Hewlett Packard is one of the most prominent manufacturers of notebook computers today, and any trip to Best Buy will make that abundantly clear. Well, as of this writing, one of the notebook PCs they have on sale right now at Best Buy is the HP Pavilion DV6000. I picked one up a couple months ago for $800. I was in Best Buy a couple weeks ago and it was on sale for $749. So, this is certainly an affordable notebook PC. So, how does it perform in everyday use? Let’s check it out.
First, The Specs
In my eyes, the DV6000 is proof that PCs are affordable as hell today. These specs compare quite favorably to my desktop, all in a sub $800 notebook.
- AMD Turion 64, dual core processor
- 2 GB DDR2 memory
- 15.4″ WXGA High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1280 x 800)
- 256MB NVIDIA(R) GeForce(R) Go 7200
- 160GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
- LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support
- 1.3 Megapixel Webcam with mic built into screen
- Altec Lansing speakers built in
- 3 USB ports, ExpressCard/54 Slot, Video Out, Integrated Consumer IR, 1 RJ-11, 1 RJ-45
- Windows Vista Home Premium
Now, when you look at this unit on HP’s website, you will see there are different spec configurations for this model. The above happens to be what I have in the unit I am typing this review on.
Use in the Real World
Now, I am not and never have been a big benchmark guy. If you are into computer reviews that load you up with benchmark specs, go to another site. What I am interested in is real world use. I bought this notebook to get work done, not win any contests. So, how does it perform in that regard?
One of the things that sold me on this laptop was the screen. The screen is gorgeous. It is wonderfully bright and clear, and provides a respectable 1280×800 resolution in a widescreen format. Yes, there certainly are notebooks with higher resolution. It really comes down to preference. While other units may give you higher resolution, some may find it hard to read on small screens. For me, I thought 1280×800 was a good resolution to use for a 15.4″ screen. My only complaint with the screen is that the glare is really bad when trying to use the unit outside. It gets so bad that it’s more like looking in a mirror than into a computer screen. Inside, however, the screen is beautiful.
The fact that this unit uses AMD rather than Intel means that it generates more heat. Intel processors just seem to run cooler in notebook computers. All benchmarks aside (because I don’t care), the performance of this notebook is quite good. It actually opens many apps much faster than my desktop PC, which is using an Intel Pentium Core Duo. So, I have no complaints about speed, however, yes, it does generate some heat.
The built-in Altec Lansing speakers will certainly not compare to the larger speakers you would plug in externally, but they do generate a nice sound for the size. For multimedia use, the speakers will get the job done.
The DV6000 comes with a thin, little remote control for use in controlling HP’s multimedia player. HP is using a proprietary multimedia player for playing DVDs called QuickPlay. It ties in with the remote control as well as the QuickPlay buttons on top of the notebook. The player is decent, but many times I found myself simply wanting to use Windows Media Player rather than the QuickPlay popping up full screen. Also, the fact that it is tied into the QuickPlay buttons can be a little annoying at times. Several times I have rested my fingers on the top of the notebook and accidently pressed the DVD button and launched Quickplay. No matter what I’m doing, that interrupts the workflow badly.
For digital photography, I find the built-in card reader really convenient. Since my Canon camera uses SD cards, I can just pull the card out and plug it directly into the notebook to pull images onto the computer. This means I don’t have to track down the USB cable that came with the camera. Nice and easy.
But, It Uses Vista
Like almost every PC on the market today, this unit comes with Windows Vista. Now, on my desktop, I can rattle off a bunch of annoyances with Windows Vista. Many of us that follow technology all the time have many complaints about Vista, and I still stand by the fact that Vista was NOT ready for market upon it’s release. But, judging by the DV6000, Vista does seem to run better on completely proprietary machines. I do have occasional annoyances with Vista on the DV6000.. For example, sometimes it will lose it’s screen resolution settings when coming out of sleep mode. This is an issue with Vista and will be fixed. Other than that, though, Vista runs significantly better on this notebook machine than it does on my desktop. No complaints, really.
