At the heart of the Pavilion HDX is an Intel Centrino Duo processor that can handle high-end applications and gaming quite easily. The ATI Mobility Radeon HD 2600 XT graphics processor provides 256 MB of graphics memory for solid gaming performance and multimedia enhancements. 4 GB of RAM adds to the experience, and more RAM can be added if desired.

The real highlight of “The Dragon” is its large 20.1 inch screen, however, which makes gaming and multimedia more enjoyable than is typical on a laptop. The large screen size approaches desktop computing territory and provides ample space for large office documents and other applications as well.

Not only does the Pavilion HDX provide a solid multimedia experience on its own, however, but it is designed to be used with your home theater setup very easily. With HDMI ports and digital audio outputs, it provides a great video and audio experience on a large screen, and the laptop even has a pop-out remote control that allows you to control the device from across the room. This is quite a unique feature that hasn’t really been seen before in an entertainment laptop and helps to bridge the gap between mobile computing and home theater.

With its combination of larger-than-average screen, solid performance, and a pop-out remote control, the HP Pavilion HDX is primed to take the multimedia laptop market by storm. However, serious gamers who are drawn to its large screen may find its gaming performance a little lacking.

When it comes to design, the HP ProBook 5330m borrows heavily from the brushed aluminum designs of Apple’s MacBook Pro line, but this isn’t entirely a bad thing. For the most part, the sturdy aluminum frame makes it a very durable machine with a lot of aesthetic appeal. The frame is a bit boxier than you would find in a MacBook design, however, and HP has added seams where they seem unnecessary. The standard model comes with an Intel i3 processor at 2.1 GHz and 4 GB of RAM, which is expandable to 8 GB.

The laptop sports a 13.3 inch display with a resolution of 1366×768, which should be quite a bit of screen real estate for many office applications. Buyers have an option for a matte or glossy screen, which will be good news for those who dislike the industry’s trend toward glossy screens as the only option. Users who frequently work in large Excel spreadsheets might long for a little more screen space, but this is a compromise for portability.

Speaking of portability, the battery life is around 4 hours, which is decent performance, but you might expect a bit more from a laptop with a 13.3 inch screen. The battery is user-replaceable, but larger-capacity batteries are not available for the machine.

The HP ProBook 5330m is a good value if purchasing the standard model, but a customized version starts at around twice the price. Those who need to customize may find that other models are a better value.

The design of the dv6t has more aesthetic appeal than many of HP’s models, with a sleek metallic finish and a minimalistic design that doesn’t add too many extra buttons. The machine measures 1.39 inches by 14.88 inches by 9.71 inches and weighs only 5.78 pounds, which makes it well-suited for travelers and others who need portability without sacrificing power.

The Intel Core i7 processor offers the latest in performance and extra features that can give an extra boost when needed. For example, Intel’s Turbo Boost Technology manages the power and heat of the processor but provides extra power when these levels are within the proper range.

The machine features a 15.6 inch Brightview LED display for excellent clarity and low power usage. The quad speakers have extra amps for louder sound, and buyers have the option to add a Blu-ray reader or writer drive for more multimedia options. It comes standard with 6 GB of memory and a 750 GB hard drive, but both can be upgraded if the buyer chooses.

There are a number of smaller features that add extra convenience as well. A webcam is included for video chats, a USB 3.0 port is included for faster connectivity for modern devices, and Wireless-N networking gives users the fastest wireless experience. HP also included their SimplePass fingerprint reader for users who wish to lock the computer without the need for a password.

The HP dv6t Quad Edition is a worthwhile upgrade from the previous edition, especially for those who need a powerful laptop. Its price is affordable and its convenient features such as the fingerprint reader are a nice bonus.

The design of the HP G62m is about as basic as it gets, with a simple black design and a solid keyboard and trackpad. The 15.6” display is LED backlit, which is somewhat surprising given the price. It is also quite bright and vibrant. A 250 GB hard drive is included as a standard option, but upgrades to a 320 GB or 500 GB hard drive are available for those who need more space. The machine comes with 2 GB of memory standard, but it is upgradeable to a maximum of 4 GB. A SuperMulti drive is included which can handle CD and DVD burning, and buyers have the option of upgrading to a LightScribe-capable drive for just a bit more.

