Our QuickBooks Self-Employed review finds that this Intuit service ain’t no accounting package. That's a good thing. Instead, it lets sole proprietors easily track income, expenses, and taxes.

Whether you have $300 to spend or six times that amount, one of these five laptops for business will suit your needs and budget. We look at some of the best business laptops around.

Whether you're looking for gifts to give, to receive, or to simply treat yourself, these 10 gifts for small business owners promise to make your 2016 more productive and profitable.

Work doesn't stop when you step outside the office. Our top-10 collection of mobile apps, hardware, and cloud services will help keep you connected and productive no matter where you roam.

Let your sales team spend more time selling and less time generating quotes and proposals with 9 automated tools (plus one bonus add-on).

Running a business means crunching the numbers, tracking the cash flow, paying employees, and staying on the IRS's good side. This month's top-10 list features tools to help you do just that.

The mother of all dashboards, Dasheroo assembles the performance data from your social networks, marketing apps and more to help you keep abreast of and uncover trends in your small business.

This unique platform takes email marketing to the next level, helping small businesses communicate more effectively—and in real-time—with customers.

Email is your business' most essential tool, and also its biggest time sink. These email management tools cut through the clutter so you can focus on the info that matters most.

Nothing can make doing your taxes enjoyable, but we can offer small business tax tips, tools and advice to make your tax season a lot less painful.

Whether it's to convince a bank, your spouse, or yourself that an idea is sound, a well-thought-out business plan should be your first step on the entrepreneurial path. These resources can help.

The latest iteration of this venerable graphics suite adds more tools while streamlining usability. It may well be the only graphics software package a small business needs.

With its Windows 8 operating system, snap-on keyboard, and a docking station with ports, the ThinkPad 10 Tablet blurs the line between a tablet and a notebook.

Business apps that replicate desktop programs are one thing, but apps that push into new frontiers? That's why you pay for a smartphone.

Keep your cash flowing while you're on the go. Collect payments instantly, track expenses and billable hours, and keep tabs on your small business finances with these smartphone and tablet apps.

With a smartphone or tablet and the right productivity apps, you can edit a report, check a spreadsheet, tweak a presentation or take a meeting—anytime, anywhere. We share five of our favorites.

You need a new laptop for your business, but you love the idea of a tablet. With the new Lenovo Yoga 2 13, you get both—plus two usage modes in between.

Office ties don’t have to bind. An explosion of mobile apps and cloud services let you handle just about every business task from a mobile device. We list the essential apps for mobile entrepreneurs.

Next-gen cloud services, email marketing platforms, social media and mobile apps are changing customer relationship management software for small businesses. Is your application provider keeping up?

Love tablets for the thin profile and light weight, but need the processing power and creature comforts of a full-sized PC? The Acer Aspire S7 UltraBook might be the ticket for your small business.

Not a fan of Windows 8? The Lenovo IdeaCenter B540's big touch screen makes working in the new OS a pleasure, plus the PC offers all the power and features your business needs.

It's March, the season of fast-arriving tax deadlines. We list a bunch of resources small business owners can use for the 2012 filing season plus tips that could prove lucrative for years to come.

Don't let the social-media leanings of Google+ fool you. Among the personal sharing and communication features lurks Google Hangouts, a handy collaboration feature for your small business.

These 10 small business accounting solutions -- including three open source options -- can help you make sense of your finances, without requiring an accounting degree.

Small Business Saturday encourages consumers to shop at locally owned small businesses the day after Black Friday. We've got tools to help you turn the hype into holiday traffic.

As the iPad vs. Android rhetoric heats up, the goal is to capture the wallets of small business owners like you. Here's why a tablet is likely to be the mobile device in your future.

The Dell Vostro V130 is an incredibly thin, extremely light and eminently stylish small business notebook. But one design element may make it better suited as your second PC.

Looking for a way for your small business to stand out, or at least not appear small? Here are our top 10 tools to make your business look big.

Situated between spreadsheets and a full-blown CRM software package, Act 2011 delivers business database and email marketing features while improving ease of use.

Samsung's small business notebook PC offers a load of power, features and style at a price for less money than the big-name notebook makers charge.

A mobile projector adds to any presentation, but new technologies make choosing one more complicated. From lumens and resolution to HD and 3D, our guide's got what you need to make the best pick.

Forget the desktop PC: Dell's Vostro 3700 has a 17-inch screen, plenty of features and an affordable price. With the latest Intel Core i7 CPU, it might be the best small business computer you've owned.

