Customer Reviews

HP Pavilion Media Center M7760N Desktop PC (Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E6400, 2 GB RAM, 500 GB Hard Drive, SuperMulti DVD Drive, Vista Premium)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Of course we all know that the best way to get a new PC is to just build one yourself. This isn't always an option, perhaps you don't have the technical knowhow, perhaps you don't want to deal with the hassle, whatever the reason there's a reason the prebuilt market exists the way it is.

Models come and go, and it'll be no different with the m7760n which ought to be fine tuned by this time next year (If the series still exists). As for now though, it makes for a wonderful machine.

To start, the machine comes with complete wireless options. It includes a wireless keyboard and mouse along with a Windows Media Center remote. An antennae and built in wireless LAN is also included for connecting to a home wireless network. This package deal itself easily makes the PC worth a look at. But it's what's inside the PC that counts.

This machine is powered by an Intel Core 2 Duo (2.13 ghz) The E6600 is only a little more expensive and it's unfortunate that HP choose to only use the E6400 in this machine but it should still have enough computational power for most people.

The machine also has 2 gigs of built in RAM - just slightly more then what you'll need, so getting ahead of the game is definately a good choice. This machine is expandable to 4 gigs if you find the 2 it comes with insufficient.

500 GB of storage space spread across two 250 GB HDDs. One is partitioned with a recovery section and has some of the preinstalled files, the second has all storage space. One of these 250GB drives is larger then my old PC (A 120GB Compaq Presario 6450LX) and my current laptop (A Sony VAIO PCG-K23 with 60 GB of storage). The machine is meant as a multi-media PC and it definately fits the bill with the stoage space.

Unfortunately the machine is hindered by the lack of a true GPU - instead it has onboard video in the form of an Intel Graphics Accelerator. Fortunately the machine has one free PCI-E slot, not quite enough for the high end DX10 cards but when the Nvidia GeForce 8600 Ultra comes out in a couple months, this m7760n will be only a quick upgrade away from being a decent gaming PC.

The case is also physically impressive. Numerous jacks are included in the back for a TV Tuner (and the necessary Windows Media Center software) is provided. The machine comes with a Lightscribe DVD-RW drive so that you can make your own CDs and DVDs and give them covers. Underneath this drive is an expansion bay for adding a secondary drive (Perhaps an HD-DVD drive?)

Below that are two side panels, one of which is intended for an HP Personal Media Storage device. I can't speak for the quality of these devices but they are supposedly able to provide a large volume of storage for different sorts of media, from picture to videos to movies. Beside that is an impressive front panel with a set of audio jacks, a firewire port, and some USB slots.

The machine itself is physically attractive and runs quietly enough. Startup seems a little slow and, depressingly, the machine is loaded with HP's rather lackluster software collection but a quick bit of maintenance to obliterate these startup programs will have this machine running at a nice speed. The machine comes preloaded with Windows Vista too so it makes for a great "upgrade" PC.

HP, and most computer stores, have been pushing the Widescreen LCDs and they do look beautiful when attached to this computer which is designed to make use of those different media options, so be on the watch for a special. Amazon indicates the list price of this machine at around $1500 but most stores seem to be running it for $1150 (with rebates) and at that price, you're getting a bargain.

Vista just came out and now is a great time to buy and this is a great low mid range PC with upgrade options to turn it in a workhorse that ought to last you for some time. It's definately worth checking out.

The HP m7760n is the first retail computer I've purchased since 1996. During the intervening years I have built several computers for my own and my family's use. In researching current technology, I realized that to build a computer with all of the features found in this computer I would need to spend much more money than the cost of this unit with current rebates.

So, I took the plunge and got a package deal that included HP's 22 inch widescreen monitor. From doing some research I realized that the onboard graphics would be underpowered to even support full Vista functionality, let alone gaming, so I bought a GeForce 7600 GT PCI-e video card that I installed before even turning the computer on. Many people probably won't need this much video capacity but even upgrading to a sub-$100 card will make a world of difference in video performance on this machine.

So now that I've had it for a few days, here are my initial impressions:

The good:

1)Plenty of horsepower. The E6400 dual core processor, 2 GB of RAM and 500 MB of hard disk space should provide more than enough computing power to meet your needs (which in my case include photo editing and gaming), unless you are an extreme gamer or other intensive user in which case you won't be shopping for this computer anyway.

2) The Media Center really works and the interface is user friendly. You can use this as an HDR machine to record your TV shows with the click of a button. FM radio and other media options are at your finger tips as well. And there are plenty of jacks to integrate this computer with a home entertainment system and flat panel TV.

3) The built-in wireless adapter is the best I've used. Easily connected with my home network transmitter two floors below and has worked flawlessly. Includes separate antenna that seems to really boost reception.

4) I have never had a wireless keyboard, mouse and remote for a computer and I may never go back to wired again. A pleasure to use all three.

5) No one will confuse the image quality of the 22 inch HP monitor with a $1,000 flat panel TV, but the image quality is reasonably good and having the extra space for photo editing or watching widescreen videos is a real plus.

The not-so-good

1) Way too much fan noise. Under even modest loads, the CPU fan cranks up to about 1800 RPMs and is loud. While not surprising for a typical computer, I think this is unacceptable for a Media Center computer that some people will buy to put into family rooms to connect with their TVs and home entertainment systems.

