HP has released a new line of lightweight notebooks for business users.

The vendor is aiming the EliteBook systems, which weigh as little as 1.44kg, at what it calls the "corporate road warrior" demographic.

Toughness is also a selling point for the EliteBook. The 12in 2530p model sports a magnesium chassis and aluminium skin designed to pass military durability tests for notebooks, and follows the "aircraft-inspired" theme of its previous models.

The notebook also sports a smaller 1.8in hard drive, which frees up space for the user to configure the system with an optical drive or a second 2.5in hard drive. An SSD option is also available.

HP is also releasing a 1.67kg EliteBook 2730p tablet system which offers an integrated touchpad and a claimed 12-hour battery life.

The new line is rounded out with a low cost Compaq branded model. The HP Compaq 2230s is aimed at small business users who would otherwise be priced into a consumer model.

The $999 model will include HP's 3D DriveGuard shock protection hardware and Windows Vista Business with an optional downgrade to Windows XP.

HP plans to release the 2530p and 2730p models early next month. The 2230s is already available.