By Darius Chang, CNET Asia
08/05/2008
URL: http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/notebooks/0,39050488,42835233p,00.htm

HP Pavilion laptops aren't exactly petite machines. The smallest option was the 14.1-inch dv2000 series which was quite the bear to carry. So when we heard that the Palo Alto company extended the lineup to include a 13.3-inch model, we were hopeful that true portable entertainment was within reach.

But when we finally laid eyes on the unit, we were shocked that despite the reduction of about an inch off the display, the dv3000 had almost the same dimensions as the dv2000. Granted, the Pavilion includes a built-in optical drive, but in an age of MacBook Air, LG P300 and ThinkPad X300 machines, the dv3000 is one of the largest 13.3-inch laptops in the market. Weight and size aside, we were quite impressed with the comprehensive entertainment suite and the USB/eSATA combo port, the latter being one of the first to appear in a portable. We set out to find if function is able to overcome the sizeable heft.

Design

With a footprint of 320 x 228 x 38mm and tipping the scales at 2kg, it is debatable if the marginal reduction in size and weight from the larger 2.4kg HP Pavilion dv2600 is worth the smaller display. Like the rest of its Pavilion brothers, the chassis is decked out with the HP Imprint technology. Here, the Mesh design resembles a net laid across the top cover and palm rest. Though the exterior of the unit is an attractive glossy black, we got a shock when we peered inside.



This may be the first time we've seen a laptop palm rest covered with a shiny silver paint job. In fact, it's so reflective that this area can easily be used as an impromptu makeup mirror. It doesn't help that the glossy surface picks up prints easier than a forensic investigator. To be fair, the mirror finish may appeal to some users, so we suggest checking it out in person before shelling out your dough.



The touch-sensitive multimedia controls are a joy to use, and when the unit is turned off the backlit buttons disappear from view. The ports are all easily accessed on the flanks of the unit, with only the audio jacks gracing the front panel. The latter is positioned such that headphone wires won't tangle your arms while typing.

According to HP, the keyboard had been specially treated for greater durability (though not as hardy as the HP DuraKeys found in the business range). The company claims the labels and paint will last longer than conventional keyboards. Though it's unlikely that an entertainment portable will be used for writing encyclopedias, this is a nice touch to extend the life of the machine.

We do have a minor quibble with the indicator lights at the front of the unit, which use a trio of surprisingly bright white LEDs. While watching movies in a dark environment, the blinking lights were so intense they actually distracted from our entertainment experience. A quick fix was to place a small opaque object in front of the LEDs, though this would have been unnecessary if the indicators were located at the sides instead.

Features

Despite a strong entertainment suite, the singular feature which really left an impression was the USB/eSATA port. Instead of taking a USB away for the next-generation connector, HP's solution gives the user flexibility between the ubiquitous USB devices and upcoming eSata peripherals.

One technology rarely seen in consumer portables is harddisk protection. The Pavilion dv3000's platters are protected with the corporate-grade HP 3D Drive Guard. This sensor detects unusual acceleration during drops and parks the hard drive reader head to preserve data. Though a fingerprint sensor is present, it's mainly used for quick logins as this Pavilion does not contain a TPM security chip. Therefore it is only prudent to install third-party security applications if you intend to store sensitive information on this laptop.

The 13.3-inch widescreen has an effective resolution of 1,280 x 800 pixels, on par with laptops in this class. The display is powered by an Nvidia GeForce 8400M GS graphics card, suitable for rendering high-definition movies though it's no gaming monster. For hooking up to external displays, the dv3000 provides monitor as well as HDMI outputs.

While most laptop Webcams are of the 1.3-megapixel variety, the Pavilion dv3000 uses a low-light VGA version which the company claims works better indoors and in dark environments. A pair of microphones straddle the Webcam and pick up voices rather clearly by reducing ambient noise. The bundled CyberLink YouCam software is great for taking fun snapshots with a good range of special effects and templates.

The latest version of the HP QuickPlay software has become more than just a Windows Media Center alternative. QuickPlay allows the unit to access multimedia content and CDs without having to boot into Windows, while new features like games, karaoke and Internet TV are integrated into the interface seamlessly. The Internet TV function is limited to Next.TV and Classic TV by TV4U channels. Though each provider has a reasonable range of programs to watch, it would have been better if an integrated TV tuner was part of the Pavilion dv3000. Fortunately, an optional external HP TV tuner device is available which works within the QuickPlay environment. A mini remote control, which can be stored in the ExpressCard slot, allows for distance control of the laptop, a must-have when the machine is linked to a larger display.



The dv3000 does not have a built-in subwoofer, though its stereo speakers are quite competent in reproducing tunes. There are two headphone jacks available but neither are S/PDIF-compatible. While its larger Pavilion brethren are able to use the optional HP xb3000 docking station with superior 2.1-channel sound system, the dv3000 lacks this privilege as it does not have the necessary HP expansion port. The keyboard is large enough for typing long documents and, as a nod to diehard mouse users, the touchpad can be disabled with a single button to prevent accidental cursor movements.

Depending on your usage pattern, the dv3000 can either link with an eSATA and two USB 2.0 peripherals, or hook up with three USB devices instead. This is thanks to the unique USB/eSATA combo port that accepts two different standards. Mini-FireWire is absent, though we doubt many will miss its presence and would probably use the ExpressCard/34 slot more anyway. Network connectivity is handled via Gigabit Ethernet, modem, 802.11a/b/g/n and Bluetooth radios. A 5-in-1 memory card reader handles SD/SDHC/MMC, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO and xD-Picture Card formats. The internal optical drive can be easily swapped for an included weight-saver. This also makes it possible to upgrade the standard DVD Super Multi writer should HP decide to release a Blu-ray option in the future.

Performance And Battery Life

The basic configuration starts at S$2,299 and comes with a Core 2 Duo T8100 2.1GHz processor, 2GB RAM and 250GB of storage space. At this price the dv3000 offers good value for money. Our beefed-up review unit holds a Core 2 Duo T9500 2.6GHz chip with 4GB of system memory. The Windows Experience Index reported an overall score of 3.4, with the processor hitting 5.4 and gaming experience topping at 4.5. The HP Pavilion dv3000 should have no issues with productivity tools and moderate multimedia/gaming requirements.

The Nvidia 8400M GS video card with 256MB of discrete video RAM reported a score of 1,677 on 3DMark06 benchmarks. Not a high-end gaming machine for sure, but good enough for older titles and entertainment needs. Running a DVD on half-screen brightness, the battery gave up the ghost at the 3-hour mark, good enough for all but the most epic (read: Long-winded) movie.

Service And Support

HP notebooks in the Asia-Pacific region 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.