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 Gaming laptops: HP HDX9050
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IntroductionHP Pavilion HDX9050, or ”The Dragon” is the top of the line media centre laptop from HP with a huge 20.1” display and ATI Mobility Radeon HD 2600 XT graphics card. It is based on the Intel Santa Rosa platform and has an integrated TV tuner (HD in some regions) and web camera. It is one of those ”laptops” that you don't really see yourself hauling along with you when you go to the nearest Subway for lunch – weighing at 7.05 kg (15.5lbs) it will require tremendous willpower to carry it around wherever you go. But, if you only want to move it once in a while, it still beats the transportability of a conventional desktop hands-down. When you open the package, you will find little more than the computer itself. No extra goodies like a mouse or a bag to carry the computer around in. However, you will get a small remote control that you can use to browse TV channels or play CDs or DVDs with. What's more, you are not likely to lose the remote, since there's a spot for it right beside the keyboard where it will stay safely locked down when you don't need it. And where does the nickname ”The Dragon” come from? Well, HP has included a high impact finish to the system that promises to resist quite a lot of damage. We did not try dropping the computer on the floor or beating it with hammers, but the finish does look pretty good. Another design element that really sets this unit apart is the double hinge display which allows you to adjust both the distance of the display and its tilt separately – allowing for much better work positions at your desk, or wherever you happen to be working with it. Specs- Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7300, 2.0 Ghz - 2 048 MB (2 x 1 024 MB) - 20.1” WSXGA+ HP Ultra BrightView - ATI™ Mobility Radeon™ HD 2600 XT 256MB - 240 GB (2 x 120 GB) SATA 5400 rpm - IEEE 1394 FireWire® -liitäntä - Lightscribe Super Multi -DVD (+/-R +/-RW), two-layer - Bluetooth® - Intel® PRO/Wireless 4965AGN - TV tuner (DVB-T) and remote - HP Pavilion Web camera and internal speakers - Card reader (Secure Digital, MultiMedia, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, xD Picture Card) - Integrated finger print reader Excellent screen & mediocre graphics cardThe 20.1” WSXGA+ screen is great, nothing negative to say about it. The 170 degree viewing angle is impressive, allowing you to use the unit as a small TV and watch it with your friends. The backlight is good and there's practically no leakage from the edges of the display. In fact, this is the first laptop that seems to host a veritable high quality LCD TV as its display. This impression is intensified by the speakers, of which we will write about a bit later. To enhance the ”media centre” image, you also get to headphone out plugs in the front edge of the unit, making it far easier for you to pair up with someone to watch a movie together when you don't want to disturb anyone else. Of course, by using headphones, you'll be missing one of the best things this computer has to offer... Best speakers everThe speakers in this unit are definitely the best we've ever seen on any laptop. You can actually hear the bass and I can imagine actually enjoying watching movies or TV with this thing. There are not only four Altec Lansing speakers on the chassis, but also a subwoofer built-in. Full keyboard and a fancy touchpadBecause of the great size of the notebook, you also get a full-size keyboard with number pad and all. And not only does there seem to be enough room for a keyboard, but there's also room enough left for a small remote control placement on the left side of the keyboard. In addition to the full-size keyboard, you get a series of touch sensitive media buttons, a touch-sensitive button to eject the CD/DVD tray, a fingerprint reader etc. positioned above the keyboard. Below the keyboard, you have the touchpad with two large mouse buttons that are comfortable to use and don't click too loudly when you use them. The touchpad itself is pretty cool – basically a continuation of the case design, rather than a dark spot below the keyboard like touchpads usually are. The only negative point about the keyboard is the size of some buttons. The right Shift key, for example, is the same size as any other key and thus easy to miss if you've got used to larger shift keys. And the left Shift key is not that much larger. Personally we'd have preferred it if HP had ignored the slot for the remote control and instead put in a roomier keyboard.   |
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