HP Pavilion dv2000 (Core Duo T2400 processor 1.83GHz, 1GB RAM)

HP's new line of entertainment notebooks not only delivers in features, but also goes the extra mile in redesigning the chassis to appeal to those with unconventional tastes.

HP Pavilion dv2000Notebooks with 14.1-inch screens seems to be gaining in popularity, with other entertainment models like the Dell Inspiron 640m and Samsung X11 sporting similarly sized displays. If you get a feeling of deja vu with the HP Pavilion dv2000, that's because it is the fraternal twin of the Compaq Presario V3000 minus the integrated Webcam and Zen wave design. Like the latter, the dv2000 offers a full suite of connectivity ports and entertainment features and -- with a starting price of AU$1999 -- doesn't attempt to bust your budget while doing so.

Design
The most striking feature is the wave design of its glossy cover. Resembling instant noodles attractively twirled on a plate, the aesthetic is further enhanced by what is best described as a showroom shine finish. The top cover and keyboard areas are laminated with a scratch-resistant coating. For those wearing watches and metal jewellery, these two areas are the most prone to surface damage and the dv2000 should be able to withstand some light abuse. An absolute fingerprint magnet, this can easily be remedied with a cleaning cloth.

Design notwithstanding, this is not really a thin laptop. Weighing 2.4kg, it occupies 334 x 237mm of real estate and stands 39mm high at its thickest portion. Similarly weighted models like the Sony VAIO VGN-FJ77GP and Acer Aspire 5550 have depths which top off at 33mm and 35mm, respectively, and sport the same screen size as the Pavilion notebook. Fortunately, the rounded contours of the dv2000 give it a slightly sleeker appearance.

According to HP, the HP Pavilion dv2000 is the first notebook to possess capacitive backlit buttons. That's a fancy way of describing touch-sensitive buttons (similar to the LG Chocolate KG800 touch keypad) which light up according to the function activated. The controls include volume adjustment, HP QuickPlay activation and standard multimedia buttons.

All the connectivity ports and optical drive are located on the flanks of the unit, with the audio jacks and wireless switch occupying the front, leaving nothing to mar the rounded hinge at the rear. However, some may find the ports are too closely crammed for comfort, especially if bulky USB devices are in use. The HP dv2000 deploys a latchless design that allows an integrated 1.3-megapixel Webcam to sit above the 14.1-inch display. All things considered, this is an aesthetically appealing portable with easily accessible connections.

Features
Capacitive buttons and showroom gloss chassis aside, the HP Pavilion dv2000 offers a full suite of features which should leave most users satisfied. Billed as an entertainment system, the dual-core platform offers sufficient processing power for work and play. For those requiring even more perks, an optional discrete Nvidia GeForce Go 7200 graphics card is available on some models for greater versatility.

Connectivity-wise, the Pavilion dv2000 offers three USB 2.0, one spring-loaded ExpressCard slot and a mini-FireWire port. Networking is handled by the Ethernet and modem ports, with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi radios for wireless communication. The memory card reader can handle SD/MMC, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro and xD-Picture Card flash formats. External video displays can be jacked into the VGA or S-video ports, and there's also an expansion port for the optional HP xb3000 docking station (for more connectivity options and better speakers). All these ports are somewhat crammed at the flanks of the unit, which detract from an otherwise clean and sleek design. The mini remote control -- an item which is important for entertainment notebooks -- hides in the ExpressCard slot when not in use.

In order to qualify as an entertainment system, a good display is a must. The 14.1-inch transflective widescreen LCD of the Pavilion dv2000 offers a nice compromise between the portable but eye-straining 12-inch models and the comfortable but heavier 15.4-inch entertainers. The base model uses the integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) 950 graphics renderer to drive the display. For those who prefer stronger video performance and light gaming capabilities, you can opt for an Nvidia GeForce Go 7200 graphics card model.

The integrated sound chip drives the Altec Lansing branded speaker bar located at the top of the keyboard. Though audio reproduction is good, there is a lack of bass that is inherent in most notebook speakers without a sub-woofer. Two headphone jacks (one of which is S/PDIF-enabled) and a microphone port are located at the front. The full-size keyboard is comfortable to use while the touchpad is a little too responsive, though there is a dedicated switch to disable the latter.

Performance And Battery Life
Our review unit was configured with an Intel Core Duo T2400 1.83GHz processor, integrated Intel GMA 950 graphics card, 1GB of DDR2 RAM and 80GB harddisk. It received an impressive result of 217 on MobileMark 2005, which is comparable to models such as the Toshiba Satellite A100 (241) and Acer TravelMate 8204WLMi (236), both decked with faster 2.0GHz Core Duo processors. Graphically, the integrated graphics card churned out a nice score of 488 on 3DMark05, which stands almost level with the ThinkPad T60's 451 result on the same benchmark.

Despite having a smaller display, the HP dv2000 ran out of juice at the 3 hour 9 minute mark compared with the 3 hour 8 minute battery life of the 15.4-inch Acer TravelMate 8204WLMi. Fortunately, high-power users can buy the optional high-capacity 12-cell battery, which should theoretically double the uptime.

Service And Support
HP notebooks in the Asia-Pacific region have a one-year local warranty. At HP's support Web site, laptop owners can download the latest drivers and manuals. In the event of a simple malfunction, the company offers an online knowledge database and support forum for troubleshooting. Further diagnosis or repair can be made at the service centre, though the owner has to bring the notebook there. Telephone support is available during normal working hours and for current or potential customers who are not sure which HP notebook is right for you, a dedicated number is available for assistance in purchase selection. There is no option to extend or upgrade the warranty.

