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If you're looking for a full-featured laptop for business travel, consider the $2199 HP Compaq Nc6230.
It offers all the functionality you need, including a 1.7-GHz Pentium M 735 processor, 60GB of storage, and a bright 14-inch display with a resolution of 1024 by 768, driven by ATI's Radeon X300 graphics chip set with 64MB of RAM. Our preproduction unit came with 512MB of 400-MHz DDR2 memory. The unit has no rewritable DVD drive, but it includes a combination DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive, which should be sufficient for most business users.
You get the usual complement of ports, save for parallel and FireWire ports, as well as gigabit ethernet and an SD Card slot. One convenience for travelers is the easy on/off wireless button. Our unit featured Broadcomm 802.11b/g and Bluetooth support.
Video and audio played back nicely, and the system performed well for its processor class, earning a WorldBench 5 score of 77. Though this model slightly outperforms the Best Buy-winning unit in this month's Top 15 Notebook PCs chart--the Compaq Business Nc6000 with the older Centrino platform--its battery life is shorter, and it costs a few hundred dollars more. Therefore, you may be better off opting for the older model.
Overall, though, if you're buying a notebook, look for one with the upgraded Centrino platform--the price difference is small and the system should last you a bit longer.
Test Report: Sonoma Laptops Face Off
Systems with Intel's upgraded Centrino platform show few gains now, but the tech sets the stage for future improvements.
Preproduction, not rated
Pricey mainstream notebook offers good features for frequent business travelers.
Street: $2199
Current Price (if available)
Fully packed desktop replacement includes a great wide-screen display.
Street: $2564
Current Price (if available)
Attractively priced desktop replacement system offers a handsome wide-screen display.
Street: $2184
Current Price (if available)
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