Monday, February 28, 2011

HP Pavilion dv7-4060us Review


A gaming computer for under $1,000 USD? One that gives superfast 3-D display of the latest games and has enough sound to rock your virtual world? Just a few years back, that was an impossibility. Now thanks to Hewlett-Packard’s clever partnering with leaders from other industries including Microsoft and music producer Dr. Dre, the HP Pavilion dv7-4060us gives you superior audio, video, and 3-D graphics at an affordable price. With this laptop (notebook), you can take the virtual world with you wherever reality takes you.

A desktop replacement for work or play
Of course, it’s not just all play and no work. Professional architects and graphic designers will enjoy the mobility of this 8.16 pound laptop to take ‘into the field’  as it is powerful enough to run 3-D CAD applications.  Advertisers, marketers, and office IT ‘geeks’ will all appreciate the small body size at 16.35” x 10.8” x 1.25”/1.46” and big 17.3” screen as a desktop replacement that is easy on the eyes.

HP’s got game
Hewlett-Packard has gotten into gaming in a big way by offering the power of DirectX 10 running on the Windows Vista operating system (some models may even include DirectX11). The application programming interfaces (APIs) are a gamer’s dream as Direct X handles most tasks related to multimedia, especially game programming and video. The dv7 laptop handles all the newest DirectX 10 games with remarkable aplomb: everything from the old 2006 “Dungeons and Dragons” to the newest “Sims 3 (October 2010)” will run on this machine. You will get fast playable frame rates if you join the 12 million other subscribers to the hugely popular online “World of Warcraft” game.

What makes the dv7-4060us tick is the AMD Phenom II N830 triple core processor which clocks at 2.1 GHz. Three cores means tasks are distributed, making multi-tasking a breeze. Each core has an L2 cache of 512KB which adds up to an actual available cache memory of 1536KB.  It comes with 4GB DDR3 memory in two slots which you can increase up to 8 Gigs. Almost endless storage capacity is available in the 500GB hard drive which runs at a fast 7200 RPM. There is also an integrated SuperMulti8x DVD +/-RW drive with double layer support with LightScribe technology allowing you to record DVDs and burn labels right on to the disk. Surprisingly, despite all this power-drain, the 9-cell ion battery will give you up to 7.5 hours of cable-free computing time.

The big picture
One of the largest laptop screens available at 17.3 inches, the widescreen display is LED backlit and your video graphics appear in High Definition. The powerful ATI Mobility Radeon 5650 graphics card has a discrete dedicated 1GB of DDR3 video memory and a total available graphics memory of 2714MB. ATI Eyefinity multi-display technology supports up to 6 external displays at once with independent resolutions. This means you are able to play games with 1080 pixels HD content. Films and TV show correctly in 16:9 format as the Brightview HD display resolution ratio is 1600*900.
Dr. Dre’s “Beats” inside
Where the dv7 series really sings is its audio output. Partnering with famous record producer and performer, Dr. Dre, HP has invested in the “Beats™” brand which aims to bring recording studio quality sound to new generation computers. Beats Audio is built in with stereo speakers and supported by a High Definition Audio Chipset. An optional HP Triple Bass Reflex Subwoofer can be installed when ordering. 

Multiple connections
Lots of connectivity is possible with a 5-in-1 Digital Media Reader, Headphones-in and Mic-out jacks, and the variety of ports needed for today’s technologies including 4 USB 2.0 ports (the 4th port is shared with eSATA), an eSATA + USB 2.0 combo, RJ-45 Network port for 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet, and both VGA and HDMI ports to allow you to output to larger monitors and HD televisions. HDMI is supported by the HP MediaSmart software. Improved wireless connectivity comes when you hook into a Wireless-N (draft 802.11n) network but you also have the options of connecting to 802.11 b/g networks or high-speed wired networks. Some models come with Bluetooth (check when ordering).

Security at your fingertips
With all this power packed into a backpack-sized machine, damage and security may be  issues. HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection detects sudden drops and bumps and acts to keep your hard drive safe. HP designers have also come up with SimplePass Identity Protection in the form of an integrated Fingerprint Reader located next to the touchpad that stores your fingerprint as a unique secure password. 