HP Pavilion dv2000 (Core Duo T2400 processor 1.83GHz, 1GB RAM)
Company: HP
RRP: AU$1999.00

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Talkback 20 comments

  1. Poor Service & Support Anonymous -- 28/02/07

    HP after sale service is very poor. I tried for 11 months to have my new laptop fixed and was consistently refused any work under the warranty.

    My $4000 lemon (HP dv4225) is the last HP product I will ever buy.

  2. nw 9440 Anonymous -- 10/04/07

    I brought this top of the line graphics laptop, fully upgraded, only to recieve a lemon as well... 3 weeks into warranty. It is supposed to be getting replaced. After two months of ringing them daily and wasting hours of my life, I am yet to reciece one of the promised emails or confirmations. I will never buy hp again!

    1. me too..! Anonymous -- 04/09/07

      hey ...i just got mine and now this slimtype drive has diappeared from ma laptop..

      dunno wat to do...called them up and said..they now nuthing...im starting to have a bad impression on hp....

  3. Awful Indian experience Ian K -- 14/05/07

    If you're thinking of buying hp, be warned - any problems you might experience, and you most certainly will with these products, you'll have to deal with Indians. hp have decided to become yet another multinational that wants to charge western prices but pay third world wages, and they don%u2019t give a damn that we customers hate it. Until hp close all off-shore operations and re-hire locals I%u2019ll never buy hp for me or my company of 350 staff.

  4. Terrible Anonymous -- 24/05/07

    Terrible service and support. I will never purchase an hp product, ever.

  5. yo Anonymous -- 03/06/07

    im jus writing this coz i wanna

    1. madd Anonymous -- 10/09/07

      ****in good on ya buddy

    2. smelly moot fart Anonymous -- 10/09/07

      ^that kids madd

  6. hp paviliodv2000 john smith -- 28/06/07

    My hp Is da shiznit. I don't know what happened with you all.

    1. ^champ^ Anonymous -- 10/09/07

      damn right there nofin rong with mine

    2. hii budi -- 03/11/07

      hp pavillion2000 many problem in hard ware

  7. Hp pavilion dv2000 Anonymous -- 08/10/07

    yeah my effin hp rocks!!!! ive had it for over 3 months now and no failiures, ive always been a hp product user, and have found no problems wat so ever!!!!

  8. Hp dv2000 Anonymous -- 11/10/07

    I have a top of the range dv2000 laptop and it rocks! Best laptop ever!

  9. Great Laptop Anonymous -- 19/11/07

    I have had my dv2000 now for over 6mths and have not had one problem, i had some questions regarding S/W and HP was always happy to help with prompt and competent service...Way to go HP thats why your number 1

  10. piece of crap dv 2000 Anonymous -- 26/12/07

    holy crap my sd disk and usb devices dont work and my wireless has so many problems i will never buy another hp as long as i live

  11. dv2415nr Justin -- 17/01/08

    i dont know what happened for you guys, maybe you got early models? mine has been great for the past 5 months, i use it every single day for school and get 2+ hours of battery every time. great $700 (US) machine.

  12. problems!!! Anonymous -- 26/01/08

    I have to agree with the majority of people on here. My HP dv2000 has recently run into a lot of problems, namely.....wireless NEVER works, my screen does not turn on even though the computer is on and sometimes a random blue screen will appear basically telling me that my computer is fu**ed!!!
    All this JUST after my warrenty has run out......would you believe it!
    For all of you out there who say you have no problems, your lucky but just wait and see what happens!

    1. dv2000 probs TheHopper -- 17/02/08

      What are you nongs goin on about? Had my dv2040 for 14 months..all going A1..had a few s/w and virus issues, but my fault for downloading crap!!...so i just reloaded XP from the HP recovery drive..VIOLA!! good as new!! Just bought the Presario C731TU from Harveys for $564 after cashback..gonna up the ram from 512mb to Kingston 2gb ($60 from eBay), what a bargain of a notebook!! Cashback ends 30/04/08..get in early!!

  13. great service Anonymous -- 09/03/08

    i did a battery check and it came back as faulty
    the laptop was 7 months old at the time and i was warned by the place that i brought it from that they wouldnt replace it , rang them they said upgrade the bios and then call us , i did and said it still faulty , and they said we will send you a new one ,day and a half later new battery was sitting at my door

  14. damnit! Anonymous -- 16/04/08

    i've had mine less than 2 weeks and now my disc drive doesn't work.
    it doesn't even come up in my computer like its magically disappeared!
    and the wireless sucks!

    i'm so annoyed i bought it.

  15. Heat and hardware Anonymous -- 08/05/08

    the dv2000 i am using gets very **** hot. So i always have to have a book to lift it up. I think that my proccessor got burnt or something because now it wont turn on. Now i want to go call them to replace it...but apparently their service sux like ****.

  16. Hp pavilion dv2000 problem Anonymous -- 08/05/08

    I had my dv2000 for almost a year and it just broke down =[. Everytime i turn it on it just makes some beeping noise and nothing is on, just the LED button lights and the fan. Hp is not a good product after my experience, i recommend ASUS laptops.

  17. One of the best in da market Anonymous -- 19/05/08

    I have been using HP dv2000 series for over an year now.. I had win XP and later upgraded to Vista... I must say it's one of the best notebooks.. Not a single problem till now... Amazing wireless connectivity ( I travel and lot and depend on WiFi).. Sleek finish and rugged built... These are much better than Dell ( I have worked for Dell for 3 yrs).... I am one happy customer of HP

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