Posts Tagged ‘HP’

HP Compaq 6720s Laptop Computer

Monday, November 3rd, 2008

HP Compaq 6720s Laptop Computer


HP Compaq 6720s Laptop Computer
Traveling professionals demand superior performance and portability from their laptops. Producitivy at its best is achieved with this full-featured machine–and it doesn’t skip a beat– no matter where their travels take them. Get powerful production from a compact, lightweight machine, HP’s Compaq 6720s Laptop Computer is the perfect choice for business professionals. Genuine Windows Vista Home Basic operating system assures high quality productivity. When off the clock, the HP Compaq 6720s Laptop Computer gives you a multitude of digital media entertainment options to enjoy. This streamlined, 5.5-pound powerhouse boasts a stunning 2.0GHz Intel Celeron Processor 550 with 1MB L2 cache and 533MHz FSB, and features 1GB of DDR2 memory, a 120GB 5400 RPM SATA hard drive, and a Dual Layer DVD+/-RW LightScribe Drive. The HP Compaq 6720s Laptop Computer helps you stay connected with 802.11a/b/g wireless technology to keep you online. The brilliant high-resolution 15.4-inch WXGA BrightView widescreen display will illuminate your screen effectively in any light.

What It Is & Why You Need It

  • Get powerful production from a compact, lightweight machine, HP’s Compaq 6720s Laptop Computer is the perfect choice for business professionals
  • Not only for business purposes, you’ll find a huge array of multimedia goodness from this tiny machine
  • Carries an impressive 2.0GHz Intel Celeron Processor 550 with 1MB L2 cache and 533MHz FSB, and features 1GB of DDR2 memory, a 120GB 5400 RPM SATA hard drive, and a Dual Layer DVD+/-RW LightScribe Drive.

Popularity: 1% [?]

HP 2133 Mini-Note PC

Sunday, November 2nd, 2008

HP 2133 Mini-Note PC Now Just $799.99

HP 2133 Mini-Note PC – VIA C7-M ULV Processor 1.6GHz, Bluetooth, 802.11a/b/g Wireless, 2GB DDR2, 120GB HDD, 8.9 WXGA, Webcam, Windows Vista Business

HP 2133 Mini-Note PC
The HP 2133 Mini-Note PC. It’s a small wonder, with big possibilities. Ideal for instructional use or general-purpose business applications, the HP HP 2133 Mini-Note PC might be small in size (2.6 lb), and only 1.05 inches thin, but it’s big on usability, durability, and sleekness. Packed with an impressive combination of features, the HP 2133 Mini-Note PC offers you a full-function PC with the utmost mobility. This compact powerhouse features the Genuine Windows Vista® Business operating system, a VIA C7-M 1.6GHz ULV processor, 2048MB of DDR2 667MHz SDRAM memory, and a 120GB 7200RPM hard drive.

Productive here, there and everywhere
The HP 2133 comes equipped with the productivity tools you need to conduct business efficiently on the go, including an 8.9-inch diagonal, scratch-resistant, WXGA (1280 x 768 resolution) display; 92% full-size, user-friendly QWERTY spill-resistant keyboard; ExpressCard/54 slot, integrated Secure Digital Reader, and touch pad with scroll zone.

Cut the cords and stay connected
With communications technologies such as Bluetooth 2.0, Broadcom 802.11a/b/g wireless and integrated Gigabit Network Connection (10/100/1000 NIC), it is easier to access the Internet as well as communicate via email, IM, chat, and blogging — at school, at home or on the road at your favorite hotspots. By using the Internet, e-mail, and it makes researching, communicating, collaborating, and searching more convenient and enjoyable.

