HP Laptops Enable Next Generation Of Mobile Warriors

Armed with a laptop computer, a cell phone andcomputer remotely, I still wanted to have a copy of
some good old fashioned enthusiasm, today's mobilemy business applications installed locally on my Laptop.
worker has never been more connected. HP's latestThe main applications I installed included the following:
line of business laptops, give you everything youMS Office 2007 Professional
need to take your office on the road. In this article IMicrosoft Visual Studio 2008
will focus mainly on the HP 8710w Mobile workstationQuickBooks Pro 2008
and how I use this laptop to stay connected to myAdobe Creative Suite CS3
business at all times.All of these applications installed flawlessly and the
Five months ago, on a Friday, I sat at my desknew HP Laptop ran very well.
updating product feeds for my website. I had alreadyC. I installed the necessary software and hardware
put in a grueling 10 hour day, and still had anotherto connect to my office computer
two hours to go. To add insult to injury, I had to turnNow that I had my applications installed, I had to
down an invitation from my brother earlier that day,decide how I would connect to my office computer.
to head north for a weekend of fishing.Since I already had a dedicated Internet connection
I already had the ability to connect to my officeon my work computer, I decided to use the existing
computer from home. However, I had no way ofconnection I was already paying for. This all sounded
doing this from any other location. Tired of beingpretty simple so far. However, how was I going to
physically tied to my office, I purchased a new HPget Internet access where there was no WiFi or
laptop and managed to shed my wires very quickly.wired internet access available? Thanks to Sprint's
Here's how I did it:newest breed of Mobile Broadband Cards, this
A. I carefully considered my system requirementsproved to be easier than I thought. I purchased the
and purchased the right HP LaptopBefore I made mySprint AirCard 595 and a monthly access plan that
system purchase, I had to decide what systemwas comparable in price to an average cell phone
requirements my new laptop would need to meet.plan. The installation was a snap and the speed was
Considering the amount of time I would be spendingsurprisingly fast. It certainly wasn't as speedy as my
on this system, I wanted to make sure my newcable Internet at home, but I found it to be every
system met all of my computing needs. The followingbit as fast as an average DSL connection. I should
was the requirement list that I came up with:also mention that certain HP laptop models come
equipped with Verizon's Edge cellular modem built in.
1. Fast Processor - To meet the demands of myHowever, I found Verizon's connection speed to be
business applications.much slower than Sprint's.
2. WiFi - To allow me to connect to available WiFiWith my internet connection in place, the next step
hotspots or family networks.was to figure out what software I would need to
3. Bluetooth - Allowing the connection of wirelessremotely control my office computer. After exploring
headphones, headsets, mice and keyboards.the pros and cons of VPN, Windows Remote
4. Wired network port- To provide networkDesktop, Citrix and a few others, I decided to go
connections where only wired service is available.with a product/service called In a nutshell, I chose
5. Multi format Optical Writer - To allow me to sharethis product for a few basic reasons:
media with customers and business partners in a
variety of formats.1. It didn't involve opening holes in my office firewall.
6. Large high resolution display - This was important2. It is very secure.
to me, as I would be spending a lot of time staring3. It allows you to access your work computer
at the screen.remotely from anywhere you have internet access.
7. Multimedia sound - Nice to have for watching DVDThe LogMeIn configuration was simple and within a
movies while traveling.measly five minutes, I was ready to give it a test. I
8. Nice feeling keyboard - Perhaps one of the mostnavigated to the LogMeIN website and entered my
overlooked criteria in selecting a laptop.username and password. Once logged in, I saw an
9. Good battery life - Reasonable powericon that represented my work computer. I clicked
management to preserve battery life.on the icon and within seconds I saw my office
10. Cellular network card - To allow data connectioncomputer's desktop screen. It looked just like I was
to my office when no WiFi is available.physically sitting there and I had access to all of my
With these requirements in mind, I purchased the HPbusiness applications.
8710w mobile workstation.Conclusion
My first impression of the laptop was excellent. ItSo at the end of the day, did I earn the rank of a
had a solid built feeling and for the most part wasmobile warrior? Two weekends later, my family and I
ready to go when I unpacked it. Vista was thewere heading north for a little camping and relaxation.
pre-loaded operating system, which made me a littleMy oldest son was driving and I was sitting in the
nervous at first. However, with the 8710's Intelpassenger seat with my new HP laptop. With the
T8300 core duo processor and 2GB of RAM, it had allclick of a couple of icons, I was connected to the
the horsepower under the hood to run Vista and myInternet via my Sprint Card and was working
business applications with ease.remotely on my office computer. For some reason, I
B. I installed my business applicationswas more impressed with this accomplishment than
Even though I planned on accessing my officemy wife.