HP Pavilion zd8080us 17" Laptop (Intel Pentium 4 Processor 550 (Hyper-Threading), 1 GB RAM, 100 GB Hard Drive, DVD+/-RW/CD-RW Drive)

by HP

Product Details

Product Manual [1.37mb PDF]

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Data Sheet [2.87mb PDF]

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Supplementary Guide [2.40mb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 13 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00078WI00
• Item model number: PR316UA#ABA
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: January 9, 2005

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Take your entertainment center with you wherever you roam with the HP Pavilion zd8080 Media Center Notebook PC. Record your favorite TV programs and watch them on the widescreen 17-inch LCD monitor, view photoslideshows with your own soundtrack, or watch DVD movies, and control it all with the included remote. The zd8080 can also unleash your digital creativity with the multiformat DVD/CD burner and included Image Zone photo editing and management software. This multimedia notebook features a super-fast, hyper-threaded 3.4 GHz Pentium 4 processor, 100 GB hard drive, 1 GB of installed RAM, 54g wireless connectivity, multiformat memory card reader, and a powerful video/graphics card with 256 MB of dedicated RAM.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The 100 GB hard drive is one of the largest available in today's notebooks, enabling road warriors and multimedia enthusiasts more than enough capacity for storing documents, digital media files, and productivity software.
• Processor: The hyper-threaded 3.4 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor allows a single CPU system to behave in some aspects like a dual-CPU system, helping to deliver faster transistors and increased performance. It also features a 1 MB L2 cache and a blazingly fast 800 MHz front-side bus speed, which measures how fast a processor and the main memory communicate. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance.)

  A Hyper-Threading processor helps a PC to run multiple demanding applications at the same time. This technology enables the processor to execute two threads (a part of a program) in parallel, boosting performance during key high-drain procedures. This results in more efficient software performance (such as faster reaction times in gaming applications) and enhanced multitasking.

• Memory: The 1 GB of installed RAM (2 x 512 MB, dual channel at 400 MHz) is a very good start for this multimedia-centric notebook, but you'll want to take full advantage of the 2 GB capacity (2 x 1 GB) to maximize the multimedia.
• CD/DVD Drive: The combo DVD+/-RW and CD-RW drive is compatible with a wide variety disc formats, including DVD+, DVD-, VCD, and SVCD discs. For DVD-RW discs, it has a 1x write/rewrite speed, while for DVD+RW discs it has a 2x write/rewrite speed (DVDs are read at 5x). For CDs, it has a 16x write/10x rewrite/40x read speed.
• Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a standard keyboard with scroll bar and integrated numeric keypad, and a touchpad with on/off button and dedicated vertical scroll up/down pad.

Screen, Graphcs and Sound
The ATI Radeon X600 SE is a high-end video card, powerful enough to run one large virtual screen across two displays. It features 256 MB of dedicated video RAM, S-Video and the higher-fidelity DVI connections out, and PCI Express x16 support, which enables graphics to process faster. It also features 16-bit Sound Blaster Pro compatible audio and internal Harman Kardon speakers. It features a volume control and mute buttons.

Connectivity and Expansion Slots
The zd8080us has an integrated 54g wireless LAN that's fully compatible with 802.11b/g wireless networks. The 125 HSM/SpeedBooster support will enable it to be ready for tomorrow's 125 Mbps wireless LANs. You get a good offering of connectivity options, including super-fast USB 2.0 and Firewire:

• 4 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 1 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
• 1 VGA monitor port
• 1 S-Video out
• 1 parallel port
• 1 PCMCIA (or PC Card) slot (Type I/II, 32-bit)
• 6-in-1 memory card reader (compatible with Secure Digital, MultiMedia, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, SmartMedia, and XD Picture Cards)
• 1 headphone jack and 1 microphone jack

It also has an integrated 56K modem (V.90) and an RJ-45 LAN network port (for a 10/100 Ethernet connection to networks and DSL/cable modems).

