*CONFIGURATION
*2.2 GHZ Core2DUO - 4mb L2 cache -
2 GB RAM - 667 mHz
DVD+/-RW, Intel wiFi adapter- 802.11 abgn+ Bluetooth, SD card reader, 120 gb hd, 1.3 MP web cam, 15.4" screen
128 mb nVidia 8400 GS graphics card, 12 cell battery
Date of purchase: Dec 2007
Well, as you can easily determine, this laptop has a pretty gd configuration for its time. It originally had 2 gb of onboard ram, that I later upgraded to 4gb. Rest of the configuration is pretty much as shipped.
EASE OF USE
This is a laptop that can be purchased and used right off the shelf. Nothing much needs to be done on it to configure it to one’s needs. With a microsoft OS shipped, it’s basically take out of the box and use laptop.
It has all the necessary software pre-included to aid productivity. Quite a bit of the software included is free, so that’s something nice. But contains a little bloatware.
DESIGN
Screen can be tilted to around 120 degrees, giving it a gd versatility.
Included MIC is not very useful - catches lots of noise.
WEBCAM is pretty clear. Gd job at that HP.
SD card slot is again quite handy.
3 USBs are more than sufficient for daily needs.
Modem, Ethernet, WiFi are the connection options included - all work as expected.
Monitor output ports are HDMI, S-Video and VGA. I think all work fine, not used so far.
An expansion slot is also present.
Keyboard is gd, not bad at all. Only problem is that the cursor keeps shifting from one position to another while typing, though this has happened in quite a few laptops I have used so far. Solution is to use the mousepad lock key.
PERFORMANCE
The processor is quite good, the tremendous amount of cache are useful in day-day computing. The dedicated graphics card does its job with Windows AERO interface quite well. the webcam works gr8, provides very gd pictures during a chat. The touch panel of multimedia buttons work well.
The laptop does not overheat and fans do not keep running all the time. While running on the battery, the fans are very silent. Except the hard-disk, the rest of the lappy is cool.
SUGGESTION - Get a 12 cell battery - provides a usable charge of 4.5 hrs(when new). Quite a feat indeed.
CONCLUSION
After using this lappy for 1.5 yrs, I think HP makes gd laptops. When I purchased it, I took the best configuration at the time and it still beats most laptops available now. 12 cell battery is gr8, I luv that. Would recommend HP anytime.