HP Compaq nc4200

HP Compaq nc4200 Laptop Magazine has an overview of the nc4200 from HP Compaq, and gives it a nice 4 out of 5.

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.

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.

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.