Dell Latitude
Dell’s main business laptop is the Latitude, a group of six different models with varying levels of power and size. Starting prices range from $599 up to $2499 for the most expensive model; however each of them is customizable with different components, so prices will vary depending on what is chosen.

The less expensive models come with Intel Celeron or AMD Sempron processors, which are chips that are optimized for mobile computing. They don’t have as much power as their dual core cousins, available in the more expensive models, but they have enough power to run most applications that the typical computer user would want to use. All models, however, can be outfitted with dual core chips; either the AMD Turion 64 X2, or the Intel Core Duo, for maximum speed with multithreaded applications.

All Latitude models come with widescreen displays except for the D520, which is the entry level choice. The models that are billed as thin and light notebooks have smaller displays ranging from 12.1 to 14.1 inches to keep the size and weight down, but the heavier models have larger, 15.4 inch screens. As these are business laptops, there are no options for a display of 17 inches or larger, as portability is a key priority to most business users. One display that stands out from the group is that of the Latitude ATG, the most expensive model. It comes with an outdoor-viewable widescreen display, which is much brighter than the typical laptop LCD screen, and can be easily used in bright light conditions.

In business laptops, weight is often a factor in the decision as to which model to buy, and some of the Latitude models do not disappoint. At 3 pounds, the Latitude D420 is one of the lightest full-featured notebooks on the market today. This is primarily due to its small, 12.1 inch screen, and thin stature. The D620 model isn’t far behind, at 4.37 pounds, and it also comes with a larger 14.1 inch display, which is a rarity for a laptop so light. Most brands that weigh around four pounds have the 12 inch screen. At the other end, the Latitude ATG weighs over 6 pounds, and while this is not the heaviest laptop I’ve seen, it certainly ranks up there. The reason it is so heavy is because it is designed for stability – it contains shock-mounted hardware to protect the components from damage due to the rigors of being banged around while it’s being transported from place to place.

Overall, Dell’s Latitude models are excellent business laptops, with a wide range of choices in components for everyone from price conscious buyers, to those who are looking for pure performance.