Dell is working on the principle that business isn’t only done in the office and as a result, this series has features that protect the laptop from falls, spills, and moisture. Its Free Fall Sensor detects if the laptop is in a state of free fall and shuts off the hard drive to prevent data loss. Compared to most laptops, the Dell Vostro Series laptops are slimmer and lighter. They have long-range wireless capability and come with security options that will be invaluable for protecting critical information. Display size ranges from 13.3” to 17” while processors being offered range from AMD to Intel Core 2 Duo.

The choice of the laptop to purchase is quite subjective since it will have to be based on the buyer’s requirements. Any of the laptops from the Dell Vostro Series can be upgraded so if you don’t like the performance or if your needs have changed, it wouldn’t be much of a problem.

Because of these features, the Dell Vostro series has frequently appeared on top of the list of most businesspersons and working professionals. The needs of entrepreneurs are not as basic as those of most consumers but they’re also not as advanced as those of large corporations. Dell determined there was a need and set about filling the need for laptops meant for small business entrepreneurs.

The laptops are simple and sturdy. They’re certainly not for those who are flamboyant but they have their own subtle, classy style. Because they’re meant for business, they have a better built. The series does give a good performance but as with any laptop that doesn’t have mediocre specs, its battery life is shortened.

The current notebooks in the Dell Vostro Series include the models: the 1220, 1320, 1520, 1720, and budget models: the A90 and A860. The Vostro 1220 was released online on July 1, 2009, while the Vostro 1320, 1520 and 1720 were released on April 2, 2009. On the other hand, the Vostro A860 was released on Nov. 13, 2008, and the Vostro A90 went on sale on April 15, 2009.

Vostro 1220

This is an extremely portable laptop at 12.1”, which makes it slightly larger than a netbook. However, the Vostro 1220 performs better than a netbook and is superior when it comes to battery life. Office applications can be accomplished with no glitches or delays although the screen size is too small for multimedia or editing tasks. Battery life exceeds 3 hours when used heavily. We have issues with the uncomfortable keyboard and the chassis but it is not unexpected considering its low price.

Vostro 1320

With a 13.3” display screen, the Dell Vostro 1320 is a good size for a businessperson to bring around while traveling. It has a solid built and although trivial, we appreciate that it broke away from the usual black and has a striking burgundy-colored lid and black base. Aside from having the capacity to do regular office tasks, the Vostro 1320 gives a sufficient performance when it comes to multitasking and even photo editing. Its battery life of 2 hours is a turn-off and its keyboard needs improvement.

Vostro 1520

With a 2.5kg weight and measurements of 357 x 258mm x 38mm, Dell was able to create a laptop that scores high on portability while still having a screen size that’s acceptable to many small business entrepreneurs. It has an anti-glare screen too, which ups its value a bit. It doesn’t have much of a style to speak of but it does meet the demands of small to mid-sized companies.

Vostro 1720

The 17″ business laptop is intended to be a desktop replacement. It has enough power to accomplish office and internet tasks as well as editing and design work. The screen size and its resolution of 1920×1200 allows for a very comfortable experience especially when your task requires you to put documents side by side. Its keyboard is one of the best we’ve found with its soft and responsive buttons. It has an adequate battery life and as long as you keep within the business-related tasks, it shouldn’t pose any problems.

Vostro A90

Vostro A90 is Dell’s 8.9″ business netbook and is actually the rebadged Inspiron Mini 9. If you have a thing for mini-laptops that’s affordable but can be used for business, then this is for you. However, it has its limitations when it comes to processing speed. It’s easily upgradeable too. Despite the cramped screen, it shows sharp images.

Vostro A860

The 15.6″ Vostro A860 is a budget laptop; therefore, it is understandable that it has nothing fancy to offer. Its appearance is typical for a low-end model. The keyboard is uncomfortable and it uses too much plastic. Business people would probably need more than 2 ports that are offered by the Vostro A860. When manufacturers place the usb port on the left, it inconveniences right-handed mouse-users. The nice thing about this laptop is the brightness and illumination it offers to the viewer. It doesn’t have a fast processor but it does the tasks of browsing and office work well.

