HP's Elite business PCs score highly on performance, productivity and security

HP  has unveiled the newest Elite business PCs, including the HP EliteBook 705 series – the thinnest and lightest notebooks in their class¹ – an all-in-one (AiO), and updates to its entire desktop line featuring the world’s smallest business-class desktop.

“Customers told us that they love our highest-end Elite notebooks and asked us to bring innovation from the C-suite to their broader employees across both notebook and desktop products,” said Serena Yong, Managing Director, HP Singapore. “We responded by delivering thin, light and sleek designs, improved collaboration and integrated, modern security to mainstream business devices with the Elite 705 and 800 Series PCs, so every employee can experience cool, productive and secure devices.”

Businesses are experiencing a transformation: millennials now represent nearly 34% of the workforce⁶ with 86% of millennials considered tech-savvy⁷, 62% of users work from more than one location⁸, and knowledge workers carry an average of 3.1 devices⁹. The new Elite PCs are styled with a focus on reliability and durability, designed to undergo MIL-SPEC 810G testing and more than 120,000 hours of HP’s Total Testing Process¹⁰.

As more business adopt collaboration tools – like Skype for Business – where sound quality can make the difference between a successful meeting and a garbled conversation, HP’s new Elite notebooks and AiOs feature audio custom-tuned by Bang & Olufsen. To make the audio experience even better, Elite notebooks and AiOs are also installed with HP Noise Reduction Software for improved audio input and HP Clear Sound Amp for balanced audio output.

HP has also expanded HP Sure Start from HP Elite notebooks to include the upcoming desktop and AiO lines of Elite PCs¹¹. The industry’s first self-healing BIOS-level protection, HP Sure Start is now available across the entire upcoming Elite portfolio for built-in device protection. Select Elite PCs also include HP Sure Start with Dynamic Protection, which goes beyond checking the BIOS when there is a state change, but also throughout the day at regular intervals for additional protection¹².

Source: HP Inc. The HP EliteBook 725 is part of the EliteBook 705 G3 series.

The world’s thinnest and lightest mainstream business-class notebooks¹, the HP EliteBook 705 G3 series delivers the style and reliability that today’s design-conscious workforce is looking for. The series consists of thin, light and powerful machines with a new silver magnesium and aluminum chassis, and a starting weight of 1.26 kg¹³. Available in 12.5”, 14” and 15.6” diagonal HD, FHD or QHD¹⁴ screens, the notebooks include the new high-performance AMD PRO A12 APU – the first commercial APU with integrated R7 Radeon graphics – exclusively from HP for a limited time.

Engineered based on extensive user studies, the HP Premium Keyboard is now available on the EliteBook 705 series, providing a balance of comfort and feedback beyond a traditional notebook keyboard. Featuring enterprise docking, these notebooks come with a full-size display port and VGA and RJ-45 ports.

The EliteBook 705 series also features HP Long-Life Rechargeable Batteries, which offer up to a three-year lifespan or 1,000 full charge and discharge cycles, lasting two to three times longer than standard notebook batteries¹⁵. An external SIM slot and optional WWAN¹⁶ give users additional flexibility to connect on the road.

HP’s new Elite AiOs and desktops with Windows 10 – including the HP EliteDesk 705 and 800 G2 Desktop Minis, HP EliteDesk 705 and 800 G2 Small Form Factors, HP EliteDesk 705 G2 Micro Tower, and the HP EliteDesk 800 G2 Tower – are optimised for performance, with 6th Generation Intel Core processors or 6th Generation AMD APUs. DDR4 memory is now standard on Intel-based desktops to enable energy efficiency and high performance. The EliteDesk 800 Desktop Mini also offers additional flexibility with an Intel-based 65W CPU option for applications requiring greater processing power¹⁷.

Source: HP Inc. The HP EliteOne 800 G2 AiO.