If maintaining your small business computer systems is a drag on your time and psyche, consider IT outsourcing. It frees up time, delivers better results, and it’s more affordable than you might think.

Your small business software toolbox should include at last one graphics software app. Here’s what you need to know to pick the right graphics package -- plus a selection of software for every budget.

Designed specifically for SMB customers, the ThinkPad Edge line of notebook computers brings ThinkPad DNA to a wider audience at a lower price.

Dell launched a PowerVault solution to help simplify data backup and recovery for IT-challenged companies. Plus, the Vostro 3000 series features thin-and-light laptops specifically for small businesses.

If your business computers are running on versions of Windows XP or Vista without the latest service packs, it’s time to update, upgrade or go it alone as Microsoft withdraws software support.

Do you need a little tax help? If you're not the type to just dump it all on your CPA (well, even if you are), here are our favorite tools to make the next few weeks as painless as possible.

Three new cloud-based services help small businesses handle computer management chores easily and affordably.

Verizon has increased the speed of its FiOS Internet and High Speed Internet services, plus added new bundles that make it more attractive to add TV at the workplace.

Intacct Winter 2010, a cloud-based financial management and accounting solution, adds new dashboard views, automated workflows for employees, an improved multi-dimensional general ledger support and more.

Running a business means crunching the numbers, tracking the cash flow, paying employees and staying on the IRS’s good side. This month’s top 10 list features tools to help you do just that.

American Express Open’s Web-based invoicing service, AcceptPay, aims to help small business owners get paid more quickly. And to help them keep more cash, BillShrink.com introduces BillShrink for Business.

Designed with small business entrepreneurs in mind, the new Lenovo ThinkPad Edge aims to keep the reliability ThinkPad owners have come to love but ditches the high price — and the black cloak.

New Web 2.0 underpinnings and new capabilities let employees collaborate on documents, share contacts, schedule meetings and more from any Web-enabled device.

We’ve polished up our crystal ball — and asked some industry experts — to see what technology trends small business entrepreneurs should pay attention to in 2010.

MicroNet has expanded its SMB-focused MaxNAS storage family. One of the two new rack-mountable options can store up to 8TB of data — the other tops out at 16TB.

Web sites, e-mail and cloud-based services garner all the attention, but the majority of interaction for most small businesses still centers around the phone. These three new tools help you make the most of it.

By adding the option to store files locally on leading off-the-shelf network attached storage devices, Egnyte makes its Local Cloud service more useful to larger small businesses or anyone who works with large files.

Whether by choice or circumstance, you’re suddenly self-employed during the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. But these or low-cost, or free, online tools and services can alleviate some of the financial pressure and make running your business easier.

Xactly Incent Express application leverages the Salesforce.com CRM platform, letting small business sales managers forgo spreadsheets and easily automate compensation plans.

As entrepreneurs become more reliant on their mobile devices, Sprint looks to capitalize with offerings tailored to small businesses.

If you appreciate the sleek looks and convenience of consumer-oriented all-in-one PCs but need more business-friendly features, Lenovo may have the answer. The new ThinkCentre A70z combines ease of setup and a space-saving design with a low price.

Adding to its e-mail marketing and online surveys offerings, Constant Contact launches what it claims is the first event-marketing tool designed specifically for small businesses.

Coinciding with the launch of Windows 7 this month, HP unveiled a bevy of small business and SOHO PCs for just about any need and budget. Several even take advantage of Windows 7’s advanced touch-screen capabilities.

It’s no secret that small businesses never embraced Windows Vista, with the majority of customers sticking with XP. With Windows 7, Microsoft has addressed concerns with Vista’s speed and usability to lure the XP holdouts.

A survey finds that the majority of small business owners have Internet policies in place, but that inadequate enforcement leads to security breaches, PC and network downtime and lost productivity.

An outdoor-friendly display and advanced multi-touch screen technology will debut on select ThinkPad models, while the company’s exclusive SimpleTap utility takes full advantage of Windows 7’s touch-screen capabilities.

Iomega puts the emphasis on ease of use with the StorCenter ix4-200d, a four-drive NAS appliance that can store up to 8TB of data.

NomaDesk lets you synchronize files among multiple devices, share files with colleagues and clients, maintain a secure backup repository and more for $15 per month.

Track and manage sales leads without a full-blown customer-relationship management package.

A netbook won’t replace your primary work PC, but the business-friendly features found in the HP Mini 5101 make it a welcome complement to your computing arsenal. And at around $400, it won’t break the budget.