Windows 7 Home Premium is pre-installed on the laptop, and buyers may be surprised to see the 64-bit edition in such a low-priced machine. The integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500M is probably not powerful enough to provide the most impressive visual experience of Windows 7, but it does offer both a VGA port and an HDMI port for output, allowing users to connect the laptop to an HDTV for large-screen viewing.

Overall, the HP G62m is a very solid laptop for an extremely low price. Power users will find it underpowered, but casual users mainly interested in web surfing and email should find it more than adequate for their needs, and with such an affordable price, buyers will have a little money left in the budget for upgrades or an extra battery.

The design of the EliteBook 2740p incorporates a screen that can be swiveled and rotated. When in laptop mode, the screen simply opens up normally and is centered over the keyboard and trackpad. When a user wishes to use it as a tablet, the screen can be rotated and flattened, covering the keyboard and trackpad, but making for a much more compact unit that fits easily on a lap. The 12.1 inch screen is multi-touch compatible, but users can also opt to use a stylus for more accurate input.

One somewhat unique feature of the machine is the bottom, which is coated with a rubber-like surface that adds extra grip. This is particularly useful when using it as a tablet, as it makes it much easier to hold in with another hand or keep on a lap. The battery is coated with the same material, and even replacement batteries include this material.

Battery life is around 4.5 hours with the standard battery, but buyers can opt for a larger battery that gives around 9 hours of battery life. The larger battery adds to the weight and is bulky enough that it sticks out from the bottom of the machine somewhat, but for travelers and others who need longer life, this will probably be a worthwhile tradeoff.

The EliteBook 2740p offers a good compromise for those who want both a laptop and a tablet. Its multi-touch screen is intuitive to use for many tasks, but users still have the option to switch to a keyboard and mouse when necessary.

With so many laptops in the price range and class of the HP G42t, this model hasn’t gotten a lot of attention in HP’s press releases, and in fact, there is little to differentiate it from most in its class. What you do get for price, however, is a good combination of solid hardware and good design.

With its 14 inch diagonal BrightView LED display, the HP G42t is a little smaller than the more common 15 or 15.4 inch laptops in its class. This subtracts very little from screen size, still providing a resolution of 1366 x 768, but it does make it a bit more portable and lightweight. The machine measures 13.46 inches by 8.97 inches by 1.43 inches, and weighs only 4.85 pounds, making it a very portable solution. In fact, the lightweight design of the HP G42t might be one of its more appealing factors. You get a full-featured notebook with a larger screen than smaller netbooks, but only a little extra weight.

Battery life is solid, at up to 5.5 hours. Those looking for netbook-like battery life might consider a second battery as an option to extend its battery life through an entire work day.

Upgrade options abound, as the buyer can choose a variety of Dual Core Intel processors or even upgrade to Core i3 and i5 processors for even more speed. Memory up to 4 GB is supported, and hard drive sizes from 250 GB to 640 GB are available to customize to the buyer’s specific needs.

The HP G42t may not have the bells and whistles of more compelling laptop models, but it offers a good combination of performance and portability. Its smaller 14 inch screen and lightweight frame may appeal to those who need more than a netbook but don’t want a lot of extra weight.

The HP dm4t features impressive build quality with a metal chassis that seems stronger and less flexible than the majority of machines in HP’s lineup. The laptop measures 1.3 inches by 13.4 inches by 9 inches and weighs 5.3 pounds. The 14 inch monitor stands out among the typical 15 inch monitors in its class, but the choice of a smaller screen and chassis give it a little more portability and less weight, while the 1366×768 resolution still provides a sharp display.

Buyers have a choice of Intel Core i5 processors, which provide some of the fastest speeds available in a current laptop, and most configurations include 4 GB of RAM. A 320 GB hard drive comes standard, though choices are available up to 500 GB for those who require more storage.

Connectivity options abound, as the machines include both wired and wireless network support, up to 802.11n as well as Bluetooth. There is a card reader slot supporting most popular memory card formats, and two USB ports as well. The HP dm4t even includes an HDMI port for connecting directly to an HD television or other display, making it easy to use as a media center computer, watch movies, or share photos on a larger screen.

