Part of that pitch is convincing small businesses to buy HP's EliteBook laptops, such as the rugged, 4-

pound EliteBook 2560p that is equipped with Intel's latest high-performance Sandy Bridge Core i5 and Core

i7 processors. The 2560p is designed to wholesale abercrombie fitch meet rigorous military standards (MIL-STD-810G) for vibration,

dust, humidity, altitude, and high temperature.

But good hardware is just a start. EliteBooks also offer a three-year warranty--not the standard one year-

-with U.S.-based support manned by certified technicians, according to Hutcheson.

"We've changed our Elite support. The U.S. call center...will be complete by the end of the year and we're

ripping out the IVR (interactive voice response) and putting certified reps in who can talk about our elite

products," he said. And when HP partners sell an Elite product they will get an incentive to provide HP

partner services with the product, said Hutcheson.

Because security can be neglected discount moncler at small businesses, HP will also offer free encryption, so "they can

lock down that product," according to Hutcheson.

Overall, the "Elite experience" is centered on installation, support, and management of that PC, which is

done via HP's premium support offering or partner services.

So, what about Apple? For a small business purchasing, for example, MacBook Pros and MacBook Airs, Apple

offers JointVenture. (Like HP's EliteBooks, all Apple MacBooks are sturdy and built for speed: they're made

of aluminum and pack Intel's Sandy Bridge chips.)
Apple Joint Venture for small business customers.

(Credit: Apple)
No need to go through a separate third-party VAR here. The Apple Store in Simi Valley, Calif., for example,

is staffed to handle small-business accounts. To get started, it's really just a matter of walking into the

store and asking a staffer about some of christian louboutin replica the finer points of small business support and then setting up an

account.

And it's transparent. Pricing is up front: $499 per year for the first five systems--which includes iPhones

and iPads--and $99 for each additional system. (Compare with AppleCare.)

Initially, Apple will transfer existing data--including e-mail, calendar, and address book--from a PC or

Mac, and install any additional software purchased from the Apple Store. Then, they'll activate the Joint

Venture website for access to training and tech support. Training includes up to three two-hour sessions of

training at the Apple Store for company employees.

Customers can speak to an Apple Genius over the phone (which typically isn't possible). Geniuses are there,

of course, to help solve computer problems. Apple will also run system diagnostics, update software, and

loan out computers when a computer is sent in for repairs.

Another point to consider: Apple is cheap uggs vertically integrated, so there's the convenience of a one-stop-shop

for everything. That said, HP has a long history of supporting business and has accumulated valuable know-

how over the years.

But when all is said and done, for small businesses it can often be a matter of which platform. offers the

best software applications or simply which platform. is more familiar.