It’s always hard to be a business laptop. Unlike their counterparts on either end of the cost-value spectrum, business laptops usually have to navigate an uneasy balance between cost and features. After all, users might expect lower specs from a 10.1-inch netbook or extra weight on a 17-inch desktop replacement, but when a laptop falls right in between, users can be difficult to please it can’t be too heavy or have low specs or short battery life
For consumers, laptops such as the HP ProBook 4430s are a perfect example of this dilemma the ProBook 4430s has its sights set towards budget-conscious business users who don’t want to be shortchanged on features or aesthetics.
Visually, the ProBook 4430s is fairly minimalistic. Like the rest of HP’s ProBook line, the 4430s features brushed aluminum on the keyboard and most of the display. The combination of greys and black throughout the ProBook 4430s’ chassis gives it a sharp, if unassuming appearance.
Besides lending the ProBook 4430s aesthetic appeal, the metal keyboard deck also provides extra durability. The brushed aluminum easily resists smudges or fingerprints and is surprisingly dense. Even after applying moderate pressure to the keyboard’s palm rests, the ProBook 4430s’ body provided little give.
Beyond this, there some issues with the ProBook 4430s’ build quality. It’s solidly constructed and aesthetically pleasing, but for obvious reasons, we’d avoid having the laptop take too big of a drop.