With so many great features for such a low price, the HP dm4t is an excellent value. Its sharp design and excellent build quality make it a solid choice for travelers and its smaller screen offers a bit more portability without sacrificing too much screen real estate.

The design of the HP Mini 210 is certainly compact. It measures 10.5 inches by 6.9 inches by 1.1 inches, and weighs only 3 pounds, making it very easy to carry in a briefcase or even a large purse. In fact, its small size will be the main reason most buyers consider it, but does it have the power to handle the programs most users will need?

Under the hood, the 210 has a 1.66 MHz Intel Atom N450 processor and 1 GB of RAM, which is not expandable. It also includes a 160 GB hard drive, which is quite reasonable for a compact netbook. Its processor and memory configuration should be enough power for most average users, though it may slow down on larger applications like Photoshop, making it more suited to basic web-surfing and email.

The laptop includes Windows 7 Starter Edition. While many netbooks opt for Windows XP because it tends to perform better, the inclusion of Windows 7 also keeps users more up-to-date. The Starter Edition does away with many of the more impressive visual effects, however, and slims down parts of the operating system. These changes tend to improve performance, especially on less powerful machines like the 210, but could be disappointing for buyers expecting the full Windows 7 experience.

All in all, the HP Mini 210 is a solid netbook with good performance and a great design. Its focus on portability keeps it very lightweight, although its battery life is not as long as others in its class, reducing its portability somewhat. The inclusion of Windows 7 Starter Edition might be an issue for some buyers.

While the iPad is generally aimed at consumers for home and travel use, HP is targeting mainly business users with the Slate 500. This could certainly be a good thing, as Apple has recently admitted that the iPad is becoming more and more popular with business users.

The Slate is also more of a traditional computer, with an SD card slot and USB port on its body, and two additional USB ports and an HDMI port in the dock once connected. This extra connectivity allows it to interact with more accessories and other devices than the iPad, which is more of a self-contained unit. It runs on a 1.86GHz Intel Atom Z540 processor and contains 2 GB of RAM. Its 64 GB SSD hard drive provides adequate space for most uses.

The Slate 500 runs Windows rather than a specialized operating system. This is likely to be both a major benefit and a major downside. On the one hand, using Windows allows a greater level of compatibility and access to a wide world of software, but without a specifically-designed interface for touch-screen interaction. Although Windows has some limited support for touch interfaces, buyers expecting the kind of integrated interface of the iPad will likely be disappointed. We may see versions of the Slate 500 in the future with an improved interface, but for now, the Windows version is the only choice.

Despite its comparisons to the iPad, the HP Slate 500 could become very popular with business users, and more competition in the tablet market will encourage all manufacturers to improve their products. It remains to be seen whether business users will embrace the Slate.

This laptop weighs in at only 3.24 pounds, and measures only 0.78 inches in the front, making it incredibly convenient for toting in a backpack, shoulder bag, or just about anywhere you need it to go without any hassle. The dm1z series also has an 11.6 inch HD LED BrightView Widescreen display, larger than average netbooks, making it easier on your eyes and giving you that little extra space to organize your files and windows for your work.

These machines come equipped with AMD Neo mobile processors (upgradable to optional dual core processor for those with heavier workloads), 2 GB standard up to 4 GB upgradeable DDR3 RAM and a 250 GB SATA hard drive for ample file storage. You can also add an External CD/DVD drive for software installation, or get the external Blu-Ray player to take advantage of the dm1z’s HD content playback. This machine also comes with HP’s standard superior quality Altec Lansing speakers. Also, due to its incredible size and build, this machine can run for 5.25 hours on its 6-cell lithium ion rechargeable battery.

For those on the go, this machine is built to accommodate. It comes standard with a VGA webcam built in to keep you connected on the road with friends and family, has integrated Wireless-N and optional mobile broadband with Qualcomm Gobi2 for broadband speeds wherever you go, as well as VGA, HDMI, 3 USB, and a 5-in-1 digital media reader to help you connect to whatever you need to, wherever you are.

