Compaq Laptop

If you're looking for a Compaq laptop, you should consider the HP Compaq PC 4200 tablet. Equipped with Intel's Sonoma Centrino technology, this Compaq laptop is lightweight, "feathering" the scales at 4.7 pounds. Of course, when you consider the 9.0 oz. AC adapter that you need to take the unit on the road, the weight goes up to 5.2 pounds. With a swiveling LCD and a sturdy structure, the 4200 is a great corporate piece of equipment.

All told, the 4200 measures 1.5" X 11.1" X 9.3". The keyboard is ergonomically sound, although some reviewers complain that the space bar is slightly too small. You get a Pentium M Sonoma processor standard, 1.0 gigahertz, and 512 MB of RAM. You can expand the RAM memory up to 2.0 GB, but there's really no need, unless you're using applications inefficiently.

In terms of video memory, the PC 4200 tablet underperforms. It extracts 128 MB of memory from the main system. While the 12-inch monitor delivers sound, crisp images, it's simply no match for the 14-inch screen on larger models of Compaq laptops, such as the Acer C301Xci. This unit really stands out in terms of battery length--a single battery can last up to five hours, and you can also get an additional battery extender from HP. Theoretically, you can put in a full day's work without recharging.

There are a few negatives associated with the HP Compaq PC 4200 tablet. First and foremost, your choice of ports is limited. You get three USB 2.0 ports, an S-video connection, and a few other goodies, but the PC 4200 lacks FireWire capability. You can build in security chip authentication or get a smart card reader.