HP Pavilion DV2840SE 14.1-inch Special Edition Laptop (AMD Turion 64 X 2 Dual Core TL-60 Processor, 4 GB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, DVD Drive, Vista Premium)

HP Pavilion DV2840SE 14.1-inch Special Edition Laptop (AMD Turion 64 X 2 Dual Core TL-60 Processor, 4 GB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, DVD Drive, Vista Premium)

Features:

• Entertainment-centric special edition notebook PC with widescreen 14.1-inch LCD, integrated webcam, and multi-colored high-gloss finish with organic Verve imprint
• 2.1 GHz AMD Turion 64 X2 TL-60 dual-core processor, 250 GB hard drive, 4 GB installed RAM (max capacity), LightScribe dual-layer DVD drive
• Quad-mode Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n); 10/100 Ethernet; Nvidia GeForce Go 7150M graphics (up to 1071 MB of available memory)
• Connectivity: 3 USB, 1 FireWire, 1 VGA, 1 S-Video, expansion port 3 connector, ExpressCard 54/34, 5-in-1 memory card reader
• Pre-installed with Windows Vista Home Premium (Service Pack 1); includes remote control

Product Description
For those who want rich digital entertainment capability coupled with leading-edge mobile performance and communication features in a distinctive design, the HP Pavilion DV2840SE Notebook PC delivers! It features a high-gloss HP Verve Imprint Finish featuring rich shades of bronze and organic design elements. And AMD mobile dual-core technology with 4GBs of RAM enables use of multiple demanding applications, such as photo editing, DVD burning and playing a game, at the same time. Chat face to face or take pictures and video clips using the HP Webcam and Microphone. Listen without disturbing others with the included stereo earbud headphones, while dual headphone jacks also allow you to share your entertainment. And control content from up to 10 feet away with the HP Mobile Remote Control that can be stored in the ExpressCard slot for convenience. Create custom laser-etched disc labels right in the drive for a personal or professional finish with LightScribe Technology. This 5.25lbs light notebook exists at the intersection of computing and entertainment with its 14.1" High-Definition BrightView widescreen display, innovative entertainment features and fresh design. 14.1 diagonal WXGA (1280 x 800) BrightView Widescreen Display Built-in Webcam and Microphone NVidia Geforce Go 7150M (UMA) with up to 1071MB Shared Graphics Memory LightScribe SuperMulti 8x DVD+-R/RW Drive with Double Layer 802.11A/B/G/N Wireless 10/100Base-T Ethernet LAN Bluetooth 5-in-1 Bridge Media Adapter - MMC, SD, MS, MS Pro, xD ExpressCard 54/34 Slot 3 x USB 2.0, 2 x Headphone out; Microphone-in, VGA, TV-Out (S-Video), IEEE-1394, RJ-11 (Modem), RJ-45 Approximate Unit Dimensions - 13.15 (L) x 9.33 (W) x 1.54 (H) Approximate Unit Weight - 5.25 pounds
Amazon.com Product Description
Built for today's multimedia-savvy, always on-the-go computer user, the entertainment-centric HP Pavilion dv2840se notebook PC provides quick access to your digital audio and video library wherever you roam. Weighing in at 5.25 pounds, it features the HP exclusive high-gloss, organic Verve imprint finish, which flows freely across the top cover then bursts across the palm rest area. A significant change in color appears as well, with a rich bronze top cover carrying through to the palm rest area to morph into golden copper shades then fade to deep black near the touch-sensitive media control panel. It offers a widescreen, BrightView 14.1-inch display, which provides improved viewing in direct sunlight. Control settings for audio and video playback from up to 10 feet away with the included HP remote, then store it conveniently in the PC card slot. Enjoy movies or music in seconds with the external DVD or music buttons to launch HP QuickPlay (which bypasses the boot process).

Optimized for mobile performance, it's powered by the 2.1 GHz AMD Turion 64 X2 TL-62 dual-core processor, which offers 64-bit computing capability and higher throughput for simultaneous computing tasks. Other features include a 250 GB hard drive, 4 GB of installed RAM (maximizing capacity), quad-mode Wi-Fi LAN (802.11a/b/g/n), multi-format/dual-layer LightScribe DVD drive (which can also burn CDs), Nvidia GeForce Go 7150M video card with up to 1071 MB of total available video memory, multi-format memory card reader, integrated Webcam for easy video conferencing, and Bluetooth wireless connectivity to your peripherals and communication headsets.

It comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (Service Pack 1), which includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center. In addition to easily playing your DVD movies and managing your digital audio library, you'll be able to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV). Vista also integrates new search tools throughout the operating system, includes new parental control features, and offers new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures.

The Basics

• Processor: The 2.1 GHz AMD Turion 64 X2 TL-62 processor offers a dual-core architecture, which delivers additional computing resources to help expand your PC’s capabilities by providing higher throughput and simultaneous computing--increasing your performance by up to 80 percent. You'll be able to perform multiple tasks such as digital rendering and gaming all while running virus scan or other background tasks seamlessly thanks to the innovative Direct Connect Architecture. And it's designed to handle simultaneous 32- and 64-bit computing with no degradation in performance. You'll enjoy long battery life thanks to the AMD PowerNow! power management technology, which delivers performance on demand and can extend system battery life up to 65 percent. And the AMD Digital Media XPress technology delivers stellar multimedia performance and playback on digital entertainment such as games, streaming video and audio, DVDs, and music.

  Each processing core has a 512 KB L2 cache (for a 1 MB total), and this processor can deliver up to a 1600 MHz system bus for lightning quick computing reflexes. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.)

• Hard Drive: The extra-large 250 GB Serial ATA hard drive (5400 RPM) provides more than enough capacity for storing a large audio and video library, as well as extra space required for video editing. This SATA hard drive also quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data--akin to Firewire and USB 2.0.

• Memory: The 4 GB of installed RAM (PC5300, 2 x 2 GB) maximizes the capacity for this notebook. It also offers a top-of-class 667 MHz speed and boosts the amount of available video RAM that's shared with this notebook's video card.

• DVD/CD Drive: This multiformat DVD/CD drive is compatible with writing both DVD+ and DVD- disc formats as well as dual-layer (DL) DVD+/-R discs, which can store up to 8.5 GB of data. It features 4x DVD-R DL Write Once, 2.4x DVD+R DL Write Once, 8x DVD+R, 4x DVD+RW, 8x DVD-R, 4x DVD-RW, 16x DVD-ROM, 40x CD-R, 24x CD-RW, and 40x CD-ROM speeds.

  This LightScribe DVD±RW drive lets you laser-etch silkscreen quality text and images on to CDs and DVDs . Your software, PC and discs work together for a no-hassle way to burn just the labels you want. After you burn content, just flip the disc over, reinsert and burn your label--anything from a simple title to a full-disc work of art.

• Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a 101-key keyboard and a touchpad with on/off button and dedicated vertical/horizontal Scroll Up/Down pad. It also includes two quick-launch buttons (HP QuickPlay Music and DVD).

Screen, Video & Audio
While this notebook is actually as wide as standard 15-inch displays, the high-definition, widescreen 14.1-inch display (1280 x 800-pixel resolution) has the same form factor as a 12-inch screen--taking up less space on your desk. Video is powered by the integrated Nvidia GeForce Go 7150M graphics/video card, which provides up to 1071 MB of total graphics memory as allocated by Windows Vista. It features NVidia's PureVideo technology--which provides great picture clarity, smooth video, accurate color, and precise image scaling for video content--and full support for Microsoft DirectX 9.0 for stunningly realistic cinematic effects for all DirectX-compatible applications.

The Altec Lansing speakers provide exceptional sound, and a pair of stereo earbud headphones with volume controls is included. You'll be able to privately share enjoyment of multimedia with a friend via the dual headphone jacks.

Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
Be ready for the next platform in wireless connectivity with this notebook's integrated quad-mode Wi-Fi chip. Based on the draft 802.11n Wi-Fi specification, it offers up to five times the performance and twice the wireless range as existing 802.11g wireless. It's also backward compatible with 802.11b/g networks (commonly found in home routers and wi-fi hotspots) as well as 802.11a networks (which has a higher throughput, but more limited range--great for closed office environments). You'll enjoy wireless connectivity to a wide range of peripherals with the built-in Bluetooth.

It also includes a next-generation ExpressCard 54/34 card slot (replacing the PCMCIA slot), which lets you take advantage of thinner, faster, and lighter expansion cards for even more advanced wireless, networking, storage, and security features. It comes with the following external connectors:

• 3 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 1 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
• Video out: 1 VGA monitor port and 1 S-Video port for connecting to a TV or projector
• 1 ExpressCard/54 slot (also supports ExpressCard/34)
• 2 headphone jacks
• 1 microphone jack
• 1 Expansion Port 3 connector (for use with the HP xb3000 Expansion Base or the HP Notebook QuickDock)
• 1 IR receiver
• 5-in-1 memory card reader (Secure Digital, MultiMedia, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, xD Picture Card)
• 10/100 Ethernet
• 56K modem (V.90)

Operating System
Windows Vista Home Premium is the operating system for users with advanced computer needs, and it includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center for watching DVD movies and accessing your digital audio library. You can also use Windows Media Center to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV) and to access new kinds of online entertainment content. Computers that include Windows Vista Home Premium and an auxiliary Windows SideShow display will also allow you to access key data even when your computer is off. It is also easier than ever to share files between other PCs in your household and to manage your laptop computer settings to more securely connect via Wi-Fi.

