The HP Compaq 8710p is definitely a business laptop. It is lightweight, it displays good images, and a long battery lifespan. But what’s striking is its elegant look and fast processing speed.

This high-end business laptop is composed mainly of plastic casing with a mixture of magnesium alloy. This kind of casing is apparent on HP notebooks. These materials are used mainly to make strong and durable casing.

As this laptop owns a staggering look outside, we’ll try to spy on the inside.

Now, this laptop model has a 17.1” BrightView WSXGA+ display. Therefore, it emits bright colors and has good contrasts. These first-class features come alongside the glossy screen, which, however, has its consequence on reflections. But this didn’t compromise the viewing angles of the screen. All angles seem to be perfect for viewing with the 1680 x 1050 resolution screen.

Below the screen is a keyboard that sits nicely with obvious functionality. The key caps are slightly wider than most of the notebooks, which in turn, helps your typing abilities improve one way or the other. Found directly above the keyboard are the multimedia and connection buttons including a sensitive slider for increasing and decreasing volume controls. Moreover, the touchpad is unique. It has 3 mouse buttons on the bottom part and 3 more on the upper portion. The buttons found below the touchpad is your normal mouse button functions while the top part is for the touch stick that comes with Compaq 8710p package.

This business notebook features an Intel Core 2 Duo T7300 processor, a 2.0GHz core clock speed, 667MHz DDR2, and supports Intel Turbocache memory. Also, the video card was clocked with 575 MHz GPU and 702 MHz VRAM. These features then made the 8710p a powerful business laptop. With a fast-processing speed and a high video card configuration, videos, image processing, and animations is a no-sweat job.

Together with the quality image are the quality speakers which are found at the front of Compaq 8710p. They are too good compared to the usual competitors.

On the ports and connections, the docking port integrated in the system is quite impressive. The left side of the notebook is the most jam-packed place for ports and connectors, namely Kensington Lock, Fan, Power Connector, HDMI, VGA-Out, 2xUSB, FireWire, PcCard, and Smartcard. On the opposite side, we have here the audio ports, 4 USB ports, DVD Drive (lightScribe), Modem, and LAN port. At the back we can see the fan and the battery. While on the front side, the CardReader stands alone.

The battery, which has 73Wh capacity, has a good life span for the notebook. It can reach up to 6 hours of working time.

Now, is there anything else?

In general, HP Compaq is a very powerful laptop. Designed for high functionality and built for endurance. No wonder this is the best bet for people walking in the business alley.

Technical Specifications:

· Operating system:

Genuine Windows Vista® Business
Genuine Windows Vista® Business with downgrade to Windows® XP Professional custom installed
FreeDOS

· Processors available:

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T9300 (2.5 GHz, 800 MHz FSB, 6 MB L2 cache)
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T8100 (2.1 GHz, 800 MHz FSB, 3 MB L2 cache)
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T7800 (2.6 GHz, 800 MHz FSB, 4 MB L2 cache)
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T7700 (2.4 GHz, 800 MHz FSB, 4 MB L2 cache)
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T7500 (2.2 GHz, 800 MHz FSB, 4 MB L2 cache)
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T7300 (2.0 GHz, 800 MHz FSB, 4 MB L2 cache)
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T7250 (2.0 GHz, 800 MHz FSB, 2 MB L2 cache)
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T7100 (1.8 GHz, 800 MHz FSB, 2 MB L2 cache)

· Chipset: Mobile Intel® PM965

· Specialized Design: Specialized Design

· Memory:

Up to: 512 MB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM
1 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM
2 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM
4 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM

· Memory upgrade: Upgradeable to 8 GB maximum (4 GB SODIMM in Slots 1 and 2)

· Hard drive:

Up to: 120 GB 5400 rpm SATA
Up to: 160 GB 5400 rpm SATA
Up to: 250 GB 5400 rpm SATA
Up to: 80 GB 7200 rpm SATA
Up to: 120 GB 7200 rpm SATA
Up to: 160 GB 7200 rpm SATA

