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.

Desktops

The traditional desktop computer is declining in popularity as most users are gravitating toward the portability of laptop computers. The benefits of a desktop machine are still valid, however. Those who need the most powerful computer possible, or those who need to be able to easily add or remove hardware components, will generally prefer a desktop computer. Desktops are also preferred for users who wish to power multiple displays and those who are heavy gamers.

Laptops

The laptop computer has been growing in popularity in the past few years largely because it has nearly caught up in performance to desktop machines. Instead of having to choose between a powerful desktop machine or a slower laptop, users can now have both. Laptops will appeal most to users who desire portability but also solid performance.

Netbooks

As one of the most portable form factors available, small netbooks provide greater portability than laptops but at the cost of providing less performance. They are well-suited for users who value portability and don’t mind trading it for reduced speed, less multi-tasking ability, and less storage.

All-in-one machines

All-in-one computers are those that include the CPU and LCD display in one self-contained unit. They will appeal most to users who want a slim design that is easy to connect and to use. Many all-in-one machines are also very affordable, making them a good choice for smaller budgets.

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.

One of the most impressive features of the Compaq CQ56-110 is its small and lightweight design. While it doesn’t have the easy portability of a netbook, it measures just 9.7 inches by 14.7 inches by 1.5 inches and weighs only 5.6 pounds. For a laptop with a 15.6 inch screen, this makes it about as portable as you can get, and the LED backlit display supports a standard resolution of 1366 x 768.

Also included is a LightScribe DVD burner and the laptop supports wired networking as well as 802.11b/g/n wireless networking, making it easy to connect at home and on the road. The keyboard includes full-size keys, which will be good news to those with larger hands, and there are a number of one-touch keys for functions such as brightness and volume, as well as media functions.

The main disappointment of the Compaq CQ56-110 may be that it is a bit underpowered compared to many competing models. It includes an Intel Celeron 900 processor at 2.2 GHz. This processor will not perform as well as the dual-core processors available in many 15 inch laptops, though its inclusion helps keep the cost low. The graphics accelerator is also integrated, sharing memory with the rest of the system. Considering the laptop comes pre-installed with Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit edition, this could result in much slower performance, especially with the advanced graphics features enabled.

The Compaq CQ56-110 is a very solid laptop that features a sharp screen, plenty of hard drive space, and some nice extras. Buyers will need to consider whether the Celeron processor and shared video memory is likely to slow down the tasks they perform every day, but overall, it is a good value for shoppers on a tight budget.

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.

A 60 GB or 120GB hard drive can be standard on the Compaq Presario V6000; hard drives are Seagate Momentus 5400 hard drives. These sizes are pretty standard on laptops in this class but the V600 supports more memory than most. Wireless cards are installed and support 802.11a/b/g as well as an HDAduio Soft Data modem. Along with these are a 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet connection, 5 in 1 digital media card reader, and optional Bluetooth which is becoming more common in laptops. The choice of DVD ROM drives is commonplace in the laptop market and the Compaq Presario offers the choice of Super Multi 8x DVDR/RW with DualLayer support or the LightScribe 8x DVD+/RW & CD-RW combo drives. In addition the Compaq Presario is equipped with 1 PCI-E slot, 3 USB Ports, a mini Firewire port, S-video, and VGA ports.

Overall performance is good with a fast processor and above average memory specifications, but the unit lacks a little due to poor screen design; priced around $800.00 the Compaq Presario v6000 is a decent purchase for a mobile small business or home user.