HP Compaq 6730b on Orange Business Everywhere - HP Compaq 6730b on Orange

As you'd expect from a business notebook no sacrifices have been made on the security or wireless fronts. For security there is an embedded Trusted Platform Module (TPM) security chip and aforementioned fingerprint scanner, joined by a whole host of software such as Drive Encryption and Credential Manager for HP ProtectTools, and HP Disk Sanitizer to delete that sensitive data. Meanwhile, Wi-Fi up to Draft-n joins Bluetooth and of course the star performer, the integrated 7.2mbps mobile broadband module to provide all the cordless computing you could want.

And this, of course, is where things get really interesting, since the HP Compaq 6730b is available on Orange's mobile Business Everywhere plan, which offers 500 free Wi-Fi minutes and 'unlimited' data (subject to a 5GB fair use policy) per month. Business Everywhere deals with a bundled notebook start at £35 a month, which gets you a 6735s AMD Sempron machine and external 3G dongle. To get the 6730b with integrated mobile broadband that we're looking at though, you'll have to tie yourself into a 24 month contract of £45 a month that'll cost you £1,080 over the period of the contract.

Initially this might sound expensive, but when you consider you're getting a notebook that's generally around £720 (£626 excl. VAT) without built-in 3G or the two year extended HP warranty if bought separately it doesn't seem such bad value. Of course you could go one down to the HP Compaq 6730s, which not only has better specifications (such as a discrete ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3430), but also an external dongle that will be usable on any device including future notebook upgrades and knock £5 off the monthly tariff. However, though it comes with the same software, it lacks the specialist business features such as the 6730b's fingerprint scanner, TPM and 3D DriveGuard.

Compared to Orange's Business Everywhere plan on its own, which over 24 months will cost you £17 for the same 'unlimited' usage and 250 Wi-Fi minutes (total cost = £408), you're essentially paying £672 extra over the entire contract period for the notebook and extra 6000 (250 per month) minutes 'HotSpot' time. Whether you use the extra time or not, that's a saving of around £50 on the 6730b, plus you're getting 3G built-in, which can easily add another £100 or more to the price of any notebook.

As ever with bundles, it's not an offer suitable for everyone, especially when other providers like O2 and 3 have some very tempting business mobile broadband offers right now. 3, for example, currently has an 18 month 5GB plan for a mere £6.38 per month, though this doesn't include Wi-Fi hotspot access or a 3G modem. O2, meanwhile, offers a 24-month plan with 3GB limit and unlimited Wi-Fi for only £12.77 with a 3G modem.

Verdict

Orange's Business Everywhere mobile broadband plan partnered to HP Compaq's 6730b with integrated 3G/HSDPA makes for an interesting and relatively good-value combo for any business user that needs to stay connected wherever they are. As with most bundles though, it's not for everyone, and you'll need to check carefully if this combination is what your business needs.