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The laptop has to have fast processing speed and it has to allow for intense multitasking. Graphics capability doesn’t have to be at a gaming or video editing level. Ensuring that your laptop has sufficient connectivity features saves you from a lot of hassle later on. As a rule, a business laptop should have Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and Bluetooth and there should be a minimum of 3 USB ports.

Here are the laptops that would be perfect for those with a limited budget. These may not have all the features the user could possibly desire but they possess everything your business requires at a price that’s less than $1,500.

5. HP ProBook 4510s (FM848UT)

The HP ProBook 4510s has a 15.6-inch widescreen, a glossy finish, and a box-like frame. It appears to target users who have small businesses due to its security software. While storing log-on information, the HP Protect Tools have encryption that prevents anyone from tinkering with your hard drive. We like it because it is lightweight and possesses a bright screen and high resolution. We like the feel of the keyboard and it has a numeric keypad that might not be a big deal to most but it’s a huge treat for people in business. It has numerous features that include four USB ports, a 5-in-1 card reader, a dual-layer DVD burner, and a 2-megapixel webcam. The laptop has a 250GB, 5,400-rpm hard drive, which the business user would surely appreciate.

4. Toshiba Satellite A305D-S6831

The Toshiba Satellite A305D-S6831 is very versatile and any businessperson who has serious computing requirements will be glad to have this device. The 15.4-inch widescreen TruBrite high-def display allows for an easy time when working with spreadsheets or when multitasking. The 2.2 GHz AMD Turion 64 X2 TL-64 dual-core processor and 250 GB storage capacity are ideal for most tasks. Furthermore, if you are a champion of green technology, you would be glad to know that Toshiba has restricted the use of mercury, lead, and other hazardous materials in making this. We like that it’s stylish without being gaudy. Chatting, backing up data, participating in conferences, and sharing data are just a few of the tasks that are made easier with this laptop. It also has face-recognition software for added security.

3. Dell Inspiron 1525

When it comes to business, you would want to keep things simple but powerful. That’s what Dell Inspiron 1525 offers. Its keyboard is above average, its design is elegant, and it has superior securityfeatures. It may be quite bulky and is not meant for gaming or watching videos since the sound it produces isn’t of the highest quality. But when you look into what it can offer to a business, it is impressive. Working on various applications is a breeze and typing on it is surprisingly comfortable. Features are generous. There is no obvious scrimping here but its battery life is strictly average.

2. Fujitsu LifeBook E8410

The  Fujitsu Lifebook E8410 appears to have been designed solely for the business user. Emphasis was on connectivity, judging by the quality and number of ports and slots it has. Performance is comparable to other business laptops. It has security features that are estimable. Its design is seemingly inspired by the corporate world. Its built appears solid enough to withstand daily use. It’s also actually quite light despite its midsize level. The fact that it doesn’t have any external media controls is a downside. If you’re obsessed with security, then we recommend this for you. It has a fingerprint reader, a smart card slot, and an internal Trusted Platform Module. It has a configuration that’s enviable and some might choose it merely for that advantage.

1. Lenovo Thinkpad T400

Lenovo’s Thinkpad T400 is sturdy and has a long battery life, practical features, and tasteful design. Performance is topnotch. The laptop is capable of simultaneously opening several applications quickly and its 14.1-inch screen is sufficient for multitasking. It has a resolution of 1440 by 900 pixels that’s acceptable for business users. We can say nothing bad about the keyboard. Typing for long periods is tolerable and a person on the go would be ecstatic with the shortcut keys. It has all the essential features and new security features to boot. The three USB slots are located strategically. Users would be smart to use the ThinkVantage application suite, which makes various resources readily accessible. The purpose of the suite is for unmatched efficiency. If you’re running low on battery and want to stretch the power as long as possible, the laptop has a Battery Stretch feature that allows you to do so. An awesome feature that we love is the Active Protection System, which protects the hard drive when there’s vibration or when you’ve accidentally dropped it. With this laptop, we believe Lenovo found an ideal blend of practicality, manageability, and portability. With its reasonable price and incredible features, it’s almost a steal.