Preloaded System and Software
The pre-installed Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 is essentially Windows XP Professional Edition with a variety of tools to help you to create, organize, and enjoy digital media ranging from music to home movies to photo slide shows. Additionally, it enables you to control your television with the included remote and record and pause programs (much like a DVR--or digital video recorder--such as Tivo or ReplayTV). Explore upcoming TV programming with the easy-to-use Electronic Program Guide, or browse through thousands of movies by movie poster, rating, actor, and more with the MovieFinder feature--all with no additional service fee. With the 250 GB hard drive, you'll be able to record and store up to 180 hours of video programming. It's compatible with cable, digital cable, satellite TV and antenna inputs, and it includes an FM tuner.

The included HP Image Zone Plus photo and imaging software makes it easy to organize, edit, share, print, protect, and store your photos and video clips. Organize and find your photos easily by timeline, keywords, and/or location using the unique photo-globe mapping tool. Remove red eye and fix other common problems. Share your photos quickly via e-mails that include thumbnails with links to the full-sized images--without downloading time-consuming attachments.

Other preloaded software includes InterVideo WinDVD Creator and WinDVD SE player, Muvee autoProducer, Apple iTunes, Sonic RecordNow, Norton AntiVirus 2005, Microsoft Works 8.0, MSN Encarta Standard, Microsoft Money, and Quicken 2004 New User Edition.

Dimensions and Weight
At 9.4 pounds, the zd8080 isn't the most easily portable notebook. It measures 15.7 x 11.4e x 1.96 inches (L x W x H).

Power
This notebook is powered by a 12-cell rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which offers an average of 3 hours of battery life (dependent upon computing conditions).

What's in the Box
This package contains the zd8080 notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, HP Dual TV Tuner/PVR, mini remote control, and operating instructions. It is backed by a one-year limiited hardware warranty and 30-day free software support.

Product Description

Includes: 12-cell lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, Norton AntiVirus 2005, Microsoft Works & Money, Sonic RecordNow, WinDVD, & more. hp Pavilion zd8080 Notebook PC - This media center notebook features the latest in computing, and digital entertainment technology. One amazing feature is the external hp Dual TV Tuner & PVR. Which lets you record up to 2 live TV programs at the same time, pause live TV, and record your favorite shows. It's controlled with an included remote control and Microsoft's special Media Center Edition 2005 operating system, which gives you an easy-to-use graphical interface that can be controlled from the comfort of a couch or bed. In addition, you can use Media Center Edition 2005 to organize and playback your digital music library, view slideshows of your digital photo album, and much more. ATI MOBILITY RADEON X600 with 256MB of DDR SDRAM 100GB 4200RPM HDD DVD Writer - supports DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, & CD-R/RW media 17 Widescreen High-Definition BrightView LCD Native Resolution - 1440 x 900 802.11g Wi-Fi Wireless Networking Adapter 6-in-1 integrated Digital Media Reader for Secure Digital, MultiMedia, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, SmartMedia, or xD Picture Cards 56k Fax Modem 16-bit Sound Blaster Pro-compatible audio with internal Harman/Kardon speakers 1 Type I/II PC Card Slot (32-bit card bus) 1 ExpressCard/54 Slot (also supports Express Card/34) Ports - 10/100 Ethernet, 4 USB 2.0, 1 FireWire, 1 VGA Out, 1 S-Video Out, 1 Expansion Port 2 Connector, 1 Headphone Out, & 1 Microphone In Kensington MicroSaver Lock Slot

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars a portable computer that can't go anywhere, November 25, 2006

By 

The Otter of Newark - See all my reviews

This review is from: HP Pavilion zd8080us 17" Laptop (Intel Pentium 4 Processor 550 (Hyper-Threading), 1 GB RAM, 100 GB Hard Drive, DVD+/-RW/CD-RW Drive) (Personal Computers)

I do a lot of traveling. I thought it would be nice to have this for movies on planes. Let me tell you about my experience with this laptop:

Brand new, the battery didn't last an hour. I received one pop-up message advising me to switch to battery power or risk losing my work. I had just enough time to read this message before I got another message saying the machine was going into emergency shutdown. Good thing I wasn't actually working on anything important. Three months later, the battery could hold out for half an hour. Currently I've had my laptop for 8 months...the second I unplug it, it completely dies. Even after I plugged it back in, it took about five minutes before I could turn it on. I've never seen that sort of behavior from anything.