Specifications

Condition: New
Operating Systems: Windows® Vista™ Business
Platform: Notebook PC
Expansion Ports: 1 – Express Card Slot/54
PS/2 Keyboard Connectors: N/A
PS/2 Mouse Connectors: N/A
Serial Communication Ports: N/A
Parallel Ports: N/A
USB Ports: 2
FireWire Ports: N/A
Fast Infrared Ports (FIR): N/A
LAN Ports: 1
Modem Ports: N/A
Audio Out Jacks: 1
Line In Jacks: N/A
Microphone Jacks: 1
VGA Ports: 1
S-Video Connectors: N/A
DVI Video: N/A
Port Replicator/Connector: N/A
Processor Brand: VIA
Processor Class: C7-M ULV Processor
Processor Speed: 1.6GHz
Processor Cache: 128KB L2
Memory Type: DDR2
Memory Size: 2GB (2GB X 1)
Memory Speed: DDR2 667
Memory Slots (Total): 1
Memory Slots (Available): 0
Maximum Memory Supported: 2GB
Capacity: 120GB
Optical Drive Type: N/A
Supplemental Drive Type: Media Reader
Capacity: 1
Media Types: SecureDigital
Audio Description: Integrated Audio
Audio Chipset: ADI High Definition Codec
Graphics Description: Integrated Graphics
GPU/VPU: VIA® Chrome9™
Video Memory: Up to 256MB Shared
Video Interface: VGA
Communications Description: Integrated LAN
Integrated Wireless LAN
Integrated Bluetooth
Interface Type: RJ-45 Ethernet Connector
Bluetooth™
Broadcom 802.11a/b/g WLAN
Data Transfer Rate: 10/100/1000Mbps Network
54 Mbps
Bluetooth 2.0
Protocols: 802.11b
802.11a
802.11g
Width: 10.04″, 255 mm
Height: 27 mm, 1.05″
Depth: 6.5″, 165 mm
Weight: 2.6 lbs
1.19 kg
Mouse Type: Touch Pad
Scrolling Capability: Scroll Zone
Keyboard Type: Spill Resistant
Display Type: WXGA
Viewable Screen Size: 8.9″
Maximum Resolution: 1280 x 768
Battery Type: 6-Cell Lithium-ion
Battery Life: Up to 4.5 hours
Detailed Features

A Closer Look

Popularity: unranked [?]

HP Pavilion DV6326US Notebook

Monday, October 13th, 2008

The dv6326us is a great customizable notebook for all kinds of people. Whether you need just a basic laptop to surf the web and write documents, a medium range gaming machine, or something to just crunch lots of data this notebook can do it all when configured appropriately. It?s hard to find things wrong with such a beautiful and well built laptop, I can?t stop admiring its zen-type design even while I type this. Overall I think this is very balanced and priced very well comonentwise. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who needs a powerful machine, while still retaining stylish and futuristic looks.

Not Much RAM for Multitasking

The more RAM your laptop has, the faster programs will run and the greater number of windows you can work in at one time. If your needs are simple and you rarely do more than two things at once on your PC, the relatively modest amount of memory that comes installed in inexpensive laptops will be enough. Today the standard amount of RAM shipped in most PCs is 2GB. If you like to multitask–say, you want to launch a search for a file and start backing up data to a disc while you watch a news video–you need more memory.

Suited for Commuting and Other Short Trips

Because of its midsize screen and other middle-of-the-road characteristics, this notebook qualifies as an all-purpose portable. Though it might not have the biggest hard drive or all the latest card slots, its features–and accordingly, its price–are a good fit for most people who need to get work done in mainstream applications. On this laptop, you’ll be able to compute comfortably in word processing, spreadsheet, e-mail, and browser applications, and enjoy music or a DVD movie with headphones. This laptop, lighter and easier to carry than a desktop replacement, is also a better choice for commuting and other short trips.

Underpowered Video Hardware Not Suited for Serious Gamers

A video chip set (also called integrated video or Intel video) built into this laptop’s motherboard handles the graphics. Relatively speaking, this video hardware is underpowered. Since the laptop lacks a dedicated graphics card, the integrated chip set has to borrow video memory (an arrangement known as dynamic memory or shared memory) from the main system memory to make images look good. If you play only online trailers or 2D games, integrated video is fine. As long as the laptop has a fairly fast processor, such as a dual-core Intel CPU, even movies should look good and play smoothly. But laptops with integrated video can’t render 3D well and handle sophisticated effects properly. Games will skip, lose details, or stop altogether if the video hardware can’t manage at least 30 frames per second. If gaming is important to you, ante up for a laptop with a dedicated card.

Supports DVD Burning

This laptop is equipped with a DVD burner, a slightly older type of optical drive. If you don’t need the ultrahigh recording capacity of a new Blu-ray optical drive, and you don’t care about watching high-definition movies on your laptop, a DVD burner should suit you fine. It can read and burn data, music, or video discs up to 8.5GB in capacity. A DVD burner is, of course, backward-compatible with CDs, but it cannot play the newer Blu-ray media because the two types of optical-disc technology use different lasers. In a couple of years, Blu-ray will completely replace the DVD disc format.

