Dell Latitude D531 Laptop PC Review

The Dell Latitude D531 isn't the fastest or sexiest laptop on the market, but it does deliver what business buyers crave most: configurability, long battery life, and good value. This six-pound mainstream portable is worth a look for corporations and growing businesses that appreciate a stable platform and common parts (battery, AC adapter, bay devices, and docking solutions for DELL Latitude D531 battery are the same as for all the other D-series models) but are tired of paying north of $2,000 per machine for a decently equipped model.

Dell didn't cut corners when it came to the screen: The 15.4-inch TrueLife display is extra bright and delivers excellent viewing-angle range, even when viewed from above. The 1440 x 900-pixel resolution makes for crisp, legible text, though default font and icon sizes in documents and Web pages looked a touch small. During DVD playback the panel did exhibit some motion blur, and while scenes looked rich, they were a tad dark overall, losing some details in shadow areas.

As has become traditional of late, AMD systems of any flavour tend to be targeted at the lower end of the market. This is a reflection on AMD's notebook platform, which is inherently inferior to Intel's in almost every way; be it in raw performance or less tangible but vital areas such as battery life.

Before I get on that however, let's take a close look at the D531's chassis. It's built around a 15.4in display and though there's an option for a 1,440 x 900 panel, our sample came with the cheaper 1,280 x 800 variety. This shouldn't come as much of a surprise since, as I noted in the Student's Guide to Technology, 15.4in displays are cheap to make and as such are used in the vast majority of budget notebooks.

Specifications
Below are the specifications of the Dell Latitude D531 as reviewed:

Processor: AMD Turion 64 X2 TL-60 (2.00 Ghz)
Hard Drive: Hitachi 120GB SATA HD 5400 RPM
Memory: 2.0GB DDR2-667MHZ, 2 DIMMS (4GB Max)
Graphics: Integrated ATI x1270
Display: 15.4” WXGA+ “TrueLife” (250 nits) (14.1" screen is also an option)
Battery: 9-Cell (85 WHr)
Adapter: 65W power supply
Wireless Card: Dell wireless 1505 draft-N card
Optical Drive: Optiarc 8x DVDRW AD-5540A
Ports: Four USB 2.0, one Firewire, headphone out, microphone in, s-video, modem, ethernet, VGA, serial port, PCMCIA slot
OS: Windows XP Pro SP2
Dimensions:
Height: 35.3mm/1.39"
Width: 361mm/14.2"
Depth: 262.6mm/10.34

Connectivity options abound with a choice of both Gigabit wired and 802.11g wireless Ethernet interfaces. Bluetooth is, similarly, built in along with a FireWire (IEEE 1394) port plus four USB 2.0 connectors to attach external disks, scanners and other devices. And there's a PC-Card slot to, for example, add a 3G card for totally wireless connectivity.

Windows Vista Business comes pre-installed on this model complete with Aero 3D visual effects. We then installed Office 2007, a SQL Server database and an accounts package, all of which the D531 coped with very well indeed.

The Latitude D531 battery is designed to help businesses stay up-to-date with technology without sacrificing the bottom line. This mainstream value notebook updates the D520 with new processor options, improved security and enterprise-class features. At the same time, it offers the longer lifecycles, image stability and peripheral commonality that growing businesses have come to expect from the Latitude D family.

To help keep costs down, Dell has fitted this machine with an AMD dual-core processor, but you can opt for an Intel chip if you'd prefer. In this particular specification, you'll find the ATi Radeon X1270 handles the graphics, which is an integrated solution that is on a par with Intel's latest X1300 GPU. This means you can run standard tasks with ease, but it won't handle the latest 3D programs.

Weighing in at 2.8kg, the Latitude looks larger and heavier than it actually is and, while it's not designed to be carried around all day, every day, it is fairly portable. Less impressive was its battery life of 187 minutes, under test, which trails behind many of its competitors.

Dell's AMD-powered Latitude D531 is unlikely to win any awards for its looks. However, it does have a fast dual-core processor, 2GB of memory and a nice display plus Wi-Fi connectivity as standard, making for a versatile business notebook at an affordable price. The first thing you notice is the 15.4-inch display. On the downside this makes the DELL D531 battery a little large to carry about, but with an ATI Radeon video controller and a resolution of 1,280 x 800, it's man enough for most day to day tasks. Moreover, specify a Dell TrueLife display (at a remarkably affordable £13 + VAT) and the resolution rises to an impressive 1,440 x 990 pixels. Either way the end result is a large, bright display plenty big enough for presentations, with a wide viewing angle and sufficient adjustment to deal with a range of lighting conditions.

