HP 530 notebook PC: Good value for money. Review on HP 530

I have been using laptops for quite some time now. Its been 4 years since I got my first laptop(which was a Presario M2000 series).I have used another 2 laptops since. I use my laptop on the move quite a bit and I need internet access many a times. I went in for the HP 530 firstly because yes it suited my budget(got it last month for 42, 500 Rs all inclusive). Looked robust.and yes since it falls into the business series of laptops I get ONSITE support from HP. Specs:- Intel Core 2 Duo 1.60 GHz, 2 MB L2 cache 1 GB DDR2 RAM, 15.4 inches diagonal screen, Wireless LAN, 4-cell Lithium-Ion battery, Preloaded with Vista Business with 160 GB HDD.

Overall I am very happy with its performance. I work on a lot of excel sheets at any point of time(around 5 to 7 at a time) and do a lot of surfing simulataneously as well.Works like a dream.Love vista buss interface.Personally I have become a fan of Windows aero.Just cannot get enough of the 3-D interface.Basically windows aero  includes live thumbnails, live icons and animations. The translucent effect of Aero Glass, featuring dynamic reflections and smooth animations is just too good.

I might think of upgrading to 2 GB RAM.Dont feel the need to do that just now.

I use my Reliance data card on the HP 530 when I am on the move and the wifi connection at work.Net browsing with the vista is good primarily because of the enhanced graphics.its all bling really but I like it:)

Software bundled along with the laptop:Adobe Acrobat Reader, HP Backup and Recovery Manager, HP Help and Support Center, Roxio Creator Basic 9, Synaptics Touchpad Driver, Intervideo WinDVD. I feel out of all the bundled software the HP Backup and Recovery Manager is really useful. One can rebuild your documents or files if they were deleted or if your system crashes. Roxio creator feels and is something like nero. Played a copy of Ugly aur Pagli a week back. Very good video output and sound.Cannot really quantify it but will suffice by saying its really good.

Battery life:- Lasts for nearly 2 hours on battery before giving the warning beeps for low power. Best thing about using the laptop even at a stretch is that even after running for 10 to 12 hours continuously the surface next to the touchpad is as cool as ever. I clearly remember my commercial range HP Compaq Presario C series laptop heating up after just 2 to 3 hours of use. This piece is just built differently from regular commercial range laptops.

It however does not come with an inbuilt webcam.As a matter of fact none of HPs business series laptops come with inbuilt webcams.This seems to be a feature restricted to the consumer Pavilions and Presarios by HP. Does not bother me much as I really do not have any use for one as of now.The only downside for me was the weight.At a little over 2.7 Kgs, the standard HP Koskin carry case might bog you down as I found it not too convenient to use.

Solution:- I brought myself an HP Nylon backpack.(cost me another 2k).But what the hell.looks cool and I don't have a problem lugging my laptop around. Good value for money.