Featuring two firsts for HP – integrated wireless charging built into the stand² and an AiO fingerprint reader³ – the HP EliteOne 800 G2 AiO is redesigned with new materials to be sleeker and thinner than the previous generation. The HP EliteOne 800 G2 AiO features built-in cable management for a clean look and can be configured with a new adjustable height stand featuring Tri-Mode Wireless Phone Charging². An optional wireless charger built into the stand can charge mobile devices without wires in a convenient location using Qi, PMA and A4WP wireless charging platforms. An optional Tri-Mode Charging Pad is also available¹⁸.

The world’s smallest business-class desktop⁴, the HP EliteDesk 705 and 800 G2 Desktop Minis offer the power and security of a traditionally sized desktop. The EliteDesk 705 and 800 Desktop Minis are designed to fit anywhere where space is a constraint, with an optional HP PC Mounting Bracket to attach the Mini directly behind the new HP EliteDisplays. For companies with high-traffic areas, HP offers the new HP Desktop Mini LockBox, a secure enclosure to protect the PC, power brick and cable connections. The EliteDesk 800 Tower and EliteDesk 800 Small Form Factor also have an optional dust management solution.

HP has several collaboration solutions that span across PCs, displays and accessories. The new HP Collaboration PC G2 leverages the latest EliteDesk 800 Desktop Mini to create an ideal solution for businesses and conference rooms. With the HP-exclusive Intel Unite Skype for Business Plugin⁵, the new HP Collaboration PC G2 with Intel Unite Software enables a seamless Skype meeting start via a wireless screen connection and offers simple, intuitive, instant onscreen collaboration and document sharing. 

As part of HP’s suite of collaboration solutions, the new HP EliteDisplay E240c Video Conferencing Monitor creates a communication hub in a meeting room to connect and collaborate with an integrated HD webcam, microphone, high performance speakers and easy-to-access hot keys on the bezel to place a call, adjust volume, and mute.

Interested?¹⁹

 The AMD-based HP EliteBook 705 G3 series is expected to be available in December with pricing to be set closer to the availability date.

 The Intel-based HP EliteOne 800 G2 AiO is expected to be available in November, starting at S$1,399.

 The Intel-based HP EliteDesk 705 and 800 series is expected to be available in November, starting at S$999 and S$1,099 respectively

 The HP Collaboration PC G2 is expected to be available in November, starting at S$1,299.

 The HP EliteDisplay E240c is expected to be available in November, starting at S$499.

1 Based on HP’s internal analysis of mainstream business class notebooks as of September 23, 2015 with >1 million unit annual sales having pre-installed encryption, authentication, malware protection and BIOS-level protection, passing MIL STD 810G tests, with optional docking incorporating power delivery, clamshell model, Intel Core U-Series or AMD PRO A-Series processors, built in VGA or HDMI, Display Port, RJ-45 and at least two USB 3.0 ports, integrated Smart Card reader, full connectivity offering optional WWAN, and at least 44 Watt-hour battery.

2 Tri-Mode Wireless Phone charging is a configurable adjustable stand feature for the HP EliteOne 705 and 800 G2 AiOs.

3 The fingerprint reader is a standard feature on the HP EliteOne705 G2 AiO and HP EliteOne 800 G2 AiO touch models.

4 Based on business class desktop PCs as of September 21, 2015 among vendors with >1 million unit annual sales having 6th Gen Intel 65W desktop processors, integrated VESA mount and VGA, six USB ports, Windows 7 Pro, Windows 8.1 Pro or Windows 10 Pro, and Trusted Platform Module (TPM).

5 Skype for Business subscription required.

6 Millennials in the workforce (US statistics), Euromonitor International from International Labour Organisation (ILO)/Eurostat/national statistics, 2014

7 HP Proprietary Quantitative Research with Worldwide End Users, 2015

8 HP Proprietary Quantitative Research with Worldwide End Users, 2015

9 HP Proprietary Quantitative Research with Worldwide End Users, 2015

10 MIL STD 810G testing is pending and is not intended to demonstrate fitness for US Department of Defense contract requirements or for military use. MIL STD and HP Total Test Process test results are not a guarantee of future performance under these test conditions. Damage under these test conditions or any accidental damage requires an optional HP Accidental Damage Protection Care Pack.