Good looks inside and out
Handsome both inside and out, it comes in a brushed aluminum finish with a stream design in Argento. The keyboard has 101-keys (compatible with island-style full-size keyboard) with an integrated numeric keypad. The touchpad is HP’s own Clickpad with an On/Off button. Above the screen, you will find an HP TrueVision Webcam with integrated digital microphone especially designed for low-light settings so you can chat or play games all night.

Conclusion
Whether as a desktop replacement or a gamer’s fantasy laptop for those on a budget, this version of the Pavilion at 17.3 inches offers some exceptional audio, video, and performance for a mid-range notebook computer under $1,000 USD. The price has dropped over the past year and ‘Black Friday’ sales show it marketed on numerous websites between $600 - $700 USD. Note that the ‘us’ suffix on the end of the model number indicates that the dv7-4060us is primarily sold in the United States and some pepole says its the best gaming laptop 2011 so one can realise its performance.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

HP Pavilion dv6-3010us Review


Like a glass of the bubbly, Hewlett-Packard’s HP Pavilion dv6-3010us provides classy entertainment but may be a little light for the serious consumer. From the champagne-colored exterior finish to the banquet of features designed for your entertainment, this mid-sized laptop is designed to amuse.

At your leisure
Enjoy your favorite music, view and edit your photos and videos, play games, or do some serious office work. The Pavilion dv6-3010us Entertainment Notebook lets you do all this and more. With the latest AMD Vision platform installed you can even run multiple applications at once so you can work and play at the same time.

Classy understated design
HP has redesigned the mid-sized Pavilion to give it a characteristic classy and subtly understated appearance. The exterior has the same slightly textured “HP Imprint” geometric designs on a molded plastic surface of previous Pavilions but here it is reinterpreted in a semi-gloss champagne color inside and out. The bezel frames the screen in a glossy black while the keyboard and large HP Clickpad (touchpad) in matte black provide an elegant contrast. The screen display is a full 15.6 inch diagonal with HP BrightView HD LED at 1366x768 resolution giving your movies, games and 3-D graphics a bright, clear and colorful look.

Instant keyboard access
The full-size, island-style keyboard is supplemented by a row of media shortcut keys down the left hand side which give you quick access to your email, internet browser, DVD recorder and printer. There is even a button that brings up a calculator. The sensitive touchpad seems to resemble the Apple MacBook Pro with the mouse buttons one part of the unified design and may take you some adjustment to get comfortable. 

A respectable competitor
Every major manufacturer competes for the top of the line of mid-range entertainment computers: see the Apple MacBook Pro 15-inch, the Acer Aspire AS5741-6073, and the Toshiba Satellite L665D-S5066 to name a few. Cisco Cheng at PC Magazine named the Samsung R580 his ‘Editor’s Choice’ as a desktop replacement for its i5 CPU and Blu-Ray drive. The HP Pavilion dv6 series is a solid competitor though its AMD Turion II Dual-Core Mobile Processor P520 (2.3 GHz, 2 MB L2 Cache) is considered by some reviewers to give less than optimum performance when compared to others in the same class.

Just like its rivals, this model features a big 320GB SATA serial ATA hard drive and exceeds them all with the hard drive rotation at 7200 RPM. 

Industry standard hardware
While the processor may not compare favorably with others that employ Intel Core i3 or i5 CPUs, AMD’S Vision platform supports faster DDR3 memory, HyperTransport 3 and Direct X 11. The laptop comes with an ample 4GB DDR3 system memory (expandable with two memory slots) and integrated ATI Radeon HD 4250 graphics card. 

It carries all the usual ports and slots you might expect in this class: 3 USB 2.0 ports and a fourth combo USB shared with eSATA, an integrated 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN with an RJ-45 connector, Bluetooth and Wireless LAN 802.11 b/g/n WLAN. Around the exterior you will also find a multi-format multimedia card reader, headphone and microphone jacks, and both VGA and HDMI video ports for output to larger monitors and televisions. The HP TrueVision Webcam is not as high on resolution as some but comes with an integrated digital microphone. Audio output from two Altec Lansing stereo speakers is more than adequate for light listening to music or movies. There is also a sturdy dual-layer DVD burner built in. 

