Entered CNET Catalog: 10/07/2006
SKU: 882780664579
Manufacturer: HP
Manufacturer description
HP Pavilion Media Center a1600 is an affordable PC series that delivers all-round performance and impressive ease-of-use, all wrapped up in a stylish design. Easily combine access to entertainment and information with multimedia performance with this elegant, feature packed desktop PC series for family fun at an attractive price.Product summary
The good: Unexpectedly strong config for the price; Core 2 Duo processor and 2GB of memory for less than $1,000 is impressive; Vista-ready for the most part; will accept HP's svelte new Pocket Media Drive; x16 PCI Express slot provides path for future graphics upgrade.
The bad: Bland gray case; lack of a video card will hamper Windows Vista's visual performance.
The bottom line: We have a few nitpicks about this midrange desktop from HP, but its strong core configuration overrides most of them. All this PC really needs is an inexpensive 3D graphics card, and it'll be ready for Windows Vista bliss.
CNET editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 10/26/2006
The Pavilion Media Center a1640n is a retail-only PC. You'll find it in Best Buy, Circuit City, and elsewhere. You might be able to find it on various retailers' Web sites, but you won't be able to buy it directly from HP, which means that it's a fixed-configuration PC. So what we received for review is what you get for this one. Fortunately, what you get is pretty good.
We recommend a dual-core CPU for any system that will serve as your primary PC; you can get away with a single-core chip on a bargain-basement budget system you'll use as a second or third PC on your home networks, but that's about it. Thus, we're happy to see that the Pavilion a1640n includes a dual-core CPU in the form of Intel's lowest-end 1.86GHz Core 2 Duo E6300. What took us completely off-guard, though, is the solid 2GB of 533MHz DDR2 memory. That's more memory than we see in many $1,500 PCs. It shows that, but for the graphics, HP really put this PC together with Windows Vista in mind.
While the configuration may be a little ahead of its time, the design of the case is starting to feel dated. HP has relied on a muted-gray-plastic color scheme in its desktops for several years now. We think it's time for an update. Apple, Dell, Velocity Micro, Shuttle, and plenty of other desktop vendors have shown a willingness to take design risks and make strong visual statements. Considering HP's reclaimed status as the world's No. 1 PC manufacturer, any design moves it makes will go a long way toward affecting the rest of the industry. Come on, HP, don't you know gray is the new beige? The case is still very functional, of course. There's room for expansion, and it's not overly large. Just don't be fooled by the "Media Center" in the title: It has the Windows Media Center 2005 operating system, but this mid-size desktop is by no means a living room PC.
The rest of this system's core features consist of an ample 250GB hard drive, a dual-layer DVD burner, a 9-in-1 media card reader, and a front-panel slot for HP's new, scaled-down removable hard drives. This last feature in particular is cool. You might recall HP's original removable hard drive, the Personal Media Drive, from past Pavilion desktop reviews. HP recently scaled down the size of these drives to a much more manageable, small paperback-size design. These new Pocket Media Drives aren't included with this Pavilion, and they're also a little more expensive per gigabyte than the original model: $150 for the 80GB Pocket model vs. $140 for the bulkier 160GB Personal Media Drive. But because the new Pocket drives are much more compact, they make it far easier to travel around with your important data.
And thus we come to the graphics situation. The Pavilion a1640n features an integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 video chip built into the motherboard. Fortunately, it also has an x16 PCI Express slot for a graphics card. That's good news because, any day now, we expect that Microsoft will authorize PC sellers to insert a "free Windows Vista upgrade" coupon into all new PCs. News leaked out that the company would do so back in August, so whenever it happens, it's fair to expect that a PC with one of these coupons will be able to run Windows Vista. Most new PCs will be able to run Windows Vista Basic, the bland version that doesn't require beefy hardware. But many PCs, even like this HP Pavilion a1640n with its fast CPU and plentiful memory, won't be able to run Vista Premium with the exciting new visual effects because it lacks a graphics card--the onboard video chip isn't good enough. Assuming you want to use Vista to its full effect, we'd encourage you to venture out and buy a 3D card and add it to the price tag of this system. Nvidia's GeForce 7300 card can get the job done. You should be able to find a 256MB version of each card for $60 to $70.