Expand Memory and Multimedia Through the ExpressCard Slot

The built-in ExpressCard slot on this laptop lets you easily expand the memory, wireless communications, multimedia, or security of the system. There are two types of ExpressCards: the ExpressCard/34, which measures 34mm by 75mm and is shaped like a stick of chewing gum, and the wider ExpressCard/54, which is 54mm by 75mm. The ExpressCard/54 slot, which accepts either type of card, opens up a wider world of expandability, including SmartCard readers, CompactFlash readers, and 1.8-inch disk drives. Few new laptops come equipped with the old PC Card slot that preceded ExpressCard, but if yours does, you can buy an adapter that lets you use ExpressCards in the PC Card slot.

Supports Memory Stick Cards

Usually, a multiformat card reader, such as the one in this laptop, can accept several different types of flash memory cards, including Memory Sticks. A compact proprietary flash memory card, Memory Stick is a Sony and SanDisk product intended chiefly for Sony devices, including its laptops, digital cameras, camcorders, PDAs, and cell phones, as well as the PlayStation Portable. Five variations have been released since its introduction in 1998–each faster, smaller, and more capacious than the last. Check this laptop’s specs to see how many variations of Memory Stick it can read without an adapter. Not much bigger than a thumbnail, the Memory Stick Micro (aka M2) is the one of the smallest flash memory cards in existence; only the competing microSD, a type of SD Card, is tinier. The 16GB Memory Stick Pro Duo stores the most data.

Supports xD-Picture Cards

If you own a Fujifilm or Olympus digital camera, or an Olympus digital voice recorder, this laptop might be appropriate for you since it can read the xD-Picture Card format. xD is a niche product, not as popular or ubiquitous as other types of flash memory cards. Small and thin, and about the size of a quarter, it’s comparable in size to Memory Sticks and SD Cards–but it doesn’t hold as much, topping out at a mere 2GB. If you own (or are thinking of buying) a Fujifilm or Olympus digital device and need xD compatibility, that won’t matter. This laptop will make sharing xD data a breeze.

Supports SD Cards

Like most new laptops, this one has either a multiformat card reader or a dedicated slot that accepts an SD (Secure Digital) Card. More popular than Memory Stick, CompactFlash, and xD-Picture Card, SD is found in a large number of digital cameras, PDAs, printers, and other devices. SD Cards have built-in security functions to protect data, including music copyright protection. (The cards have a small write-protection switch on the side similar to that of a floppy disk.) The latest SD card, the microSDHC, is the tiniest flash memory card to date, measuring only 11mm across. It’s also the fastest and roomiest, capable of holding up to 16GB of data.

Supports MultiMediaCards

Any laptop that can work with SD Cards can also take MultiMediaCards in its multiformat card reader. These small, thin cards look like their SD counterparts (and are often lumped into the same category), but the technology inside is different, as these cards lack SD’s encryption and have only half the storage capacity. They’re also slower. If security and speed are not critical issues for you, MultiMediaCard can be a cheaper alternative to the more popular SD; many devices that accept SD will also take the slightly thinner MultiMediaCard. Regardless, this laptop gives you the choice of using either format.

Connect to the Net Via Ethernet Port

Even though Wi-Fi is all the rage, an ethernet connection for wired networking is still a nice thing to have. Ethernet jacks allow for instant connections to the Internet, e-mail, and applications over a fast, secure wired network. Ethernet comes in three speeds: the all-but-obsolete traditional ethernet, limited to 10 megabits per second; fast ethernet, which works at up to 100 megabits per second; and gigabit ethernet, which operates at up to a gigabit per second. If your laptop is equipped with the still-common fast ethernet, it won’t be able to take full advantage of the performance that a gigabit-ethernet network has to offer. But more and more laptops now come with gigabit ethernet, in which case you’re covered for access to the fastest type of wired network.

Windows Vista Installed

Microsoft’s Windows Vista introduces more graphical and functional changes–big and small–than the OS has undergone in quite some time. Among the graphical changes, the splashiest is the glasslike transparency of overlapping windows. Flip 3D, which lets you view open windows in a cascading 3D stack on the desktop, is eye-catching too. And the Windows Sidebar displays small applets on the desktop designed for specialized purposes, such as weather reports or sports scores. On the practical side, the new systemwide integrated Instant Search lets you look for a needed file from practically anywhere and at any time. Keep in mind, however, that because Vista offers so much, it requires a speedy CPU, ample RAM, and a good graphics card. Check out the other components of this laptop to be sure that Vista can run smoothly on it.

