HP 530 - Core Duo T2400 / 1.83 GHz - Centrino Duo - RAM 1 GB - HDD 120 GB - DVD?RW (+R DL) / DVD-RAM - GMA 950 - WLAN : 802.11a/b/g - Vista Business - 15.4" Widescreen TFT 1280 x 800 ( WXGA )

List Price: $659.00 Discount Price: $789.60

Features:

• Product Description HP 530 - Core Duo T2400 1.83 GHz - 15.4" TFTDimensions (WxDxH) 14.1 in x 8.9 in
• Weight 6 lbs Localization English / United States
• Platform Technology Intel Centrino Duo System Type Notebook
• Built-in Devices Speaker, wireless LAN antenna - NOTE - THIS ITEM CANNOT BE SHIPPED TO MASSACHUSETTS
• Processor Intel Core Duo T2400 / 1.83 GHz ( Dual-Core )

Customer Reviews:

Avoid this one [Posted on 2008-02-22]
Sorry I bought it. This doesn't have a Hard Drive read-write light, (lets you know if the compu is busy or stuck), nor a microphone, nor camera, nor a sound line input (no sound mixing possible), nor an network/LAN busy light. The USB sockets are in the worst place under your left wrist easy to break off a USB stick), and you cannot open the card socket without taking any USB sticks out. The cover is grey paint that started scratching up right away. The power input, which should be in the back out of the way and accessible to either side of the computer, is right up front next to the USB inputs. Likewise the LAN cable input. (Why would anybody not put these in the back of the compu???) Comes with only 512 RAM, when everybody knows you must have at least 1GB to run Vista -- I had to upgrade to 1 GB just to get it to work. Can't charge the battery until it falls below 95% charge, and the battery life is poor anyway. You can't lock the cover down, just closes with a spring pressure. This thing seems to have been designed by monkeys. By the way, you will see a lot of reviews on the internet saying Vista is not worth the trouble. I now agree with them.

Sturdy, Minimalistic and Inexpensive [Posted on 2008-03-23]
Is his one star review Michael points out a number of flaws, some minor, some not, that are accurate, but forgets to point out the many strengths of the system (note that all his amazon reviews are one stars). I was looking for a solid, comfortable, robust machine with a good screen and keyboard at a low price. HP read my mind with this model -- or rather, there's a whole market segment that thinks the same, and HP read the market and delivered. There's some overlap with the pent-up demand for simplicity that Asus served with the Asus Eee 4G-Galaxy 7" PC Mobile Internet Device (512 MB RAM, 4 GB Hard Drive, Webcam, Linux Preloaded) Pearl White, but some of us would rather not compromise on size as much.

This thing is simplicity itself. A strong plastic case around a magnesium-alloy frame, gun-metal gray, no flashing LEDs. Exactly two buttons: power, wifi, none of the useless and cheap "media" buttons that appear on Toshibas and friends. The keyboard is solid, no flex, well-laid out. The screen is nicely lit and colourful, works well for reading PDFs etc. In addition the screen swings around behind the back of the case, which is a much better position, ergonomically-speaking. This is why the power connects to the side, a mild inconvenience (Michael missed this point).

The T2400 model comes with 1GB, perfect for XP. Yes, throw away the default Vista install and replace with XP. Linux also works fine.

Problems: the 4-cell battery is too anemic. I bought the 8-cell battery, much better. The trackpad buttons are too stiff.

I like the system a lot, even compared to more expensive devices from Apple and Lenovo.

HP 530 BEST LAPTOP FOR $$$$ [Posted on 2008-09-23]
Purchased this HP 530 at Ebay 2 weeks and I must say it has fulfilled all my expectations.The first and most important feature that impress me was the 15.4 widescreen display.The picture quality is sharp,clear with nice vivid contrast colors.it made the Movie Spartacus come alive,a delight to watch!!The overall structure of the machine is very sturdy. well built.not cheap or flimsy. weighing about 6LBS.you can play movies,burn CD'S, DVD'S and surf the internet!the only complaint i have about the HP 530 is the sound quality that comes out from those tiny speakers...poor sound to average depending on the quality of the DVD.I suggest you hook up some high quality speakers like Bose if you really want the sound of the laptop to come alive,or hook up the headphones!!if your around a noisy environment it will drown the flimsy sound coming from those tiny speakers.you will know why i recommend external speakers!!I have windows Vista in my Desktop and of course on this HP 530..i don't know what all the fuss is about and the negative reviews concerning Windows Vista but i like it.never had a problem with it!

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