Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great laptop with just few imperfections, September 8, 2008
Had this laptop for over a month at the time of this review. I am 96% satisfied with it.
It has a great number of features which are even unmatched by the more expensive notebooks.
That is, 4GB of fast DDR2/800 Ram memory, (currently among the largest RAM configurations sold); 320 GB 5400 WD hard drive (again, among the largest offered).
The laptop also has some other latest high-tech gadgets, namely an HDMI output and an e-sata port, which would allow connection of external hard drives without the loss of download rates.
It has a total of 4 USB ports one of which is combined with e-sata.
I am not a big fan of infiniti screen as it looks a bit greyish to me, but the colors are satisfactory when looking at the screen straight ahead. I had s year old HP DV4000 that had a better screen. The resolution is standard though 1280x800. Check notebookreview.com for more information. Some people like the screen.
Despite some arrogant criticism, I am very satisfied with Nvidia 9200m-gs. It is a mid range graphics card with some newest features like VP3 processor and a future support of SLI technology in which the computer will switch between integrated and dedicated memory.
The total video memory is 2 GB with 256 MB dedicated. The card runs cool at around 50 C even while gaming. The Call of Duty 4 Demo ran without issues on medium setting. I used the latest drivers from HP. The 3d Mark 06 scored 1742 points for this card.
I love the processor. It runs cool (40 c at idle with 28 C ambient temp) and is a very good performer. Super Pi to 2 millions i 58 second and dual core Super Prime is culculate in 39 seconds.
Wireless works well and so does optical drive. No issues there.
I like the new metallic style but the touchpad is aparently indeed too sticky. (Neither this nor the screen is an issue since I use external monitor (hp2207h), external mouse, keyboard and speakers.
One minor annoyance that made me give it only 4 stars is a slightly audible fan noise. I know that this is specific to my computer only as I didn't hear it the first few days.
So overall, it does very well with Vista and can handle dozens of applications opened at once with this huge amount of memory. When I opened all application I had including MS Flight Simulator 2004, all office programs and Corel Paint Shop, the RAM usage never went above 2.7 GB.
The construction seems sturdy and the keyboard is excellent with zero flex. Has two speaker out ports. All things considered, a great laptop that should provide good performance for the next several years.
This is sspecially so considering that it comes preloaded with 64 bit Windows and is expandable to 8 GB of Ram; + allows you to connect external high speed hard drives.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful computer for a student, June 20, 2009
I am a college design student using this computer for school and personal use. I've had this computer since the beginning of August 2008. I have had no major issues or meltdowns with this computer.
KEY FEATURES AS LISTED:
15.4" DISPLAY WITH 1280x800 RESOLUTION
Perfect size for me most of the time - when doing basic tasks such as web surfing, writing papers, research, etc. Would prefer a larger screen for tasks such as Photoshop or AutoCAD.
4GB DDR2 MEMORY
A primary reason behind purchasing this computer. I wanted a bit of an upgrade to run my favorite game - The Sims 2 - better. I also need to run programs such as Photoshop (and other Adobe CS4 products), AutoCAD, and Sketch Up on a semi-daily basis. I've been able to run them, most of the time simultaneously, without many issues.
320GB HARD DRIVE
Unfortunately, almost a year later, this has become too small. I need to purchase an external hard drive to store my documents. I thought 320GB would be enough, but I was wrong. I could have filled it up a LONG time ago, but I've had to force myself to keep an eye on space. Now, I simply don't have any left...
NVIDIA GEFORCE 9200M
Another reason behind purchasing this computer - again, primarily for The Sims 2. :D *UPDATE* I've recently installed and played The Sims 3 - the game runs beautifully with crisp graphics, but is only a tad sluggish. */UPDATE*
LIGHTSCRIBE
An awesome feature, but not necessarily needed. I have used it though, and since it's there, if I make a custom CD/DVD, I Lightscribe it.
