|
 HP Compaq nc4200This compact and secure business notebook doesn't know when to quit. 
The HP Compaq nc4200 has that one-two punch that all road warriors need: excellent battery life and a design that's very light, but quite durable. This ultraportable's fast performance and security features solidify it as a very attractive choice for the most mobile business users.
On the outside, the nc4200 looks exactly like a business notebook should. It has a boxy, dark grayish-blue body with a small HP logo in the center and very little in the way of flair. At 11.2 x 9.3 x 1.2 inches and 3.9 pounds, it can easily slip into a briefcase or backpack. An optional USB optical drive adds a little over a pound to the travel weight. Our system came with the MultiBay II 4X DVD+/-RW Drive, which costs $299. The nc4200 comes with a full-sized keyboard that's comfortable and responsive, but the function keys are rather small. The touchpad is smooth and the rubberized mouse buttons are easy to find without looking. HP includes a pointing stick with a tiny set of mouse buttons beneath it, which may be attractive to potential ThinkPad converts. Above the keyboard are three dedicated volume switches (Up, Down, and Mute) and a dedicated presentation launch button, enabling you to start a PowerPoint slideshow with the press of a button. On the left side of the system is the Power button (which you slide rather than press) and one of the three USB ports. The second USB port is on the right side along with the PC Card and SD/MMC slots, and the third resides on the back with the networking, VGA, and S-Video ports. At its highest setting the nc420'’s 12.1-inch XGA screen doesn't get very bright. It's fine for a couple hours of work, but anything more might cause some eye strain. The single speaker and small screen with narrow viewing angles make enjoying a DVD difficult. The nc4200 turned in a MobileMark performance rating of 224, which is well above average for an ultraportable. Page and program loading posed no problems for this machine. Having a fast 5,400-rpm 60GB hard drive certainly helps. It doesn't use a low voltage processor, but Centrino technology enabled the nc4200 to last over five hours with the wireless turned off; the endurance dropped only eight minutes with it switched on. That's pretty amazing considering the size of the nc4200 and that the battery itself is not at all obtrusive. Wireless performance was about average. The nc4200 delivered an unremarkable 9.8 Mbps of throughput close to our router, but we were impressed that it maintained a stronger-than-average data rate of 8.1 Mbps from 50 feet. The HP nc4200 comes loaded with a wealth of software, much of it first-party. The HP ProtectTools suite is a great way to manage your passwords and networking needs, and the presence of a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) chip sweetens the security deal. In addition, copies of Sonic RecordNow! and Intervideo WinDVD are included with the optional optical drive. HP's three-year worldwide limited warranty rounds out a great ultraportable. It's a little pricey, but the Compaq nc4200 is an ideal choice for frequent travelers who don't want to sacrifice endurance or performance for portability. Compare Prices | HP Compaq nc4200 Specifications
Featured Site Sponsors
|
 |
|