Popularity: 1% [?]

HP Pavilion DV6000T

Monday, October 13th, 2008

Overall, I would recommend this computer, as long as you’re not a frequent traveler. The battery life isn’t great. The set up/layout just takes a while to get used to. I have an Intel Core Duo processor, so web surfing is quick & easy. The sound for me is great, despite what I’ve heard other users say. Computer also comes with head phones and built-in microphone/webcam. Plenty of usb ports. Location of the adapter insertion is a bit odd – on the far right side of the unit.

The Pavilion dv6000t is a stylish, reasonably priced laptop for both work and play. Highlights include a bright 15.4-inch wide-screen display, a keyboard with a touchpad lock, strong sound, one-touch entertainment, and a superb optional docking station.

The dv6000t offers a wide choice of AMD and Intel processors (a t in the model name indicates Intel, while a z designates AMD). Our $1499 (as of 9/8/06) review unit came equipped with a 1.83-GHz Core 2 Duo T5600 processor and 1GB DDR2-667 SDRAM. It earned a WorldBench 5 score of 101, placing its performance among the top 20 percent of notebooks we’ve tested.

The standard 6-cell battery disappointed, lasting a brief 2.1 hours in our tests. If battery life is one of your priorities, you’ll do well to upgrade to the 12-cell version for $39 more; with this battery a 2.16-GHz Core Duo T2600-equipped HP Pavilion dv2000t, basically the same notebook with a 14.1-inch screen, worked unplugged for over 7 hours. (The taller battery also makes a nice typing foot.)

However, the rest of our Windows XP Home review unit was top-notch. For starters, the dv6000 is one of several Pavilion models that have gone high fashion: For $29 more, the dv6000 can have the same high-gloss metallic touches, piano-black finish, and subtle wave imprint as its dv2000 and dv9000 siblings. It’s a gorgeous look for a notebook.

Our review machine was well stocked for the price, coming with Wi-Fi and optional Bluetooth wireless communications, a top-of-the-line 120GB 5400-rpm hard drive, an integrated 1.3-megapixel Webcam, and a SuperMulti DVD±RW/R drive with LightScribe for laser-etching your own monochromatic disc labels. Also included were a 256MB nVidia GeForce Go 7400 graphics card and Microsoft Works 8. The port selection–three USB ports, a FireWire port, and a three-in-one media slot–is modest but should satisfy most home users.

Optionally available with the Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 operating system, the dv6000t is one of the best entertainment notebooks out there. Its Altec Lansing stereo speakers are strong enough for you to enjoy soaring music and exciting action movies without headphones. For listening in private, the notebook comes with dual stereo headphone jacks for you and a friend.

HP’s QuickPlay 2.1 wide-screen menu launches movies, CDs, personal videos, and photo slide shows without booting Windows. You start QuickPlay, and control the volume, by pressing a stylish touch-sensitive membrane located at the top of the keyboard. Prefer to sit back and relax? There’s always HP’s palm-size ExpressCard remote ($15 extra) for controlling your media from up to 10 feet away.

The dv6000t is user upgradable, with memory chips and a hard drive that are easy to access. In each case, you simply remove a protective bottom panel held in by a couple of captive screws. For turning the notebook into a world-class desktop replacement, however, you’ll want the $450 HP xb3000 Notebook Expansion Base; the price includes a screen stand with rear port replication, a secondary 300GB hard drive, built-in premium speakers, and a wireless keyboard and mouse.

Even if you don’t opt for the Expansion Base, the dv6000t shouldn’t disappoint as an entertainment notebook–its wealth of multimedia extras makes it very appealing.

Popularity: 1% [?]

