Posted to Notebooks 2009-11-02
One all-around budget laptop that you should consider when shopping around is the 15.4" HP Pavilion dv5-1099nr Entertainment Notebook PC, which offers a balance of features for a reasonable price. For value, this model is comparable to more expensive brands, yet costs less. For performance, it provides smooth processing and graphics without sacrificing battery life. While it lacks the punch of a true gaming laptop, the HP Pavilion dv5-1099nr is a great middle-range notebook that suits the needs of everyday tasks and the occasional graphics-needy application. The model doesn't quite meet the standards for an ultraportable, but it still comes in at a reasonable dimensions. It measures 14.1 in x 1.7 in x 10.2 in and weighs 5.7 lbs. Upon initial inspection, consumers will find that this laptop doesn't have the best processor- it features a 2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5800, which is not as impressive as the onboard NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT graphics chipset (the 15.4" WXGA LCD display compliments this). However, the HP Pavilion dv5-1099nr does come with an array of useful functions that are steadily becoming standard in laptops today. Overall, this is not the best notebook, but it is one of the best for the budget.
FeaturesAlthough this model does not feature integrated Bluetooth and a fingerprint reader, it comes with a nice combination of useful features. To aid the somewhat-mediocre processor, this notebook has 4GB DDR2 RAM installed, expandable to 8GB memory. The NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT discrete graphics chipset, which comes with 512MB memory, is usually seen in higher-end laptops, so this is a great counterbalance to the processor. For your storage needs, the HP Pavilion dv5-1099nr features a 320GB (5400rpm) hard drive. For optical storage, it comes with LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD±R/RW with Double Layer Support. There is one ExpressCard expansion slot, but networking features are already installed. There is a standard 54K modem, gigabit Ethernet port, and internal 802.11b/g WLAN. This model also features many other plugs, such as three USB 2.0 ports, one USB/eSATA combo port, 5-in-1 multimedia card reader, one IEEE 1394 port, one IR port (to use with the remote), one VGA port, and one HDMI port. In summary, this notebook is designed especially for multimedia users. PerformanceIf we could point out one major fault with the HP Pavilion dv5-1099nr, it would be that the processor is a little substandard when compared to its graphics chipset. Since this is not a gaming PC but rather an entertainment notebook, this is just one small nuisances. Overall, the NVIDIA GPU does a great job at processing video (and the occasional video game), and the 15.4" LCD display is bright and vivid and provides a nice resolution. If you are focuses on creating and watching multimedia, then this is a great model to start with, especially if you're on a budget. SummarySo if you don't want to spend a thousand dollars or more on a good notebook, then consider the HP Pavilion dv5-1099nr Entertainment Notebook PC. Although it doesn't include some of the more impressive features of modern laptops (and the processor isn't the best it could be), this model is a good, solid, all-around player in the entertainment notebook market. It offers a nice balance of features and applications without putting a crunch in your budget. Pros
Cons
|
