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.
Update Feb. 8, 2010
Comments for this article have now been closed. This was done because people were using as a means of getting HP support. This article is not an official HP support channel for problems that may occur with the DV6000 product. If you would like to contact HP for support, please visit HP Customer Care at support.hp.com, thank you.
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I’m about to get this HP DV6000. Can anyone help me with the disadvantages and advantages
of this notebook pls
I have the DV6000 and it sucks! I have had it for about 2 years now.. my battery never held the charge well, began with having to keep it plugged into the wall in order for it to work, and then ended up shutting down constantly!! Same problem as other guy with the AC adaptor and cord having to be a certain way, if touched in a wrong way it would shut down. Called HP, my warranty expired not to long ago, they didnt have much to say, horrible customer service, and then tried to sell me on more warranty between 60 to 90 dollars. I WILL NEVER BUY THIS PRODUCT EVER AGAIN!
I had this problem with the speaker, power button. I’ll try another brand next time.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=225809
my screen is black, every thing eles is working
I bought this model from Wal-Mart and about 3 months later it started crashing frequently. A month later it crashed in the middle of Norbit.
From then on it wouldnt boot like most of you. I called tech support and they told me that they had a recall out for this model. its a motherboard problem. have any of you tried calling? even if you dont have warranty if it qualifies for the recall they will fix it for free.
Keep in mind tjis was a while ago.
I got one for Christmas last year and the mother drive blew out. of course, the warranty expired.
IT IS SOOO SLOWW!!!!!!! It takes forever to open anything, and,internet.. i think my grandmother can go to library and find the info faster than i google it. i dont know, my desktop is not the best, but it has 4 processors, and im so muchused to my desktop so when i use my GF HP dv6000 i get annoyed with it, IT IS SOOO FN SLOW!!!!!
truly is piece of garbage, whenever i i surf the net i feel like throwing it against the wall, TAKES FOREVER TO FN LOAD!!!! its like im on 14k dial up(its going to load for 10 minsafter i press the ‘leave comment’ button
Hi everyone who wanna buy this horrible notebook.
It’s the worst notebook EVER!
HP IS SO BADDDD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We have 2 of these laptops, and had to replace the adapter 3 times!
We have a defect power, sound and mousepad button.
Also the battery is completely defect, and won’t charge anymore.
One of the notebooks is terribly S. L. O. W. !!!!!!
The buttons on top of the notebook are very easy to hit, so when you press F5 you also run Quicktime Player! :S :S
People, listen. This notebook is not worth it!
I got a HP pavilion dv6000 more than 1 year ago. Its all drivers functioning correctly except Finger print, MIC. Please give me solution what can I do for this.
Looks like I was lucky. My HP dv6000 with Intel Centrino is almost 3 yrs old. I use it constantly, at least 4-5 hours every day. It crashed about 15 times so far, no problem getting it back on. Except once when it crashed after my little nephew played online games on it. I thought that was it. But after a too long time for comfort it got back from this KO. And that’s about it. And yes, those quick access buttons above keyboard are a pain. Also,I think if you don’t want it to be crashing, take it easy and don’t open hundred windows while playing 50 games at once. If you think it’s slow you might have bugs on it. Get a good antivirus like Kaspersky. After I installed it on my HP it got way faster. I keep it plugged in all the time so battery life doesn’t concern me too much. But I tried it and seems like it’s enough for one flight. Wireless connection works ok, screen is bright and nice, true that in sun light you can’t see sh***. Fingerprints? No biggie. I forgot about them after a week.
I too bought a Pavillian dv600. after only 8 months (Aug 2009) of use, the mother board blew out. HP replaced it and it worked fine. Now after only 3 month (Dec 2008), I am having the same problem and HP is saying they can’t help me because it’s no longer under the warrenty and I would have to pay almost $400 to get if fixed. Iam not happy about this and plan on sending letters everywhere to complain.
I too have had my DV6646us for almost 3 years now. It works just fine, but now I’ve had to replace the power (DC) for a second time. Just today the power stopped working and the box part of the dc started beeping. I’ve figured out a way to get a replacement without paying for it…LOL
I have hp pavillion dv6000. Have problem on start up. ou have to swich on and off to finally start the window. What is the possible problem? How do I know what to replace? Hard drive? ???
