10 Desktops and Laptops That Wont Break Your IT Budget

by Jeffrey Burt

Acer’s business desktop comes with the Microsoft Windows Vista Business operating system, an option of three Intel Core Duo 2 chips and up to 2GB of DDR2 (double data rate 2) memory, with a starting price of $460.

Starting at $519, the Acer laptop supports either Windows Vista Business or XP Professional, is powered by an Intel dual-core Celeron T1400 and has 1GB of DDR2 memory, which can be upgraded to 2GB. It also offers an 80GB hard drive and a 14.1-inch screen.

Dell’s latest business PC comes in small form-factor, minitower and desktop models, all starting at just over $1,000. The systems are designed with better manageability, durability and energy efficiency than their earlier OptiPlex brothers. For those looking for sub-$1,000 desktops, Dell offers its Vostro line, designed for small and midsize businesses.

Dell’s business laptop starts at $529 and comes with a 15.4-inch screen, extended battery life and the Vista Business OS, with an option of downgrading to Windows XP for $99 more. Again, Dell also has a cheaper line of Vostro laptops aimed at the SMB market.

Starting at $719, this HP desktop is an energy-efficient model that comes with HP Power Manager, which lets users control the power settings and calculate power savings. The desktop comes in ultrathin, small form-factor and minitower versions.

HP’s Compaq 2230s laptop, which starts at $999, offers improved security, manageability and durability features, as well as Windows Vista Business OS and Intel Core Duo 2 chips.

Lenovo ThinkCentre A57 desktop features Windows Vista Ultimate, Intel Core 2 Duo chips, up to 4GB of total memory and up to a 500GB hard drive. It starts at $439.

These two Lenovo systems offer 14.1-inch screens, Intel Core Duo 2 chips, Windows Vista options and power management capabilities. The R400 laptop starts at $749 while the T400, which includes mobile broadband capabilities, starts at $929.

Designed for SMBs, this series of laptops has three versions—including the SL400, pictured—with a starting price of $499.

Starting at $899, Toshiba’s notebook offers a 14.1-inch screen, Intel Core 2 Duo processor, built-in docket support and Webcam, 3GB of memory and a 250GB hard drive. Other models start as low as $529.