HP recommends Windows Vista Business:HP Compaq 8710p Notebook

HP recommends Windows Vista Business:HP Compaq 8710p Notebook
Operating system Preinstalled: Genuine Windows Vista Business 32/64,1 Genuine Windows XP Professional, Genuine Windows Vista downgrade to genuine XP Professional install*+, FreeDOS
Supported: Genuine Windows Vista Enterprise,Hp laptop battery 1 Genuine Windows 2000; Certified: SuSe Linux Enterprise Desktop 10
Processor2 Intel® CoreTM 2 Duo (up to 2.6-GHz, 6-MB L2 cache), Intel® CoreTM 2 Duo (up to 2.4-GHz, 3-MB L2 cache)
Chipset Mobile Intel PM965
Memory DDR2 SDRAM, 667-MHz, two SODIMM slots supporting dual channel memory12, HP Pavilion ZT1000 Battery, HP Pavilion XZ200 Battery, HP Pavilion ZT1100 Battery,1024/2048-MB
Internal Storage7 SATA 120/160/250-GB 5400 rpm, 80/120/160-GB 7200 rpm, HP 3D DriveGuard
Removable media3 12.7-mm optical drives: Blu-ray Disc DVD+/-RW SuperMulti DL13, DVD+/–RW SuperMulti DL LightScribe, DVD+/–RW SuperMulti
DL, DVD/CD-RW Combo, DVD-ROM
Display 17.0-inch diagonal: WXGA+ , WSXGA+ WVA, WSXGA+ WVA BrightView
Graphics8 NVIDIA Quadro NVS 320M with 256 MB of video memory (512-MB TurboCache)
Audio High Definition Audio, stereo speakers, stereo headphone/line out, stereo microphone in, integrated microphone
Wireless support4,5,6 Intel PRO/Wireless 802.11a/b/g/draft-n, a/b/g, Broadcom 802.11 a/b/g, Bluetooth™ 2.0, HP Wireless Assistant
Communications Intel Gigabit Network Connection (10/100/1000 NIC), HP Pavilion ZT1100 Battery,9 56K v.92 modem
Expansion slots 1 Type I/II PC Card slot supports 32-bit CardBus and 16-bit cards, 6-in-1 Media Card Reader
Ports and connectors 6 USB 2.0 ports, VGA, HDMI, stereo microphone in, stereo headphone/line out, 1394a, power connector, RJ-11/modem, RJ-
45/ethernet, docking connector, secondary battery connector
Input device Full-sized keyboard, enhanced dual pointing devices (touchpad with scroll zone and pointstick)
Manageability Intel® Centrino® Pro processor technology capable (select configurations),HP Pavilion ZT1000 Battery, HP Pavilion XZ200 Battery, HP Pavilion ZT1100 Battery,10 HP Backup and Recovery Manager, HP Client Manager
Software, HP OpenView Radia Management Agent, HP Client Management Interface
Security HP ProtectTools, TPM Embedded Security Chip 1.2,11 HP Fingerprint Sensor, Symantec Norton Internet Security, integrated Smart
Card Reader; Sold separately: Kensington lock, HP Privacy Filter
Dimensions (h × w × d) 1.3 in (at front) x 15.5 in x 10.8 in
Weight Starting at weight: 7.5 lbs HP Pavilion XZ200 Battery, (weight will vary by configuration)
Power 8-cell Lithium-Ion Battery (73 WHr) with HP Fast Charge, 120W HP Smart AC Adapter; HP Extended Life (52 WHr) and HP Ultra-
Capacity 4400mAh hp compaq 8710p Battery (sold separately) also can fit well with HP Compaq Business Notebook 9400

Expansion solutions Sold separately: Docking Stations, External MultiBay II, HP Monitor Stand, HP Adjustable Notebook Stand
hp compaq business notebook 8510p
i want to a business laptop send to my husband, I have been recommended to get the HP 8510P for work but since I am an absolute novice with notebooks I have no idea if its a good system. only know about the 4400mAh hp 8510p Battery

Its a Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz system with 2GB RAM, 250GB hard drive blah blah blah.

Basically (for anyone familiar with HP systems) is this fast enough and reliable enough to run business software,HP Pavilion ZT1000 Battery, Office and voice-activated software (Dragon) simultaneously? I am not a gamer so not fussed about that.

Reliability? HP I read here is not everyone's favourite but I think this is from the business range.HP Pavilion ZT1000 Battery, HP Pavilion XZ200 Battery, HP Pavilion ZT1100 Battery,Does that make a difference?

I think its actually out of production, so if anyone knows an equivalent (or better) system in the same price range please suggest.

Thank you all.