Like all pre-built computers, it comes with some pre-installed software. It comes with a 60-day trial installation of Office 2007. Since I don’t care to fork out several hundred dollars just for a ribbon interface, I opted to install OpenOffice, which gets me 95% there for free. The DV6000 comes with some other pre-installed crap, much of it I ended up removing from the computer.
Note to HP
I am pretty happy with the DV6000, but I need to mention a few annoyances for the benefit of HP. When I was at Gnomedex recently, HP was there and we had a lengthy discussion about notebook design. HP does indeed listen to feedback, so here is mine on the DV6000.
- The QuickPlay buttons at the top are too easy to hit by accident, as I mentioned above. Some obvious way to control or disable those buttons would be nice.
- We need some kind of anti-glare surface to the screen. It’s practically unusable in sunlight. I realize that the surface it does have plays a role in the crystal clear colors I see indoors, but something has to be done to make this thing more usable in sunlight.
- AMD is good for economics, but it generates a lot more heat.
Conclusions
The HP Pavilion DV6000 is a really nice, solid notebook computer and you really can’t go wrong with this unit. The price tag makes it very affordable. The unit sports a nice, sleek design and good all-around performance. It also offers a solid balance of features which really makes this entertainment notebook usable as a desktop replacement. In fact, I enjoy it so much I find myself spending more time working on the DV6000 now than I do my main desktop computer.
So, despite a few annoyances, you really can’t go wrong with the DV6000 if you are looking for a solid, balanced work notebook without spending too much money.
Update 11/21/2007
While I have not had the wireless problems many have been complaining about in the comments, I have had another problem – the battery (maybe). The battery seems to not accept a charge anymore, and Windows says “plugged in, not charging” when I hover over the battery icon in the taskbar. So, HP is currently sending me a new battery and we’ll see if that fixes it. I guess this is the kind of thing you deal with when you buy cheap notebook computers.
David Risley is the founder of PCMech.com. He is the brains, the thinker, the writer, the nerd.
I had the same issue as Stefaniem the laptop was 12 months and 1 week old so HP more a less said can’t help. I hate their customer service or lack there of. In my opinion and experience (I have 12 yr experience in ICT) Asus laptops are the best and their customer service is awesome – they also provide 2 year global warrentee.
I’ve had a dv6105us since Dec 2005. One of the last with XP. I installed 2 gb ram immediately, wiped the drive and reinstalled XP from clean OEM disk and registered using the Key on bottom of case. The only problem I’ve had is once letting it go into hibernate while on battery and it would not wake up. Google revealed this to be an issue and the solution was to remove the battery overnight and let it wake up clean. I do monitor the HP site for critical upgrades and did do the bios upgrade so the fan stays on but otherwise am selective about HP and Windows updates. It’s been a great, reliable and perfectly adequate computer for me. I use it more like a portable desktop so the pitiful battery life has not been a problem.
Oops, that would be Dec 2006.
dv6000 is the shittiest notebook I have ever got. It borke down (losing all my data) after 1,5 years of slight use for the first time. HP service offered to change the motherboard (they didnt offer any repair) for 450 euros (i paid 700 for the new computer). Luckily I found a guy who repaired it for me for 120 euros. After 2 months WiFi broke down – they said 450 again. This time i didnt repair it and I used it without wifi up till the time 4 days ago when the computer switched off and didnt start again. Now I’m gonna throw it at hp store in my town and never ever buy anything from this f..cking company.
hp sucks.
Hey, hows it going, I’m having similar problems with my hp dv6000.
Any chance you live in Dublin, Ireland because maybe you could give me the number of the guy who fixed it for you?
Thanks
Yes indeed i usually have the same problem of the battery. Pluged in not charging. Yes it is the fault in the battery.
Hi um i have this same laptop and everything is fine except that the webcam is not working correctly. When i click on it, it pops up and everything and then it asks me to make sure that it is plugged in good, and then to click reconnect, but i dont know why its asking that because its built in so i would think that it would be plugged in. Could you please give me some suggestions on how to fix it, or get it fixed.
