. PCMark05 has the M11x matching the 5310m and the Studio 14z surpassing it, while Vantage has all three laptops essentially tied for performance. If you're interested in video playback capabilities, any non-Intel GPU is going to be a better choice, and the GMA 4500MHD is particularly slow. It's enough for H.264 decoding but Flash 10.1 support is still a bit sketchy (and HP doesn't let you upgrade to the latest Intel drivers… you'll need to get new graphics drivers from HP).
3DMark will be the sum of our graphics benchmarking, as we've already shown in several instances that GMA 4500MHD is unfit for even basic gaming (beyond perhaps Spore or Sims 3 if you're not too demanding). 3DMark03 shows the limits of the 4500MHD, with a score suggesting the GPU can handle that level of graphics work at a low resolution and low to medium detail. HD 4200, 9400M, HD 4330, or G210M class hardware (in order of increasing performance) would be the bare minimum recommendation for entry-level gaming and graphics, and you'd get enhanced video decoding support as well.
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cbutters - Monday, April 26, 2010 - link
This is a sweet laptop, I have had mine for about 2 months. It is light and comparable to a macbook air.I have one of these up on ebay right now, complete with a vertex 60GB SSD if anyone is interested, item no 180499381266
whatthehey - Monday, April 26, 2010 - link
If it's so nice... why are you selling it on eBay? LOLafkrotch - Monday, April 26, 2010 - link
Hookers and blow. Isn't that always the reason?blyndy - Monday, April 26, 2010 - link
If only they put this design and build quality in with optimus graphics I would call it my next notebook.secretanchitman - Monday, April 26, 2010 - link
a better gpu, a few extra ports, and a much better display would make this a great notebook.feelingshorter - Monday, April 26, 2010 - link
Comparing it to the Asus U30J is not a good idea IMO since the U30J comes with a dvd drive and the HP ProBook doesn't. If your looking for thin and slender, its the UL30JT, which is the successor to the UL30VT. Either of which would of been a good comparison to this HP. The UL30JT hasn't come out yet but it is 3.75 pounds with 8 cell 5600mah batter, less than an inch think, but with asus Turbo Boost, intel's UM series CPU for the same ridiculously 10.5 + hour battery life seen on the other VT series, and 4500MHD/310M.Plus, this laptop is already outdated because you can only push the Intel GS45 + ICH9M so far, with all next gen laptops harnessing the HM55. The HM55 platform now has the 4500MHD on die, and with the UM series cpu, has an overall system TDP lower than that of the GS45 + 4500MHD. Not to mention the HM55's 4500MHD has a similar Turbo Boost as the CPU does, so its actually faster than the previous gen 4500MHD. The UL30JT is basically UL30VT but faster CPU and better battery life.
Given an Asus SU7300 + Turbo Boost, it really narrows the CPU lead that this HP ProBook has on the UL30VT, which is comparable since the UL30JT isn't available yet. Regardless, you hit hit the nail on the head when you said the HP ProBook is just aesthetics (although the silver Asus UL30VT-A1 thats available now looks better IMO.
YpoCaramel - Tuesday, April 27, 2010 - link
X201i would be another consideration - Core i3-330M, business oriented but only a 12" screen.KaarlisK - Tuesday, April 27, 2010 - link
As a result, 3dmark06 isn't the best way to compare the 4500MHD in this laptop with the 4500MHD in the other laptops that have dual-channel memory. A game might actually show the laptop with a slower cpu but double the memory bandwidth to have higher Intel IGP performance.And it can play Starcraft 2, you know ;)
davepermen - Tuesday, April 27, 2010 - link
Why should anyone care?And for those who would (artists, power users), for those the Elitebook line exists.
This is for the typical business user: office, windows, sap, web.
obiuquido144 - Wednesday, April 28, 2010 - link
When I was buying a laptop 2 months ago I loved this super-good-looking 5310m when I first saw it.But in the end I went with the heavier 14" Probook 6440b with a 1600x900 matte LCD, optical drive, both audio connectors, 8GB RAM possibility (4GB standard) and i5 for the same price. For $10 bucks I added an eSATA expresscard from dealextreme and for another $10 a Displayport->DVI cable.
I also called to HP support enquiring about how I can burn/get system installation disks when I want to format the whole HD, and they said they'd ship them to me for free through their service partner.
When I was providing the service company with photos of my license labels etc., I asked if it was possible to get 64bit disks while we're at it - and they said sure, no problem, you just won't be able switch back.
Of course I went with that! I live in Europe, not sure if this is possible in the US, or if I just had plain luck. But the license sticker doesn't specify the bit-version of the OS.
The 5310m looks awesome though, I have to admit. The sexiest laptop I've ever seen!