HP Pavilion TX1000

Monday, October 13th, 2008

This little puppy has all of the functions and power of its big brothers and then adds light-weight, a fully functional tablet and direct play ability. I have travelled for years trying to find that perfect balance of having the horse power I need, and not dread lugging the unit throughout my travels along with all my other devices (mp3 player, DVD player etc.). I have finally found the answer in The HP tx1120us. I have had my unit for about two weeks and the sheen has not worn off, I am still finding new ways of incorporating all of the functions for differing situations. This sub-notebook is fully outfitted for serious work (web and graphics design, presentations, programming and the usual office functions) but it is also versatile in the various ways it accepts input, The swivel screen not only acts as a tablet with character recognition, but can also be used in conjunction with the full sized key board as a touch sensitive (using your finger) pointing device. This comes in very handy when the person in front of you reclines their airline seat, and speaking of input the metal touch pad feels so much better than the typical ones due to the lack of “stickiness” I was used to. I have loaded the unit up with Office 2007 Professional, Photoshop, GoLive, Visual Studio, Authorware, SQL and a hand full of games including Myst and have not been disappointed in the systems’ ability to handle what I throw at it. The only additions I have added for hardware are extra battery and USB link to take advantage of the G3 tethered connection to my mobile phone. I can’t say enough about having found my ideal travel companion. And one that fits in a messenger bag along with all of my cables, thumb drives, DVDs, papers, portable drives, phone, sunglasses…… at a price that was well below what other similar but less versatile machines are selling for. Oh and did I mention the design looks pretty cool to !

An artfully designed convertible Windows Tablet PC priced at $1894 (as of April 11, 2007), the 4.2-pound HP Pavilion tx1000 is geared for multimedia. This machine has some interesting and distinctive design touches, including a unique touchpad, but its abysmal battery life and excessively reflective screen make it a less-than-desirable traveling companion.

Among the tx1000′s many features are a built-in Webcam located at the top of the screen and a fingerprint reader set into the left side of the lid. It also comes with a three-in-one memory card reader, three USB 2.0 ports, and a dual-layer DVD writer. Indentations in the unique touchpad enable sensors to gauge your finger’s movements. A scrollbar with similar perforations sits to the right of the touchpad.

All of the ports are conveniently laid out along the sides; and helpful, readily visible gray icons identify the connections so you don’t have to hunt. Buttons for running HP’s QuickPlay software (which lets you play DVDs or music without having to boot Windows) and for rotating the screen occupy the area just below the screen.

Converting from notebook to slate mode is easy, and the 12.1-inch screen rotates into place firmly. One quibble: The screen jiggles a bit when the tablet is in notebook mode and that can be distracting if you are moving–say, if you’re on a train. The tablet comes with a responsive touch screen; but unfortunately the screen lacks an antireflective coating. In fact, strangely, it seems to have another kind of coating with a smoky hue that makes seeing anything on the screen at an indirect angle unduly difficult.

On WorldBench 6 Beta 2, the tx1000, equipped with a 2-GHz AMD Turion 64 X2 TL-60 processor and Windows Vista Premium Home Edition, managed a middling score of 64. In our battery tests, it ran down after just 1 hour, 45 minutes. Still, it’s nicely designed and comfortable to use, despite the screen glare. Just be sure to pack the AC adapter.

Popularity: 1% [?]

HP Pavilion DV2500T

Sunday, October 12th, 2008

HP Pavilion DV2500T is My first laptop…and it’s going to be hard to beat when I buy my next one. Love the integrated wireless. No problems so far. I highly recommend this model. I got it at Best Buy for under $900 on sale!!!

With its wavy-pinstripe imprint and glossy-black accents, the dv2500t carries forward the designer HP Pavilion look. Polished to an almost pearlescent sheen, the touchpad looks more like a minor work of art than a pointing device. Improvements include a move up to the Intel Santa Rosa processor family and some tweaks to the ports to introduce more high-definition capabilities. But the screen is still more reflective than most, and there’s almost no point in choosing the standard six-cell battery, since its life is so short.

Underneath the glam, the dv2500t is well equipped, albeit with one fewer USB port (a total of two) than its predecessor, the dv2000t, supplied. HP has replaced the third USB port with an HDMI connection for watching high-definition output on a similarly equipped TV.

Our $1439 (as of 9/12/07) review unit was a pretty good deal, offering a few more features than comparably priced all-purpose competitors had. It came with a fingerprint reader and Webcam (each $25 extra), the top-of-the-line 160GB hard drive, and an 8X dual-layer DVD burner with laser label-etching capability. A preinstalled copy of Microsoft Works 8 is standard.

The dv2500t is great for kicking back with your favorite CDs and DVDs. HP’s instant-on QuickPlay button launches music, movies, slide shows, and videos without requiring you to turn on the notebook. The backlit, pressure-sensitive panel at the top of the keyboard lets you adjust volume and tracks with an easy tap of the finger. The stereo sound doesn’t match that of a Toshiba Qosmio or a similar high-end multimedia notebook, but it’s still pretty good.