This machine is geared incredibly well toward movie streaming, DVD viewing, and video game playing. With an impressive graphics card, a 1080p Hi-Def 16:9 aspect ratio monitor that is huge by notebook standards, and the RAM and processor speeds to make full use of both, this machine is capable of amazing detail with crisp textures and amazing color depth. This machine also delivers home theater quality audio to back up its amazing display capabilities. The wonderful thing about all this being in a laptop is you can take it on the go and hook it up to any other display as well with its handy audio connectors and HDMI output to enjoy your media on any newer big screen, or just at your friend’s house.

But this machine isn’t just a powerhouse for your media. Packaged with Windows 7 64-bit, this machine is built around being able to do anything your old desktop could do, and maybe even better. If you have the cash, upgrading to the quad core processor will put you on the cutting edge of market technology. Couple that with HP offering a free upgrade to 6 GBs of RAM, and your friends will be playing catch up to your new toy for quite some time. To put the RAM in perspective, 2 GBs is about what you need to run typical software out there today, 4 GB will have you sitting pretty and able to handle the big new stuff coming out. 6 GBs right now is just ready for whatever’s coming for at least the rest of this year.

One thing to be aware of though, this is not going to replace your school laptop. Weighing in at almost nine pounds, this machine will destroy your shoulder trying to lug it around, and eat through its battery like nothing (even with the nice 8-cell battery that comes standard with the machine). If you’re looking for something to take back and forth, you may want to look into a netbook for classes and notes, in addition to this bad boy. That way no matter what you need to do, you’ve got the best machine for the job.

Despite its 17 inch screen size, the 4720s is very portable. It weighs only 6.8 pounds and measures a very compact 16.2 inches by 10.5 inches by 1.1 inches. This makes it an excellent choice for users who travel or who need more portability but don’t want to sacrifice a larger screen size and extra computing power.

It features a full keyboard with a full 10 key numeric keypad, but the keys are a little small, potentially causing unnecessary errors for some typists.

Overall, the HP ProBook 4720s offers performance and speed almost comparable to a desktop replacement model at a fraction of the size and weight. Its affordable price will appeal to budget-conscious buyers, but very few sacrifices have been made to achieve its low price, making it an excellent value for the money.

The HP Mini 2102 is built for travel, and aims to tackle some of the major issues inherent in working on the road. It includes a CloudDrive, which is a way for users to sync their data with network storage, ensuring that files are backed up and synchronized at all times. This can protect against data loss caused by theft or equipment failure, and ensure that your files are accessible from nearly any location. In addition to syncing over the internet, it can also sync with a computer on the same wireless network with the included QuickSync software. This is useful for synching files with a home or work desktop computer before or after traveling.

Despite its small size and compact design, there is also a 5-in-1 digital media slot for memory cards and other media. The netbook also has a GPS option when purchasing, for those who wish to use it for navigation or geo-tagging.

The design of the HP Mini 2102 is very striking. Its case is sleek and modern, with an imprint finish on the top that is subtle but very sharp-looking. It is available in a few different colors for personalization. The unit is 1 inch thick and weighs only 2.69 pounds, so it is ideal for a traveler who needs to reduce weight in a travel bag.

Overall, the HP Mini 2102 has a lot to offer in a very compact and lightweight package. Its performance and speed are excellent for the price, and the included synching software keeps files safe and up-to-date with very little effort.

At the heart of the Mini 5102 is a 1.66 GHZ Intel Atom N450 processor. This processor is known for being not only powerful, but very efficient, drawing very little power compared to larger processors, which results in much longer battery life.

Speaking of battery life, its battery lasts for over 3 hours even under heavy use, and much longer for casual use. In addition, and optional 6-cell battery is available as an upgrade for even longer battery life. For a netbook so small, it would be impossible to include a full-size keyboard. HP gets around this by varying the size of certain keys, so that the most important keys are nearly full-size, while less important keys are tucked out of the way, without taking up too much space. The machine also incorporates a number of function keys, which have multiple functions when pressed along with the Function key. This also helps save space.

Nearly every aspect of the Mini 5102 can be upgraded with options. Its 160GB hard drive can be upgraded for more storage. Its 1GB of RAM can be upgraded as well. Unfortunately, many of these upgrades are expensive, taking what is generally a very affordable machine and adding extra costs very quickly.