· Optical Drives:

DVD; DVD/CD-RW combo; DVD+/-RW SuperMulti with Double Layer; LightScribe DVD+/-RW SuperMulti with Double Layer; Blu-Ray Disc DVD+/-RW SuperMulti DL

· Display size:

17.0-inch diagonal WXGA+ anti-glare; 17.0-inch diagonal WSXGA+ WVA, anti-glare; 17.0-inch diagonal WSXGA+ WVA, BrightView

· Graphics:

NVIDIA Quadro NVS 320M graphics, with 256 MB dedicated video memory (512 MB TurboCache)
Microsoft DirectX 10 support

· I/O Ports:

External:

6 USB 2.0
1 1394a
1 RJ-11
1 RJ-45
1 microphone in
1 headphone/line-out
1 docking connector
1 HDMI
1 battery connector
1 external VGA monitor
1 AC power

· Slots:

1 Type I/II PC card
1 integrated Smart Card Reader
1 secure digital

· Audio:

High Definition Audio support w/24-bit DAC; Integrated stereo speakers; Integrated microphone; Touch-sensitive controls for volume up, volume down, and mute; Stereo headphone/line out; Stereo microphone in

· Network interface: Integrated Intel Gigabit Network Connection (10/100/1000 NIC)

· Modem: 56K V.92 modem with digital line guard

· Wireless:

Intel 802.11a/b/g draft n; Intel 802.11a/b/g; Broadcom 802.11a/b/g; Bluetooth 2.0

· Weight: 7.55 lbs (3.4 kg)

· Dimensions (w x d x h): 15.5 x 10.8 x 1.3 inches (393.70 x 274.32 x 33.02 mm)

· Battery: 8-cell (73 WHr) Lithium-Ion

· Power supply:

External 120-watt Smart AC adapter, 6-foot (1.8-meter) power cord included; Total length including external AC adapter is 12 feet (3.66 meter); HP Fast Charge

· Battery Life: up to 4 hours and 30 minutes

· Warranty Feature:

HP Services offers limited 3-year standard parts and labor warranty, pick-up or carry-in, and toll-free 7 x 24 hardware technical phone support; 1-year limited warranty on primary battery. On-site service and warranty upgrades are also available.

Small business does not require undersized performance. In fact, such businesses often demands greater effort among its owners. Moreover, with limited number of people working with them, managing business transactions and other trade details will be a brain-drain. Thus, running the business must involve a management system with speed and precision. This is where business laptops enter the picture.

You can find a business laptop everywhere, in malls and on the web. But here’s a list of notebooks that you will surely consider before pulling off the trigger:

1. Acer Travelmate 6593

Travelmate 6593 is a laptop designed to match the needs of small business owners and self-employed individuals. It has a classy casing with magnesium-alloy chassis that gives strength and an optional docking solution for speedy secondary connections. Security features is a plus for this business notebook at an affordable selling price. If business is your life, this will definitely make your life richer.

Tech Specs:

· Fingerprint log-in feature

· Intel® Wireless WiFi Link network connection supporting 802.11a/b/g/Draft N wireless LAN, Acer® SignalUp technology for enhanced antenna efficiency

· Up to 4GB DDR3 1066 SDRAM

· From 4 to 6 hours battery life

· 6.6lbs

· 15.4” WXGA (1280×800) TFT LCD with white LED backlight

· $999.00

2. Lenovo ThinkPad T400

This notebook is in a perfect state of equilibrium – a great balance between power and portability. It has the fastest processor ever made at present. Moreover, it has a tremendous display with a 16:10 aspect with LED backlit. And if you are working under the glaring sun, reflections are never a problem for it has a matte finish on its screen. With all these features, who would expect this laptop will only cost you less than a thousand dollars?

