CNET Asia Review

Like most mainstream business laptops, the HP Compaq nx6110 is far from flashy, though its all-black case lends it an air of sophistication. Likewise, its components don't inspire awe, but the S$1,599 nx6110 performs well enough for basic productivity work, and it delivers almost four hours of battery life. If you're looking for a low-priced laptop to create documents and keep up with email at the office or on the occasional business trip, the HP Compaq nx6110 will meet your needs.

Design
Though the notebook's case measures 327.7 x 266.7 x 30.5mm which gives it a slender, compact look. Compared to most systems in its class, such as the 2.95kg HP Compaq Presario V4000, the nx6110, at 2.72kg, is light. The average-size three-prong, 0.4kg AC brick won't overload you, either. We're fans of the nx6110's keyboard, which is sufficiently wide and offers crisp key feedback. The broad touch pad has a line down its right side to guide your finger for scrolling, and the mouse buttons have a handy lip that catches your fingers. The laptop lacks multimedia controls--even a volume wheel--but it does include a convenient wireless on/off button as well as helpful icons that mark the ports located along the right and left edges. The internal fan occasionally spins audibly and vibrates (especially at bootup), but the laptop runs fairly silently otherwise.

Our nx6110's big 15-inch display came with an economical 1,024 x 768 native resolution that we found a bit too low for the screen size, making text appear somewhat blurry, though still within tolerable limits. (Some more expensive nx6110 models have a higher-resolution SXGA+ display.) Sound from the internal speakers comes through the grill spanning the front edge; while our tunes lacked the bass of a commercial stereo, they sounded pretty good compared to the thin warbles that trickle out of most laptops.

Basic machine for basic needs. (Click for larger image)

The nx6110 runs on Windows XP Professional, and like most low-cost laptops, includes only a smattering of software applications for viewing and burning discs, such as Sonic RecordNow 7 and InterVideo WinDVD 5. In addition, it comes with a simple HP utility for creating system passwords and adjusting other system features.

At just S$1,599 (US$1,148.29), our nx6110 test unit's low price brought with it fairly mundane specs. It had a 1.6GHz Pentium M processor, 512MB of somewhat slow 333MHz memory, an Intel 915GM graphics engine that swipes up to 128MB of VRAM from main memory, and a meager 40GB hard drive spinning at an average 5,400rpm.

Performance And Battery Life
The system's performance score on CNET Labs' benchmark tests was unsurprising, given its humdrum parts. The nx6110 scored behind both the better-stocked, US$1579 (S$2658.33) HP Compaq Presario V4000 and the US$1370 (S$2306.46) Gateway M360X. The nx6110 did manage to beat another HP laptop, the S$2,399 (US$1,722.80) nx6125, which shares the nx6110's case design but features different components. Despite its mediocre benchmark scores, the nx6110 is still powerful enough for most basic tasks, such as emailing and Web surfing.

We were pleased with the nx6110's 3-hour 50-minute battery life in our Labs' drain tests. The Presario V4000 barely made it past the 3-hour mark, while the M360X fell dark before then.

Service And Support
HP notebooks have a one-year local warranty. At HP's support Web site, laptop owners can download the latest drivers and manuals. In the event of a simple malfunction, the company offers an online knowledge database and support forum for troubleshooting. Further diagnosis or repair can be made at the service center, though the owner has to bring the notebook there. Telephone support is available during normal working hours and for current or potential customers who are not sure which HP notebook is right for you, a dedicated number is available for assistance in purchase selection. There is no option to extend or upgrade the warranty.

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HP Compaq Business Notebook nx6110 (Pentium M Processor 730 1.6GHz, 256MB RAM)

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