We're getting ahead of ourselves; let's return to the system as it stands now. On our application benchmarks, the Pavilion a1640n lived up to its specs. We suspect that its extra stash of system memory helped it beat out comparable Windows PCs on our multitasking tests in particular. All in all, this is a fast PC for day-to-day use. But we don't recommend it for gaming, which leads us to our lack of faith in its Vista Premium graphics capabilities. Compared to two PCs with less system memory but discrete 3D cards, the Pavilion Media Center a1640n got destroyed. And we'll admit that Quake 4 is a relatively demanding 3D game and also that the Velocity Micro and Systemax comparison systems have midrange 3D cards that give them quite a boost. But Quake 4 is a mainstream 3D game, and even with no systems to compare it to, the a1640n's 4 frames per second is hardly an acceptable frame rate. Fortunately, as we outlined above, solving this problem is only a $70 upgrade away.
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Quake 4 1,024x768, 4xAA 8xAF |
We've sung the praises of a minirenaissance in PC support over the past few months, and our opinion remains favorable. It's not that warranties have gotten any longer. The Pavilion Media Center a1640n still comes with a single year of parts-and-labor coverage and 24/7, toll-free phone support. What's changed is that HP has added a program called Instant Care support, an over-the-Internet troubleshooting feature that, with your permission, allows an HP tech to take direct remote control of your PC to fix any problems. This cool feature takes the guesswork out of having to explain a problem over the phone.
Find out more about how we test desktop systems.
System configurations:
Apple Mac Mini Core Duo (1.83GHz)
OS X 10.4.7; 1.83GHz Intel Core Duo T2400; 512MB DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz; integrated 64MB Intel GMA 950 graphics chip; 80GB Fujitsu 5,400rpm SATA
HP Pavilion Media Center a1640n
Windows XP Home SP2; 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo E6600; 1,024MB DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz; 256MB Nvidia GeForce 7900 GT; Western Digital 250GB 7,200prm SATA
HP Pavilion Slimline a7600e
Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 SP2; 2.4GHz AMD Athlon 64 3800+; 1,024MB DDR SDRAM 400MHz; integrated Nvidia 6150 LE graphics chip using 256MB shared memory; 200GB Western Digital 7,200rpm SATA
Systemax Venture C2D
Windows XP Home SP2; 1.86GHz Intel Core 2 Duo E6300; 1,024MB DDR2 SDRAM 533MHz; 256MB ATI Radeon X1600; 320GB Western Digital 7,200rpm SATA
Velocity Micro Vector GX Campus Edition
Windows XP Home SP2; 1.86GHz Intel Core 2 Duo E6300; 1,024MB DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz; 256MB Nvidia GeForce 7600GS; 250GB Western Digital 7,200rpm SATA
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 User Rating: 
2/10
Speedy computer spoiled by poor quality and terrible support
Pros: Fast (aren't all Core Duo computers?)
Cons: Too many to list - see Opinion
NIC has never worked
LFE channel on 5.1 card is FULL frequency - but "documentation" doesn't actually tell us this
Media card bays cannot be relied on to recognize media
DVD drive occasionally fails to recognize disks
firewire connection intermittently fails
Realtek audio software is poor. Headphone output is intermittent
Doesn't recognize my MX1000 laser mouse
Volume button on keyboard MUTES the sound when using outboard sound card
HP tech support is insulting - even after I provided ample evidence the NIC had failed, support tech still blamed my ISP - funny, my other FOUR home computers all manage internet access. To add insult to injury, HP followed up with an email survey to see if I was satisfied with their tech support and offering to contact me. But even though I indicated I wasn't satisfied and did want to talk to them they couldn't bother themselves to actually contact me. Apple can thank HP for singlehandedly turning me into a Macintosh user. The only reason this thing doesn't get a ZERO is I actually managed to get some productive work done on this thing in spite of all the misery. I have to wonder why it had to be so painful.