New all-in-one Web platform melds collaboration, intranet, communication, social community and other tools into a single site.

The new RingCentral Office service delivers an online solution for buying, configuring and activating a small business phone system.

Dell’s new desktop PC has all the small-business extras of the Vostro family, but it takes up no more room than an LCD monitor. And with the optional arm mount, it doesn’t take up any desk space at all.

With the custom browser toolbar platform from Conduit, small businesses can keep their name in front of customers while also providing a useful service that helps build goodwill.

Forget netbooks—you need a screen you can actually see, a keyboard you can actually use and performance to actually get work done. The ThinkPad T400s delivers on all fronts, making it the best all-around business laptop money can buy.

New storage array, NAS and PowerEdge servers promise more power and improved manageability, especially for remote offices. Plus, Dell’s services can help IT-challenged businesses pursue an efficient virtualization strategy.

Growing and storage-hungry businesses might like the new Netgear ReadyNAS 3200. This storage appliance delivers up to 24TB of storage plus remote access and online disaster recovery.

New SaaS offering lets you use the customer data you keep in QuickBooks to drive e-mail and direct-marketing campaigns.

You don’t need an IT certification to add the HP Scanjet N6350 scanner to your company’s network. And easy one-touch buttons mean your employees won’t need a computer science degree to use it.

The Smart Business system aims to remove the complexity of deploying the network OS and applications required to run your business with an all-in-one appliance—and a single point of contact.

Among the billion downloaded iPhone applications there’s a lot of schlock aimed at the teen set. But a growing library of business software makes the iPhone a serious smartphone, too.

In April, Google quietly changed how it handles search requests for a range of keywords, ranking local results higher. RankhHigher, an online marketing company, sees ways small businesses can turn that to their advantage.

Acer’s latest business desktop is affordable and easy to upgrade. It’s also the quietest desktop PC we’ve heard—or haven’t heard, to be precise.

VMware’s new vSphere 4 delivers high-availability fault tolerance, built-in backup and other enterprise-class features at a fraction of the cost of hardware-based options.

Glossy clear-coat finish, leather-trimmed surfaces, and brushed-aluminum trim: the Dell Studio XPS 16 notebook has the looks, features and performance to put an ordinary business laptop to shame.

Sage Spark aims to leverage the company’s expertise and customer base to deliver free and for-pay online services, plus a large dose of “community” support and advice.

Built-in videoconferencing, improved data security and extended battery life highlight the changes Dell has made to its Vostro notebooks for small business buyers. Even more appealing is the $569 starting price.

Maintaining the strongest possible wireless signal around your entire office is part science, part art. AirMagnet’s AirMedic removes the guesswork, no Wi-Fi training required.

Looking for an intuitive way to handle invoicing and payment processing online? The recently released DotNetInvoice 2.5 offers partial payment support, PDF attachments and improved credit card and platform support.

While nothing makes preparing and paying your taxes pleasant, some services can make it easier and cheaper. Here are tools and services to consider as April 15 approaches.

The first in a series of promised firmware updates adds remote access, more robust file-format support and other features—for free.

Some provisions in the recent economic stimulus package should ease the tax burden for small business owners, but the COBRA amendment could cause a cash-flow crunch.

Notebooks PCs continue to get more powerful, more functional and less expensive. There’s even a whole new class of ultra-compact, ultra-affordable models. But with choice comes complexity, so here’s what you need to know as you scope out your next laptop.

Earthtone.net aims to help small businesses save on printing costs by acting as a clearinghouse, matching print jobs with print providers that can do the job for less.

On-demand file server solution lets you synchronize local and "cloud" storage so your files are available wherever you happen to be.

Looking to improve the way you work in 2009? We found some of the slickest new hardware products that any technophile will want to consider.

Netbooks—small, inexpensive notebook PCs—are a handy way to stay connected and get a little work done on the go without a big investment; just don’t expect them to replace a full-fledged PC.

Even in a down economy you still have to buy the necessities to keep a business running. We trolled the Web to find the best online retailers for everything from technology products to office supplies so you can shop smart.

If you’re managing payroll manually, PayCycle can save you time and deliver peace of mind that it’s getting done right. If you are using a big-name payroll service, switching to PayCycle can save you hundreds of dollars per month.

If the price tag on the iconic ThinkPad notebook makes you think twice, you'll love the small-biz focused SL series. These models have the attributes of a ThinkPad, without the high price.

The affordable exception to ultraportable laptops, the HP Compaq 2230s delivers enough power for basic business computing chores and includes best-in-class security features.

