HP Pavilion DV6830US 15.4" Laptop (1.83 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5550 Processor, 3 GB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, DVD Drive, Vista Premium)

List Price: $1,125.00 Discount Price: $999.60

Features:

• Entertainment-centric notebook PC with widescreen 15.4-inch LCD and stylish high-gloss finish with wave imprint
• 1.83 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5550 processor, 250 GB hard drive, 3 GB RAM (4 GB max), LightScribe dual-layer DVD drive
• 54g Wi-Fi (802.11b/g); Bluetooth; 10/100 Ethernet; Intel GMA X3100 graphics (up to 358 MB of available memory)
• Connectivity: 3 USB, 1 FireWire, 1 VGA, 1 S-Video, ExpressCard 54/34, 5-in-1 memory card reader
• Pre-installed with Windows Vista Home Premium (Service Pack 1); includes remote control

Customer Reviews:

Great machine! [Posted on 2008-07-23]
I just got this computer but I wanted to point out a few features that don't seem to be listed. There is a built in webcam and microphone with the computer, which I haven't explored yet but look forward to. For security purposes there is a fingerprint reader so only you can log in to your computer, if you choose to set it up that way. If you go to the HP website you can get a detailed, printable list of everything you might want to know about this computer. Also, to make a label on a CD or DVD using LightScribe you need to buy special discs made to use with LightScribe. That is only if you want to label using LightScribe, not to burn a disc. Lastly, even though I chose free shipping, I got it very quickly.

HP Jokes with me. [Posted on 2008-08-06]
This unit is pathetic. Vista is a joke. Explorer locks up and crashes. HP wants me to spend hours with some kind of support phone call, and I make $100 per hour at work. I should just throw this unit away rather than throw good money after it. I am outside my 14 day return capability, so I am out of luck.

HP says they are not responsible for software problems, but they offer NO alternative software. This unit was manufactured specifically for the Vista operating system, and any change, like to XP, will render many hardware items to malfunction, like the sound system.

I would recommend anyone avoid buying this unit. I would call this laptop as an anchor for my boat. I take that back, this is junk and an anchor would be useful.

Great usability, but has some issues [Posted on 2008-08-08]
The machine has an excellent display, great built in capabilities, an easy to use and high quality keypad, the right amount/placement of ports and a very sleek visual design. It can run most programs but it has a few issues that has given me some trouble:

* Poor cooling system. If you run grpahic intensive programs, the built-in graphics card can't handle it. It overheats and randomly freezes up.
* Wireless card burns out if the system overheats. I've had to replace it once and the new one has since burned out. Now that it is no longer under warranty, I essentially have no wireless capabilities with this laptop.

Good product BAD SERVICE from Amazon [Posted on 2008-08-11]
I INITIALLY ORDERED THIS PRODUCT IN MAY 08 BEACAUSE OF THE FETURES ADVERTISED BY AMAZON WHICH INCLUDED A BUILT IN CAMERA. WHEN MY ORDER ARRIVED IN TRINIDAD & TOBAGO IT DID NOT HAVE A CAMERA. I CONATACTED AMAZON WHO PROMISED TO SHIP THE CORRECT LAPTOP TO ME. GUESS WAHAT THE SECOND LAPTOP DID NOT HAVE A CAMERA AS ADVERTISED. I HAVE BEEN CHARGED FOR TWO LAPTOPS I DID NOT ORDER. I'M VERY DIS-SATISFIED!!!

DO NOT EVER PURCHASE LAPTOPS FROM AMAZON.

Sweet Deal. [Posted on 2008-08-15]
This is a pretty sweet laptop. The screen is big, bright and great. The 3GB of RAM keep this puppy running smoothly and the 320 GB HDD gives you more than enough space to store what ever you need on this computer. The nVidia graphics card with 512 MB of separate memory makes the picture quality astounding. The touch buttons up top are perfect, not too sensitive, and not to the point where you have to stab them with your finger to work. An interesting feature I wasn't even aware because it wasn't mentioned in the review was the fingerprint scan log-on system. Although at first I wasn't to fond of it (for the love of God it wouldn't record my index finger print signature)eventually you get used to it and I haven't logged on through the password option since like the fourth day I got the laptop. The webcam is pretty good and although it may not seem like it would, those two little holes next to the webcam are a really powerful microphone. The speakers are pretty powerful for a laptop speaker, but then again Altec Lansing is a good speaker brand.

Now I only have pretty much one con about this computer. The battery life. Its not horrible, but its not the greatest either. It won't hinder your experience with the laptop that much, but its there in the back of your head. Why not just include a more cell-containing battery from the start is a pretty crappy move from HP, but seeing as how the upgrade battery will set you back $100 and most people will flock like stupid cattle to get it, HP isn't gonna give an easy hundred up just like that.

Either way, I pretty much give this laptop a 5/5. Truly amazing.

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