User Rating: 
8/10
Need More Juice?
Pros: great value
Cons: integrated video
http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/product/Power/PurePower/w0099/w0099.asp
all in all i spent about $900 (around oct. 06) for the setup: HP Pavillion a1540n (same pc pretty much but has an AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ instead), evga Nvidia 7900 gs, and the power supply. (although i do admit that i got a a bunch discounts for the computer at the time i.e i was a former employee/friends work there and the PC was an open box demo)
User Rating: 8/10
Media ... Stellar 8+
Pros: Storage & Speed
Cons: Only 300W PSU ... Video Card(yet PCIe expandable + PLUS)
A GeForce 7600 GS Graphics Card is MOST Excellent. Power Add is a simple install PLUS too(See your local Geek)
What is NOT mentioned is FOCUS on the POCKET MEDIA Hard Drive(Removable from outer Slot/Bay) WOW, upwards to 500gb even!
If like me, you have downloaded 2000 CDz on your DELL Internal Hard Drive(ugh, for MEDIA Juke Box etc)... it crashs and your LOST to reload from flimsy disc backups... whatta pain.
NOT with the POCKET DRIVE(s)! It's even USB-2 and can be transported easily(Pocket Case too) & plugged right into your Laptop or a friends system. Now that's waaaaay COOL... I'm there with that security & the SMALLness with HUGE GBs to GROW. Now I can finally Download, back-up Securily and burn copies without HOLDING on to dust-riddled OBS CDz in Storage. Who needs the Old Retail CD Disc now, when likes of Rhapsody, etc, is there for simplicity & CHOICE?
This PC is a WINNER
User Rating: 8/10
Video upgrade
Pros: Nicely loaded for home office and entertainment
Cons: Graphics upgrade needed
User Rating: 
6/10
Disappointed - Intel VT disabled in bios
Pros: Quiet, good value
Cons: Disappointed - VT disabled in bios, Can't add second internal hard drive
Purchased it to run VMWARE and other virtualization technologies for testing 64 bit OSes.
Over a month's time, called HP support three times with no straight answer about the VT support. As a result, I can not return the machine now.
User Rating: 
9/10
PNY GeForce 7600GS 512MB card works!
Pros: Great value. With this card - it rocks
Cons: Bland exterior
RESULT: Without the card, HALO was a slow, disapointing experience, bogging down in battle. With this card, I can play HALO at full resolution, all the bells and whistles on, with no slow down in frame rate.
At least I die on a prettier landscape at a higher framerate...
This solution works, and makes this machine VERY nice.
Hope this helps,
Aurick
User Rating: 9/10
I'm confused
Pros: don't know
Cons: I'll know better when I've used it.
The chipset was upgraded to the 965 so if you don't care about video games, the graphics should be adequate running Vista.
User Rating: 2/10
HP doesn't want buyers to clean install XP and says it voids the warranty
Pros: value for money
Cons: harder than it needs to be to fresh install XP
HP provides almost no downloads for drivers - currently I'm looking for the Ethernet driver - I guess I will go back to the store where I bought this and see if they will let me get a driver from another machine in stock.
HP technical support doesn't have the data in their system to tell me what the Ethernet device is, and a Google search of what I can see inside the case isn't working. Their suggestion: Call Microsoft.
This is a machine with a lot of power - there must be hundreds of buyers who want to clean install XP Pro. But, HP's tech support teams don't pass to management this our frustration - so HP doesn't learn. "But ma'am, you have a perfectly good operating system already installed by HP." And, a tech assistance rep gave me on my request a phone number to complain, which resulted in being re-routed right back to tech assistance - not a manager.