The new AMD-powered Dell notebook has CD-ROM, Combo or DVD burner drive, four USB ports, a Firewire, VGA and S-Video outputs, a COM port and a PCMICA card slot.

It provides Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 1.2 for enhanced security, a reinforced magnesium-alloy chassis and LCD back, and weighs starting at 5.1 lbs.

However, Dell includes the Dell System Customisation Wizard that explains to users how to connect to the Internet, learn about gadgets and sidebars, find product support and documentation and transfer data.

Dell keeps the D531 to a minimalist design. Besides the power button, there’s only one other button, which is the switch for the wireless network and Bluetooth connection.

General information about driver Dell Latitude D531 file (its size, type, interface language, the name of the operating system under your Laptop works, and the date of creating driver) containing driver for Latitude D531 laptop is represented on this page. Here you are also able to see a quantity of D531 driver download and estimate its utility by a simple voting.

Some driver files for DELL Latitude D531 laptop battery may be in the archived state for comfortable download, so you will need to have WinZip or WinRar archiver to use them.
Driver Dell Laptop Latitude D531 download occurs after clicking on the proper link.

Dell Inspiron 1564 Reviews

I like a lot of Dell's newer laptops, and I had hoped to like the company's newly Core i5-enhanced Inspiron 15 (1564 variant). This model has a lush widescreen and isn't too big, and the glossy shell looks nearly as good as the Apple aesthetic it apes. At about $934 (as of March 9, 2010) when it isn't on sale, the DELL Inspiron 1564 battery is a reasonably priced all-purpose laptop with a substantially more than adequate chunk of silicon at its heart. But it doesn't give you a lot of ways to get all that power out and onto the screen of your choice, and the keyboard is an uncomfortable mess. Typing this review means that I'm finally, blissfully close to not having to use this keyboard ever again. (Yes!)



The review model I received had the "Ice Blue" finish with the familiar Dell icon in the center. The glossy sections of this machine are fingerprint magnets (no way around that), but they look good. The whole thing measures 15 by 9.8 by 0.8 inches and weighs just under 5.5 pounds. The 15.6-inch widescreen display stretches it out--this is not a laptop you can casually toss into a small bag, but it isn't a monster either. The left side has USB, VGA, and HDMI ports, plus the ethernet plug. The right edge has the DVD drive, two more USB ports, microphone and headphone ports, and a memory card reader.

A fast processor is all very well, but what about the rest of the laptop? The Inspiron design remains basically the same, with a fairly minimalist case and sturdy lid hinges that allow you to push the lid back almost to a horizontal position. There aren't any flashy LED controls or indicators, which is no bad thing. Once again, Dell has swapped the Function keys default behaviour - for example the F2 key is now the "Toggle Wireless" key, and you have to press the Fn key to get F2. If this is a little confusing, you can reverse this behaviour back to 'normal' in the BIOS.

The rest of the keyboard is fairly standard. The keys have flat tops but enough spacing between them, and their action is light with fairly crisp feedback. The touchpad is large enough and very responsive, with two large buttons that have an extremely light action - so light that there is hardly any feedback when you press them.

First let me say I ended up purchasing this model because I had to. Really wanted a 1464 but they were out of stock and needed a new laptop asap so got the 1564 instead. Let me say that his computer works great! On the positive side I really enjoy the number pad. The track pad needs a little getting use to but since I use a bluetrack wireless mouse it doesn't bother me much. The Cyberlink DVD software really takes advantage of the integrated HD features from the integrated graphics and iCore chip, had no slowdowns. Setting up the wi-fi was a breeze. Didn't have to remove much bloatware if anything at all. Everything works great, can't complain.

Specifications:

• Intel Core i3-330M Dual Core Processor
• 3GB PC3-8500 DDR3 Memory
• 250GB 5400rpm SATA Hard Drive
• 8x DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Burner
• 15.6-inch WXGA (1366x768) WLED Backlit Display With 1.3 Megapixel Webcam
• Intel GMA 4500MHD Integrated Graphics
• Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11b/g Wireless
• Three USB 2.0, HDMI, VGA, 7-in-1 Card Reader
• 15" x 9.8" x 1.3" @ 5.5 lbs.
• Windows 7 Home Premium, Works, McAfee Security Center

Like the Dell Studio 15 Artist Edition, the Inspiron 15 sports a dropped central hinge design, and a refreshingly cleaner palmrest. The new Dell Inspiron 15-1564 is better built than the previous one, and definitely better looking than some other laptops in its price range. The Inspiron 15's one of the lighter 15-inch laptops, weighing just 2.4kg.

