Customer Reviews

HP Pavilion DV6205US 15.4" Entertainment Laptop (Intel Pentium Dual Intel Core Processor T2060, 512 MB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, SuperMulti DVD Drive, Vista Basic)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I don't know if it the 512 MB of RAM or Windows Vista - but this laptop is slow. The windows vista environment is tough to get used to. The PC was supposed to come with a 60 trial key for MS office - but it didn't. It took a lot of extra effort to obtain the key directly from Microsoft. I recommend that you wait for Microsoft to work the bugs out of Vista. I also recommend that you get a laptop with more memory.

I bought this model from Office Depot for $549. 512mb was the max RAM on my old Dell, so I upgraded this one to its max RAM (2gb) the same day I bought it. It makes a nice difference. I also uninstalled most of the "crap" software that HP factory-installs (games, MS Money, etc.), which made this machine that much faster. I like the styling on the machine (piano black cover is a nice touch but likes to show fingerprints), and I like the credit card remote control that stows on-board. It could use at least one more USB port, but a hub will suffice. Vista...well, I miss XP Professional, but it's not worth going back in time for. Oh yeah, you can "lock out" the touchpad so the cursor won't reset itself somewhere else on the page when you are typing. This machine is excellent for students or someone who wants a good performer for not a lot of money.

February 2010 - Still have this laptop, except now it has a 500gb internal hard drive and is running Windows 7 Professional. HP has yet to update the software necessary to run the "QuickPlay" buttons at the top of the keyboard with Windows 7, so they currently have no functionality, except for the volume control (but the DVD player works with either iTunes or Windows Media Player). The original battery doesn't hold a charge for more than about an hour, but that's because it's worn out, which is to be expected after almost three years of service. Everything else still works well and there is hardly a scratch on the shiny finish. This laptop took me through Graduate School, but now spends most of its time plugged in at home. Rarely does it leave the house except for a few times when I need it. I'd like one of the new-fangled HP Netbooks, but don't need a computer outside of the home anymore, plus I have an iPod Touch, which is sort of like a mini computer and has wireless capabilities. This laptop will be around until something other than the battery dies out and is too costly to repair.

The unit takes an average of twenty minutes to boot up with many of the start-up programs already blocked off and very little information on the hard drive. No music, very few pictures and only a few documents. (43.9GB free space) My family uses Roadrunner broadband to connect to the internet. My own antiquated Toshiba laptop, which has only 40 GB hard drive capacity, runs well from internet site to internet site while this brand new HP runs like it is on dial-up rather than broadband. Slow, slower and slowest. After three attempts with HP technical support, (many of whom do not speak the English language in a manner in which it can be easily understood), It was explained to me that the reason for the sluggish operation was due to the fact that Vista has a much larger operating system than XP and in order for it to run at a satisfactory speed more RAM is required in the memory module than the basic 512MB that came with the notebook.

Now if the machine comes loaded with Windows Vista and is sold by HP wouldn't it be reasonable to assume that the product would have the acceptable RAM to adequately handle the operating system the customer is being "forced" to use? It is mind boggling to be told that in order for the machine to run properly the customer has to upgrade the memory module and shell out extra dollars in order to do so!!!

VERY NICE LAPTOP ADD 2 GIGS MEMORY GREAT PLACE CHEAP WWW.NEWEGG.COM RUNS SMOOTH I PUT XP ON MINE UPGRADE BATTERY TO 12 CELL....AWSOME.

This is a very useful laptop. Used it for about a year now. Remember you need to upgrade the memory if you have the 512MB model. You can buy 1GB memory (PC 5300 DDR2 200 pin SODIMM) for $15 at Directron.com and many other places.

Wireless, sound, OS (Vista), IR remote for Media Player, display - all work fine. Like the finish of the laptop and the way it feels and the quick access keys. Not as snappy as my gaming machine, but it's pretty good for home use. Never had a problem.

I have this laptop for 4 month till now. Didn't have a problem till now.
It is great laptop.

The screen is very good, the sound quality is excellent
The wireless network card is powerfull.
But you have to add 1 GB of RAM.
I recommend this laptop for you.

I agree with the previous two reviews stated here. 512MB RAM is too slow for Windows Vista. One has to upgrade to AT LEAST 1GB RAM.

The pc is very very slow and the Windows Vista system is giving me a headache. I received a product key for windows which isn't even working and its extremely difficult to contact hp. The configuration is not effiecient. It should at least be sold with more memory.

For all you memory complainers, buy 1g for $50 and stop complaining. It snaps in in 10 seconds and you are done. 512 isn't enough for speed with any OS. A little homework should be done before making a purchase of this type - obviously no one did theirs.

GORGEOUS laptop, yes vista is different, but doesn't take much to figure it out if you take a minute.