By Darius Chang
15/08/2008
URL: http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/notebooks/0,39050495,61955195,00.htm

Ubiquitous Internet access, whether via Wi-Fi hotspots or 3G mobile broadband, literally allows you to carry the office anywhere. Though almost all portables are competent enough for working with spreadsheets and performing work processing, data security is a serious consideration for any business dealing with sensitive data.

Hardware-wise, a corporate machine should at least possess a fingerprint scanner, Trusted Platform Module (TPM) security chip and harddisk password lock. An exception was made for the Panasonic ToughBook, as it is one of the few semi-ruggedized laptops in the market able to withstand the rigors of a semi-hostile work environment.

In a world where time is money, system downtime may have serious financial repercussions and service support should be made as painless as possible. These are the top five business mobiles which have the grit to survive the rat race and still have time to move the cheese.

The following notebooks are not ranked in any particular order.

Click here for a feature comparison table.

	1.	Dell Latitude E6400 (Core 2 Duo T9600 processor 2.8GHz, 2GB RAM)   First take The last update to Dell's business lineup was 2 years ago with the Latitude D series. Turns out the Round Rock company wasn't merely sitting around but was using that time to research on the needs of the corporate crowd. After all, unlike consumer laptops where the best way to woo users is to incorporate ground-breaking features such as gesture controls and face recognition, business users need security, reliability and hardiness in their portables. So though the new Latitude E6400 didn't exactly take us where no man has gone before, it was nonetheless a significant step in the evolution of the corporate PC. Who's it for: One of the first Centrino 2 corporate machines to hit the streets. The wealth of options, from GPS to mobile broadband, makes the Latitude E6400 an exceptionally scalable laptop for the rank-and-file as well as top executives. First take | See full specs | Rate this
	2.	Fujitsu LifeBook P8010 (Core 2 Duo SL7100 Processor 1.2GHz, 1GB RAM)   CNET Asia rating: 7 out of 10 The good: Good speakers for the size; moderately solid construction; three USB ports. The bad: Mushy mouse buttons; no digital video out; no HSDPA; MMC/SD card reader only; pricey for the features. The bottom line: While there are elements that are certainly likeable about the P8010, for a business laptop, let alone an ultraportable, the lack of HSDPA could be considered a show stopper for some. Who's it for: With one of the smallest and lightest chassis for an optical drive-equipped 12.1-inch laptop, its long battery life makes the LifeBook P8010 an excellent choice for frequent travelers. Review | See full specs | Rate this
	3.	HP Compaq 6720s (Core 2 Duo T7300 Processor 2.0GHz, 1GB RAM)   CNET Asia rating: 7 out of 10 The good: Extremely affordable; good keyboard; reasonable performance. The bad: Short on connectors and expansion options; no clasp between lid and screen sections; oddly located touchpad. The bottom line: The HP Compaq 6720s is a budget business laptop that could fit the bill if you don't need serious CPU or graphics power, and are likely to spend most of your time in the office rather than on the road. Who's it for: For cubicle warriors on a budget, the HP Compaq 6720s offers a nice compromise between value and feature set. Review | See full specs | Rate this
	4.	Panasonic ToughBook CF-W7 (Core 2 Duo U7500 Processor 1.06GHz, 1GB RAM)   CNET Asia rating: 7.1 out of 10 The good: Slimmed-down design; low starting price; high-end extras are available, including HDMI and touch-sensitive media control buttons. The bad: Far from attractive; pricey compared to ordinary laptops. The bottom line: The Panasonic ToughBook CF-W7 is great for anyone who's prone to breaking things. It's by no means unbreakable, but it'll withstand more punishment than most users will be able to inflict upon it. Who's it for: While it may be a little costly, its semi-rugged shell is excellent for those working in rough-and-ready environments. Review | See full specs | Rate this
	5.	ThinkPad X300 (Core 2 Duo Processor SL7100 1.2GHz, 2GB RAM)       CNET Asia rating: 8.5 out of 10 The good: Extremely thin and light; sleekest ThinkPad yet; built-in DVD burner. The bad: Solid-state drive comes at a high premium; touchpad's location makes it easy to accidentally graze while typing. The bottom line: The ThinkPad X300 breaks new ground by packing a broad display, full-size keyboard, and nearly every feature a mobile user needs into a sleek, lightweight case. Who's it for: With its SSD storage and built-in optical drive, the 13.3-inch ThinkPad X300 targets the business traveler who is unwilling to compromise between portability and features. Review | See full specs | Rate this