The Dell Inspiron 15's 15.6-inch LED backlit display has a 16:9 aspect ratio, which is nice for watching high-def content. The screen is glossy in nature, has good horizontal viewing angles, and it does a pretty good job of displaying both text and movie content.

As mentioned above, the Inspiron 1564 battery is the first machine with Core i3 branding we’ve reviewed. Core i3 represents the lower end of Intel’s next generation processing technology and – after initial testing – we were extremely impressed by the power on offer for the money. It blows away competition from Intel's older Core 2 Duo processor technology, making it an entry level machine you’ll be able to run surprisingly powerful applications on.

Elsewhere there’s an integrated Intel GPU providing limited graphical performance, 802.11g Wi-Fi and also VGA and HDMI out ports giving you versatile connectivity to external monitors.

While the low clocks will reduce heat output and improve battery life for the Inspiron 1564, it bears mentioning that there's no way to switch to using the integrated graphics built into the Core i5 CPU and thus improve battery life further. This is similar to what we saw with NVIDIA's switchable graphics, which have only been in a few products over the years. As we covered in our Optimus Technology Overview, switchable graphics requires more validation and testing, more motherboard layers, and several multiplexer chips (typically two per video output). Given all of the added work, it's perhaps not too surprising—though it is disappointing—that Dell chose to keep costs down on the Inspiron 15. Less expensive models are available with Intel HD Graphics, for those that don't need a faster GPU.

Rounding out the package is 4GB of DDR3-1066 memory (expandable to 8GB if you're willing to lose the 2GB SO-DIMMs that the system comes with), a 320GB hard drive running at 5400 RPM (a Western Digital Scorpio Blue in our test unit, though we suspect actual hard drives will vary based on Dell's current inventory), and a DVD+/-RW drive. Networking comes courtesy of Dell's Wireless 1397 802.11g network adapter, 10/100 Ethernet, Bluetooth, and an integrated 1.3-megapixel webcam. While the memory is bog standard for this market segment, the rest of the components are curiously underpowered for such a monstrous processor. The lack of gigabit Ethernet is disappointing, and the modified configuration utility is a mess.

Despite using an integrated GPU – a graphics technology traditionally associated with limited power – Intel's latest onboard chip provides surprisingly powerful 3D performance, allowing high-definition (HD) video and even less demanding games to run with little effort.

The stunning 15.6-inch screen adds to the multimedia usability on offer. It is a very bright panel, and delivers fantastic colour reproduction and sharp images, ensuring movies, photos and games are shown with impressive clarity and vibrancy.

If there's an area in which the Dell 1564 battery comes up a bit short, it's in the port, I/O, and networking configuration. Competing laptop models have similar connection assortments to this Dell, but some have an ExpressCard slot, dual headphone jacks, and a USB/eSATA combo port. Probably the biggest error, though, is the use of an 802.11g wireless adapter instead of an 802.11n adapter. Also, Dell didn't include Bluetooth with this Inspiron, which seems to have disappeared from most of the recent mainstream laptop models we've tested.

The i1564-6980CRD is a retail system and is not configurable at time of purchase. However, on Dell's Web site you can configure the Inspiron 15 with a faster Core i5 processor, more storage, software, and select from three other color options: black, blue, and pink. The Inspiron's memory is expandable to 8GB and can be easily added via a removable panel on the bottom of the system.

Dell's Inspiron 1564 budget systems offers a solid laptop for those on a tight budget. Incentives and discounts often drive the price below $600. With the Core i3 processor it provide a very quick computing experience. The downside is that users will have to sacrifice some RAM, hard drive space and wireless features for this lower price. For some this may not matter much but be warned that Dell does not offer the same level of customization on this particular model.

Graphics are handled by the integrated Intel chipset, so you’ll be able to play basic games but you won’t find this machine optimised for serious gaming and even video editing will be something of a strain.

Below the screen is a full-sized keyboard with a separate keypad. The keys are a good size but we found they tend to rattle as we typed. Also, less appealing, is the keyboard has been shunted to the left-hand side to accommodate the numeric keypad, so pushing it left of centre, which can take a little time to grow accustomed to.