Every edition of Windows Vista provides the essential tools and technologies to help protect you whether you are browsing the Internet, connecting to a wireless network, or just reading e-mail. All editions of Windows Vista include new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures long before you have lost any important personal data. And, all Windows Vista editions include parental control features that allow you to manage and monitor your family's use of games, the Internet, instant messaging, and other activities.

Preloaded Software
Includes Microsoft Works, Microsoft Office 2007 Student and Teacher Edition (60-day trial), Muvee Autoproducer, Cyberlink DVD Suite, PC Recovery, HP PhotoSmart Essentials, and Symantec Norton Internet Security 2008 (with 60 days of Live Update).

Dimensions & Weight
This notebook PC measures 13.15 x 9.33 x 1.54 inches and weighs 5.25 pounds.

Power
It's powered by a 6-cell rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which has a battery life of up to 3 hours (depending on usage).

What's in the Box
This package contains the HP Pavilion dv2840se notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, IR remote control, earphones, and operating instructions. It is backed by a limited warranty for parts and labor for one year from date of purchase as well as technical telephone assistance for one year. Software is also covered for 30 days from date of purchase.

Reduce your impact on the environment with this Energy Star-certified system and HP's innovative take-back options, including trade-in, recycling and donation.

Customer Reviews

HP DEFECTIVE SYSTEM BOARD (2008-07-31)
The HP DV series PC are TRASH in my opinion. I bought the DV6226US in March 2007, and my System Board fried just 7-1/2 months later. They replaced it, and 8 months later if fried again - and HP wouldn't cover it. With the excessive heat no wonder! A system board crashing is rare but 2 boards in 16 months is nothing but defective product - pure and simple. DONT BUY THIS PRODUCT

Excellent laptop (2008-07-19)
I bought my new laptop a few weeks ago and I'm very happy with it. It's very fast because of the 4 gigs of RAM. Vista it's a little slow by default but I did some tweaks to the system and now it's very fast. Great buy, I'm 100% satisfied.

King of Kings!!! (2008-07-08)
This comment I'm going to write in Spanish.

La HP Pavilion dv2840se Special Edition Notebook PC simplemente es excepcional. Escribo desde Perú y les digo que cualquier comentario positivo acerca de ella, no es suficiente. Cada detalle en esta computadora indica que HP ha puesto delicadeza y esmero en su construcción, comenzando por su acabado externo (Verve) de alto brillo, con ricos matices en bronce y elementos de diseño orgánico.

Tiene un procesador AMD de doble núcleo que, en relación precio - desempeño, no tiene que envidiar a sus pares de Intel. Gracias a la tecnología HyperTransport cuenta con un bus de 1600 MHz que le permite decirle adiós a los famosos "cuellos de botella" del que adolece la marca rival. Al fin y al cabo, no sirve de nada tener un Ferrari Enzo si lo vamos a rodar por un camino rural, angosto y sin asfaltar. Nunca explotaríamos todo el potencial que puede brindar la máquina. Análogamente, no podríamos aprovechar toda la potencia de este excelente procesador si no contamos con un bus que le permita desempeñarse a toda su capacidad.

Por otro lado, los 4 GB de memoria RAM la hacen ideal no solo para navegar por Internet, sino que, permite ejecutar múltiples programas al mismo tiempo sin afectar el rendimiento del sistema. Todo esto hace gala del excelente desempeño multitarea que ofrecen los sistemas AMD.

Cabe mencionar que su disco duro con 250 GB de almacenamiento se encuentra dentro de lo razonable, dadas las necesidades del usuario de hoy, que gusta de grabar grandes cantidades de datos. Lo que si no me parece muy bueno en este aspecto es que la partición de recuperación quita casi 12 GB para almacenar los archivos de recuperación del sistema, los cuales solo ocupan dos tercios de dicha partición.