11 Sure Start is available on select prior model HP Elite PCs and current HP Elite 700 and 800 series commercial Desktop and notebook products.

12 Only available on Intel-based Elite PCs.

13 Weight will vary by configuration.

14 QHD screen is only available on the HP EliteBook 745 Non-Touch. Full High definition (HD) content is required to view quad high-definition images.

15 Three year limited warranty or 1,000 cycles. Battery cycles are the total number of full charge/discharge cycles a battery yields before it can no longer hold a useful amount of charge. Battery life will vary depending on various factors including product model, configuration, loaded applications, features, use, wireless functionality ad power management settings. The maximum capacity of the battery will naturally decrease with time and usage. See http://www.hp.com/go/liionbattery.

16 WWAN is an optional feature available on select models only. Use requires separately purchased service contract. Check with service provider for coverage and availability in your area.

17 Based on HP’s internal analysis of business class desktop PCs as of September 21, 2015 among vendors with >5 million unit annual sales having 6th Gen Intel 65W desktop processors, integrated VESA mount and VGA, 6 USB Ports, Windows 7 Pro, Windows 8.1 Pro or Windows 10 Pro, and TPM.

18 Optional features sold separately or as add on features.

19 Estimated street prices. Actual prices may vary.

Muted outlook for the Singapore commercial market

Rents and prices of office spaces in Singapore are expected to stay relatively flat in H2 2015 amid softening demand for office space and growing concerns over the rise in office space supply over the next two years, says the PropertyGuru Group in its property outlook report for the second half of 2015.

The Asian online property portal group predicted that transactional activity in H2 2015 is expected to pick up slightly due to supply-led demand from the launches of new strata-titled office units such as the 28-floor GSH Plaza, a remodelled building in the central business district with a total of 259 strata office units. The expected date of vacant possession: 31 August 2017 and the expected date of legal completion for the building is 31 August 2020 however.

Ibn Battuta Gate Office building in high demand as Expo 2020 Dubai draws nearer

Source: Seven Tides website.

As preparations for Expo 2020 Dubai gather pace, Ibn Battuta Gate Offices, owned by luxury property developer Seven Tides, is capitalising on its location in the heart of New Dubai, next to the Mövenpick Hotel, the Ibn Battuta Mall and a nearby metro station.

Interest has also heightened since an announcement was made to extend the existing Ibn Battuta Mall by 28,000 sq m at a cost of AED160 million. This will include a 350-bedroom hotel, 150 additional shops, 50 more restaurants and a 21-screen cinema.

Ibn Battuta Gate Offices is less than 30km from Dubai World Central, the Expo 2020 site and Dubai World Central Airport, and boasts a multi-storey, automated car park facility that can accommodate 765 cars.

Asteco, one of the region’s major real estate consultancy and property management firms, currently manages the Ibn Battuta Gate Offices building.

“We are now handling a steady stream of enquiries from small startups to international companies looking to set up their businesses here and we expect that to accelerate in the run-up to Expo 2020, particularly with the availability of fully fitted, fully inclusive offices with dedicated parking spaces,” said John Stevens, Managing Director, Asteco.

“Around US$7 billion has been earmarked for development and infrastructure projects linked to Expo 2020 which will effectively position the 150-hectare development as a hub in its own right, and Ibn Battuta Gate’s strategic location places it firmly in the sightline of opportunity with its ‘move-in-and-go’ setup.” 

Stevens said investment and employment creation are expected to fuel real estate market growth over the next five years with an estimated 277,000 jobs and 20 million extra visitors during the six-month long expo.

“I believe that this will have a positive effect on rental rates in the market for those developments that offer accessibility and convenience in the form of public transportation links and peripheral services such as retail, entertainment, residential and public services,” he added.

Commercial property outlook for Q4 2014 weakest in Hong Kong

Singapore Marina Bay business district at night.

The RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) Global Commercial Property Monitor for Q4 2014 has indicated that although key economic indicators continue to point to a softening in the economy in Hong Kong, economic growth is likely to pick up at a steady pace this year.

In Hong Kong, the RICS Occupier Sentiment Index* (OSI) fell slightly over the quarter from +4 to -3, while the RICS Investment Sentiment Index* (ISI) remained in negative territory in Q4, recording a value of -3. Tenant demand continued to increase in both office and industrial sectors, but a sharp decline was reported in retail. 

Over the next three months, rents are expected to grow in the office and industrial sectors, but fall in the retail arena. It is worth highlighting that on the investment front, the supply of commercial property for sale grew across each sector with retail units registering the steepest increase. Finally, over the next twelve months, the capital value of prime office space is expected to grow by 4%. Prime industrial space is expected to grow by 3%. No growth in capital value is predicted for prime retail space.

In mainland China, moderation in economic growth continues to weigh on overall commercial property sentiment. Moderate occupier demand and growing available space have pushed the headline rental value expectations into negative territory. 

In Singapore, sentiment in the investment market is weakening. Strong rental growth is expected in the office sector over the coming three months, but rents are expected to decline for industrial and retail sectors. 

In Japan, the near term outlook is still robust despite significant economic headwinds. Tightening market conditions continue to place upward pressure on rents, which are anticipated to rise strongly across the board at both the three and twelve month horizons.

RICS Senior Economist Andy Wu said: "We believe Hong Kong remains in a weaker position when compared to other Asian markets, with the growing uncertainty of the political situation and the lack of growth in the economy likely causing an unstained level of occupier activity and smaller scale flows of capital into the city this year. Values are faltering as a result of occupiers and investors being cautious over market prospects. 

"As such, the RICS Q4's overall property performance isn't surprising. Indeed, sentiment has been soft in line with its underlying economic fundamentals, and whilst it is important to focus on the wider market, it is worth highlighting that certain sub-sectors still remain downbeat, namely retail. The Q4 decline provides further evidence of the fragility of retail sector health and we believe this will continue until there is a sustained upturn in consumer spending growth. 

"Turning to Singapore, pretty much the same could be said of occupier and investor markets, with commercial property performing unsatisfactorily.

"As the economic challenges in China continue throughout rest of the year, it is likely to see a more pronounced divergence in the performance of commercial property markets between Tier 1 and lower-tier cities. Indeed, the economic slowdown has continued to hold back occupier activity, resulting in static rental values. Interestingly enough, SMEs and larger firms have continued to exercise a cautious approach to take space. They have attempted to minimise risk and cost through delaying the expansion or looking to downsize space. This reluctance to commit to new space has weighed on activity and left a growing quantity of stock in many of the Chinese cities.

"Q4 has continued to see positive performance in Japan. In fact, this positive trend in the commercial property sector is inconsistent with what is also being reported in the economy generally, through business surveys and other key economic data. While the levels of uncertainty surrounding the economic outlook remain, this has not prevented investors purchasing in Japan's largest cities, namely Tokyo and Osaka. What remains to be seen is whether Japanese commercial property market can continue to fare well, with a growing sense of pessimism for the economy."

*RICS Occupier Sentiment Index (OSI): The OSI is constructed by taking an unweighted average of readings for three series relating to the occupier market measured on a net balance basis: occupier demand, the level of inducements and rent expectations.

RICS Investment Sentiment Index (ISI): The ISI is constructed by taking an unweighted average of readings for three series relating to the investment market measured on a net balance** basis: investment enquiries, capital value expectations and the supply of distressed properties.

**Net balances: Net balance percents, or scores, are calculated by subtracting the numbers of respondents reporting 'down' from the number who reported 'up'.

Intellectual property and the law: a seminar by the RHT Academy

RHT Academy and RHTLaw Taylor Wessing are organising Commercial Contracts: Latest Case Law Developments, Negotiation Strategies and Intellectual Property, a half-day seminar slated for 4 March 2015 at the Suntec Convention & Exhibition Centre, Singapore.

