HP Brio

HP Brio

Developer	Hewlett-Packard
Manufacturer	Hewlett-Packard
Type	Desktop personal computer
Release date	September 1998; 26 years ago (1998-09)
Lifespan	1998–2002
Discontinued	2002
Operating system	Microsoft Windows
CPU	Intel x86
Marketing target	Small business purpose
Successor	Compaq Evo
Related	HP Vectra

The HP Brio was a line of business-oriented desktop personal computers made by Hewlett-Packard aimed at small businesses.

The 7000 series was targeted at mainstream business computing, and started with a street price of $2449, inclusive of a 15-inch monitor. The 8000 was designed for "power-hungry" business users. Both series were announced in September 1998.^[1]

In June 1999, HP announced Brio models BA and BAx that included Microsoft Office 2000 Small Business. They were launched at street prices of $999 and $1,499 respectively.^[2]

Announced in October 1999 at an estimated street price of $499, the BA200 was aimed at small businesses that purchase white box PCs—non-branded PCs assembled by resellers or consumer PCs from manufacturers such as eMachines at retail.^[3][4] The PCs came ready for Windows 2000, and were certified for Novell network operating systems, for easy integration into a networked environment. They also shipped with HP Brio Internet Center and HP Brio Center, which together provided comprehensive Internet and e-commerce capabilities and online support.^[5]

Alongside HP's announcement of a new HP Brio Business PC line with the HP Brio Internet Center, HP also announced an agreement with AT&T; WorldNet Service to provide small- and medium-business customers with fast, easy access to the Internet. The alliance with AT&T was meant to provide small and medium businesses with an end-to-end solution—from initial connection to creating a Web site and online store.^[6][7]

In 1998, HP partnered with Symantec to incorporate pcANYWHERE32, a remote-control software package, on all HP Brio PCs for small and medium companies without an information technology (IT) staff.^[8]

Geared for small business users, the value lines of Brio PCs offered on-screen and online tech support. The latter came via a customized Yahoo! web site that featured news, business tips, stock reports, and product-specific service and support content from HP.^[9][10][11]

In May 2000, the HP Brio BA200 placed sixth on PC World's May list of Top 10 Budget PCs.^[12]

In January 2002, Netscape Communications announced that it had licensed its Netcenter Web portal to Hewlett-Packard for the Brio line of business computers.^[13]

Models

The following is a list of all HP Brio models ever launched. "x" in the following names is a variable for models 71-85.

• HP Brio 71xx
• HP Brio 80xx
• HP Brio 81xx
• HP Brio 82xx
• HP Brio 83xx
• HP Brio 84xx
• HP Brio 85xx
• HP Brio BA200
• HP Brio BA210
• HP Brio BA400
• HP Brio BA410
• HP Brio BA600
• HP Brio BAx
• HP Brio BA
• HP Brio BA300

References

1. "New "subcompact" HP Brio PCs". PC World. Retrieved 2019-05-27.
2. "HP Launches New Brio PCs With Microsoft Office 2000 Small Business". 2000-08-15. Archived from the original on 2000-08-15. Retrieved 2019-05-27.
3. Spooner, John G. "HP rolling out $649 Brio 200 PC". ZDNet. Retrieved 2019-05-27.
4. "At Groundbreaking Price of $499, New HP Brio PC Delivers Full E-commerce Solution for Small- and Medium-sized Businesses". 2000-08-15. Archived from the original on 2000-08-15. Retrieved 2019-05-27.
5. "At Groundbreaking Price of $499, New HP Brio PC Delivers Full E-commerce Solution for Small- and Medium-sized Businesses". 2000-08-15. Archived from the original on 2000-08-15. Retrieved 2019-05-27.
6. "HP and AT&T; Align to Provide Small and Medium Businesses with Easy Internet Access". 2000-08-17. Archived from the original on 2000-08-17. Retrieved 2019-05-27.
7. "New HP Brio PCs Take Small Businesses Online in Minutes". 2000-08-15. Archived from the original on 2000-08-15. Retrieved 2019-05-27.
8. "Symantec and HP Partner to Provide pcANYWHERE32 on HP Brio PCs Worldwide". Symantec. Archived from the original on May 27, 2019. Retrieved 2019-05-27.
9. "Hewlett-Packard 1999 Annual Report". 1999. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
10. "HP launches Brio PCs, starting at $699". Tom's Hardware. 1999-02-23. Retrieved 2019-05-27.
11. "HP Expands New Brio PC Line for Growing Businesses". 2000-08-17. Archived from the original on 2000-08-17. Retrieved 2019-05-27.
12. "PC World.com May 2000: - Top 10 Budget PCs". PC World. 2000-08-17. Archived from the original on 2000-08-17. Retrieved 2019-05-27.
13. Hu, Jim. "Netscape, HP in portal licensing deal". CNET. Retrieved 2019-05-27.