HP’s newest Compaq notebook model is the 12.1-inch Compaq 2230s notebook PC sporting a satin, reflective, black-on-black surface. This ultra-sleek computing machine features the HP 3D DriveGuard that uses a three-axis accelerometer that detects sudden movement and then initiate a protective a action that will prevent damage to its hard drive due to bumps or drops.

HP is offering various customization features to the HP 2230s including available Intel Core 2 Duo processor of up to 2.80 GHz, 1-4GB RAM upgradeable up to 8GB capacity, 120GB-320GB hard drive, Mobile Intel GMA 4500MHD and super-multi DVD drive. In addition, the HP 2230s also boasts of WLAN and Bluetooth connectivity features plus various add-on slots including three USB 2.0 ports, headphone line-out, microphone in, external VGA monitor, RJ-11, RJ-45, and HDMI port.

We recently covered the HP 550 showing up on HP’s product page, and we’ve also caught wind of Hewlett-Packard’s latest foray into the lightweight laptop market with the 2230s.

Since this is new technology, our information is always pretty sketchy at best. We do know that Intel’s GMA 4500MHD graphics chipset is on board, as well as Centrino 2 processors. It also has 3GB of memory, a 320GB hard drive, 802.11n, three USB ports along with an HDMI port.