After a week of paces putting... here's the good the ok and the "why you might not want it"
The good....
The processor is wonderful...BUT if you're going to do ANYTHING with video or graphics invest the less than $50 to max out the RAM to 8gb... Why? b/c the video card shares its ram with the computer... For best results.. max this fella out! The good news is that you'll only need to by 1 module of 4 gb of ram instead of 2 4gb because HP has thoughtfully realized how much more convenient it is to have only one module and not have loose unused ram that you paid for with it that you can't use!! :) Bravo HP!!!! :) Windows 7 premium works well... As does the multi-core processor--I've tested with trial versions of Adobe Lightroom 3.5 and Photoshop CS5.5 with large raw images and processing multiple images... :) works like a champ!!!! With BOTH open at same time! :)
The size... I'm 6'2 and have big hands... a 17.3" Laptop for me DOES fit in MY lap... but for most you'll find this thing to be a bit clunky... The keys are not the contoured ones on most keyboards but rather are flat textured plastic that are flat to touch... I like it... your results may vary. The directional keys (up, down, left, right) are placed oddly and in an odd constellation--but I like this because it IS odd and doesn't fit into the keyboard so it is easy to find by touch. Again, your results may vary! The touch pad is the same--flat to the case, and textured so you can. Note: you CAN turn the touch pad off by tapping twice in the upper left-hand corner of the touch pad. The function keys at the top of the machine are uh... pretty clearly marked.
I did use the machine to burn several music discs I received for Christmas onto my network drive for use in my house on my secured network--1 copy of owned music--all legal--all the time. The drive works well but the machine did not come with software for using the drive like most have in the past. I am using and recommending Nero Kwik Media (free!) to run this with! :) I like it... It's not the fastest burner--but it's not bad. What is annoying is how exact you must be to put a disc into the drive. It MUST be snapped down into the drive place so you will be using BOTH hands!
The screen is bright and beautiful, and... you'll have no need for privacy filters from 3M as the viewing angles are such that you really DO have to be the ONE who is straight on with the machine. For me this is a virtue in a laptop--where it wouldn't be with a monitor or LCD/LED TV. No you won't be working with this on your airplane tray table but that's ok... My next trick is to try to shoot tethered to it in Lightroom :) I'll update if I can work it out! :)
It's not the dream machine... BUT :) for less than $400 you CAN NOT beat it!!!!! I did purchase MicroCenter's 2 year service agreement and would recommend doing that for any portable lappy. :) but that's just me! :) I hope this is helpful, let me know if I can answer any other questions for you!
--DaveThis is an excellent laptop for the price. No problems so far. It arrived on time and very well packaged. I would recommend for a low cost laptop option.
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