The HP Compaq range is aimed at corporate and small business users, so in the case of the Compaq 6715b (£520 inc. VAT) you won't find as many features aimed at the home user, as you will on the other laptops in this group test. That said, what the Compaq lacks in multimedia features it more than makes up for in other areas.

For instance, you'll find a biometric fingerprint scanner, so you won't need to remember any passwords to log on your machine. However, what immediately stands out about this machine is the build quality, which is exceptional. The casing is made from magnesium alloy for the main body with plastic used for the base of the system.

Magnesium alloy is also used for the lid, which is thick and solid. Weighing in at 2.9kg, this machine may be a little heavy to carry around every day but the design has certainly been made with mobile durability in mind.

Neat keyboard

The keyboard sits in a small recess with small rubber feet around the edge of it, which prevents screen rub during transit. The keys are of a good size and have a slight dip to them so your fingers don't slide as you type, so reducing mistakes. The mouse buttons are rubber and surprisingly responsive, as is the recessed touchpad.

Along with the Acer Aspire the HP Compaq has the fastest processor in this test. However, instead of using an Intel chip like the Acer, you'll find a dual-core AMD processor and chipset used in the Compaq. Both chips have a 2GHz clock speed and come supported by an impressive 2048MB of memory.

However, when it came to testing, the HP simply didn't have the same level of performance as the Acer, with the Aspire scoring almost a third higher than the HP Compaq. For day-to-day tasks, it proved more than adequate and we were satisfied with how well the Compaq handled.

Unlike the other machines in this group test, the screen is a standard TFT panel. While it lacks the vibrancy of a Super-TFT panel when watching DVDs, you'll find that it's better suited to life on the road, as it casts fewer reflections in natural light.

The HP Compaq 6715b is a great machine for those who need a reassuring solid and reliable laptop. While the weight may not be ideal for daily portable use, we found this a great machine to use away from the desk.

URL: www.laptopsdirect.co.uk
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PROCESSOR AMD 2GHz Turion 64 X2 Mobile TL-60
MEMORY 2048MB DDR2 SDRAM
HARD DRIVE 160GB (5400rpm)
SCREEN SIZE 15.4-inch TFT
DISPLAY RESOLUTION 1680 x 1050 (WSXGA+)
GRAPHICS CARD ATi Radeon X1250
DIMENSIONS 258 x 265 x 45mm
WEIGHT 2.9kg
WIRELESS LAN 802.11a/g
ETHERNET Gigabit
MODEM Yes
USB PORTS 4
FIREWIRE 1 (mini)
OPERATING SYSTEM Windows Vista Business
STANDARD WARRANTY 1 yr C&R P&L

VALUE FOR MONEY 8
PERFORMANCE 7
FEATURES 7
BUILD QUALITY 8
OVERALL 7

BATTERY LIFE 164
MOBILEMARK 2007 122
3DMARK 2003 1503