HP Compaq nc6140

As the second mainstream notebook with EV-DO built in, this wireless workhorse connects from anywhere and easily survives whatever punishment the real world can dish out. The system is a good choice for business users who want a big screen in a reasonably portable package, plus top-notch ergonomics and durability.

At an even six pounds, the nc6140 is light for a notebook with a 15-inch display, but a bit heavy for frequent travelers. The system feels quite sturdy, thanks to a magnesium alloy frame and a scratch-resistant in-mold lamination around the keyboard. Protection systems for the hard drive and display ensure that your investment will last. The only thing that looks slightly odd is the slight bulge on top of the lid; HP houses the dual antenna system to tap into Verizon's BroadbandAccess network, which starts at $59.99 per month with a voice plan, and promises speeds in the 400 to 700 Kbps range.

HP nearly hits a home run when it comes to ergonomics. The full-sized keyboard is a pleasure to type on for extended periods, and the recessed touchpad with dedicated scroll zone makes navigating everything from Web pages to spreadsheets a breeze. We especially like the subtle icons around the keyboard that point out the various ports, including four USB 2.0 and a FireWire port, plus serial and parallel ports for businesses that can't let go of older peripherals. Our only complaint: the two rubberized mouse buttons beneath the keyboard have too much give, so in many instances we had to press them more than once to perform a given action.

The nc6140 includes a few multimedia-friendly features that you normally won't find on a business system, including dedicated Volume and Mute buttons above the keyboard and a 6-in-1 memory card reader on the front of the chassis. PowerPoint jockeys will appreciate the dedicated Presentation Settings button above the keyboard.

HP equips this higher-end configuration of the nc6140 with a DVD burner and a hi-resolution SXGA+ display that's ideal for editing photos or for crunching large spreadsheets with minimal scrolling. It also sports wide viewing angles, making this notebook a smart choice for mobile presenters. Keep in mind that those viewing angles aren't nearly as tall as they are wide, which could make working in coach class or other cramped quarters challenging.

As with Lenovo's ThinkPad Z60t, it's a cinch to connect to the Web using the built-in EV-DO connection. Open the VZAccess Manager software, click on NationalAccess – BroadbandAccess under the list of Wireless Networks, and you'll be surfing at a brisk pace within ten seconds. We really like HP's convenient Wireless Assistant utility, which enables users to turn on or off the three built-in wireless radios (Wireless WAN, Wireless LAN, and Bluetooth) with a single click. Pressing the Wireless button above the keyboard disables and enables all three connections at once.

In our tests, the HP delivered excellent throughput using its EV-DO connection. In a midtown Manhattan cafe we downloaded a 3.9MB file from our FTP server in 39 seconds, which translates to an impressive data rate of 743 Kbps. Those speeds dipped significantly to 171 Kbps during a bus ride between Manhattan and New Jersey, but that's still plenty fast for checking your favorite sites and downloading e-mails with attachments. Wi-Fi performance was decent from 50 feet from our access point at 6.5 Mbps, but that bumped up only to 7.4 Mbps as we moved to within 5 feet.

Powered by a 2-GHz Pentium M processor and 512MB of RAM, the nc6140 turned in a solid MobileMark 2005 score of 204. The system lasted nearly four hours on battery power with Wi-Fi off, which is pretty impressive given the size of the display. The runtime dipped by only 16 minutes with Wi-Fi on. As with the ThinkPad Z60t, however, connecting via EV-DO takes a significant toll on battery life. The HP used up 48 percent of its capacity after a surfing session that lasted a little over an hour.

The nc6140 ships with Norton Antivirus software along with a handful of other programs and utilities, including a Credential Manager utility that's part of HP's ProtectTools suite to keep your data safe. Some business customers may lament the lack of a fingerprint sensor, but the system does work with Smart Cards. HP includes the expected three-year warranty for this business notebook and a one-year warranty on the battery.

The nc6140 should appeal to business users who want to connect from anywhere but who need a bigger display than the more expensive 14-inch ThinkPad Z60t. The system is designed not only to get you online in a hurry, but to stand the test of time.