For storage you can use the 500GB Serial ATA (SATA) hard drive rotating at 5400RPM. Not the speediest drive, but plenty of space to store your digital pictures from your camera or all your music for your iPod. The optical drive is a 8x multi-format DVD drive which supports reading/writing of CD-R/RW, DVD±R, DVD±RW, DVD±R DL, and DVD-RAM. The 7-in-1 memory card reader is compatible with Secure Digital (SD), Hi-Capacity Secure Digital (SDHC), Hi-Density Secure Digital (SDHD), Multi Media Card (MMC), Memory Stick (MS), Memory Stick PRO (MS Pro), and xD Picture Card (xD) media cards.

For networking you can use the 54g Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g) wireless networking adapter, or the 10/100 RJ-45 Ethernet port. Other ports include 3 high-speed USB 2.0 ports, HDMI output port for connecting to your HDTV, VGA port for an external monitor, headphone out and microphone in jacks.

With a base price tag of roughly $640, Dell offers a number of discount incentives on their systems that results in a price tag that can easily be found for under $600. This makes it extremely affordable but they did sacrifice a few other features to reach this price. With 802.11n now an official standard, most laptops include this as a standard feature. This version of the DELL Inspiron 1564 laptop battery only comes with 802.11b/g support which may disappoint those wanting high speed wireless networking.

Dell has also been known for their wide range of customization options when ordering laptops. In the case of their budget Inspiron 1564, it is considered a fast track item. This means that the internal components can not be upgraded at the time of the order. Only external peripherals can be added to the bundle.

Dell Inspiron 1764 Laptop Review

Dell's 17.3in 1764 is the first laptop we've seen to use Intel's new mobile Core i5 processor. The 2.26GHz Core-5-430M might only seem a little bit quicker than the 2.13GHz Core i3-330M processors commonly used in laptops at this price, but it's got a trick up its sleeve: Turbo Boost.

This allows the processor to up its clock speed to 2.53GHz when under load to power through tough computing jobs. This processor, combined with the 4GB of RAM, managed an impressive overall score of 83 in our benchmarks: we've rarely seen faster laptops and certainly not at this price. With so much power, the Dell Inspiron 1764 battery should be able to handle any job. Multimedia applications, such as video encoding, will be quick on this laptop

Turbo Boost also means that the processor requires less power in standard mode, so battery life can be helped. That said, this monster only managed to last for two hours 41 minutes in our battery tests. It's enough for occasional use around the home, but we've seen similarly-sized laptops last for longer.

Now with the Dell Inspiron 1764 laptop you don't have many options when it comes to the kind of design. Basically you only have one color at this point which is the blue color. You have other design options when you order the Dell Inspiron 1764 laptop from the Dell website itself. You have the option of picking from approximately 200 designs. Now this might be a great thing for many people who like to have their laptop looking in a unique way. For example similar laptop in the same category such as the HP Pavilion dm3 series battery and the Acer Aspire AS8940 only have one design no matter where you decide to purchase the product from.

The way its built it great. I bought the top line, the only thing I didnt get was the blue-ray drive. The i5 processor is fast making things easy and quick. the graphics at 1 Gb is perfect. I bought the 9cell battery making the computer about 1-2 inch higher at the back which means the laptop can breath and keep it from getting to hot. The mouse I have had no problem with. The fact about were Dell placed the mouse pad is no different then were all the companies put then they are all in the same place. The key board does not make any more sound then any other key board. Sound is fine the fact that the speakers are yes at the bottom and I guess if you have the 6cell battery it may mute the sound a bit. Over all I feel that you get what you pay for. If you want something great pay the extra.

The system began to malfunction shortly after I installed basic security and office software. It would not connect to my HP printer. There were local network and driver errors, along with frequent hangs, bluescreen crashes and other problems. Dell tech support blamed me for "corrupting" their operating system and said I would have to pay extra for software service, since their "limited" warranty covers only hardware. I restored the machine to factory settings, only to see the problems reappear. Despite my extensive experience as a computer professional, I was unable to fix the software problems. Internet research showed I was not alone.

Product Spec:

• Type: General Purpose, Media, Value
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
• Processor Name: Intel Core i5 M430
• Processor Speed: 2.27 GHz
• RAM: 4 GB
• Weight: 6.2 lb
• Screen Size: 17.3 inches
• Screen Size Type: widescreen
• Graphics Card: Intel GMA HD
• Storage Capacity: 320 GB
• Networking Options: 802.11n
• Primary Optical Drive: External

We won't go through all the potential permutations here, but it's worth pointing out that you can get discrete graphics (from a choice of two ATI cards) and up to a 500GB hard drive. These options, however, are only available as broadly defined upgrade packages - you can't tailor the machine to your exacting requirements like the company's more expensive models.

