Customer Reviews

HP Pavilion a1240n Desktop PC (Intel Pentium 4 Processor 630 (H-T), 1 GB RAM, 200 GB Hard Drive, LightScribe Dbl Layer Drive)

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

 

 

I recently purchased this machine. I found that the machine was well out together and have no real issue with the quality of the machine. I like the card slots and ports available on the front.

However, when the machine was opened up I found that HP did not include any port to upgrade to a video card! Incredible, that this would be missing on a computer in this price range and perfomance.

I also found that the power supply is only 250watts. For a pentium 4 class computer this is a cheap way to degrade an otherwise good design.

If I had purchased a bargain basement computer from a local supplier I would have concluded I got what I paid for. This is not something I woud expect from a "high end" computer from HP.
Had I known these issues existed I would not have purchased this model.

I bought this computer from Fry's about a month ago and it's great for conventional applications, Media Center, etc... The problem I had with the computer was the upgradeability. Specifically the motherboard, which doesn't allow the later generation of graphics cards (PCI-E). So if you're looking for a computer that you'll be able to grow with this is not the one. I ended up taking the comp back and building mine from scratch, an accomplishment that isn't so hard these days. I miss the Media Center program but I'm a lot happier with a machine I can upgrade in the future.

I've owned an almost identical model of this PC from HP for about 8 months, and I have to say I'm pretty satisfied. The 200GB hard drive is of good quality and shows no signs of performance lag. The processor holds up to heavy use, and the rest of the hardware seems OK. I like my dual CD-RW and dual layer DVD +R burner, which I use often. More than enough USB ports. And Windows Media Center is a good improvement on Windows XP.

Lasted about 4 years before I started having troubles and needed to have the dvd rom section replaced. I was able to figure out how to replace it myself without help and it was easy and I had fun...I am not a computer expert by any means...I just had to guts to try it and the will power to avoid the price of the Geek Squad at Best Buy!