Tech Specs:

· 1440 x 900 WXGA+ LED Backlit (Matte finish)

· Intel Core 2 Duo T9600 (2.83GHz, 1066MHz FSB, 6MB Cache)

· Graphics with ATI Mobility Radeon 3470 w/ 256MB (hybrid switching)

· 2GB DDR3 RAM

· 5.6lbs

· 14.1” display screen

· $749.00

3. Sony Vaio P Series

Sony has released a fashionable, yet functional, laptop in the form of Sony Vaio P-series. Its small size is a plus factor for mobility amongst business people. However, below its high-resolution 8-inch display is a huge keyboard which provides comfort to the user’s fingers in spite of its bantam range. Doing business with notebook at this size won’t make you feel smaller at all.

Tech Specs:

· 8-inch screen

· 2 GB of RAM DDR2 SDRAM – 533 MHz

· High-resolution display

· High Definition Audio

· 1.4lbs

· Huge keyboard

· $899.99

4. Dell Studio 15

As Dell continues to come up with a superior design that caters the needs of small businesses, Studio 15 was born. It is composed of a sensible battery life at about 3 hours and 40 minutes and a practical 3GB of RAM running with an Intel Core 2 Duo T5750 processor (2.0GHz). Plus, you can customize the color by choosing among seven options. It is indeed a stylish way to finish your business proposals.

Tech Specs:

· 3GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 800MHz

· 250GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)

· Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD

· Glossy widescreen 15.6 inch LED HD display (1366 x 768)

· Intel WiFi Link 5300 802.11 a/g/n Half Mini Card

· 5.54lbs

· $649.00

5. HP Elitebook 6930

This business laptop fits for the workaholics. This notebook will not only be the most hardworking portable computing device but an ideal business machine for people with the busiest schedules. Along with its great performance and durability, this notebook can surely finish your presentations and business transactions ahead of schedule. Also, it comes with a lesser price. So, businessmen will find it hard to say no to this laptop.

Tech Specs:

· 24-hour battery

· Up to 4GB 800 MHz DDR2 SDRAM

· HP Mobile Broadband (powered by Gobi™); Intel 802.11a/b/g draft-n

· Spill-proof keyboard

· 4.7lbs

· 14.1-inch screen

· $1,149.00

Nowadays, everyone is eyeing for gadgets that are practical – it may be for work or for personal use. But when it comes to laptops, the primary concern of a potential user is its performance, durability, and portability. Whatever their needs that does not belong to any of the categories that are mentioned earlier, then they are searching for an add-on features.

When it comes to business professionals, their primary concerns go with the adaptability of the laptop. As much as possible, businessmen want to have a laptop which does not only allow them to make technical documents but also enables them to provide quality business presentations. And about add-on features, corporate folks also want to engage in high-tech, inexpensive video conferences. These virtual meetings are very common on huge companies that have different geographical bases around the globe. And running these establishments without being there physically saves a lot of time, money, and effort.

Now, as business laptops are meant for corporate people, this has to be basically portable. As mentioned a while ago, it is one of the primary concerns of a possible consumer. Although there are laptops with sizes like 17 inches or more, the ideal notebooks for business professionals would be 15 inches or less, depending on your comfort zone. If you think you’re old enough to acquire the smallest screen size, yet not rich enough to buy the most expensive one, there are a lot of business laptops available that is cheaper compared to other laptops within size range.

Weight does go along with the size usually. That is, the bigger the size, the heavier the weight. But it doesn’t really follow. All you need is just the right weight for you to gain access and save strength for the rest of the day’s work. A 2.2-lbs notebook is ideal for a business laptop. But a little bit heavier will do.

In business, functionality is very important. If you have the brains but none of those could function well, then you’re nothing. It’ll be the same with our laptops. All laptops have brains but the speed and stability is relative to its hardware components. This is the part where you have to take a glimpse on. If you are into graphics and image processing or photography and videography, then you need to have a faster and heavy-running processor. But if you’re a writer, I don’t think you need to maximize your video card to cater an intense gaming task. But, nonetheless, everything is not exclusive for anything. It doesn’t matter if you don’t play games on your laptop and you want the latest video card. If you are comfortable using higher specs than your basic requirement, so be it. As long as it doesn’t compromise your business function and productivity.