Most models, including the version sold by PC World and other e-tailers, feature Wireless-G Wi-Fi. N Wi-Fi is only available on the most expensive base-spec, as is Bluetooth and a Blu-ray drive. Not that you'd really want the latter given the only display option is the standard 1,600 x 900 resolution, LED backlit effort. It's a good resolution for normal users after a large, readable display, but it's not ideal for Full HD video content.

There's life in colossal media centers after all, as consumers aren't ready to give up precious screen real estate, even as they are ready to toss away their clunky desktops. The Inspiron 1764 battery has all the components that'll ease your transition from a desktop to a laptop, except if you're a gamer. With its Core i5 processor and ample screen real estate, the Dell Inspiron 1764-5595IBU offers an easy transition from desktop to laptop, but gamers will need a better graphics card.

Of greater concern, although not related to performance per se, is that the Inspiron is a comparatively noisy machine - particularly for a big laptop. It's not necessarily that its fan spins up more than other laptops, though it wouldn't surprise us were that the case. It's more that it spins very fast and conspicuously, particularly when the system is called upon to do taxing tasks. We wonder whether this is a result of the slim chassis making cooling less efficient, but whatever the cause it's quite annoying.
This is no reflection on the overall build quality, however, our impression of which is generally positive. Keyboard aside, which we've already covered, this is a very well screwed together system with a strong, smooth hinge action on the screen. There are also quick access hardware panels, making this an easy system to upgrade should you need.

The Dell Inspiron 1764 laptop features the Intel® Core® i3-330M processor and comes preloaded with Microsoft's Windows® 7 Home Premium. The 500GB hard drive has plenty of space for your favourite multimedia files, and the Inspiron 1764 uses 4GB of RAM to keep all your applications running smoothly, even when you're multi-tasking! This Dell Inspiron 1764 notebook has a 17.3" high-gloss, high contrast, anti-reflective widescreen TrueLife TFT display.

Equipped with a powerful 2.26GHz Intel Core i5 processor and a whopping 4GB memory, Dell Inspiron 1764 laptop is much quicker than the processors we see in ordinary machines. Best for running memory-intensive applications and multimedia programs like video/audio coding, graphics work, the Dell 1764 battery is a fast, reliable and powerful laptop. A unique feature of the processor is the Turbo Boost technology which can automatically enhance the speed of the processor from 2.26GHz up to 2.53GHz whenever the system needs extra power. The Turbo Boost also helps the system to save power whilst in standard mode and ultimately increases the battery hours.

Acer Travelmate 6593 Review

The Acer Travelmate 6593 is one of the many models of the Travelmate series produced by fifth leading computer manufacturer Acer. From the beginning, Acer has branded the Travelmate series as the perfect business companion. From such a description, you can safely assume that the Travelmate 6593 is geared towards the entrepreneur.

TravelMate 6593 specifications

• Intel® Centrino® 2 Processor with vPro™ Technology
• Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor T9500
• (6MB L2 Cache 2.53 GHz 1066MHz FSB)
• 15.4" WXGA Acer CrystalBrite™ TFT LCD (1280 x 800)
• 4GB DDR3 1066 MHz Dual Channel Memory
• Integrated Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 4500 MHD
• 250GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive
• DVD-Super Multi Double-Layer Drive
• 5-in-1 Digital Media Card Reader
• 802.11a/b/g/Draft-N Wi-Fi CERTIFIED®
• Acer Crystal Eye Webcam
• Windows Vista® Business

There are certain features that a business-oriented laptop should have. One of these is the flexibility and the power needed to multi-task. Second, does it have enough battery power so that you can use it conveniently on the road? This and other questions can be answered through this in-depth look at the pros and the cons of the Travelmate 6593.

The Acer TravelMate 6593 battery is a 6.6-pound, general-purpose notebook computer.Compared to other general-purpose notebooks on the market, it is relatively inexpensive at around $830.The 15.4 inch widescreen has a native resolution of 1280 x 800, which is fairly standard among laptops.Runs on the Intel Core 2 Duo processor.This configuration has a 250GB hard disk drive and 2 GB of memory.

