HP ProBOOK 4520S Notebook Computer Teardown

Overview / Main Features

The HP ProBOOK 4520S is a business oriented, 15.6-inch display notebook computer powered by an Intel Core i3 350M processor and HM57 Express Chipset. This HP laptop under analysis is configured with 2GB of DDR3-1333 of memory [on one SO-DIMM module], a 320GB hard-disk drive [running at 7200rpm], Atheros 802.11n-capable WLAN module, Broadcom Bluetooth module as well as a lithium ion 6-cell battery. Also, the HP ProBOOK comes with a CD/DVD RW optical drive, Agere modem module and an integrated 2MP webcam.

HP ProBOOK 4520S Notebook Computer Main Image

Medium to Small Business Mobile Computing

Released

Per press releases, first release in June of 2010.

HP ProBOOK 4520S Notebook Computer - Motherboard Top

Pricing - This specific configuration of the HP ProBOOK 4520S is listed for $1038 USD on HP's website (as of Sept. 2010).

Availability - Assumed global

Volume Estimations

For the purposes of this teardown analysis, we have assumed a lifetime production volume of 2M units.

As a reminder, teardown volume production assumptions are primarily used for our cost analysis in terms of amortized NRE and tooling costs, especially for custom components specific to the model being analyzed (mechanical components especially). Unless assumed volumes are different by an order of magnitude, minor changes in volume (say 1 million vs. 2) rarely have a large net effect on our final analysis because of this.

HP ProBOOK 4520S Notebook Computer - Motherboard Bottom

HP, according to iSuppli's PC Market Share 2009 database, remains the world's number one notebook PC maker with approximately 35 million units shipped worldwide. This gives the giant PC maker a 21.1 percent market share and a year to year growth in volume of 19.8%.

HP ProBOOK 4520S Notebook Computer Cost Analysis

Main Cost Drivers Representing ~79% of total materials cost

Intel - CP80617004161AC - CPU - Intel Core i3-350M, Dual Core, 2.26GHz, 3MB L3 Cache, 32nm Process - (Qty:1)

Hitachi - HTS725032A9A364 - Hard Drive - 320GB, 2.5', SATA 3Gb/s, 7200RPM, 16MB Buffer - (Qty:1)

Samsung - LTN156AT05 - Display Module - 15.6' TFT LCD, TN Mode, 1366 x 768 Pixels, 0.252mm x 0.252mm Pixel Size, 262K Colors, 200cd/m^2 Brightness, 16ms Response Time, Active Area: 348.2mm x 197.2mm, LED Backlight - (Qty:1)

Ramaxel Group - RMT1970ED48E8F-1333 - SO-DIMM DDR3-1066 - 2GB, 256Mx64, 1.5V - (Qty:1)

Hitachi-LG Data Storage - GT30L - CD/DVD RW Drive - Slim Internal Type, Tray Load, SATA - (Qty:1)

HSTNN-CB1A - Battery Pack - Li-Ion, 6-Cell, 10.8V, 4200mAh, 47Wh - (Qty:1)

Intel - BD82HM57SLGZR - Platform Controller Hub - HM57 Express Chipset - (Qty:1)

Three 6-Layer PCBs

HannStar - PCB - 6-Layer - FR4, Lead-Free, Halogen-Free - (Qty:1)

APCB INC. - PCB - 6-Layer - FR4, Lead-Free, Halogen-Free - (Qty:1)

Tripod Technology - PCB - 6-Layer - FR4, Lead-Free, Halogen-Free - (Qty:1)

Delta Electronics - ADP-65HB BC - AC Adapter - 18.5V, 3.5A, 65W, w/ 6ft Cord & Velcro Strap - (Qty:1)

Webcam PCB - Contains 2.0MP Camera Module, USB2.0 Video Interface Controller, 512Kb Flash & Supporting Elements - (Qty:1)

Total BOM Cost $437.56

What Is Not Included in our Cost Analysis

The total materials and manufacturing costs reported in this analysis reflect ONLY the direct materials cost (from component vendors and assorted EMS providers), AND manufacturing with basic test. Not included in this analysis are costs above and beyond the material manufacture of the core device itself - cost of intellectual property, royalties and licensing fees (those not already included into the per component price), software, software loading and test, shipping, logistics marketing and other channel costs including not only EMS provider and the OEM's margin, but that of other resellers. Our cost analysis is meant to focus on those costs incurred in the manufacture of the core device and exceptionally in some circumstances the packaging and literature as well.