The notebook’s 5.5-pound weight makes it an appealing travel companion. To stay in touch on the road, HP offers integrated Wi-Fi 802.11n and Bluetooth ($45 for both and included in our test unit’s price). Integrated mobile broadband was not an option at the time we tested, but a $189 Verizon ExpressCard (not included in our price) was. HP currently offers a Pavilion dv2500t Broadband Wireless series, which starts at $1200 and has integrated WWAN connectivity.

Pavilion screens are bright and sharp–and annoyingly reflective under some office lights. The dv2500t’s 14.1-inch screen is the perfect size for getting most types of mainstream work done; just remember to tilt it away from the overhead fluorescents.

Performance was a mixed bag, with good speed but less-satisfying battery life. Equipped with a top-of-the-line 2-GHz Core 2 Duo T7300 CPU and 2GB of memory, the dv2500t earned a WorldBench 6 Beta 2 score of 79, four points ahead of two other similarly configured notebooks and five points ahead of the average mark of 74 for all of the all-purpose notebooks we’ve tested. It played 3D games at a competitive average of 42 frames per second.

Battery life was disappointing, with the standard six-cell lasting just 2.5 hours, almost an hour shorter than average. A Pavilion dv2000t we reviewed last year ran more than 7 hours with an optional 12-cell battery. Though our testing methods have changed since then, it’s a fairly safe bet that the battery upgrade is still well worth the extra $49, providing the added benefit of raising the wedge-shaped keyboard to an even more comfortable typing angle.

All in all, Pavilion fans and converts alike should be happy with the dv2500t, as long as they opt for the better battery.

Popularity: 1% [?]

HP Pavilion DV5000Z

Sunday, October 12th, 2008

The HP Pavilion DV5000Z is a 7.4-pound  portable and most attractively priced Media Center notebook we’ve seen from HP. It performed well in our tests, earning a WorldBench 5 score of 86. The dv5000z is more compact than HP’s 17-inch, wide-screen dv8000 series, which is AMD-based, too. Our test unit came with a 2.2-GHz Turion 64 ML-40 processor, though you can customize and get the lower-cost Turion 64 or Sempron mobile CPU. The $1593 model we tested had attractive options: 1GB of memory, a 120GB 4200-rpm hard drive, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and a dual-layer DVD± RW drive with LightScribe for burning silk-screen-like labels on CDs and DVDs.

The dv5000z has essentially the same chassis as HP’s Intel-based dv4000 notebooks, with a sleek but understated silver/black-with-flashes-of-blue motif. The ports are sensibly located and clearly labeled, and the keyboard was comfortable to type on. Other welcome touches include Altec Lansing speakers (though these lack an underside subwoofer), and QuickPlay buttons to bypass Windows and play music or DVDs in seconds.

HP has ditched the dv4000′s dedicated graphics for an integrated ATI Radeon Xpress 200M controller with 128MB of discrete video memory; you can also use up to 128MB of system memory. The 15.4-inch wide-screen display, with its BrightView coating, produced vivid colors, although the occasional sight of my reflection was distracting. The top resolution of 1280 by 800 supports high definition, but the bundled ExpressCard TV tuner is analog-only.

Popularity: 1% [?]

HP Pavilion DV2000T

Sunday, October 12th, 2008

I’ve had my dv2000t for half a year now. The laptop come with with many pre-install software. The spec was great and I haven’t had any problem with this machine yet except the touchpad. The touchpad was terrible, it was so difficult to use. Overall, this is a great laptop. I would recommend this laptop to anyone who needs something reliable and portable.

With its beautiful design, the Pavilion dv2000t notebook will most certainly attract attention.

Goodbye, boring black and silver. Hello, high fashion. A glam exterior encases the HP Pavilion dv2000t, a sophisticated entertainment notebook that replaces the dv1000.

With the Pavilion dv2000t, HP breaks new notebook-design ground with Nissha film imprinting, an advanced molding technique that incorporates attractive patterns into an object’s surface. The unit’s high-gloss metallic and piano-black finish contains a subtle wave design, just as some cell-phone casings and luxury-car interiors do. (HP has also installed this new design on the Pavilion dv2000z, as well as on a handful of other new consumer and business notebook models.)