Thanks, I would really appreciate it
I’m glad mine is dead. A paperweight has more value. What hasn’t broken, first the motherboard went, then the battery, than the video card went up in smoke and melted the case, then the computer forgot it had wireless capability, now the video card is done again. Although, it can play a cool song… One LONG beep followed by two short beeps… unfortunately the song gets old
I have had my hp 60000 for a year and a few months. first the wi fi card went then the power cord started not to charge the batterie unless just in the right position, now i think the mother board is gone!!! now that i looked on line,i see all the people with problems…… i feel like a sucker for buying it when…HP never again
I’ve had my dv6000 for two years almost to date. Within the first year I had the motherboard replaced (thank goodness at no charge). My main complaint so far other than that is it’s lack of connecting to wireless. Unless I start from the computer being off, it will not connect, and even then I sometimes have trouble. What good is a laptop if there is no wireless. I am thinking of going with something smaller…maybe an Acer this time around. I am making sure to keep backing up my data in case something else goes really wrong.
crazy to see soo many negative comments. ive had mine for over 2 years and only had the battery prob. gonna install windows 7 next week…..
I have had a dv6225us since early ‘07 and it was a decent laptop until the warranty expired, that’s when the problems began(of course)… All the same problems mentioned in previous posts: 1) the battery quit charging, so new cord($) and new battery($$) then shortly afterward that new battery wouldn’t charge! I just leave it plugged in. Then the wireless went(uh-oh) and the screen died. A diagnostic by a local tech informs me that both are attributed to a faulty motherboard and that mine was no different. Motherboard($$$$)+Screen($$$)= not worth it. The tech said he recommended not having it repaired and I agree! Now I just use it with an external monitor waiting for the day the board finally goes. Has HP gotten any better? I don’t know and I’ll likely never find out from personal experience. I’m done…
Wow, all these negative comments. But fairly, I think they’re justified.
A friend of mine who bought the model above had his motherboard go down in a matter of months, the thing just died the blue screen of death (complete with the beep song) – the same model my sister bought just wouldn’t load up after prior warnings of crash within months (again – motherboard). Others have died due to virus/Vista problems etc…
So it seems like I got the only working laptop out of the lot. I tote it around quite happily with the processing speed on high perf. and lasts about two hours. Never had a problem in load up. Motherboard, hard drive, etc works like a charm. WIFI drops out on occasion but nothing a restart won’t fix (nothing unusal either, I’ve found with other brands across the board). Works beautifully with AVG. My only complaint is the unified international one – Vista. The Vista Service Pack 2 deleted my sound driver. Luckily others with more I.T. skill than I had encounted the problem and laid out the “how-to” on the net.
All in all, I’m looking forward to loading Windows 7 onto my baby and using it as the main entertainment lappy for our future entertainment system. Nevertheless, in my case/experience, one working laptop out of three doesn’t make the cut – HP has alot of future progress to make.
I have had mine for a little over a year and a half, I purchased it to replace my other hp laptop (can’t remember model) that was 4 years old. It still works fine I use it as a printer and majicJack server.
Several of the issues i see reported here (other than the wireless) may be because the user allowed the sytem to overheat. This is a AMD chip, they run HOT. If you are not careful you will fry the cpu and/or the motherboard. I did that with a Sony Vaio about 8 years ago. Never set the PC on a bed or sofa where the fans get even slightly covered. I even try to prop up the back with a magazine or something to allow airflow underneath if i am working for an extended period of time.
Too much heat can even damage batteries but batteries just have a certain percentage that are going to fail, it doesn’t matter what kind it doesn’t matter the manufacturer.
My complaint on this product is the fact you cannot have more than 4GB of memory. With a 64bit CPU it would be nice to put a 64 OS in it and take advatage of some of the 64 bit features. As I understand it the motherboard will not accept anymore that 4GB, crippling the biggest current advantage of a 64 bit OS.
PS
Linux Ubuntu 7.something runs pretty well on these, the version 8.0 crippled my wireless card and I was never able to get it going so i went back to crappy Vista.
had hp dv6000 series for 2years gently used, problem after problem, first off it overheats, second my cord just caught fire one day for no reason I purchased a compatible hp cord from best buy it supposedly made my motherboard die according to hp service tech. and they would not repair for free although my warranty doesn’t expire to 2010.
so disappointed in hp
I bought my HP DV6000 during my vacation in TX last February. It was on sale at SAM’s Warehouse club with 248$ price tag + 8% tax. Not bad for a laptop! And yes, the only problem I have encountered so far is the battery life, at full charge, maybe I can only use it for an hour, so I have to bring the power cord with me always.