WIFI & BLUETOOTH CAPABILITIES
A must-have for me. I use WiFi everywhere, and for half of last year, used my Bluetooth-enabled phone to connect to the internet via phone-as- modem. HOWEVER, I am not able to connect to my school's WiFi. The exact reason is unknown as of now, but the IT guy believes it's because I have a "draft-n" WiFi card... He doesn't know how to fix it (of course, our IT guys... no words to describe them). Also, when at home, I can never stay connected to the wireless internet for long, whether it's the internet or my laptop. The only way to reconnect is to restart the entire computer. Quite annoying; especially on days that I'm getting kicked off every ten minutes.
WINDOWS VISTA HOME PREMIUM 64BIT
I love Vista, and would never go back to XP. I'm so glad this came with Vista. However, it's annoying when I download a program and find that I can't run it because it's 32bit-only-compatible (because the website didn't specify). I also would have been happier if it also came with a full version of Office 2007 though, but I realize that could be a Microsoft issue.
14.05" x 4.3" x 1.65" / 9.65lbs
I take this laptop everywhere. During the day though, if I don't have to, I don't carry it. Although it's under ten pounds, I prefer not to carry it if I don't have to. However, as a design student, I do this primarily because I carry a lot of supplies and projects all the time.
***
MISCELLANEOUS
I've had a few issues here or there that are minorly annoying...
(1) Volume buttons. The "buttons" aren't really physical buttons so much as a touch-screen-like feature. However, I have a hard time adjusting the volume via this button, and usually have to use the on-screen menu instead. Also, my mute button doesn't always display properly. It's supposed to be orange when it's muted, and white when not. Sometimes, it'll get stuck orange for a while and no way to fix it - it just fixes itself eventually.
(2) Battery life. My laptop's plugged in 95% of the time that I've used it. If not, it dies in two hours or less. This means that it gets HOT - especially under the video card (even if I'm not doing something graphic-intensive). So I've had to buy a laptop cooler that plugs into the USB. Another thing to haul around and add to the weight. I've also installed a program that monitors the internal temperature. If I let the computer sit on a desk without the cooler, it can get around 130 degrees F and give me a critical warning, but will usually stay around 125. If I run it with the cooler, it stays between 90 and 115 degrees F, depending on how I'm sitting.
(3) Speed. After almost a year, my computer's gotten sluggish. It takes a lot longer to start up in general. Even with basic computer upkeep like defrags and virus scans, etc. This could be because I've used 300GB on my hard drive, I don't know.
(4) QuickPlay. Don't really use it or need it.
(5) Display. Colors aren't as vibrant as on everyone else's screens :(
(6) Clam-shell lid. It's hard to open with one hand and it's always dirty because of its finish.
***
Overall, I love this computer. I spent more money than as listed on Amazon (bought last year, and not on Amazon), but I don't regret it. Compared to like-computers, I feel that I got a good deal. And seeing my friends computers at school, I feel that I got a good deal. I love most of the features included, and am not really envious of too much that didn't come with it. I got what I need at a price I could afford, plus some extras that I didn't necessarily need, but am happy to have. It's quiet, reasonably portable, and it's lasted me so far (compared to friends, other computers I've had, and other products in general that I've had, I'm happy). I've dropped it once majorly (the strap on my bag broke and went crashing to the floor) - only thin cloth between it and floor - when I first got it; and it gets thrown around carelessly once in a while... No dents, chips, and only one scratch from an unrelated incident.
I recommend this computer to anyone looking for these features at a good price!
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great notebook, but disappointing battery life, October 18, 2008
I absolutely loved this laptop. I don't have much to add to the reviews. The guys who already posted a review have said it all.
The only thing I din't like about this notebook, though, was the battery life. It lasts only for 2 hours with the WiFi on and 2 and a half hours if I turn it off, even if I set the Power Saver energy plan. It disappointed me a lot, since I can't avoid comparing it to any Apple notebook, whose battery lasts up to 5 hours with a similar 6-cell battery and similar processing speeds.
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