Hands on with HP's New Business Notebook

I've long been a fan of HP's Business Notebook line (now branded with the Compaq tag), and after a few days of playing with the HP Compaq nc8430, I'm an even more fervent admirer. In fact, I've already recommended the machine to two different would-be notebook purchasers.

The nc8430 has all the bells and whistles we've come to expect in business-class machines: Integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, Intel Core Duo CPU, 1GB of RAM, big 80GB hard drive, DVD burner, and a 15.4-inch widescreen display. The keyboard is rock solid, and all its features can be found exactly where they're supposed to be. No hunting around for USB ports, memory card slots, or volume controls.

I'm ambivalent on the fingerprint reader, and the screen is just a tiny bit dim for my tastes, but overall HP has got itself a standout machine here, and it's not obscenely priced at $1,999.

The nc8430 is part of a new lineup in HP's business notebook space, ranging from the ultra-tiny nc2400 to the 8440, a portable workstation complete with high-test graphics. If you're in the market for a new laptop, the company probably has something that'll fit your bill and your budget. It's got the Null Stamp of Approval!