Well, I have owned my dv6000 for approximately 3 yrs, and I can honestly say that I have not had any
problems as of yet. My wife used it for two years while she was working on her master’s degree. I have a Pentium dual-core processor; I don’t know if that makes a difference or not. I have really enjoyed my dv6000 so far, and I hope it continues to operate.
I have the intel duocore version of this laptop for about 3 years. I purchased it from BJ’s club. And the only real problem is also the battery is shot..But thanks to Ebay i got a lager 12 cell battery for about $40.00usd. Also I Just upgraded it to Windows 7 Ultimate and now it really screams!!! oh yeah the cooling fan is a bit noisy but i will be replacingit myself for about $20.00.
Well i know that HP Pavilion DV6 1100 Notebook price is 54000rs .This notebook able to offer everything for the good user
Specifications
* Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo P8600 CPU (codenamed Penryn-3M, 2.4 GHz, 3 MB L2 cache, 1066 MHz bus, multiplier 9x)
* Chipset: Intel Cantiga PM45 (ICH9M)
* Socket: Type P / 478-pin (Micro-FCPGA)
* Mainboard: Quanta 3628
* Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 32-bit OEM
* RAM: 4 GB DDR2 (2 x 2 GB)
* Video card: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4650 1GB GDDR3 (667 MHz)
* Hard Disk: TOSHIBA MK5055GSX (500 GB, 5400 RPM, SATA-II)
* Screen: LG Philips LP156WH1-TLA3 (WXGA, 1366 x 768 pixels, 15.6 “16:9, HP BrightView)
* Audio: IDT 92HD75B3, 2 speakers (SRS Premium Sound)
* Optical drive: HL-DT-ST GSA-T50L (read / write CDs, DVD ±)
* Network Adapters: Realtek RTL8168C Gigabit Ethernet, Intel WiFi Link 5100, HP Integrated Bluetooth module
* I / O Ports: 3 USB 2.0, 1 VGA, 1 HDMI, 1 Ethernet (RJ45), 1 Express Card Slot (54 mm), 1 eSATA, 2 audio output (headphones), 1 audio input (microphone), 1 player 5-in-1 card (MS, MS Pro, SD, MMC, xD), 1 Kensington Lock, 1 FireWire, 1 Expansion Port.
* Webcam: HP Webcam 1.3 Megapixel
* Touchpad: Synaptics Pointing Device
* Battery: Rechargeable Li-Ion 6-cell
* Dimensions: 37.85 cm x 25.8 cm x 4.1 cm
* Weight: 3.14 kg
where i found some issue with heat that dissipation of heat has never been the strong point of the HP Pavilion notebooks for details see http://www.techarena.in/review/16751-hp-pavilion-dv6-1100-notebook.htm
Mine had the motherboard go, the WiFi did not work and the video was shot, thanks HP. HP shook me down for $300 for the repair a month after their BS warranty expired – and I paid it. These should have been recalled but HP was too cheap to do it. Those F-ers will never get another PC purchase out of me.
Just finished talking with HP about HP Pavilion dv6000, the Device Manager not see the wireless adapter. Did some research and found there was a recall for: The notebook does not detect wireless networks and the wireless adapter is not detected in the Device Manager.
HP says this warrenty expired and now they want to charge $259.00 plus service taxes to replace the motherboard as they admit that’s the problem, it was a faulty motherboard from the beginging.
Even before this happened, we couldn’t stay connected to a wireless network no longer than 10, maybe 15 minutes before we had to right click and do a repair on the wireless connection icon. My Dell laptop would stay connected to the same network until I shut the computer down.
HP is not a good product and we’ll never buy HP again.
I have had my HP for about three years and have not had a single problem with it. If I was offered a brand new Dell in exchange for it today I would not accept the exchange. My experience with my HP DV6000 Entertainmnet PC has made me an HP loyal fan.