Sep 18, 2006 06:43 PM
10334 Views
(Updated Jan 09, 2007 11:03 PM)
I bought this monster notebook dv5200tx built from the dominant mobile platform chipset -- the intel 945PM on 1 st september 2006 seeing the online promotion for free ipod or mp3 player for youth. Beside that catchy promotion offer, the notebook has bulks of load to provide with it.here is the complete review.
For product specification goto :
https://h50188.www5.hp.com/store/default.asp?href=storeModel.asp?familyID=1122
(Currently this product is discontinued, and it replaced by DV6100 With intel Core DUO 2 processor.)
So I wont be briefing the hardware specification here. Here comes the drama.
I own a desktop pc running AMD 64 3000+ system with 1 GB ddr 400 mhz, nvidia geforce 6200TC, with 160 GB SATA 2 drive. Comparing the speed and performance of the desktop with this notebook, I am totally pissed off .HP dv5200tx surely outperformed the amd desktop system in every manner. Expect for the DVD DL writer which is slow at 8x read/write for DVD, and 24 x read/write for CD.
The hard disk is a little slower in comparison with the desktop. The reason could be simple. the notebook drive spins @ 5400 RPm, while the desktop drive spins @ 7200 Rpm. The nvidia geforce go 7400 display card is surely a big monster at graphics workloads. 3d studio max, maya, and most of todays games simply throw away framerates at your face without a glitch. Half life 2,doom 3 and FEAR, all ran very smoothly even after enabling higher end features like anti aliasing, HDRi, and high quality textures. Gaming is simply a sweetspot with thig rig on the move I mean.
The processor is a 32 bit intel core duo clocking @ 1.73 GHZ, is surely faster than the single core 1.8 GHz AMD 64 3000+. Infact its comparable with the intel desktop processor at 3 Ghz. The coolest features are yet to come. The provided remote control called the quickplay remote is very useful in presentation or when setting up the notebook as a home entertainment rig. It can boot right off without getting into windows and enables playback of DVD, music, and CD with the quickplay software using the remote control. (infact I tried playing NFSMW with the remote, and it worked!!!!). But for quickplay to work you are going to sacrifice a whole 1 gb from the total 100 GB
Bluetooth and Wifi works flawlessly.
I connect my nokia 3230 with my notebook for regular net browsing on the go. PC suite from nokia works seemlessly with the builtin widcom bluetooth module. I find the maximum working distance is less than 10 metres. Since that is the limitations of the nokia 3230. I havent checked out the WIFI at this stage since I dont possess a wifi access point.
Construction is solid like steel.
There seems a slight problem with the battery compartment and its little spueaking at the edges. The build quality is just 75 % ok. IBM stands out first in this section. But who cares. I want performance. And this is surely a desktop replacement bull dog. and weighing 3 kg,surely gives a pain in ur laps, after long usage. So avoid using on lap for long.
The area near the hard disk cover(below the touch pad) heats up pretty quickly when gaming. SO make sure NOT TO BLOCK THE FAN VENT. or expect fire from the exhaust of this MERCEDES SLK,(Contrary to ACER FERRARI laptop).. The display viewing angle is restricted to 65 deg. So wide viewing from far corners is problematic.
the 6 cell battery life is not very impressive when compared to other notebooks in this price slab. The default 43 Wh ,10.8V battery lasts churning out juice for 2 hours minimum, and with minimal usage 2.5 hrs max. Better get the 12 cell expansion battery for 9500 rupees, and will surely provide juice in travel. The blue Multimedia indicator lights near the LCD are cool to keep looking at. HP might have kept some way to switch off the lights or atleast to dim them. they are annoying in dark lit rooms when watching movies..
The system fully supports the upcoming microsoft vista. I am now running vista RC1.. It runs like butter smooth without flaw anywhere. The only thing is Vista doesnt support the NERO burning application. And I totally missed to say that HP packs a lot of goodies to be used with the PC the moment you turn it on. Most apps are supported under vista RC1.
A note to hp notebook owners.
If after installing RC1 vista(or even reinstalled the regular OS other than from the recovery disks) on ur beloved notebook you must reinstall the quickplay OS found in the swsetup folder in C:/
.. I found that the notebook is virtually stubborn to crashes and hang ups.. So you can even run a server application in this notebook due to its extreme stability. HP is known for servers and stable desktops. They proved it right in their laptops also.
Buy this notebook if you wanna be satisfied to the maximum, since you can never find a model like this for such a good price. Sony, LG, HCl, Toshiba, Lenovo, and even Dell dont offer any model with such nice GRAPHICS CARD and speed for sub 66000 price slab...
(Edited on 5-Nov-2006)
This product can be bought from retailers only if their stock lasts. If you finding it difficult to get one, go for the latest DV6000 series with Core DUo 2 processor but at a slightly higher price tag..
