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CNET editors' buying advice
We have not reviewed this product but here is CNET's buying advice on Laptops. This content was chosen based on the features included with this model of laptop.
Desktop Replacement notebook computer
The largest and heaviest type of laptop, desktop replacements are designed to deliver the power and features you'd get from a desktop PC. Too bulky for anything but room-to-room travel within a house or an office, desktop replacements typically offer the best performance, the largest screens and keyboards, and the most complete set of features available on a laptop. Popular among home and business users, most of these systems can deliver enough computing muscle for serious gaming, multimedia authoring, and even high-level digital audio and video work.
Read more in the Laptop Buying Guide
See more Desktop replacement notebook computer products
Microsoft Windows 7 system requirements
Ready for Windows 7?
If you want to run Windows 7 on your PC, here's what it takes:
- -1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
- -1 gigabyte (GB) RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit)
- -16 GB available hard disk space (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)
- -DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver
Additional requirements to use certain features:
- -Internet access (fees may apply)
- -Depending on resolution, video playback may require additional memory and advanced graphics hardware
- -For some Windows Media Center functionality a TV tuner and additional hardware may be required
- -Windows Touch and Tablet PCs require specific hardware
- -HomeGroup requires a network and PCs running Windows 7
- -DVD/CD authoring requires a compatible optical drive
- -BitLocker requires Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 1.2
- -BitLocker To Go requires a USB flash drive
- -Windows XP Mode requires an additional 1 GB of RAM, an additional 15 GB of available hard disk space, and a processor capable of hardware virtualization with Intel VT or AMD-V turned on
- -Music and sound require audio output
from windows.microsoft.com
See more Microsoft Windows 7 system requirements products
Home user laptop computer
Home users are increasingly turning to notebook computers as their primary PCs, as they like that laptops can offer similar performance and features to those of a desktop PC, and can be easily moved from room to room. Though of course almost any notebook computer will do for typical home use, there are two types of laptops most suitable for home users: mid-size notebooks, which tend to be budget-friendly, and desktop replacements, which are usually packed with features.
Read more in the Laptop Buying Guide
Laptop computer memory size
To maximize battery life, notebook computer processors are often designed to save more energy and run cooler than desktop processors. The drawback is slower performance, but more memory can help, which it won't consume energy or radiate heat. Even better, up to 4GB of RAM can now be found in budget configurations. If you want more memory later, expansion is often a simple procedure.
See more Notebook computer RAM products
HP laptop reviews
Whether you're looking for a thin-and-light laptop for home use, or a business notebook with full desktop functionality, CNET Editors review top HP laptop products in popular series including the Pavilion, EliteBook, and Compaq Business series.
See more HP laptop computer reviews products
CNET product brief
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.
Where to buy
HP Pavilion Zd8230us (Pentium 4 3.4GHz, 1GB RAM, 100GB HDD, XP Media Center):
$1,999.99
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