Hewlett-Packard (HP) is using streamlined IT management as a sales pitch for its latest line of PCs, including the first desktops to use Intel’s vPro technology bundle.A computer running the vPro bundle uses software and hardware—including Intel’s new “Conroe” Core 2 Duo processor—to automate some aspects of IT management and network security. Intel plans to formally announce the platform Thursday, as Gateway and Lenovo Group also start selling vPro-enabled desktops.HP got a jump on its competition, particularly archrival Dell, by unveiling its new business line first. HP announced three new desktops, a workstation and six notebooks during a press conference Wednesday in New York City. Intel vPro Logo Only the desktops offer the vPro option, while the other new PCs take advantage of the flurry of chips launched in recent months, including Intel’s “Merom” Core 2 Duo for the notebooks and a choice of Intel’s “Woodcrest” Xeon 5100 or Advanced Micro Devices’ (AMD’s) “Rev. F” Next-Generation Opteron for the workstation. HP promised to make life easier for the IT managers who maintain these machines by preloading its OpenView Configuration Management agent on all commercial notebooks, desktops and workstations. That product has been an option in the past.OpenView will bolster Intel’s Active Management Technology, an ingredient of vPro, allowing IT managers to make fewer time-consuming “desk-side” visits by booting and repairing PCs remotely, said John Snaider, HP’s vice president for desktop PCs. Other business-friendly enhancements on the desktops include Trusted Platform Model (TPM) 1.2 security chips, a second hard drive for real-time data backup, and a virtual partition on the hard drive for encrypting sensitive data, said Brian Schmitz, director of desktop product marketing for HP.In contrast to its concentration on Intel-powered desktops, HP is selling the new xw9400 workstation as the AMD-powered peer of its xw8400 model. AMD-based PCs account for about one-third of HP’s high-end workstation sales, since they are able to run certain Nvidia graphics cards that Intel cannot handle, said Jeff Wood, HP’s director of product marketing for workstations.HP is selling the dc7700 desktop for US$643, plus a premium for the vPro option. The company will launch the dc5700 and dc5750, which will be available with either Intel or AMD chips, in the fourth quarter.The xw9400 workstation will ship later in September for $1,800. The notebooks include the HP Compaq 9400 for $1,299, 8400 for $1,449, nx7400 for $849, nc6400 for $1,199, 6300 for $799, and 4400 for $1,479.Detailed information about the new systems can be found here. In related news, Apple Computer on Wednesday announced that it is now using Intel Core 2 Duo chips in its entire line of iMac computers. -Ben Ames, IDG News Service (Boston Bureau)(Al Sacco, CIO online news writer, contributed to this report) Related Links: Intel to Launch vPro Desktop Bundle Sept. 7 Apple iMac Line Gets Intel Core Duo 2 ChipsCheck out our CIO News Alerts and Tech Informer pages for more updated news coverage. Related content feature Red Hat embraces hybrid cloud for internal IT The maker of OpenShift has leveraged its own open container offering to migrate business-critical apps to AWS as part of a strategy to move beyond facilitating hybrid cloud for others and capitalize on the model for itself. By Paula Rooney May 29, 2023 5 mins CIO 100 Technology Industry Hybrid Cloud feature 10 most popular IT certifications for 2023 Certifications are a great way to show employers you have the right IT skills and specializations for the job. These 10 certs are the ones IT pros are most likely to pursue, according to data from Dice. By Sarah K. White May 26, 2023 8 mins Certifications Careers interview Stepping up to the challenge of a global conglomerate CIO role Dr. Amrut Urkude became CIO of Reliance Polyester after his company was acquired by Reliance Industries. He discusses challenges IT leaders face while transitioning from a small company to a large multinational enterprise, and how to overcome them. By Yashvendra Singh May 26, 2023 7 mins Digital Transformation Careers brandpost With the new financial year looming, now is a good time to review your Microsoft 365 licenses By Veronica Lew May 25, 2023 5 mins Lenovo Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe