HP Pavilion Zd8230us (Pentium 4 3.4GHz, 1GB RAM, 100GB HDD, XP Media Center)

Description: The HP Pavilion Zd8230us is a 9.5-pound, consumer level notebook computer.Compared to other consumer level notebooks on the market, it is expensive at around $2,000.The 17 inch widescreen has a native resolution of 1440 x 900, which is better than most laptops.Built around the Intel Pentium 4 processor.This unit comes with a 100GB hard drive and 1 GB of RAM.

Pros: Has a 3.4 GHz CPU speed, which is somewhat faster than some similarly priced notebooks.This laptop comes with a memory stick slot, making it easy to swap digital images, video files, and other files with various handheld devices.An anti-theft security tether can be fastened into the built-in lock slot.

Cons: Has a 9.5-pound weight, which is heavier than some similarly priced notebooks.For example, the HP Compaq Business nc8430, at around $1, 805, has only a 6-pound weight.Also, this notebook has only 128MB of video RAM, which is considerably less favorable than some similarly priced notebooks.For example, the Asus G71Gx-A1, an 8.8-pound notebook at around $1, 985, has 1GB of video RAM.

Suitability: Suited for those who just need a basic notebook.If you have a wireless network at home, wirelessly browse the Internet from any room in your house with this Wi-Fi enabled notebook.The good battery performance will keep your notebook running longer without plugging in.Archive your digital videos using this laptop's DVD burner.With 128MB of dedicated video RAM, this machine will do OK with some games and multimedia applications, but will fall short of satisfying the serious gaming enthusiast.

Value: In general, this notebook's price seems hard to justify, with respect to its features.For example, when it comes to screen size, the average price of consumer level products with a similar screen size is considerably less -- in fact around $1,370.

Suggestions: (1) Given this device's Wi-Fi capability, you may want to get a wireless access point for your home, so that you can browse the Internet more conveniently from any room.(2) Using this PC's Firewire (1394) port, you can connect to many digital videocameras and other equipment to rapidly upload data to the laptop hard drive.

CNET's Product Briefs are generated by a software tool that combines product specifications with knowledge of our editorial experts. They do not reflect hands-on assessment or labs testing. For more information about how we create Product Briefs, contact us.

• Manufacturer: HP
• Part Number: EC294UA#ABA

• General

• Recommended Use Home use
• Built-in Devices Stereo speakers, Wireless LAN antenna
• Width 15.7 in
• Depth 11.4 in
• Height 2 in
• Weight 9.5 lbs
• Localization English / United States
• Notebook type Desktop replacement (7.5 + lbs.)
• Wireless capabilities IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11b

• Processor

• Processor Intel Pentium 4 650 / 3.4 GHz
• 64-bit processor Yes
• Data bus speed 800 MHz
• Processor features Intel 64 Technology, Hyper-Threading Technology, Enhanced SpeedStep technology, Execute Disable Bit capability

• Cache Memory

• Type L2 cache
• Cache size 2 MB

• RAM

• Installed Size 1 GB / 2 GB (max)
• Technology DDR2 SDRAM - 533 MHz
• RAM configuration features 2 x 512 MB

• Storage

• Floppy Drive None
• Hard Drive 100 GB - 4200 rpm
• Storage Removable None
• Hard drive type Portable

• Optical Storage

• Type DVD±RW (+R DL)

• Card Reader

• Card reader type 6 in 1 card reader
• Supported flash memory cards Memory Stick, MultiMediaCard, SD Memory Card, SmartMedia Card, xD-Picture Card, Memory Stick Pro

• Display

• Display Type 17 in TFT active matrix
• Max Resolution 1440 x 900 ( WXGA+ )
• Widescreen Display Yes
• Features BrightView
• Screen type Widescreen

• Video

• Graphics Processor / Vendor ATI Mobility Radeon x600
• Video Memory 128 MB DDR SDRAM

• Audio

• Audio output type Sound card

• Input Device(s)

• Input device type Keyboard, Touchpad
• Features Built-in numeric keyboard

• Telecom

• Modem Fax / modem
• Max transfer rate 56 Kbps

• Networking

• Networking Network adapter
• Networking / Wireless LAN Supported Yes
• Data link protocol Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, Fast Ethernet
• Networking standards IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g

• Expansion / Connectivity

• Expansion Slots Total (Free) 2 ( 0 ) x Memory, 1 ( 1 ) x ExpressCard - 34mm/54mm, 1 ( 1 ) x CardBus - Type I/II, 1 ( 1 ) x SD Memory Card, 1 ( 1 ) x Memory Stick, 1 ( 1 ) x xD-Picture Card, 1 ( 1 ) x SmartMedia Card
• Interfaces 4 x Hi-Speed USB - 4 pin USB Type A, 1 x Display / video - VGA - 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15), 1 x Display / video - S-video output, 1 x Modem - Phone line - RJ-11, 1 x Network - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX - RJ-45, 1 x Headphones - Output - Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, 1 x Microphone - Input - Mini-phone 3.5 mm, 1 x IEEE 1394 (FireWire) - 4 pin FireWire, 1 x Docking / port replicator

• Miscellaneous

• Included Accessories CD-R disk, HP Dual TV Tuner / PVR with MCE Remote Control
• Features Power-on password, Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately)

• Power

• Power device form factor External

• Battery

• Technology 12-cell Lithium ion
• Installed Qty 1
• Battery capacity 95 Wh

• Operating System / Software

• OS Provided Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition
• Software AOL, Apple iTunes, Microsoft Money, Microsoft Works, MSN Encarta Plus, InterVideo WinDVD, HP Image Zone Plus, HP Help and Support, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Easy Internet Sign Up, Apple iTunes Music Store, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Microsoft Windows Media Player, Muvee autoProducer DVD Edition, Norton Internet Security 2005 (60 days subscription), Microsoft Office 2003 Student and Teacher Edition (Trial)

• Manufacturer Warranty

• Service & Support 1 year warranty
• Service & Support Details Limited warranty - Parts and labor - 1 year, Technical support - Phone consulting - 1 year, Technical support - Software - 90 days

• Sustainability

• Greenpeace policy rating (Sept 2009) 4.5

HP

Manufacturer profile

• Website: http://www.hp.com