Product Description: Includes: HP Dual TV Tuner/PVR with MCE remote control, 1 blank CD-R, 12-cell lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition, Norton Internet Security 2005 (60 days of live support), Microsoft Works, Money, WinDVD,&more.HP Media Center zd8230us Notebook - This notebook features Microsoft's Media Center operating system. Media Center gives you an easy-to-use graphical interface for your TV, that is your window to the Pavilion's many entertainment features! With the Dual TV Tuner/DVR, you can watch and record up to 2 Live TV programs at the same time. Not to mention pausing live broadcasts, and time-shifting backwards&forwards. You also gain access to a Digital Music Mall, which lets you listen to Internet radio and purchase music through online stores. These are just a few of the many possibilities this Media Center notebook is capable of! 100GB 4200RPM HDD LightScribe 8x Double Layer DVD Writer - supports DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, CD-R,&CD-RW media. LightScribe actually etches a label onto the disc itself (disc must support LightScribe technology) 17 WXGA+ High-Definition BrightView Widescreen LCD Native Resolution - 1440 x 900 Built-in 802.11b/g Wi-Fi Wireless Network Adapter with 125HSM / SpeedBooster and BroadRange support Bluetooth Support 6-in-1 integrated Digital Media Reader - supports Secure Digital, MultiMedia Cards, Memory Sticks, Memory Stick Pro, SmartMedia,&xD Picture Cards 56k Fax Modem Altec Lansing Audio 1 ExpressCard/54 Card Slot (also supports ExpressCard/34) 1 Type I/II 32-bit Card Slot (also supports 16-bit) Ports - 10/100 Ethernet, 4 USB 2.0, 1 FireWire, 1 VGA, 1 S-Video Out, 1 Headphone Out, 1 Microphone In, 1 Expansion Port 2 Connector,&1 Consumer IR (Remote Receiver)
Amazon.com Product Description: Take your entertainment center with you wherever you roam with the HP Pavilion zd8230us Media Center notebook PC. Record your favorite TV programs and watch them--via the included HP Dual TV Tuner--on the widescreen 17-inch LCD monitor, view photo slideshows with your own soundtrack, or watch DVD movies, and control it all with the included remote. The zd8230us can also unleash your digital creativity with the multiformat, LightScribe DVD/CD burner with dual layer support and included Image Zone photo editing and management software. This multimedia notebook features a super-fast, hyper-threaded 3.4 GHz Pentium 4 650 processor, 100 GB hard drive, 1 GB of installed RAM, 54g wireless connectivity with 125HSM SpeedBooster support, multiformat memory card reader, a powerful video/graphics card with 128 MB of dedicated RAM, and Bluetooth wireless capability (for connecting to compatible PDAs, cell phones, printers, and more).
The Basics
Hard Drive: The 100 GB hard drive (4200 RPM) is above average in size, and is just slightly frugal when compared to other entertainment-centric laptops (especially those with such stellar video capabilities). That said, you'll be able to store a hefty digital audio library as well as load a good range of software.
Processor: The fast, hyper-threaded 3.4 GHz Intel Pentium 4 650 processor allows a single CPU system to behave in some aspects like a dual-CPU system, helping to deliver faster transistors and increased performance. It also features a blazingly fast 800 MHz front-side bus speed, which measures how fast a processor and the main memory communicate, and a 2 MB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance.) It sits very close to the top of the speed spectrum for this process (as of October 2005).
A Hyper-Threading processor helps a PC to run multiple demanding applications at the same time. This technology enables the processor to execute two threads (a part of a program) in parallel, boosting performance during key high-drain procedures. This results in more efficient software performance (such as faster reaction times in gaming applications) and enhanced multitasking.
Memory: The 1 GB of built-in memory (2 x 512 MB, 400 MHz DDR2) is a good start for power users, and it offers a top-of-the-line RAM speed (533 MHz). It has two memory slots in total, with a maximum memory expansion of 2 GB (2 x 1 GB).
CD/DVD Drive: Offering the latest in DVD writing technology, this multiformat DVD/CD drive is compatible with both DVD+ and DVD- disc formats as well as dual-layer (DL) DVD+R discs, which can store up to 8.5 GB of data. It features 16x DVD+R, 8x DVD-R, 4x DVD+/-RW, 2.4x DVD+R DL, 16x DVD-ROM, 40x CDR, 24x CD-RW, and 40x CD-ROM ROM speeds.