Should you choose to take your lifeless laptop somewhere, just finding a carrying case is a chore. I went to my local Fry's (a geek/computer store a little smaller than WalMart) and looked at laptop cases. Not one of them would fit a 17" laptop. Not one of them could even be adapted to fit my laptop, as the dimensions are just too strange. I ended up cramming mine into a gym bag and even then it barely fit flat.

This laptop is being billed as a Digital Media Center. I'll admit that the screen is very nice. However, let's talk about sound. Sound is a pretty important part of movies/tv shows/media in general. The built in speakers on this laptop are average for laptops - rotten. But this 'incredible entertainment center' has only one sound output jack - for headphones. I had a pair of nice quality headphones already - the big bulky earmuff-style suckers. Fortunately I had plenty of room for them in my gym bag/laptop case.

Once I made it onto the plane and got my gigantic laptop case crammed under the seat, I realized that actually putting the thing on my lap was going to be a big problem. It is far too big to balance on the snack tray. It is wider than my lap, and of course the airline seats are only just big enough for my admittedly large butt. And once I had rearranged the armrests to accomodate the thing, I found I couldn't open the screen all the way because it bashed into the chair in front of me (even when the chair was in the fully upright position). So I left it at about a 75 degree angle and loaded up my movie. Which is when I discovered that the battery only lasts an hour. Also, as other reviews have mentioned, this thing runs uncomfortably hot.

So I thought to myself "Well, it doesn't travel at all, but maybe it would do okay on my desk plugged in all the time." In this configuration it does work better. However, I rapidly ran into the sound problem again. You can plug a speaker into the headphone port with mediocre results, or you can use headphones. Besides, if I wanted something permanently installed on a desk, I would have bought a desktop computer (far less money, easier and cheaper to upgrade, easier to use keyboard etc)

To sum up, I would describe this product as having none of the benefits of a typical laptop and none of the benefits of a desktop.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Big Furness, April 11, 2006

By 

Chad M. Serpan (Golden, Colorado) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: HP Pavilion zd8080us 17" Laptop (Intel Pentium 4 Processor 550 (Hyper-Threading), 1 GB RAM, 100 GB Hard Drive, DVD+/-RW/CD-RW Drive) (Personal Computers)

I originally bought an HP Pavilion zd7500. After sending it in five times for the power cord not working and all the wasted time sitting on hold, they finally replaced it. They replaced it with this piece of garbage. I do extensive work on my laptop and I am telling you if you want a personal space heater by this machine. Not only will it keep you warm it will overheat and crash on you while running your screen saver or a word document. Note to user, don't place this unit on a table. This is unfortunately inherited by a lot of laptops that run the Intel Pentium 4 with Hyper Threading. I suggest looking for something better without Intel HT.

3.0 out of 5 stars I agree with the good and the bad reviews, June 15, 2006

By 

J. B. Snyder (Colorado, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: HP Pavilion zd8080us 17" Laptop (Intel Pentium 4 Processor 550 (Hyper-Threading), 1 GB RAM, 100 GB Hard Drive, DVD+/-RW/CD-RW Drive) (Personal Computers)

The good:

Excellent screen, Media Center features, good performance, excellent selection of ports and storage devices.

The bad:

This thing is HOT and HEAVY. Forget about using it on your lap. Prolonged use on a desktop is best done with a keyboard plugged in -- the palm rest actually gets far too hot to type comfortably.

The absolutely terrible:

The battery life was minimal when the machine was new. I never got more than 30 minutes of careful use with minimal drive access. After about a year, it is nonexistent. I cannot even unplug to move from one desk to another without powering down. This is coupled with a power "brick" that truly deserves the slang name -- it is actually heavier than most real bricks. The cord started pulling from the brick after about a year and will have to be replaced, and the unusual connector on the computer side means that no third-party adapter will fit.