In the market for a new point-of-sale system? HP has married the technology from its high-end systems and its small-business acumen in the rp3000 Point of Sale System.

Do you spend too much time creating quotes for clients and even more figuring out where the deal stands? Quosal streamlines the quote-and-proposal process and keeps you ahead of the curve.

Minimal IT staff? Limited budget? HP says its Adaptive Infrastructure in a Box for Midsize Businesses can help you reduce admin costs, decrease downtime and scale your IT as your business grows.

Durability and security meet high style in HP’s EliteBook premium notebooks aimed at mobile executives.

When a mere PC won’t do, a full-fledged workstation gives architects, engineers and graphics artists the power to complete demanding tasks quickly plus the capability to keep the machine current for years to come.

Ready to replace that desktop PC? Consider this full-featured notebook instead, and get all the comforts of a desktop with portable convenience.

Bolstered by the new Intel Centrino 2 mobile platform, the all-new Lenovo ThinkPad X200 ultraportable notebook delivers better-than-average speed in a smaller-than-average package.

Protecting your data and your identity starts with a strong password. Here's what you need to know to make your computer life safer and more secure.

They say it's not what you know; it’s who you know. They're right. Social networking sites let you leverage years of contacts to improve your business.

Looking for a small business–friendly notebook that won’t break the bank—or your back? The Vostro 1310 packs plenty of features and performance into a smaller package.

Well-suited for small business owners, this software suite loads all the graphics and image-editing features you’re likely to need into one affordable, approachable package.

When it comes to tackling tax issues, you’re not alone. These online resources offer tax tools, advice and articles aimed at small businesses—and they're all free.

The Toshiba Portégé M700-S7002 has all the features you would expect in a business notebook—plus one you might not.

It’s been about a year since Microsoft released Windows Vista to the retail channel, and so far the reviews remain mixed. Some small business owners have found virtues, while others prefer the comfort of good ol’ XP.

Pricing for portable business projectors continues to decline, while brightness and features continue to improve. Whether you're buying for a projector for the first time or the fourth, here’s what you need to know.

Apple's more than clever PC vs. Mac commercials and iPods. Enhancements in the latest operating system, plus the company’s office suite, make a Mac just as appealing for your business.

Sending large attachments to clients and colleagues via e-mail can be a crapshoot. YouSendIt acts like your own private FTP site—without the setup and maintenance.

Don’t let the name throw you. The new crop of Windows Home Server devices could be just what your business needs: Easy-to-set-up centralized storage and backup you can access from within your network or remotely via the Web.

Looking to replace your aging PCs around the office? Dell’s new energy-efficient models use one-quarter the electricity of an older desktop and deliver more computing power in the bargain.

The Plantronics Calisto Pro cordless phone lets you access your landline, Bluetooth-equipped cell phone and Skype service all through one elegantly designed handset/headset combination.

When it comes to printing, you can have it done fast, you can have it done well, and you can have it done cheap—just not all three at once. Online quick-printer PrintsMadeEasy.com is out to change that last part.

Need a Web site or blog without the hassle or expense? Squarespace can have you online in minutes with a great-looking site that looks professionally designed—because it is.

With cell phones, BlackBerries and Wi-Fi hotspots, mobile pros are increasingly expected to be available no matter how many time zones away business takes them. Here are some tips and tools to stay in touch.

Yesterday Dell announced its brand-spankin' new line of PCs designed especially for small businesses. Today, we take an up-close-and personal look at the Vostro 200 desktop.

After offering SMBs decent computers, low prices, an 800-number and not much else, Dell is again courting this key audience. The new Vostro line delivers all of the above plus software and service tailored exclusively to businesses with up to 25 employees.

This affordable business desktop packs plenty of power for business chores into a compact, quiet tower case. Best of all, on-site service comes standard.

BeInSync lets you synchronize files on several PCs, share files with other folks, access remote files via the Web and back up your data—all with one subscription.

More business owners are opting for notebook PCs in lieu of desktops for the office, a trend that's likely to continue as prices keep dropping and wireless networks continue to proliferate. Here’s what to look for in your next laptop.

Buying your PCs and servers from a local PC builder can mean better service, and it doesn’t cost that much more than buying from the big guys. But you have to know what to look for. Here are five tips to help you find a reputable dealer.

Need a new desktop PC to keep your business booming? You don't have to deal with the confusing hype. Here's what small business buyers should look for, as well as our current PC recommendations from the sea of choices available.