As its reviews, the TravelMate notebook platform could prove to be perfect for the users who have to integrate connectivity, productivity and portability tools into one device. The 15.4-inch TravelMate 6593 the 14.1-inch TravelMate 6493 notebook PC claims to come up with excellent security alternatives and unique specs like videoconferencing that professionals are on the look out for in a notebook.

The TravelMate 6593 comes packed with an Intel Centrino 2 Processor along with Pro technology. Looking at its glaring specs, I think this is really the only notebook you need to have, as it comes built-in with 15.4-inch WXGA Acer CrystalBrite TFT LCD (1280 x 800), 4GB DDR3 1066 MHz Dual Channel Memory, and 250GB 7200RPM SATA hard drive. As the features, it also has a 5-in-1 digital media card reader, DVD-Super double-layer drive as well as Acer Crystal Eye webcam. Yes, the TravelMate 6593 battery is compatible with Windows Vista Business to meet your requirements. The TravelMate 6593 is prized up to $1499.

Dedicate to highly mobile users, the TravelMate 6593 hosts a full range of advanced connectivity solution: from WiFi/WiMAX capabilities, supporting Acer SignalUp with Invilink Nplify wireless technology, to Gigabit Ethernet LAN and modem connection. In addition,on selected configurations, full WWAN connectivity is guaranteed through quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE capability at 850/900/1800/1900 MHz and UMTS/HSDPA capability at 2100 MHz.

The TravelMate 6593 comes with Acer Video Conference solution, that includes the Acer Crystal Eye webcam, and Acer Video Conference Manager software (featuring Video Quality Enhancement) that enables you to set up videoconferences wherever you are. The TravelMate 6593 can also be specified with a VoIP Bluetooth phone.

TravelMate 6593 integrates also an Intel Centrino 2 vPro, with 3GB of DDR3 1066MHz dual channel memory and SATA HDD 250GB 7200rpm. The system is characterized by the integrated graphics chip Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500 that manages MHD a 14.1-inch LCD screen with Acer CrystalBrite WXGA resolution of 1280 x 800. Again, the budget is supplemented by a DVD recorder, 5in1 card reader, 1.3 megapixel Crystal Eye webcam, Windows Vista operating system. Acer TravelMate 6593 laptop battery will cost compresto between 1099 and 1299 U.S. dollars. For more details on these notebooks and to know the Italian models, we recommend you read our previous news .

To summarize and conclude, the Travelmate 6593 has the necessary processing power to ensure smooth processing of programs with minimal lags in the system. Plus it has enough space for the storage of important files and data. It is a little bit weak on the graphics side, however. The acer laptop battery life is highly impressive.

The 6593 is undeniably ideal for the businessman. It is not a gaming platform. Older games would do fine in the 6593, but it won’t do for the latest games that require heavy processing in both graphics and memory.

HP Pavilion DV9000Z Review

The 7.8-pound HP Pavilion dv9000z is a desktop replacement that's serious about multimedia. Its matte- or glossy-finished, 17-inch wide-screen display comes with a native resolution of either WXGA+ (1,440x900) or WSXGA+ (1,680x1,050), and the system features LED-backlit, touch-sensitive multimedia controls; two headphone jacks (one of which supports S/PDIF out); and HP's QuickPlay 2.1 software for accessing media without booting into Windows. You can configure the notebook with an AMD Turion 64 X2 processor at speeds from 1.6GHz to 1.8GHz; up to 2GB of 533MHz or 667MHz RAM; an Nvidia GeForce Go 7600 graphics card with 256MB of dedicated VRAM; and a 5,400rpm hard drive with up to 120GB of capacity. The HP Pavilion dv9000z battery also supports two hard drives on a RAID controller for up to 240GB of space. Other features include HP's Mobile Remote Control, S-Video out and FireWire ports, an ExpressCard slot, 802.11a/b/g wireless, Bluetooth, a dual-layer DVD burner, and a 5-in-1 memory card reader. A Webcam, dual microphones, and Windows XP Media Center Edition are all optional.


The piano-lacquer exterior and glossy gray interior treatment make the Pavilion line stand out, as do HP's extra features. The improved-for-Vista QuickPlay 3.0 utility lets you access music, video, DVD content, and more without going through the OS, and the tactile multimedia control buttons above the keyboard should be copied by other makers. A 1.3-megapixel webcam is built into the bezel for video chats and Web conferencing. Another feature other notebook-makers should rip off: the dual headphone jacks on the front edge, which let you share a movie in the back of the car without having to buy a splitter.

