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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
3.0 stars
"You had better like shiny screens, because this one is like a mirror"
Pros: Looks nice. Webcam. Semi-light Package.
Cons: Screen too shiny and lid a bit difficult to open. Mediocre battery. Keys feel cheap.
Summary: I ordered the AMD x2 version direct from HP, then cancelled the order several days before it was sent. HP still sent it, but they said I would have to pay shipping. I raised heck on the phone (they had several days to cancel) and they then said they'd refund the shipping cost too. I just had to refuse the item at the door.
I found the Intel version at CompUSA the next day. The following information covers that model, which looks identical. Mine didn't include bluetooth (grr). This model is the Core duo 1.73 processor, 2meg ram, 120 gig Hard-drive, and Intel 950 graphics. I got it and have used it for the past week. I suppose I could find stuff wrong with anything (I'm picky), but here are the negatives:
As nearly all dual-core processors, it gets a lot warmer than single core machines.
The screen is FAR TOO shiny. It exacerbates the problem of straining to see the smallish type created by the small widescreen (I'm 35 and just realized my eyes don't like such small type for long periods).
The lid of the unit does not latch, but is instead held down by being difficult to open. Hard to explain. I have found that I don't like this feature.
The slider audio control is not as easy to operate as it looks. I find I have to slide my fingers over it many times to get the desired audio level. I may have to practice some more with that. Personally, I'd rather have an old volume knob anyday.
The mousepad is average, but the mousepad keys must be pushed down too far to activate. I don't like that. I still prefer the older rocker-style scroll method to newer "scroll zones" as are available on this HP model. It's not horrible, though.
The keyboard looks OK, but the keys feel cheap and thin. Almost like the key is big, but the piece between the key and the keyboard must be really thin. I don't think they would be at all durable if something were dropped on them.
I am able to play High Definition video clips from Microsoft's HD WMV sample website. I was concerned about that, but they play fine. I have the basic Intel 950 onboard graphics, which is dynamically controlled (no user graphics memory control from what I can find as of yet).
Now for the things I like:
It is a nice-looking machine. I really wish I had gotten the internal bluetooth, but it wasn't available at CompUSA. The lightscribe DVD burner is fine, but when using lightscribe, don't move the unit around. I caused an area of my DVD to not burn the lightscribe correctly for a short little bit, tarnishing the image. It burns DVDs fine, though. Also, if you use the lightscribe, don't bother with the higher contrast burning level. It makes no difference and takes twice as long to burn a disk. I haven't tried the quickest setting yet.
That's all I have to say for now. I will likely add more at a later date. I wanted to go with this in the AMD model, but changed to Intel after reading the CNET reviews. Thanks guys!
I am basically happy with my purchase, but if I had to do it again, I might go with a cheaper model by another maker with similar features, or something with a bit bigger traditional screen (my eyes are growing too old for the small type created by widescreen laptops).
