MicroReview: Portable Edition

Are you looking to take your business on the go? Though you may be tempted to pack up your desktop and lug it around in a suitcase, people would no doubt look at you weirdly were you too deploy your desktop in an airport terminal or a hotel lobby. Laptops are a necessary business implement for the traveling professional, and if you’re looking for a new business laptop, there is certainly a plethora of options out there. But you’re not looking for just any laptop, correct? Rather, you should focus your search on those computers which were designed with the business professional in mind. Portable business workstations are among the most popular business implements out there today. Not sure where to start in your search for portable workstations? Check out the micro reviews below for a good idea of what great business laptops should be.

The HP EliteBook 8530w Mobile Workstation

The HP Elitebook 8530w is a great solution for portable computing, mixing a great configuration and a relatively low price among its class. The Positives? The 8530w has a comfortable build, sits nicely on the lap and doesn’t run too hot. This laptop also comes stocked with an Intel Core 2 Duo processor or a quad-core mobile option, supporting up to a full eight gigabytes of memory. The Negatives? The 8530w has been known to have battery issues, which is why you should be certain to get a good battery warranty if you’re considering a purchase. Additionally, the security features (fingerprint scanner) of the 8530w have been known to have problems when it comes to operating system upgrades.

The Dell Latitude E6220

The Dell Latitude E6220 is a very portable business pc. The E6220 comes stocked with a 128 gigabyte solid-state drive. The solid state drive is an excellent addition, making for the fastest possible data writes and reads without any of the volatility of traditional moving-component hard drives. The E6220 is also an excellent choice, owing to its support of the Intel i7 processor. The E6220 supports eight gigabyte of memory, making for easy multitasking. The downside? The E6220 costs over $2,000, quite the pricetag for a portable business computer which you may only use when you can’t access your desktop computer. The E6220 also doesn’t support USB 3.0, something which many would think standard for a laptop with that price tag.

Final Thoughts

Finding a reliable business laptop doesn’t necessarily mean you need the newest or fastest computers on the market. The two laptops above illustrate two ends of the spectrum. The affordable Elitebook 8530w is a great choice if you’re on a budget and are looking for a computer just for the road. The E6220 is a great choice if you’re looking to replace your desktop computer all together. Just remember that the right laptop is optimized for your needs. That includes cost, application, and configuration. Best of luck in your hunt!