If your company's success is straining your accounting program's capabilities, it’s time for a mid-market solution.

An RSS feed can be a great complement to your other marketing or customer-relationship efforts. And adding RSS to your site doesn’t take a degree in XML coding—or even a college kid.

RSS feeds aren’t just for the digerati. New options make receiving information easier than ever, both in the office and on the road.

Stop billing the old-fashioned way. FreshBooks makes creating, sending, and following up on invoices painless — so you can concentrate on earning money, not chasing after it.

Sure, tax time hurts. But these online resources for small businesses can help take some of the sting out of this springtime ritual – and provide guidance all year long.

New Officejet Pro ups the speed and lowers the print costs, making it a viable alternative to higher-priced color laser printers for the small office.

Some of the leading technology companies want your small business to succeed. So much so, in fact, each offers a wealth of free online resources to help make that happen. Are you taking advantage?

If you need a CRM and sales force automation solution but are reluctant to commit to a whole new platform, Prophet 4.0 is for you. This Outlook add-in is easy to use and integrates with a program you likely already know and use.

Plenty of PC backup products claim to be easy to use, but BackupKey may just be the most effortless yet.

Dell's first color laser-based multifunction printer delivers quick prints and copies at an attractive price.

Managing, securing, and archiving e-mail is not just a problem for large enterprises to worry about. A host of legal and regulatory requirements means even small businesses need a plan. Here are some products and services that can help.

Microsoft Office Live comes out of beta with new features and a wide range of functionality. For business owners comfortable with the online model, it's worth a look.

You don't need a degree in accounting to handle your company's payroll. Three new online services make it easier to part with your money on payday.

The HP Scanjet N6010 lets you scan, store and manage documents, photos and even business cards through a one-button interface. It's fast, simple and reasonably affordable.

Data projectors are not just for corporate presenters with big IT budgets. The newest models are lighter, brighter, better and cheaper — and ideal for watching the game on Sunday when work is done.

With Altiris SVS 2.0, businesses can more easily and cost-effectively manage the application rollouts to employees and avoid "DLL hell."

You don't need Microsoft Exchange to roll out business-caliber e-mail, calendaring, file sharing and messaging to your employees. Web-based BlueTie delivers all the features you're likely to need, with nothing to install or maintain.

There's no need to pay for an application to fix or enhance photos you need for your Web site or marketing collateral. We found three fine choices that get the job done no matter what your skill level — and they're all free.

Intel is pushing laptop makers to standardize key components, so you'll have more options beyond returning it to its maker should repairs become necessary. We take a look at one of the first such notebooks from Micro Express.

Online e-mail marketing services can help you construct first-class communications campaigns without making you look like a spammer. These two services help you get your message delivered — and let you see exactly how effective your outreach really is.

Brilliant in its simplicity, Carbonite backs up data automatically over the Internet.

Widescreen laptops aren't just for multimedia fiends or people with cash to burn. The HP Compaq nx7400 proves that a business notebook can have some sexy features — and be affordable to boot.

The HP Color LaserJet 2605 series features fast printing plus plenty of conveniences.

The Dell Latitude D820 has everything a businessperson could want in a laptop PC. But the pleasure doesn't stop when the workday is done.

A year of public beta testing helped Microsoft smooth out its accounting program's rough edges. Now a few months into its 1.0 release, customers have found a lot to like.

Fujitsu's quick, convenient ScanSnap S500 scanner makes short work of turning paper documents into usable electronic files.

So, you finally realized you need a CRM solution? Well, your decisions are just beginning. A range of hosted and on-premise choices vie for your small business dollars. Here's what you need to know to make an informed choice.

Microsoft Office Live lets small businesses get on the Web quickly—and for free. The offering (currently in beta) still needs some work, but it could be the answer to your online presence-and-collaboration needs.

Wi-Fi hotspots and e-mail devices can be a mobile professional's best friend. But nationwide wireless broadband access makes those technologies look as dated as payphones. It's pricey, but is it right for you?

CorelDraw Graphics Suite X3 makes it possible to create your own marketing materials (and more) in-house, and you don't need a degree in graphic design to figure out how to use it.

The HP Deskjet 6980 delivers wireless printing for one or several people, as well as stunning photo output, at a reasonable price.

HyperOffice helps you connect far-flung employees and customers with a Web portal customized just for your business.

Backing up your critical data files to an offsite location isn't just for big corporations; it's a crucial practice for all business owners. Xdrive's affordable easy-to-use service makes it painless.