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The fusion of technology and design creates a special niche in the market where style is given equal or even greater preference over functionality. We see it in top-end cellular phones that come in lush colors and expensive designs. It’s easy to see how laptops and notebooks too have been pervaded by the trends. Indeed, individuality has come to the fore of everyday technological devices.

To tap into this niche, computer giant Dell introduced a range of entry-level laptops aimed at the consumer market. Dubbed as the Inspiron series, these laptops provide great value and attractive designs. At the heart of the series was the 1520 that became one of the company’s best selling consumer laptops. As the company rolled out new and better designs, the Inspiron 1520 began losing its touch in the market. Buyers began to complain about its bulky size, which offered no better performance than its smaller siblings. Dell took heart of what the users were saying and came up with the sleeker and better Dell Inspiron 1525 – the focus of this review. -laptop reviews

Still embracing the concept of eye-catching looks, good performance and a buyer-friendly price, the Dell 1525 comes with a range of colors, patterns, and finishes. The Dell Inspiron 1525 even comes with color-coordinated accessories to punctuate one’s desire for individuality.

Pros:

The 1525 is much sleeker and lighter than its predecessor, the Inspiron 1520. The entry-level model is priced low and there are high-end extras available. The battery life is nothing to go crazy about but there is a nice comfortable feel to the keyboard, touchpad and media buttons. Plus, of course, how can we leave out the eye-candy designs?

Cons:

There aren’t as many configuration options as with Dell’s other laptops.

Conclusion:

If you value great looks, solid performance at a price within your reach, the Dell Inspiron 1525 should fit your needs. It handles most computing chores effortlessly and best of all, your individual style shows. Notebookreview.com says it might surprise you, and CNET editors think it deserves a “Very Good” rating. We couldn’t agree with them more.

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The Dell Vostro A860, in its delicate and smooth black design, follows the contemporary trends of laptops. For a business user’s laptop, this netbook was designed to be a very stylish one. Not only is it an affordable solution that meets the needs of daily business computing activities, the Vostro A860 also possesses a 15.6 inch wide screen for easy viewing.

Balancing between technology, advanced features, and affordability, the Dell Vostro A860 is said to be the perfect choice for the business professionals looking for a laptop to meet their business needs while being mobile and highly flexible.

The Dell Vostro A860 is optimised for everyday productivity. The user can enjoy the pre- configured software and features needed for his/her everyday business tasks. Further going, the Vostro A860 is easy to arrange and manage when it comes to installing software.

The user may choose from a set of operating options; Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Home Basic after purchasing the Vostro A860. Those options are designed to deliver to the user a high business efficiency level along with superior performance while maintaining a medium size budget.

In terms of connectivity, the Dell Vostro A860 allows the user to connect the way he/she wants! The user may choose the intergrated wifi, the optional Bluetooth connectivity (for small local networks), or the simple cable plug. Those diverse methods allow the user to choose whatever method he/she desires and give the user more flexibility in adapting to the available connectivity network.

Having a huge network of authorized sellers and a channel of distributors too, purchasing a Dell Vostro is now facilitated. The Dell Vostro A860 is thus available whether the user decides to stay at home and order online or whether the client decides to purchase it from a local store. This business class netbook possesses a system that is reliable and that has been tested repeatedly before being issued in the markets. As trusted as the name Dell is in the netbook market and industry, the Dell Vostro is also a netbook that can take on rigorous activities on it and last for a long time.

The Dell Vostro A860 also comes with a fine exterior black coating that is scratch resistant along with a dust free sealed keyboard that will protect the laptop and keep it clean too. What also makes this laptop stand out is the support services accompanying it; a one year after-purchase warranty.

As per many users’ comments, the Vostro A860 can be used to connect with friends, give presentations, research, perform business activities, and purchase online. Many current users also comment about how easy it was to set up the laptop; a process that took less than 20 minutes! We can finally note that the Dell Vostro is a high quality business laptop that is an excellent match for small and medium business users.

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