2)Buy a video card. You will not be happy with the integrate video unless the only things you do is websurf and word processing. And if that's the case, you should buy a less expensive computer.

2) Windows Vista. The OS has some cool features, but I've already encountered some capatibility issues with some software I'm trying to migrate to the new computer. And at this early stage we're all essentially beta testers for Vista.

3) No Vista CDs. Your only option if you need/want to rebuild your hard drive is to reset to factory conditions. You will not be able to do a clean install of Vista and add programs at your discretion unless you separately buy a copy of Vista. You will also need to create your own system restore CDs because they are not provided.

3) Useless software. As with any retail computer, you'll want to devote some time to uninstalling a number of the useless programs installed on your hard drive.

4) No speakers. Buy your own, connect to stereo system, or use the built-in speakers in your monitor.

5) Missing bonus peripherals: would it have killed HP to include a modest webcam and microphone in a Media Center?

Bottom line: best value at this price point. Most users should be happy with this machine.

I just got this computer with Vista on it. so let me give it a review before using it for more.

The machine is reasonably fast. The start up feels a little sluggish but other use feel pretty fast.

When you watch live HDTV, the image may pause once every couple seconds, unless I resize the HDTV window to about 1024 width. If I change the window to 1280 or 1600 width, then the HDTV will pause every couple seconds. This is probably due to the fact that the graphics card on the system is an Intel Graphics Acceleration 950 instead of a high power graphics card.

Another update is that, within 36 hours I have this computer up and running and sync'ing to the national time server, the computer clock managed to lag by 2 minutes already. usually this isn't a problem, but my recorded tv program is partly missing due to that. i guess that is why the setting in the Media Center was originally set to record 2, 3 minutes before program starts. I set it to record just 1 minute ahead and that made the beginning of the program not recorded... oh Tivo is still the most reliable machine I have used so far.

It's a good deal. It would have been impossible to build a system with similar specs for the money. The wireless KB/Mouse works very well. The keyboard is excessively noisy though.

That said, there are a few other problems. The integrated Video is very, very weak. But that's OK. I realized that as I ordered it and ordered an PNY nVidia 7900 GS 256 MB PCI-E card at the same time. Once installed and decent speakers and monitor are attached it's a really good gaming rig.

Vista. Ughh. Not ready for prime time. Looking forward to Service Packs One and Two. Quite quickly Vista stopped autoplaying CD/DVD media and had to be restored. Microsoft has yet to release an Autoplay repair tool for Vista.

The usual OEM bloatware comes pre-installed. Get rid of it is my advice.

Could be better if it had another Lightscribe DVD SuperMulti Drive/CD writer.

Most certainly enough power for most folk, and a real pleasure to use. It is unfortunate that HP needs to add all that extra stuff (ebay, experian, Vonage, Easy Internet).

But nothing is perfect. I believe I got the best buy through AMAZON

I needed a second computer for my home office and I also wanted a flat panel TV for general news and weather information. This computer fit the bill perfectly. It is powerful enough to do anything that I ask it to do and the set up was a breeze. I spent hours reading tech reviews about computers and monitors, but this was perfect. I don't have a digital or HD signal running to the monitor (I purchased a 22" ViewSonic VX2235wp), but the picture is good and there is no lag or problems when I switch channels. All games and DVDs play and look great to a 34 year old who plays a few games a year.

The best part is the value that you get with wireless internet connections and wireless keyboard and mouse.

Great buy.

I can't tell if I like the pc. The Vista is, at this point, completely and utterly annoying.

This is a great computer, even after being 4 years old. I just bought one and I am very impressed, especially because windows 7 runs flawlessly on this machine even though its designed for windows vista. The only downflaw is that this thing is incredibly hard to upgrade. There are so many wires and metal cases and things inside of the case that it makes it it very very hard to get to stuff like replacing the RAM or adding a new DVD drive. You practically have to take the thing apart just so that your fingers can fit inside the case without bumping into something and breaking it. But once you manage to get passed all of that stuff, its very easy to add stuff to improve its performance. Overall, this is a great PC and I would have given it 5 stars, but its too difficult to reach the insides of the PC, and I do not like the type of DVD drive this thing has because it seems like it has certain problems when trying to read a DVD-R disc. Maybe mine is just too old or its deffective, but I dont really care because I hardly use the thing and plus this computer is 4 years old. But still, its a great PC especially for recording TV shows with media center.

This is a nice machine, it does everything you want from a computer. The television recorder is one of the best, you can fast forward recorded content etc. I would recommend.

I've already built a few of my own PCs in order to get the speed and capabilities that I want but I've never managed to build one as cheaply as the price I paid for this pre-built beauty. Only minor reconfigurations were needed to adapt this to my specs. The graphics card was an upgrade-must and cost less than $60. I despise McAffee and/or Norton so removing the default AV and pre-loaded/useless software teasers was annoying but now the machine is clean and running exactly what I want. So far it's quiet, fast, reliable and still upgradeable.
The Vista needed the SP1 once I got everything up and running but overall I'm impressed by the agility of this PC. I bought it for only $349 (case, keyboard/mouse) and I STILL can't price out building my own using the same specs this one came with at the same price. Plus, I think I bought the last one in stock! Great Deal!