The HP Pavilion dv9205 (HP 2133 contest)

Ric_Knight New user 1 posts Posted: 29/05/2008 6:05 AM

The day after Windows Vista launched I purchased a new laptop computer for use at university and for business. There were several attributes I wanted in a new computer and I found them in the HP Pavilion dv9205. The overall design is attractive and feels solidly built. It is black and gray with a subtle, two tone pin striping on most of the surfaces that make it a very pleasant item to look at sitting on a desk or in class. On the bottom of the computer you find three easy to access, removable compartment lids that cover not one but two hard drive slots and two memory slots that will hold up to 2 gigabytes of DDR2-667 PC2-5300 memory . Installing a second hard drive is pretty easy once you obtain the proper bracket from HP. The 17” monitor screen is one of the better ones I have seen, although the glossy finish can be a problem in brighter light or outside. As a student studying Communication Design the extra screen real estate makes my work flow on illustrations and photos much faster since I do not have to do as much scrolling when I am working. The computer’s controls are easy to use and well laid out. The key board is of sufficient size and very responsive. Because of the size of the computer there is also a dedicated number keypad, just like a full size desktop keyboard. Just below is the glide pad for cursor control. In all cases I prefer a mouse to a glide pad any day, but this is pretty good one except for the dedicated scroll bar on the right side of the pad. It only seems to work with about a third of the programs I use regularly. The Wi-Fi radio seems to pick up signals very well. I have never done any scientific studies, but I get a strong signal anywhere in our apartment. The Altec Lansing speakers are very good for a laptop and while the speakers on the xb3000 Expansion Base are better, my wife and I have successfully watched movies and web videos with the built in speakers. The xb3000 is an important subject. HP computers, including this one, are coming with HP’s Expansion Port 3. This port allows the laptop to be connected to the expansion base, essentially turning the laptop into a desktop computer. The expansion base is a great addition, but the subject of another discussion. All in all, this is one computer that will be found useful by most people.

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