The centerpiece of the dv9000z is the 17-inch, 1440 x 900-pixel screen. It's a new-generation LCD panel ("Ultra BrightView Widescreen" is HP's name for it) that enhances the brightness and color gamut. Despite the relatively low resolution, the screen looked noticeably brighter than the glossy screens we've come to love. It provided very wide viewing angles, too, which makes the Pavilion dv9000z battery suitable to share around a coffee or conference table. Sound from the desk-mounted Altec Lansing speakers was excellent.

HP Pavilion DV9000Z specs as follows:

Operating System - Genuine Windows XP Media Center
Processor - Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processor T5500 (1.66 GHz)
Display - 17.0" WSXGA+ BrightView Widescreen (1680x1050)
Graphics Card - 256MB NVIDIA(R) GeForce(R) Go 7600
Personalization - HP Imprint Finish + Microphone + Webcam
Memory - 1024MB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
Hard Drive - 160GB 5400RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (80GB x 2)
Primary CD/DVD Drive - LightScribe DVD+/-RW w/Double Layer
Networking - Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network w/Bluetooth
Primary Battery - 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
OS and Recovery Media - System Recovery DVD w/Windows XP Media Center
Accessories - HP Mobile Remote Control

Connectivity-wise, the DV9000z comes well-equipped with four USB ports, a FireWire jack, VGA and S-Video outs, a five-format flash-memory-card reader, and an ExpressCard slot, as well as headphone, mic, and S/PDIF digital-audio jacks. You also get a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) port onboard, which lets you connect the notebook to a compatible television for use as an HD DVD player. For networking, our review unit came with modem and Ethernet jacks, built-in Bluetooth, and 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi. (Draft N wireless is also an available configuration option).

While our $2,606 review unit packed a bevy of high-end components, it still costs less than many high-end desktop-replacement notebooks, thanks mainly to its cheaper AMD processor. In fact, the model we evaluated, which included AMD's dual-core 2.2GHz Turion X2 TL-64, cost over $1,000 less than the similarly configured Dell XPS M1530 battery based on Intel's top-end 2.33GHz Core 2 Duo processor. In addition, our Pavilion featured 2GB of DDR2 RAM, twin 160GB hard drives, and the aforementioned HD DVD drive, which also functions as a multiformat DVD burner. HP skimped a bit on graphics power, however, outfitting the DV9000z with a discrete nVidia GeForce Go 7600 card with 256MB of DDR3 memory. We would like to see a 512MB card as an option, like with competing machines such as Dell's XPS M1710 and HP's own Core 2 Duo-based Pavilion DV9000t.

At 7.7 pounds, the dv9000z's carrying weight is middle-of-the-road: not ideal for frequent travel, but easier to move from room to room than some desktop replacements. Wireless communications (integrated 802.11b/g is standard; Bluetooth costs a little extra) are easy to monitor and control via an LED on/off switch mounted on the front.

his desktop replacement’s Core 2 Duo processor scored a good-but-not-spectacular 227 on our MobileMark 2005 test. Thanks to Nvidia’s GeForce Go 7600 graphics, complete with 256MB of dedicated video memory, the dv9000t notched a solid 8,657 on our 3DMark03 test. It scored a good 49 fps using F.E.A.R.’s AutoDetect settings and a respectable 26 fps with the settings maxed out.

Battery life was decent. In our tests, the dv9000t lasted an above-average 2 hours and 44 minutes with Wi-Fi on. As for wireless networking, the system comes with 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. It scored a respectable 13.4 Mbps of throughput at 15 feet and 11.5 Mbps at 50 feet.

If gaming is your thing, the HP dv9220us gets you 80% of Alienware performance at 1/3 or less the price. The dedicated NVIDIA GeForce Go 7600 with 256 megs of dedicated video RAM handled the latest demanding titles such as Company of Heroes along with F.E.A.R. and Doom III easily with the games running at or near actual maximum display resolution. The built-in speakers sound really great for gaming and they're loud and clear enough at half volume that we could hear someone gaming several rooms away in a large house. If you want a bit more umph or future-proofing, HP offers the Go 7600 with 512 megs of dedicated RAM as an upgrade option. Our 256 meg NVIDIA system can use 271 megs of shared video memory for a total of 527 megs memory if needed.