The screen is a 10.1 inch widescreen display, at a resolution of 1024 by 600. This is a decent resolution with a very bright and vivid look, but not as sharp of a resolution as some competing models.

Overall, the HP Mini 5102 will appeal most to users who need a powerful laptop but also value portability. With its lightweight and compact design, it makes a great travel companion, as long as the price of upgrades doesn’t turn buyers away.

One of the most impressive features of the HP ProBook 4520s is its full-size keyboard. While many laptops include a small keyboard, sometimes with smaller-than-average keys, The ProBook 4520s manages to fit not only a full-size keyboard, but even a numeric keypad, which will be particularly appealing to users who do a lot of calculations or number entry on a daily basis.

The machine includes a choice of Intel Core i7, i5, i3 or Celeron processor depending on your needs, and can include up to 8 GB of RAM and a 500 GB 7200 RPM hard drive. All of this adds up to a lot of muscle for a business-oriented machine.

The laptop comes with Windows 7 preinstalled, but some buyers may be disappointed that only the 32-bit version is included. Using the 64-bit version is supported, but there is no option to have it preinstalled, so users will have to install it themselves. For most users, however, the 32-bit version should suit their needs.

The machine’s 15.6 inch screen supports a resolution up to 1366×768 for sharp HD image quality. The total weight of the machine is 5.26 pounds. Despite its full-size keyboard, it is very compact, measuring only 14.6 by 9.8 by 1.09 inches, which makes it very portable for traveling and other situations where mobility is a must.

Overall, the HP ProBook 4520s is a great choice for the business user who needs solid performance. Its full-size keyboard is a blessing for number crunchers, and its compact and lightweight frame makes it easy to use on the go.

What can you do with the TX2Z’s touch screen? With the same technology made famous by the iPhone and iPod touch, you can easily control objects on the screen by making gestures with multiple fingers at once. Also, users can make an “M” shape with two fingers to launch HP MediaSmart and its touch-enabled media programs. The TX2500Z has a slightly more restrictive touch screen that you could tap on to make selections, but you cannot make any finger gestures.



The TX2Z comes with a unique stylus that is hidden on the right side of the laptops body, close to the front of the keyboard. With the tablet’s handwriting recognition software the notebook deciphers your written words with incredible precision. It reads cursive handwriting as well, and hardly any pressure needs to be applied while writing. Entire words can even disappear completely when they are heavily crossed out.



The HP Pavilion Tablet comes with a 12.1-inch (1280 x 800) display. The picture is consistent at vertical angles, and watching a movie at almost a 180-degree angle horizontally is easily possible. The HP Pavilion Tablet is readily available with SRS Premium Sound audio technology and Altec Lansing speakers for a high quality entertainment experience.

This remarkable technology, called LightScribe, uses a compatible recorder and software, to form visible marks on face of CDs and DVDs. These special discs have a thermal-sensitive coating of leuco dye on their top that causes a reaction when they become exposed to infrared radiation. Through an amazing chemical reaction, you can now burn a disc, then flip it over, and put it back into the recorder to create customized designs. All this is easily performed by the same exact laser that is inside your DVD recorder.



Lightscribe discs are about the same price as the name brand media on shelves today. The speed at which the print is made ranges between 6 minutes and 30 minutes, based on the quality and complexity of the design. HP has also promised that the speed will increase as much as 50%, within the next year. This is said to be accomplished with newly developed coating on the face of the disc to maintain compatibility with previously released Lightscribe devices.



Many of the current laptops and desktops come fully-equip with Lightscribe enabled recorders. They are available through a variety of different companies, and are no more expensive than the current DVD recorders available today. It is an incredibly convenient labeling system and there is always a guarantee that your recorded media will work, unlike the often defective quality of cheaper compact discs.

The Mini 1000 XP is HP’s newest ultra-portable laptop (or netbook). It is designed to be as compact and portable as possible, for users who value a small size over power. There are two versions of the Mini 1000, the XP version and the Mi version. Mi refers to HP’s mobile internet software platform, a lightweight alternative to Windows. The Mi software has received much criticism and most users will probably want to choose the Windows XP version, which allows you to install any Windows software you wish, whereas the Mi software does not.