Don’t get a DV6000. I have had nothing but trouble with it. Wireless failed + 60, battery needed to be replace + $80, power cord needed to be replace + $80 and then a little over 2.5 years old mother board fails and I need to spend $260 to get it repaired. I should have just bought a Mac. What a pain…looks nice but did not last.
this computer was good while it lasted i’ve had so many problem with it at first the camera didnt work then the wireless stoped working the mother board died only the blue ligh would turn on hp wouldnt fix it ,so i had to spend 300$ fixing it….dont buy it !!!!
i think most of these whiners are experiencing problems that stemmed from user error. i’ve had this laptop forever with no problem.
learn to take care of you equipment ppl
You must be one of the lucky ones. Many of us with HP / Compaq laptops have wifi and video failures not long after the warranty expires, and HP refuses to pay for the repairs.
The overwhelming response of owners to these issues suggests this issue is NOT merely caused by owners’ failure to properly care for their equipment.
As for myself, I have replaced my Compaq F732NR (wifi / video failure) with an ASUS; it is running great.
Hey Tony,
I have this laptop since 2006 and no problem as well. Well, actually, one litlle problem which I am not sure it is. The laptop gets hot easily and the fan don’t work. actually, it works when it reaches the 50F temperature.
is this happening with yours too?
I have windows xp, and I would like to install windows 7, but I think there are some drivers issues.
I appreciate your feedback.
Thanks
Ever since i bought my Dv 6000 it has had problems.
I have had to take it to the shop, 10 times in 1 year.
3 times in one week. There have been many problems with the motherboard and the keyboard.
I would rate the dv6000 a 1.5 / 5.
Do not buy the dv6000
I got the DV600. About 8 months after buying it Hp contacted me. they had to replace the mother board becouse of problems they new of. Not a year later, themother board need to be replaced again. Now I need to use deck top or headphones,the speakers are gone. The button to turn the computer on os going. I have to leave it on standby. I am the only one that uses this lap top & I really don’t do much on it & it still looks new. I really like this laptop. I wish I didn’t have to get a new one. Do I get another HP or try something else.
Louise
actually it isnt user error. The motherboard on this laptop has its issues, which then causes wireless, hard drive, and battery issues. They extended the warranty on the dv6000 to 2 years rather than 1 handle this. I would call them even if you are out of the warranty period. They replaced my motherboard free of charge
Bye hp dv6000 then you are buying permanent trouble. worked for 2.5years and then permanent problem with mother board which costs you like buying a new lap top today
I’ve had my HP dv6000 for 3 years now, and have had no problems. I’ve even taken it on the roads of Iraq, where a countless number of times it bounced around in the guntruck while being out in the (up to 130 degree) weather. When I buy another computer it will definitely be HP.
I purchased by HP dv6000 about 14 months ago. This week the mother board went out on it. Needless to say it isn’t under warranty and HP wanted to charge me $398 to replace the mother board. Not going to happen. I told them I would just buy a new computer. They wanted to direct me to their web page so I could order one. Again, not going to happen. Don’t buy from HP. I’m going elsewhere.
MY HPDV6000 is about 2.5 years old. 1st the button to turn it on/off went out, so the only way I could turn it on was to press the quick play DVD button and then get to to the OS from there. Then the speakers went out so had to use earbuds. Then started to have severe video issues. Now the motherboard completely went out. this computer is worthless. I will never buy another HP again.
my excperience with the dv6000- rattles, shakes, squeaks and creaks. Just a very poorly assembled computer. The power button failed, the screen hinge came unscrewed twice, the webcam software seems to escape me, ALL of the pads around the screen have fallen off and its easier than cheap plastic to scratch- but wait! is IS cheap plastic!
hey there.
i also have an dv6000 almost 2 years and its fine.
i mean i have no problems with my laptop and it works perfect.
Yes, I ‘ve had it for almost a year now. Never had a problem with it. It is a very good latop