dslreports logo

We need your notebook reviews, add specs of your notebook, what you like about it, what you do not like about it, and pricing, etc.

This will help those that are looking to purchase a new or used notebook.

If you want pictures, create a new post in this forum with pictures of your laptop.

Be sure to add the link to your post in the FAQ.


Feedback received on this FAQ entry:
  • Agree: Reviews should include Date of Purchase or Date of Review.

    2008-05-14 07:51:21 (legendNYC See Profile)

  • First, just a suggestion: With computer, and particularly laptop/notebook prices in such a downward trend, I think that notebook reviews should always include the approximate "Date of Purchase". I do not know if this is where I should submit a notebook review? If this is not the place, my apologies, but otherwise, here goes! HP Pavillion dv6625US Purchased 11/15/2007 (Prices range from $649 to $849 depending on model configuration) The dv6500 series from HP is their "Entertainment" line, which includes several slightly differing combinations of cpu and gpu, but is generally a modest-cost, all purpose laptop with an emphasis on media playback. They come in 14.1, 15.4, and 17 inch widescreen, glossy format. The feature set on the 6625 model is as follows: 15.4 widescreen at 1280x800 native resolution Turion 64x2 (TL-58 at 1.9ghz) 1gb DDR 2 5300 ram (yes, 2 512mb sticks...grrr...) Vista Home Premium (love it or hate it...there it is!) Nvidia 7150 Go integrated graphics (no gamer machine here, there are other video solutions available in this series however!) Broadcom a/b/g wireless (no "n" yet in the AMD offering) 3 usb 2.0 ports/1 fax-modem jack/1-ethernet port/1 firewire port/5 way memory card reader; vga out port; 1-express card port; mic and dual headphone jacks Optical storage: 8X, double layer, Lightscribe DVD Writer Har Drive: 160gb 5400 rpm Remote Control Scrolling touch pad Built in Web-cam and microphone Dedicated audio/DVD quick play keys Standard 6-cell lithium battery Now, this is not your typical "industrial putty" style, and some like it (I do), others are put off by it. The top is glossy black, with a swirling "imprint", and this theme is carried out inside, with a silvery-grey glossy surface, with the same pattern. The cover does not "latch" closed, although I do not see that as a particular issue, unless you like throwing it in the back of your car without a case of any kind! It weighs in at about 6.2 pounds...not a "lightweight", but too bad either. I can't speak for the other models in this series, keep in mind that there are both faster and slower models in this series, from the AMD TK 53, to Pentium Core 2 Duos, so not everything in this review will be an exact "fit". Construction overall is solid, though hardly spectacular...this is not a "knock around" notebook, but otherwise well enough built. I did add 1gb of ram almost immediately, which if you are going to be running Vista is a good idea in general, but I will say that even with the 1gb, it was not all that slow. There is the normal "crap-ware" preinstalled, and getting rid of it, and then cleaning the registry with Ccleaner or the like is a good plan. The Pavillion runs very quiet, and stays fairly cool, not getting noticeably hotter than most other laptops I've used. There is a vent both at the back, and on the bottom, so it can get a little warm on your lap...there are no "hot spots" on top of the unit. The screen is bright, good color saturation, with no noticeable backlight "leakage", fonts are clear and easy to read. Now, some will not be satisfied with the fairly tame 1280x800 resolution, but if your eyes are on the long side of forty...you will probably appreciate the decent sized fonts/text at the native setting...to each his/her own! Videos played quite well, with good motion/no stuttering, and the built in speakers are a cut above most laptop speakers...though still, of course bass response is minimal (whaddaya want?). The integrated Nvidia 7150 certainly is not going to power it's way through demanding 3D gaming, but otherwise performs well enough, with no issues with all the bells and whistles of Vista's "Aero" interface turned on. Battery life is not much to write home about. I get about 2.25 hours (give or take based on activity) before having to re-charge, but I do keep my settings pretty aggressive...you could ease up on the brightness, etc., and do better. The wireless appears to work just fine, with good connectivity, and pretty good range as well. I believe that a couple of the Intel models do feature wireless "N", but my AMD model is the standard b/g compatible. Most common apps (MS Office, Roxio, Adobe Photo) ran fast and effortlessly, with no problem having multiple windows open, and I suspect that is where the 2gb upgrade paid off (there are some models that come with 2gb standard now). The keyboard is not exactly quiet, a little "clikey-clakey", but not too much so, and the layout, and typing action are pretty easy to live with. The touch sensitive media keys are kind of neat, and work well, but not life and death features, IMHO. The remote, is actually kind of a good idea...at first, I laughed when I saw it...who needs a remote for a laptop? But, if you do watch DVDs/videos on your laptop, this actually turns out to be a pretty useful accessory! All in all, a pretty capable, attractive, full-featured laptop, at a reasonably low price (I paid $699 for mine, before tax)

    2007-12-18 12:58:33 (PeteC2 See Profile)

by fire100 See Profile edited by 2kmaro See Profile
last modified: 2005-04-28 16:13:17