The HP Compaq nc8430 ($1,680 direct) has a lot of stature for a business laptop. When it comes to meeting work deadlines and taking on various projects, this powerhouse lives up to its reputation. The 15.4-inch widescreen display is a compelling reason to go with the nc8430. It lets you have three windows open at the same time (arranged so that each gets its own space) or gain several more columns on an Excel worksheet. If that isn't enough to meet your business requirements, then check out the system's Intel Core 2 Duo processor and discrete graphics.