HP ProBook

HP ProBook 4430s

22.05.12

While most of the laptop features metal construction, you'll find black plastic surrounding the 14-inch screen. The display offers 1,366-by-768 resolution, which is average for this size screen, but the SRS Premium Sound does provide better than average sound, whether listening to music or teleconferencing. Speaking of teleconferencing, an HD webcam sits just above the screen, ready for use with Skype or your preferred video conferencing tool. It's also commuter friendly, weighing only 4.75 pounds, nearly the same as the Dell Vostro 3350 ($741 direct, 4 stars), though it's a bit bigger, measuring 1.11 by 13 by 9.26-inches (HWD).

The 4430s has a chiclet-style keyboard, and its matte-black keys are actually rather stout. Where many laptops use low-profile keys for a light and effortless typing experience, the keys of the Probook feel sturdy under the finger tips, and no comfort in typing is lost. It's also spill resistant, so you can use it during a working lunch without experiencing beverage anxiety. Below the keyboard is a multitouch trackpad that lets you scroll, swipe, and zoom with two or three fingers. The trackpad is covered with a layer of chemically-strengthened glass, which feels superb beneath the fingers, as do the separate right and left mouse buttons.

Source: PC Magazine