Setting aside the niche that their respective companies are targeting them for, these laptops share many things in common – size, processing abilities, standard features and price range.

HP PROBOOK 4510s

Let’s have a look first at the HP ProBook 4510s.

Packed with a 2.1GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor and pre-installed Windows Vista operating system, the ProBook 4510s can take on normal business tasks with ease. Basic video editing is not much of a problem; however, this is still no multi-media or gamers device. That is why the user who wants to edit HD videos or play graphics-rich games would be advised to purchase something else.

We find that the 15.6-inch screen delivers better images than its competitors. The LED backlight means lesser power consumption for this model. A big plus for audiovisual users is the availability of an HDMI port.

Build quality is solid but it does feel plasticky. The design is simple and easily gives away what it really is – a budget laptop.

It has better port options than the Inspiron 15 – more USB ports with 4, plus both VGA and HDMI ports and an RJ11 Modem jack.

On the whole, the ProBook 4510s is a solid choice for the business user on a budget. However, many other laptops offer the same features for the same price, so we wonder how this device will fare in a crowded market.

DELL INSPIRON 15

Dell promotes the Inspiron 15 as a mainstream multimedia laptop. The Inspiron 15 is an obvious attempt to cash in on the popular Inspiron 1520. Lighter, thinner, less powerful and, yes, cheaper than the 1520, the Inspiron 15 is for the non-gamer or non-multimedia consumer.

It definitely looks better than the HP 4510s with its hip, clever design. The edges are smooth and the customizable lid cover is eye candy. Dell says there are ten designs to choose from – something that we believe buyers in this niche will rave about.

Once you open the lid and turn the power on, you’ll be amazed by the quality of the LED backlit screen. The images are crisp and clear and the screen is coated with a glossy finish.

The Inspiron 15 is not as powerful as the 1520 as it does not have a dedicated graphics chip. However, as long as you are only doing run-of-the-mill tasks, it will perform without any hitches. Overall performance of this trendy device is commendable in that it loads fast and executes programs in a snap even with Vista as its operating system.

The basic Inspiron 15 is upgradeable and while that sounds promising, it actually means the opposite. The lowest model has very few features and limited capabilities (limited 160GB hard drive; wireless networking is via 802.11b/g which does not support 802.11n; and only Vista Basic).

Pros and Cons – HP PROBOOK 4510s

Pros: We find that the ProBook 4510s offers good specs for the price. The LCD screen is above average and there’s an available HDMI port. The Keyboard is easy to use and there are more port options than the Inspiron 15. Battery life is also longer than its Dell counterpart.

Cons: We do not like its plasticky feel as it betrays its true nature of being a budget laptop. Some business users would prefer something that feels better when touched. The ProBook 4510s also has no easy access panels to allow easy upgrading. Its design and features do not make it stand out in an already packed market.

Pros and Cons – DELL INSPIRON 15

Pros: Head to head with the ProBook 4510s, we like the Inspiron 15’s more creative, eye-catching design. The range of color options makes it appealing to most buyers in its intended market. We also like the excellent LCD-backlit display and the fact that it is easier to upgrade than the Inspiron.

Cons: Our biggest complaint is that in its basic configuration, the Dell Inspiron 15 has few features and limited capabilities. There’s no getting around the need to upgrade. When you do so, it drives up the price of the laptop. The absence of a dedicated graphics translates to below-average 3D performance. There is also no Blu-Ray drive available at this time.

Conclusion

The HP ProBook 4510s is a conventional choice for the small and medium business user. It will serve well as a good mobile computing device for the small business owner or for his staff.

But, overall, we’d go for the Dell Inspiron 15. The design and build is much better, upgradeability is easier and there is a wider set of options. We strongly suggest not settling for the basic configuration

Related posts:

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2. 5 Cheap Business Laptops.