Mención destacable es para el apartado gráfico. Hablo de la nVidia GeForce Go 7150M, que hoy por hoy es la mejor GPU integrada. Mucho mejor que su par de Intel, el Graphics Media Accelerator X3100. Cabe resaltar que, debido a la gran cantidad de memoria RAM, el sistema le asigna 1071 MB como memoria de gráficos a la GPU, lo que le permite hacer uso de la interfaz Aero con agilidad. Claro, siempre y cuando el uso al que se le destine sea netamente profesional, ya que si de juegos se trata, entonces su desempeño no es tan destacable como el de un sistema con gráficos discreto, por ejemplo el nVidia GeForce 8600M. La computadora posee salidas VGA y S-Video, un estándar en la industria de portátiles. Lo que haría falta, siendo muy necesario en estos días, es una salida HDMI, dado el uso masivo de dispositivos (LCD) con dicha característica.

La pantalla brinda imágenes precisas y nítidas, con un alto nivel de brillo y profundo contraste. Las pantallas de las Sony Vaio pueden llevarles la delantera a las de las HP Pavilion, pero no por mucho. Además, en el marco se incluye una webcam de 1.3 megapíxeles que resulta ideal cuando deseamos usar la mensajería instantánea, ya que capta tanto fotos como vídeo de una excelente calidad. También en el marco, custodiando a la webcam, se ubican un par de micrófonos que hacen más amenas las conversaciones y tienen un gran alcance, si se configuran de forma adecuada.

En el plano de la conectividad, esta computadora es de las pocas que incluye los estándares 802.11a/b/g/n y Bluetooth en un mismo equipo. Dicho de otro modo, no hay excusa para decir que no había forma de comunicarse con el mundo. Tengo un Access Point (AP) en casa y esta computadora capta la señal hasta en los lugares más recónditos de mi domicilio. En las aulas de la universidad ocurre lo mismo, la señal es captada con intensidad, a pesar que el AP más cercano está separado por algunas paredes de concreto.

El multilector de tarjetas lee los formatos más populares. El control remoto (el cual se puede esconder dentro de la ranura ExpressCard) es de suma utilidad y tiene un largo alcance. He grabado CDs y DVDs sin problema alguno, aunque hasta ahora no he utilizado la característica LightScribe.

El tiempo de duración de la batería de 6 celdas me parece corto. No llega ni a las 3 horas. Recomiendo que adquieran una batería de 12 celdas, si fuese posible, sobretodo si son usuarios que andan en constante movimiento. En caso de tenerla conectada a la toma AC pueden experimentar un incremento en la temperatura, por lo cual no tienen que alarmarse siempre que no le obstruyan los conductos de ventilación. Este ligero calentamiento no es una anomalía sino una prueba de que la computadora, con un suministro abundante de energía, deja de ahorrar recursos y pone en funcionamiento todo su potencial.

El sistema operativo Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit con el Service Pack 1 es el indicado para aprovechar toda la cantidad de memoria RAM que incluye este equipo. Lo que si resulta un tanto desagradable, es que HP incluya muchos programas con licencia limitada o de prueba, algunos de ellos innecesarios y hasta molestos.

En conclusión, como profesional de las TI y habiendo sido propietario de otras HP, afirmo y reafirmo que la dv2840se, libra por libra, es la mejor de su categoría, una portátil de muy altas prestaciones a un precio asequible al consumidor.

Good, after repair. (2008-06-30)
I had to call HP support after multiple blue screen crashes leading finally to being unable to open Windows. Tech support tracked down the problem to a faulty memory chip. They are sending a replacement. This machine came with 3GB of memory. The 2GB chip is the one that went bad and is being replaced. I am now running on 1GB while waiting for the replacement chip. Performance is slower but no problems. I am satisfied with the computers features and performance and wouldn't try to talk anyone out of buying it. I think my problem is probobly a fluke.

Great value at discounted price + rebate (2008-06-26)
At the discounted price of $900 as of mid-June + the $50 rebate, this laptop was a great value, and still is at $1000, though I would recommend waiting a bit for another HP discount to pop up this summer. The design and structure of the laptop and very slick and hip. This laptop was built and is marketed for entertainment, so I would recommend it for any families or students. 4GB of RAM is a nice boost to system performance, and the 250GB (219GB usable disk space after partition + OS) should be plenty for most users, but if not, fast external storage is getting pretty cheap these days. The screen is fantastic and the quad-band (?) is plenty fast. Overall, its a great machine with high performance for most entertainment applications. If you can snatch it for $900 or less, depending upon what rebates/coupons HP throws out there, it's a fantastic value.