New HP Fortis PC Laptops and Chromebooks Support 'Blended Learning'

HP is addressing the expanded role of computing in education, accelerated by the pandemic, with its new HP Fortis laptops. HP designed Fortis, a new brand of Windows PCs and Chromebooks it launched Tuesday, for what the company calls “blended learning” environments.

Blended learning differs from hybrid in that students increasingly use computers both in the classroom and home, HP said. Because that means carrying their laptops to and from school, HP designed the Fortis with more durable and lightweight plastics.

Bill Avey, HP’s global head of education, discussed the current shifts in usage.

HP’s Bill Avey

“As we think about this blended learning world and the idea that we’re moving from analog to digital, physical printed content, especially textbooks in a student’s backpack are being replaced by a ubiquitous device, which becomes their content portal to all the knowledge of the universe,” Avey said.

To effectively replace textbooks and other analog media, laptops must be reliable and able to withstand students dropping them, added Gretchen Irion, director of education and commercial desktop product management. Irion said HP Fortis has new metals designed to protect the device and battery when dropped. HP also designed the keyboards to withstand shocks and spills of up to 11.8 ounces.

Noting that 2.2 billion school age children don’t have internet access, the HP Fortis systems will include 4G wireless options.

HP’s Gretchen Irion

“This untethered broadband and connectivity is really essential to creating equitable access to the learning content, creativity and collaboration outside the classroom,” Irion said.

First HP Fortis Models

The new portfolio consists of the HP Fortis 14-inch G10 Chromebook, available now at a starting price of $349. It is available with Google’s Chrome Education Upgrade for managed environments. A similar version, the HP ProBook Fortis 14-inch G9 PC, will be available in April for $369. HP is equipping it with Windows 11 Pro Education or the cloud-only version Windows 11 SE. Users can choose models with Intel Pentium or Celeron processors.

For students requiring more power, the HP ProBook Fortis 14-inch G10 PC will come with Intel 12^th Gen i3 or i5 processors and Windows 11. The tech giant hasn’t disclosed pricing.

HP also launched two 11-inch laptops that students can switch from clamshell to tent and tablet modes. The HP pro x360 Fortis G9 is available now at a starting price of $399, with Intel Pentium or Celeron processors and Windows 11 Pro, Windows 11 Pro Education or Windows SE. The HP Pro x360 G10 will be equipped with Intel 12^th Gen i3 or i5 processors, also with a choice of Windows 11 Pro or Windows 11 Pro Education.

HP Fortis

In June, HP plans to ship the HP Fortis 11-inch G9 Q Chromebook, powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c processor. Wireless 4G LTE will come standard. HP designed the device to boot in several seconds.

“This is really optimized for cloud-native learning from anywhere,” Irion said.

HP also introduced a new portable webcam, the HP 325 FHD, which it plans to ship in March.  The HD 1080p, 30 fps webcam supports 66-degree viewing angles, that have removable lens covers. It is Chromebook-certified and will be available in March for $40.