Targeted at legal counsel and managers, lawyers, commercial and business development directors, company secretaries, and compliance officers, the seminar is designed to:

• Provide a practical and commercial perspective on the latest key case law developments in commercial contracts in Singapore and the UK;
• Give insights into useful negotiation strategies in strengthening commercial relationships; and
• Highlight intellectual property issues commonly encountered in commercial contracts, including the impact of the Personal Data Protection Act 2012 which became fully operational in July 2014.

A panel discussion and networking lunch with the speakers will be held after the seminar.

Speakers and panellists from RHTLaw Taylor Wessing include Azman Jaafar, Partner – Head of Corporate Practice, Ch’ng Li-Ling, Partner – Deputy Head of Capital Markets Practice, and Jonathan Kok, Partner – Head of Intellectual Property & Technology Practice.

The registration fee is S$288, with the course eligible for Productivity and Innovation Credit (PIC) relief. Click here to view the agenda, and RSVP here.

The digital printing revolution could make businesses even more agile: HP

Source: HP. High-impact retail graphics, floor covering and corrugated display applications printed using HP Latex and Scitex Digital printing technologies at the new HP Graphics Solutions Centre of Excellence in Singapore.

Commercial digital printing presses are revolutionising what we can do for business printing. Whereas printers with traditional offset printing presses require a minimum number of the same item to be printed before it becomes economical, digital printers can personalise any number of items on many types of materials affordably, whether it is a print run of one or a thousand.

Gido van Praag, VP, Graphics Solutions Business, HP Asia Pacific and Japan, shared that digital printing is driving customer interest in different countries. In Japan, Sony customised Walkman boxes with well known cartoon characters with HP Indigo and saw 300% revenue growth, while in Singapore, local business Prestige Label has used HP Indigo to offer a broader palette of applications and deal with shorter print runs. "The work starts for us when the printer is sold. We work together with the customer to maximise the asset base and the profitability of their investment," said van Praag.
  

Custom labels on
water bottles.

In a world where brand owners need to stand out or get lost in the crowd and ever-shorter promotion cycles, being able to individualise an item quickly is a big advantage, added Nick Lazaridis, Senior Vice President, Printing and Personal Systems and Managing Director, HP Asia Pacific and Japan. 

He disclosed that HP printed the 800 million custom labels that were used in place of the Coca Cola logo for the company's Share a Coke' campaign over three months. While Share a Coke has not been held in Asia Pacific, the campaign made it to global headlines for its creativity and the enthusiastic response from customers. 

"Digital printing enables companies to be more responsive and agile," agreed Thien Kwee Eng, Assistant MD, Singapore Economic Development Board, who noted that research firm IDC had forecast a digital printing CAGR of 20% from 2013 to 2018. 

"Book publishers utilise digital printing primarily for new titles, reprints and custom titles to reduce inventory holding costs and market niche books. In the world of fast moving consumer goods, digital printing enables companies to vary packaging with seasonally-focused marketing campaigns or localised messages to improve their reach to customers."

HP's newly opened 21,000 sq m Graphics Solutions Centre of Excellence in Tuas, Singapore, gives an idea of the extent of HP’s digital printing portfolio and solutions, including from partners. 

“Brand owners are facing increased competition as consumer choice and expectations have exploded. As a result, they’ve moved into the digital world to connect more powerfully with their customers,” said van Praag.

“The new HP Centre of Excellence aims to give them the tools to compete, helping brands identify new ways to combine their unique skills with the industry’s broadest portfolio of innovative digital printing solutions, and its unparalleled application capabilities.”

Printing companies will be able to benchmark and conduct end-to-end application testing of their HP digital printing equipment, while brands and agencies will be able to browse inspirational ideas and work on pilot projects in a real-world production environment.

"The limitation today is not the technology. The limitation is in the mind," said Alon Bar-Shany, General Manager, HP Indigo Division, HP Graphics Solutions Business.

Selected HP commercial printers can handle fabrics.

Packaging can be printed for consumer goods of all shapes and sizes. 

