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- My rating: 0 stars
Full user review
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13 out of 13 people found this review helpful
4.0 stars
"Good Value (Underrated by CNET)"
Pros: Overall Good Design. Reliable. Great Performance (depending on config.) Backed by major manufacturer.
Cons: Standard 6-cell battery a bit too wimpy. Fancy gloss black finish option gets fingerprints too easily. Docking station solution is a step back from previous models.
Summary: I'm a hardcore notebook user being an Internet Consultant I'm constantly using my notebook in various locations. I run many applications at once including video editing (usually have 10 browsers open, Microsoft Office, etc.)
I'm a research fanatic when it comes to buying things. I have used an HP Pavillion Notebook for the past two years and have been quite happy with the reliability, performance, and support (even though I rarely need to use their support resources - a good sign.) I decided to splurge for a new notebook and get the most powerful 15.4" system I could find for $1,500 or under. I did NOT have my heart set on HP.
I researched notebooks to death. It came down to the HP or one of the offbrands like an ASUS. With the offbrands you get a bit more bang for the buck (slightly faster CPU, next step up video card, option for 7,200 RPM hard drive, etc.) Since I had good experiences with HP and preferred to buy something backed by a major computer brand, and most importantly Costco had it on their website so I could return it up to 6 months from purchase, it was an easy decision.
I purchased a DV6000T with the best options possible. T7200 processor, 2GB RAM, 160GB Hard Drive (although 5,400 RPM it has as good of performance as a 100GB 7,200 RPM due to increased platter density), GEFORE GO 7400 Video Card, etc. Came in at just over $1,500.
I DID NOT GET THE GLOSSY BRIGHTVIEW SCREEN. I HATE THEM. I went to the store before purchasing just to be sure. 90% of the notebooks on display had the glossy display. Not sure what the big deal is. The colors look more saturated but the glare from lights and windows is terrible compared to the non-glossy. I guess its just something the stores are pushing as the latest, greatest.
Got the web cam and the fancy black glossy finish with the wavey pattern.
The notebook performs great. I ran PerformanceTest 6.0 (freeware) tests and it got a total 543 score. (My previous notebook which was top of the line 2 years ago go 258 so I essentially doubled my notebook performance.)
I am very happy with this purchase. These are the only downsides to this unit:
- The standard 6-cell battery supposedly doesn't last that long (I trusted multiple reviews regarding this point.) So I opted for the big 12-cell. This battery sticks out from the bottom so the notebook sits at a slant which is quite comfortable and I don't mind the extra weight to get 5-6 hours of batter life! There's an 8-cell but has to be purchased as an accessory and wasn't an option when I setup the system. If you don't mind a little bit more weight and bulk and have been frustated in situation previously with running out of battery, GET THE 12-CELL BATTERY.
- The fancy gloss finish gets ugly fingerprints in it so easily I strongly recommend not getting it if you can. (I think though it comes standard with the Webcam + Bluetooth options or something so there might not be a way around it). HP obviously realized this too late as they include a small little cloth to be used for wiping the finish. I wish I had my old matte solver finish or other matter finish. But looks are NOT important to me, so I'll live with wiping the fingerprints off from time to time.
- The only downside with going with a major brand is they include a lot of "bloatware" that is software that really isn't necessary. If you don't remove it, click ctrl-alt-del and look at all the system processes running. The amount of software that automatically loads in the background is just CRAZY. I imagine a lot of it is beneficial to the non-techy user though. It's not to hard to uninstall.
- My only other gripe would be the QuickDock Accessory. With my previous HP notebook docking station, you just set the notebook on the station and pressed down to connect it to a connector on the underside of the notebook. With these new HP Notebooks, the "QuickDock" essentiall has an 18" big cable with a huge plug that you have to plug into the side. There's an extremely fancy socking solution that has an additional hard drive and prompts your notebook up so you can use the notebook screen as your monitor, but I think that's cheesy. LCD monitors are cheap.
I would definitely recommend this unit. It is easily in my opinion the best bang for the buck among all the major brands (Dell, Compaq, Gateway, Toshiba, Sony, etc.) if you are looking for a notebook with 15.4" wide display.
- 2 replies to this review
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I've just come back from shopping around. I've just started at University so need to get the best value for money I can. Your review has helped me to decide to go for this one. I was the best value for money in the shop even in comparison with other HP laptops! And you are right abut he glossy screen... I'll try to get a "no glare" version. Thanks (FYI: I'm doing a IT degree)
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Do you experience any noisy from, my guess, optical drive or hard drive. It's like a pitch sound occur when operating.
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