The reasonable $1739 (as of 9/8/06) price of our test configuration included one of the first 14.1-inch high-definition notebook wide screens. The Altec-Lansing stereo speakers are first-rate, as well, and plenty loud enough for you to enjoy MP3s and action movies without headphones. The two stereo headphone jacks are nice extras; one is S/PDIF-capable, enabling connection to your surround-sound audio system for pure digital audio.

Multimedia is one touch away via HP’s QuickPlay 2.1, a wide-screen menu that launches movies, music, personal videos, and photo slide shows without booting Windows. A new pressure-sensitive membrane bar that runs along the top of the keyboard lets you start QuickPlay and control volume at the touch or swipe of a finger–very snazzy.

Would you rather sit back and relax? With HP’s palm-size remote ($15 extra), you can scroll through documents and control media from up to 10 feet away via an infrared receiver on the front of the notebook. You store the remote in the ExpressCard slot when you’re not using it. For making face-to-face contact during instant messaging, you can add an integrated 1.3-megapixel Webcam to your configuration ($40, and included in the price of our review system).

Our Windows XP Home review unit (XP Professional is also offered) came with both Wi-Fi and optional Bluetooth wireless communications; a top-of-the-line 120GB, 5400-rpm hard drive; and Microsoft Works 8. The included SuperMulti DVD±RW/R drive comes with LightScribe, which enables the drive to laser-etch grayscale labels on discs. Pavilions come with extra entertainment software, too, including the Muvee AutoProducer consumer movie-creation software and the Sonic MyDVD CD and DVD creator. About the only thing our test machine lacked was a dedicated video card, which you’ll want for gaming or other highly graphical applications; a 128MB nVidia GeForce Go 7200 board costs $25 more than the standard integrated video.

The port selection is modest but should satisfy most home users; included are three USB ports, a FireWire port, and a three-in-one media slot that takes SD, xD-Picture Card, and Memory Stick. The extrafirm keyboard is great, and features a touchpad lock. The typing slope is comfy, as well, thanks to the 12-cell battery, which adds three-quarters of an inch to the height of the back of the notebook.

The dv2000t, equipped with a 2.16-GHz Core Duo T2600 processor and 2GB of DDR2-533 SDRAM, turned in a solid WorldBench 5 score of 110, not quite as impressive as the mark of 120 earned by the similarly equipped Micro Express HEL8021. Our unit’s 12-cell battery ($39 extra) lasted 7.1 hours in our tests and doesn’t add too much extra weight to the fairly light 6.1-pound unit. (We didn’t test the standard six-cell battery, which is rated at 4.2 hours.)

To turn the dv2000t into a truly terrific desktop replacement, you’ll want the $250 xb3000 Notebook Expansion Base, which includes a port replicator, a screen stand, a premium speaker setup, a hard-drive bay, and a wireless keyboard and mouse. To increase the system’s 120GB internal storage (as in our test machine) to desktop PC class, you can get the $450 Base with a 300GB hard-drive kit.

A couple of ease-of-use quibbles: I had to turn the pointer speed all the way up to revive the cursor, which seemed to drag due to the touchpad’s thick glossy finish. And as cool as I found the volume-control membrane, even carefully executed swipes turned sound all the way up or down, requiring additional adjustment taps. In this case, at least, the old-fashioned volume wheel still has the edge.

But those are minor issues. The dv2000t is an excellent home and small-business notebook for the money, and its stunning wave-design casing will turn heads wherever you

Popularity: 1% [?]

HP Pavilion DV9500T

Sunday, October 12th, 2008

The HP Pavilion DV9500T is Equipped with a stylish 17-inch screen, this is the ultimate multimedia notebook. The HP Pavilion DV9500T also is the perfect laptop if you enjoy restoring your system at least once every month, reloading everything and losing valuable information, then send it three times to HP for repair, get it back with same problems, and finally after 6 months, give up return it and find out they will take 10% for every month you owned it. Bought it at $2700 including extended warranty and after months of frustation, got $1080. Unbeatable!!!!!!!!! Went back to Sony (4th Sony), now a AR670cto, 1960X1200, bluray,8600GT GPU, for $2200, and all I have to do is to enjoy it as it should be. Thanks HP, I won’t forget my lesson!!!

For people who like designer notebooks, HP has produced another sure winner in the Pavilion dv9500t. This desktop replacement offers the same stylish swirl case pattern, dropped hinges, and piano-black lid as its predecessor, the dv9000t, but with several important improvements, including Intel’s latest Santa Rosa mobile processor.