It is a matter of "print what you want, when you want, how much you want" in order to stay relevant to the market, said James Yew, who was at the HP Digital Supermarket section of the Centre of Excellence to demonstrate what HP Indigo can do.

HP commercial printers can print heat transfers that can be applied onto a range of surfaces. 

Textured pages, apps that recognise the images to deliver augmented reality experiences and NFC where a related file is transferred to a mobile device placed close to the picture are some ideas for businesses. 

Malaysia and Japan lead positive commercial property outlook going forward

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has shown in the Q2 2014 RICS Global Commercial Property Monitor, that the Occupier Sentiment Index (OSI) for Hong Kong's commercial property market remains negative for the fourth consecutive quarter. 

Occupier demand continued to fall with the retail segment losing significant momentum, although office and industrial occupier demand remained stable. With falling tenant demand and rising supply, rent value expectations at the three month time horizon have turned more negative. 

Investment sentiment, as reflected by the Investment Sentiment Index (ISI), also remained in negative territory in Q2. RICS believes the growth trajectory is likely to continue to be bumpy in the second half as the global recovery will probably remain tepid, affecting the commercial property sector accordingly.

RICS Senior Economist Andy Wu, said: "In Hong Kong, rents in the central business district continued to struggle to show any significant growth in the second quarter, given a lacklustre employment market in the financial services sector and rising levels of available rental stock in the decentralised business districts. Our survey results also indicate that investors are still somewhat hesitant towards making a commitment in the commercial property and we expect the trend to continue for the time being."

Recent data indicates the short-term economic outlook for Singapore continues to to be relatively sluggish as well. Although the OSI remains in positive territory, it declined in Q2. Similarly, the ISI edged down over the quarter. 

Wu observed that there are signs that economic uncertainty is starting to affect the commercial property sector in Singapore. "We believe in the short term real estate activity will remain relatively depressed due to ongoing economic challenges. That said, the fundamentals of the city state's real estate market still look positive for the medium to long term as Singapore could continue to emerge stronger through a high level of transparency and a business-friendly set of policies."

China is not looking favourable either, with the OSI and ISI falling into negative territory for the first time since 2009. "The biggest threat to China, other than headwinds from a recurrence of tighter credit conditions, is the apparent oversupply of offices and retail space which will strain current rental values and prices during a period of fading interest from businesses and investors," said Wu. 

"We believe investment levels and transaction volumes will likely continue to be depressed through the reminder of the year. Nevertheless, acceleration of government reforms and measures aimed at stimulating the economy should offset some of the adverse market forces."

In contrast, Malaysia's OSI increased notably since Q1, climbing firmly into positive territory. In addition, the ISI has also turned positive for the first time since mid-2013, partly driven by domestic demand and growth in export. 

The OSI and ISI in Japan also continued upward, with both indicators posting another strong reading and remaining positive for the 12th consecutive quarter. Buoyant OSI and ISI figures indicative of high confidence levels were also seen for New Zealand.

"Interestingly economic optimism, thought gently fading, has continued to trigger strong demand for property space in Japan. It's clear both foreign and domestic investors still see the value of Japanese commercial real estate and remain particularly enamored with the office, retail and industrial sectors. We believe this upward trend will unlikely reverse itself anytime soon and investment numbers will continue to uptick for some time to come," noted Wu.
The RICS Global Commercial Property Survey is a quarterly guide to developing trends in the commercial property investment and occupier market. Find out more about the survey here.  

*About the RICS Occupier Sentiment Index (OSI) and the RICS Investment Sentiment Index (ISI)

The OSI is constructed by taking an unweighted average of readings for three series relating to the occupier market measured on a net balance basis; occupier demand, the level of inducements and rent expectations.

The ISI is constructed by taking an unweighted average of readings for three series relating to the investment market measured on a net balance** basis; investment enquiries, capital value expectations and the supply of distressed properties.

**Net balances are calculated by subtracting the numbers of respondents reporting 'down' from the number who reported 'up'.