XP Media Center doesn't work with Palm and seems to create problems in a niche app.
User Rating: 9/10
I love this computer for gaming
Pros: Powerful, inexpensive, quiet
Cons: Needs a better video card
This computer is very powerful. I am a pretty big gamer and this computer with it's upgraded video card is powerful enough to handle most games beautifully.
User Rating: 9/10
Excellent for the money, quiet, and upgradable
Pros: Memory, CPU, Exandability, Silence, DVD Burner
Cons: Integrated Graphics
This computer is exceptionally quiet (on par with a Mac); for the money, you can't get a better configuration without insider discounts. I can't even build a computer that beats these specs, for cheaper. With the graphics card, my total came to around $1100 and I have a strong gaming system. This computer will last me at least 2 before I need to upgrade, to keep up with gaming.
For home users, you don't need to add anything. This is a perfect computer that will last you for years, with no slow downs. It's quiet, so if you leave it in your living areas, you won't constantly look over to hear the fans whirring. It's great and worth your money.
User Rating: 
7/10
Power supply NOT ample for video card upgrade
Pros: mucho bang for the buck
Cons: power supply!!
BUT the machine does need a video card for even mini-gaming, not to mention Windows Alta and my LCD tv that I would use for the output! And I went to ATI's website and looked at the Radeon x1300 (recommended in general by CNET and apparently for this specific machine) specifications, which specifically state 350watts yet this computer's power supply is only 300. Go figure!
User Rating: 7/10
Power supply NOT ample for video card upgrade
Pros: mucho bang for the buck
Cons: power supply!!
BUT the machine does need a video card for even mini-gaming, not to mention Windows Alta and my LCD tv that I would use for the output! And I went to ATI's website and looked at the Radeon x1300 (recommended in general by CNET and apparently for this specific machine) specifications, which specifically state 350watts yet this computer's power supply is only 300. Go figure!
User Rating: 8/10
Why dismiss for gaming?
Pros: everything but a video card and power supply
Cons: 300-watt power supply
User Rating: 7/10
Good value but the review misses a couple things.
Pros: Core 2 duo, 2GB ram
Cons: Need better PS if you want to upgrade the video
User Rating: 
5/10
A1650N is probably NOT upgradable
Pros: Great value for an "AS-IS" machine
Cons: PSU cannot handle video upgrades
User Rating: 5/10
bang for buck?
Pros: available at retail stores
Cons: can do better elsewhere online
Go over to Dell and price a Dimension 9200. I just bought one for 850.00 or so and that included a 20" LCD monitor and video card.
Core Duo 1.86
1 gb ram
80 gb hd
dvd burner
card reader
256 mb Nvidia 7300le
Get what you want..usually the minimum. Buy memory or another harddrive third party afterwards if the spec is too low for you.
User Rating: 9/10
Great Value, Speed and Features
Pros: Core 2 Duo, 2GB DDR2, HD Sound, Lightscribe DVD
Cons: No Video, No Second Drive
User Rating: 8/10
Not surprised by review...
Pros: Great specs for the money, memory card reader, fast processor...
Cons: Lack of dedicated video card, case design a little dull
However, recently my family purchased a HP Pavilion that is slightly lower than this one, the HP Pavilion a1600n. Remember the model number for this particular one is a1640n.
The specs of the particular one (a1600n) is as follows:
~AMD Athlon X2 Processor
~1 GB DDR2 RAM
~200GB HDD
~DVD +-/RW w/ Lightscribe of course
~9-in-1 media card reader
~17" CRT monitor (junk) just bought it because of rebate.
~No dedicated video card, but a x16 PCI-Express port for future upgrade.
After rebate the price comes to $530.00 plus some taxes.
While I can't say anything about this particular computer, what I can say it seems that this particular model gives you a lot for the money. Just as the computer we recently purchased.
To those that purchase this computer; I have to agree with C-Net.com; looks like it's a lot of bang for the buck.
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