Conclusion
Reviewers agree that for wireless connectivity, audio and video, this laptop offers real speed and clarity although it lags slightly behind its competitors on performance. Like mid-range champagne, the HP Pavilion dv5-3010us entertains in a classy, understated way but may fall slightly short for those who desire the best. Currently on sale at amazon

Monday, February 7, 2011

Toshiba Mini NB255-N245

NB255-N245

Among the top-selling ‘netbooks’ on Amazon.com in Autumn 2010, Toshiba’s updated Mini is a bargain choice for anyone who wants instant computing while on the go. Whether you need to check Google Maps for directions, send a quick email or compare prices while shopping, or take notes during a lecture, the Toshiba Mini NB255-N245 is a purse-sized alternative to the smartphone scene. This Mini can help you accomplish your daily computing tasks as well - you can write a book or compose a presentation while sipping coffee in an Internet cafĂ©. The price is currently $310 at amazon

Comfort for the typist
Hunting and pecking on the shrunken keyboards of most Minis is a nightmare for the touch typist in a hurry. Thanks to a new design which stretches the keyboard almost to the edge of the shell, fingers accustomed to larger computers will barely notice a difference.  The keys are flat and full-sized, terraced, and spring back easily.  Some may quibble that to give sufficient room for the alpha letters, function and directional keys have been reduced in size -- which may take a bit of practice to get used to. A textured palm rest supports your hands while the large 3 x 1.5 inch central touchpad with right and left mouse buttons makes navigation a snap.

Connectability
What most “mini” purchasers may want to know is how fast they can make connections. In tests by LaptopMag.com, this netbook beat the competition. The built-in WiFi wireless radio is an Atheros AR9285 802.11 b/g/n which will let you keep surfing the ‘net even at a distance from a router.  You can plug into your home or office network with the 10/100 Ethernet LAN, transfer photos from your camera using the installed Memory Card reader, add speakers,  a microphone or stereo headphones using the installed jacks and connect many kinds of digital devices through the 3 USB 2.0 ports. Still you should remember this is a budget laptop. Toshiba has cut back on some connectivity and expansion possibilities: there is no Bluetooth antenna or modem port, no PC Express Slot, no SmartCard reader slot. For more storage capacity, Toshiba has a USB Portable DVD SuperMulti Drive which is sold separately.

Budget-conscious price
The Mini NB255-N245 is a clear answer for the consumer who wants a ‘traveling companion’ for under $300 USD. This year, Toshiba also put out a pricier premium netbook line with the Mini NB305 which has longer battery life and a ‘streamlined’ look. Coming only in basic black, the boxier Mini NB255 stands out from the crowd with a handsome swirling textured pattern on the lid and deck which resists fingerprints more effectively than its glossier elders. Depending on configuration and usage, the battery may last up to 8.35 hours, though testers report only 6-7 hours life.

Bright graphics
Weighing in at under 3 pounds (2.8 lbs.) and smaller than a piece of notebook paper at 10.4 x 8.3 x 1.3 inches (WxDxH), there is nothing ‘mini’ about the graphics shown on the 10.1-inch screen.  A true alternative to a mini-DVD player for viewing TV or movies, the surface of the screen is bright and glossy (some say too reflective) with a 1024x600 pixel LED backlit-display. An Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3150 speeds graphic processing.

Intel’s ‘Atom’ speeds the process
In 2008, Intel introduced the ‘Atom’ processor which made the mini-laptop computer possible. The Atom gives fast, reliable performance while reducing the power-draw and heat output. The energy-efficient Intel Atom Processor N455 puts this mini out near the front of the netbook market. While 1GB DDR2 RAM is less than you will find in comparable others, the 1.67 GHz CPU gives respectable performance allowing you to run most office and Internet applications quickly and easily. The 5,400-RPM, 160GB hard drive,  while smaller than the more usual 250GB included on most laptops, still manages impressive speed and reliability. Windows 7 and the much praised Toshiba PC Health Monitor both help to keep the processor up to speed.

What to watch out for
While sales of this model are high, checking consumer reviews on various websites, some complain that the battery life is shorter and recharge time longer than expected. Others report that the built-in webcam gives less than satisfactory pictures, especially when Skype-ing, and the single monoaural speaker does not put out a lot of volume. Some ‘hitching’ (screen stop / starts) was encountered by users when streaming video on Windows Media Player and when playing games with intense graphics.

Conclusion
Brisk sales of this model of the Mini prove that Toshiba made a clever choice by introducing this budget version of their Mini netbooks in the same year as their premium line. The giant Japanese manufacturer celebrates 25 years of leadership in the  PC  laptop market in 2010. With the Mini NB255-N245, once again Toshiba proves they can manufacture best-in-class.