Pros & Cons
-
- Plenty of wireless options to choose from.
- Laminated palm rests.
- Good features.
-
- Pretty thick.
- Mediocre performance scores.
HP Compaq 6515b Specs
| Graphics Memory | 128 |
| Graphics Processor | AMD Radeon XPRESS 1270 |
| Operating System | Microsoft Windows Vista Business |
| Optical Drive | DVD+R DL |
| Processor | AMD Turion 64 X2 TL-64 Mobile |
| Processor Speed | 2.2 |
| RAM (as Tested) | 2 |
| Screen Size | 14.1 |
| Weight | 5.4 |
| Wireless Networking | 802.11n |
One quick glance at the size and design of the HP Compaq 6515b ($1,359 direct) will tell you that it's aimed at professionals who spend equal amounts of time on the road and at their desks. More important, it gives remote users the ability to stay connected, incorporating a host of wireless options, including Draft 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.0, and your choice of Verizon's EV-DO and Cingular's HSDPA. The unit I received also has one of the fastest AMD Turion X2 processors installed. Still, it isn't quite a match for the
Though today's technology makes working remotely much easier, business laptops must meet several prerequisites—in durability, connectivity, ample features, portable weight, and decent screen—for their users to be able to telecommute effectively. The Compaq 6515b does that and then some. Its chassis is made entirely of magnesium alloy, a tough metal that can take a beating. The palm rests are laminated with a thick film that retards heat and prevents scratches. The laptop is light, too; with a 5.4-pound frame, it's definitely manageable in a briefcase. But I'm a little surprised at how thick the 6515b is. At 13 by 9.3 by 1.5 inches (HWD), it's almost half an inch thicker than the ThinkPad T60p.
The 14-inch widescreen is still portable, and it doesn't impede productivity. For those who need more viewing space, HP also announced the Compaq 6715b, which offers a 15.4-inch widescreen that will let you have multiple windows open side by side. HP gives you the option of adding its BrightView screen to either model for that glossy feel, though for most business users, a matte-finish screen is probably best for minimizing glare. Widescreens aren't for everyone, though. The ThinkPad T60p incorporates a standard screen on its chassis, and you get to choose between a 1,024-by-768 or 1,400-by-1,050 resolution when you order the system.
The full-size keyboard isn't quite up to par with that on the ThinkPad T60p. You can touch-type on the Compaq 6515b's keyboard just fine, but Lenovo clearly knows what it's doing when it comes to keyboards. I'm glad HP decided to go with the traditional dual mouse buttons, instead of adding a third one in the middle, as with the
Like the T60p, the 6515b integrates a cellular modem, and you get to choose from two steadfast providers:
The 6515b's four USB ports are impressive on a 5.4-pound system (similar systems from other manufacturers usually come with three). Other notable features include a FireWire port and a 5-in-1 card reader (MMC, MS, MS Pro, SD, xD) things you won't find on the ThinkPad T60p. Customers can custom-configure the optical drive as they wish. My review unit came with a dual-layer, dual-format DVD burner with LightScribe (HP's etching technology) capabilities, though most businesses will probably find that a CD-RW/DVD drive is more than sufficient. A fingerprint reader is situated below the keyboard, and the integrated speakers sounded crisp when I played back several audio files.
HP has been a big proponent of AMD processors, so it's no surprise that the 6515b loads a 2.2-GHz AMD Turion 64 X2 TL-64 processor. Although it's one of the fastest AMD processors I've reviewed so far, it's still no match for systems such as the
The 6515b comes with a one-year warranty on parts and labor, which is standard for most business laptops, and it covers all hardware components right down to the primary battery.
The HP Compaq 6515b is a capable thin-and-light laptop aimed toward the mobile professional. Though its biggest asset is the abundance of wireless options and features, its performance and usability are no match for the ThinkPad T60p's.
Benchmark Test Results
Check out the
More Notebook reviews:
Final Thoughts
HP Compaq 6515b
The HP Compaq 6515b is a business laptop with plenty of wireless features, but competition from Lenovo and Gateway makes it a tough sell.