With a 2.2-GHz Core 2 Duo T7500 and 2GB of 667-MHz DDR2 SDRAM, the Pavilion dv9500t earned a very good WorldBench 6 Beta 2 score of 73–the same score earned by Fujitsu’s LifeBook E8410 with only 1GB of RAM. The Pavilion’s average frame rate of 62 frames per second in our graphics tests was average for a desktop replacement but below the marks posted by some gaming notebooks. It should handle productivity tasks, disc burning, and DVD playing with aplomb. And battery life is not bad for the notebook’s size, at 3.3 hours.

The dv9500t also improves on its predecessor with an integrated fingerprint reader and optional dual 200GB hard drives, delivering the greatest amount of internal storage available on a notebook. With all the trimmings in place, this is a pricey notebook. Our review cost $2664 as of July 24, 2007.

Pavilions are for gadget lovers. Touch-sensitive, backlit media controls do your bidding in response to a light swipe of a finger, so you can launch a movie, change tracks, or raise the volume in one motion. Both the screen and the DVD drive handle high-definition content. The dv9500t inherits the Pavilion line’s high-gloss screen, too, which can be annoyingly reflective under some office lights. But this is a minor complaint. The Altec Lansing speakers provide some of the best notebook audio output available, but you also get dual headphones ports on the front so two people can listen in private. For $100 more, you can add an ExpressCard TV tuner and Windows remote control.

Though built-in cellular broadband is not yet an option, HP does offer a Verizon Wireless V740 ExpressCard ($179 more) in its online configurator for extending your wireless network beyond Wi-fi hotspots. Our test unit came with 802.11n Wi-Fi and a gigabit ethernet port as well.

If the dv9500t is to be your primary PC, consider shelling out for HP’s xb3000 Notebook Expansion Base. This terrific desktop docking kit gives you a screen stand with premium integrated speakers, a built-in bay for a third hard drive, and a wireless keyboard and mouse. Including a 400GB hard-drive kit it costs $400.

Popularity: 1% [?]

HP Pavilion DV6500T

Sunday, October 12th, 2008

Capable of serious work as well, it’s a strong performer, yet fairly light (6.2 pounds) and easily totable. The keyboard is a tad bouncier than that of its predecessor, the dv6000t. And though bright and readable, the 15.4-inch screen tends to reflect overhead lights. Also, HP downgraded the dv6000t’s 1.3-megapixel (1280-by-1024-pixel) Webcam to 0.3 megapixels (640 by 480 resolution) on the dv6500t. These are minor nits, however.

While the dv6500t adds a few more circles to the subtle motif on its designer lid, cosmetically the system is largely the same gorgeous laptop as its predecessor, with the same durable, high-gloss casing and piano-black hinges. New are support for draft-n Wi-Fi (in addition to 802.11a/b/g), a fingerprint reader for security, an HDMI output for connecting to a television, and the option for an HD DVD-ROM drive (though our test unit came with a multiformat, dual-layer DVD writer). The dv6500t has three USB ports and a seven-in-one shared card slot, and the configuration we tested included a 120GB hard drive.

Our $1309 (as of 5/9/07) review model also came equipped with 2GB of RAM and the new 2-GHz Core 2 Duo T7300 chip, which together helped it earn a WorldBench 6 Beta 2 score of 75–just 10 percent behind the fastest laptops we’ve tested. As a result, the dv6500t can handle any type of application, from mainstream to multimedia, except 3D shooter games. The dv6500t’s integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 can use up to 358MB of main system memory; but for real gaming muscle, you’d want to upgrade to the optional 256MB nVidia GeForce Go 7400 graphics chip.

Battery life was excellent: The notebook lasted just 3 minutes shy of 4 hours in our tests.

Multimedia junkies still have the HP QuickPlay feature that was found on the dv6000t. This entertainment menu launches with one tap or a swipe of the touch-sensitive strip at the top of the keyboard, letting you enjoy DVD movies, music, personal videos, and photo slide shows without booting Windows. Meanwhile, fantastic stereo speakers pump out the sound. An ExpressCard TV tuner is remains a $130 option. The Pavilion dv6500t’s dazzling look may not be for everyone, but lurking beneath the glossy surface is a serious laptop. If high fashion fits your portable lifestyle, work never looked so good.

Popularity: 1% [?]