The standard BrightView widescreen display runs at a resolution of 1440 x 900. This is a glossy display with good saturation and strong contrast but it's not the brightest. We keep the brightness turned up to 75% or better and then it looks lovely. The viewing angle is wide and by glossy display standards, glare isn't too bad. HP offers an upgrade option to their dual lamp Ultra BrightView display which they claim improves color gamut by 72% (no idea how this impacts battery life). Yet another option is a higher resolution 1680 x 1050 BrightView (sorry no Ultra option for this resolution) for $50 additional on a build-to-order dv9000z.

The HP Pavilion dv9000z Entertainment Notebook PC combines first-class digital entertainment with fast and powerful performance in HP's next-generation design. Featuring a large 17.0" high-definition widescreen BrightView display, the dv9000 boasts a superior viewing experience. With powerful processor, users can multitask with ease. Equipped with the NVIDIA GeForce Go graphics processor with PureVideo technology, users can enjoy smooth playback of the latest games and high definition video with vivid detail.

The 256MB Nvidia GeForce Go 7600 GPU is good enough for casual gaming, with a score of 7,124 on 3DMark03, though serious gamers will wish for a higher-end GPU, which HP does not yet offer for this series.

The HP dv9000z battery delivers a great mix of style, multimedia prowess, and performance. The excellent screen and welcome HD-DVD drive make it an ideal multimedia center.

HP Pavilion DV9930US 17-inch Laptop Review

We haven't had our hands on this product, but we know which features matter. Here's how the HP Pavilion Dv9930us Notebook (2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Mobile T5750, 4GB DDR2, 320GB, DVD±RW DL, Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit , 17" LCD) measures up:

The more memory a PC has, the faster your programs run and the more windows you can work in simultaneously. Equipped with memory between 2GB and 4GB, this laptop should be able to handle just about any task you can throw at it without bogging down too much. For instance, if you're a multitasker and you'd like to burn a music CD in one window while watching your favorite DVD movie (for the umpteenth time) in another--while flipping between your inbox and your browser to work on your blog during the movie's boring parts--this laptop can manage it all without a hiccup.

Product Details:

• Installed Memory: 4000
• Screen Size: 17
• Product Type: Notebook
• Processor Type: Intel Core 2 Duo
• Operating System: Windows Vista Home Premium x64 with SP1
• Networking: Fast EthernetWi-FiIEEE 802.3uIEEE 802.11n
• Display Type: BrightView
• Interface Type: 4 x 4-pin Type A USB 2.0 - USB1 x 15-pin HD-15 VGA1 x HDMI1 x RJ-11 Modem1 x RJ-45 Network1 x mini-DIN S-Video Out2 x Mini-phone Headphone1 x Mini-phone Microphone1 x Expansion Connector1 x 4-pin IEEE 1394 - FireWire1 x DC Power Input
• Included Drives: DVD-RAM/±R/±RW
• Video Chipset: nVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS
• Processor Speed: 2000
• Hard Drive Size: 320000
• Weight: 123.2

The HP Pavilion dv9930us battery is a 7.7-pound, general-purpose notebook computer.Compared to other mainstream notebooks on the market, it is relatively inexpensive at around $1,015.The 17 inch widescreen has a native resolution of 1440 x 900, which is better than most laptops.Built around the Intel Core 2 Duo CPU.This notebook has a 320GB hard disk drive and 4 GB of RAM.Features nVidia GeForce 8 series graphics with 512MB of video RAM.

The 17-inch Envy Notebooks from HP comes with some good features which make a refreshing touch to the spec list. The 17-inch Envy Notebook come with Mobility Radeon HD 5000 series chip, 2TB of storage space, Intel Core i7 processor and USB 3.0 ports. This 17-inch Envy Notebooks has been tagged at a price tag of $1,400.

The 14-inch & 17-inch Envy Notebooks from HP are expected to hit the market from June 27th and May 19th respectively. Stay tuned for more updates.

The Pavilion DV9930US battery has Intel Core 2 Duo technology with 4GB of RAM enables you to use multiple demanding applications, such as photo editing, DVD burning and playing a game, at the same time. And control content from up to 10 feet away with the HP Mobile Remote Control that can be stored in the ExpressCard slot for convenience.

This laptop also comes with a lot of preinstalled software. After I booted it up the first time before Vista loaded I got a software installation screen which I could not bypass. After 1 hour of installing HP's software it took me 3 hours uninstalling it. Of course, on any Dell, Toshiba, etc you would get this problem too.

I bought the combo package for the cooling device. I would say for such a large laptop with a possible but unlikely video card problem it is a solid investment. Touching the base of the HP Pavilion DV9930US laptop battery while it is with the cooling device is warm but not hot - which is good.