The choice of Windows XP may seem strange when Windows Vista is Microsoft’s newest operating system. However, the HP 2133 laptop, predecessor to the HP Mini 1000, included Windows Vista, but was often slow and sluggish, as the netbook did not have enough power to adequately meet Vista’s minimum hardware requirements. This is actually common in netbooks, where power is secondary to portability, and HP learned its lesson and now includes XP for the mini 1000 notbook model.

At just 2.25 pounds, and measuring 10.3 x 6.56 inches, this is a very light and portable netbook. The case design is plastic, which reduces the weight and is often more resistant to scratches than the aluminum case designs of other laptops. Intel’s Atom N270 processor is included, which provides adequate power for the primary uses of a netbook: email and web-surfing. Don’t expect to do any gaming or intense media editing, as this is not what netbooks are designed to do.

Overall, the HP Mini 1000 XP is a well-designed, lightweight netbook that will suit the needs of anyone who wants values portability. The choice of Windows XP over Vista is an improvement over the previous model, and will improve the performance by not burdening the processor with unnecessary software features.

The Pavilion dv7t is a laptop built for entertainment. High-quality picture and sound is the focus here, with the a multitude of upgrade options that include Blu-Ray drives, ATI Mobility Radeon graphics cards, and high-definition display options. Other features include an integrated subwoofer, for better bass response, integrated webcam, and an optional HDTV tuner for receiving over-the-air HD television broadcasts. Add to this the HDMI video output for connecting to an High-Definition display, and the laptop can double as your media center in the living room.

The dv7t notebook features a choice of dual-core processors from 2.0 to 2.66 GHZ for extra muscle. RAM options range from 2 to 8 GB, and hard drive options include SATA drives from 500GB to 1TB for all the high-definition content users will want to store. The ATI Mobility Radeon graphics options provide good video and gaming performance, but hardcore gamers might want to look at a true desktop replacement system such as the HDX series for more performance. Most casual gamers, however, will be quite satisfied.

At 7.74 pounds, it comes in about average on weight for this performance class. The 17.3” screen may make it somewhat large for some users, but for good reason. The high-definition 17.3” is bright and sharp, making it perfect for watching movies or HDTV, viewing photos, or gaming.

Overall, the HP dv7t is an impressive entertainment laptop with nice extras and a great variety of upgrade options to suit most users needs. Students, media buffs, and casual gamers will find a lot to like, and only the most hardcore gamers are likely to find it underpowered.

The HP Pavilion HDX weighs in at a whopping 15.5 pounds but is intended to be a desktop replacement so it is to be expected. While the graphics card is capable of it Blu-ray is not available on this laptop, only HP DVDs, an upgrade for $325.00, but the HP BrightView technology produces flawless graphics for gaming and multimedia experiences on the 20.1 inch widescreen display. The Pavilion HDX is also equipped with a removable remote control for media use, TV tuner, and a fingerprint reader to expand the “cool” factor of the laptop. The TV tuner seems a bit of an overkill with advent of cable cards. The HDX comes standard with HDMI, S-Video and VGA-out ports which is typical for a desktop replacement, although a DVI port would be nice. Additional ports on the HDX include 4 USBs, a Gigabit Ethernet connection, Firewire, digital audio out and an external SATA port for more media storage.

The HP Pavilion delivers great features and a multimedia gaming experience that is a step above the competition; with all of the bells and whistles expect to pay over $4,000.00.

A separate USB TV/Digital video recorder is also included but will take some time to set up; the instructions are very explicit, but easy to follow. The HP Pavilion zd8000 is a monster when it comes to weight but keep in mind that it is a desktop replacement model;. The model weighs in at 9.5 pounds, 12 with the AC adapter and 13.5 with the USB box, not a choice for the ultraportable user. The screen gives pristine graphics and is equipped with HP’s anti-glare coating which works better than most. The screen is a large 17 inches wide which may create some issues for smaller default font sizes; these can be easily changed. Overall performance of the HP Pavilion zd8000 is well balanced and suited for home media experiences, but could be used for business applications as well.

The HP Pavilion zd8000 delivers a multimedia experience balanced with desktop features; these features come at a price as the laptop is generally more expensive than most.