Manufacturing Notes

HP's Mobile PC manufacturing profile, according to iSuppli's Global OEM Manufacturing and Design Analysis - GOMDA), is primarily an outsourced model with only 1.3% in house manufacturing capacity. HP uses Taiwanese ODMs as their outsourced manufacturing partners with Quanta, Compal and Inventec taking a 34%, 27% and 27% respectively.

Country of Origin / Volume Assumptions

Based on markings, the unit was likely assembled in China. Furthermore, we have assumed that custom mechanicals (plastics, metals, etc.) were also sourced in China.

Country of origin assumptions relate directly to the associated cost of manufacturing, where calculated by iSuppli. In the cases of 'finished' sub-assemblies (such as display module), we do not calculate internal manufacturing costs, but rather assess the market price of the finished product in which case country of origin assumptions may or may not have a direct effect on pricing.

Remember also that labor rates are applied directly only to hand inserted components and systems in our bill of materials, and although regional assumptions do, these new rates do not have a direct effect on our modeled calculations of placement costs for automated SMD assembly lines. "Auto inserted components (such as SMT components) placement costs are calculated by an iSuppli algorithm which allocates a cost per component based on the size and pincount of the device. This calculation is affected by country or region of origin as well.

Design for Manufacturing / Device Complexity

The HP ProBOOK 4520S has an overall component count of 1572 (excluding box contents), of which 1049 resides on the motherboard. This level of complexity is typical of notebook computer at this specification.

Component counts have a direct bearing on the overall manufacturing cycle times and costs, and also can increase or decrease overall yields and re-work. Our calculations of manufacturing costs factor counts and more qualitative complexities in the design. The cost of manufacturing is also, to some extent, decreased in this case because of assumed labor rate applied for China.

Note that manual labor has a much smaller effect on auto-insertion assembly lines (for the Main PCB, for example), where manufacturing costs are much more capital equipment intensive and driven by these investment costs.

Design Notes

Here is a summary of the major components used in the HP ProBOOK 4520S design:

Display

Display Module - Samsung - LTN156AT05 - 15.6' TFT LCD, TN Mode, 1366 x 768 Pixels, 0.252mm x 0.252mm Pixel Size, 262K Colors, 200cd/m^2 Brightness, 16ms Response Time, Active Area: 348.2mm x 197.2mm, LED Backlight

MotherboardChipset

Platform Controller Hub - Intel - BD82HM57SLGZR, HM57 Express Chipset

CPU

CPU - Intel - CP80617004161AC, Core i3-350M, Dual Core, 2.26GHz, 3MB L3 Cache, 32nm Process

I/O & Interface

Keyboard Controller - SMSC - KBC1098-NU

Audio Codec - IDT - 92HD80B1X5NLG

Ethernet Controller - Realtek - RTL8151DH-GR

Memory Module

SO-DIMM - Ramaxel Group - RMT1970ED48E8F-1333, DDR3-1066 - 2GB, 256Mx64, 1.5V

Communication Modules

WLAN Half Mini PCIe Module - Atheros - AR5B95 - IEEE802.11b/g/n, Contains AR9285 Single-Chip Solution

Bluetooth Module - Broadcom - BCM92070MDREF - V2.1+EDR

Modem Module - Agere - Delphi D40

Storage Devices

Hard Drive - Hitachi - HTS725032A9A364 - 320GB, 2.5', SATA 3Gb/s, 7200RPM, 16MB Buffer

CD/DVD RW Drive - Hitachi-LG Data Storage - GT30L - Slim Internal Type, Tray Load, SATA

Battery

Battery Pack - HSTNN-CB1A, Li-Ion, 6-Cell, 10.8V, 4200mAh, 47Wh

"

HP ProBOOK 4520S Notebook Computer - Box Contents