This LightScribe DVD+/-RW drive lets you laser-etch silkscreen quality text and images on to CDs and DVDs . Your software, PC and discs work together for a no-hassle way to burn just the labels you want. After you burn content, just flip the disc over, reinsert and burn your label--anything from a simple title to a full-disc work of art .
Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a standard keyboard with scroll bar and integrated numeric keypad, and a touchpad with on/off button and dedicated vertical scroll up/down pad.
Screen, Graphics and Sound The 17-inch WXGA+ high-definition BrightView widescreen (1440 x 900 resolution) provides a 45 percent larger picture for DVD movies than a 15-inch screen. The ATI Radeon X600 is a high-end video card, powerful enough to run one large virtual screen across two displays. It features 128 MB of dedicated video RAM, S-Video and the higher-fidelity DVI connections out, and PCI Express x16 support, which enables graphics to process faster. It also features 16-bit Sound Blaster Pro compatible audio and internal Altec Lansing speakers.
Connectivity and Expansion Slots The zd8230us has an integrated 54g wireless LAN that's fully compatible with 802.11b/g wireless networks. The 125 HSM/SpeedBooster support will enable it to be ready for tomorrow's 125 Mbps wireless LANs and the BroadRange support provides your 802.11g connection up to 50 percent more range than competing technologies. This notebook also features an integrated USB digital bay for an optional HP USB Digital Drive--a pocket-sized drive that uses SD (Secure Digital) memory cards for storing and transferring files such as digital pictures, music, video, and data. You get a good offering of connectivity options, including super-fast USB 2.0 and Firewire:
4 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
1 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
1 VGA monitor port
1 S-Video out
1 PCMCIA (or PC Card) slot (Type I/II, 32-bit)
1 notebook expansion port
1 IR receiver
6-in-1 memory card reader (compatible with Secure Digital, MultiMedia, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, SmartMedia, and XD Picture Cards)
1 headphone jack and 1 microphone jack
It also has an integrated 56K modem (V.90) and an RJ-45 LAN network port (for a 10/100 Ethernet connection to networks and DSL/cable modems). It also includes a next-generation ExpressCard 54/34 card slot, which lets you take advantage of thinner, faster, and lighter expansion cards for even more advanced wireless, networking, storage, and security features.
Preloaded System and Software The pre-installed Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 is essentially Windows XP Professional Edition with a variety of tools to help you to create, organize, and enjoy digital media ranging from music to home movies to photo slide shows. Additionally, it enables you to control your television with the included remote and record and pause programs (much like a DVR--or digital video recorder--such as Tivo or ReplayTV). Explore upcoming TV programming with the easy-to-use Electronic Program Guide, or browse through thousands of movies by movie poster, rating, actor, and more with the MovieFinder feature--all with no additional service fee.
It also comes preloaded with Microsoft Works (for working with word processing and spreadsheet documents), Norton Internet Security 2005 (with 60 days of complimentary updates), Microsoft Works, Microsoft Money 2005, MSN Encarta Plus, Sonic Digital Media Studio, Apple iTunes, Intervideo WinDVD, and MuVee Autoproducer.
The included HP Image Zone Plus photo and imaging software makes it easy to organize, edit, share, print, protect, and store your photos and video clips. Organize and find your photos easily by timeline, keywords, and/or location using the unique photo-globe mapping tool. Remove red eye and fix other common problems. Share your photos quickly via e-mails that include thumbnails with links to the full-sized images--without downloading time-consuming attachments.
Dimensions and Weight At 9.4 pounds, the zd8230us isn't the most easily portable notebook. It measures 15.7 x 11.4 x 1.96 inches (L x W x H).
Power This notebook is powered by a 12-cell rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which offers an average of 3 hours of battery life (dependent upon computing conditions).
What's in the Box This package contains the zd8230us notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, external Dual TV Tuner, and operating instructions. It is backed by a limited warranty for parts and labor for one year from date of purchase as well as technical telephone assistance for one year. Software is also covered for 30 days from date of purchase.
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Terrible experience with this laptop and HP
I purchased this notebook in December 2005 because of good reviews. I also purchased the extended warranty, but it hasn't helped much. Like others have noted, the power cord would no longer make good contact for powering up the unit after a year. It runs very hot and the fan is going all the time. Keys have stopped working and there have been software glitches. When you contact Hewlett-Packard tech support, be prepared for a 3-hour non-communication session with individuals in India. These sessions involve the same 30 questions, none of which are related to the problem, 20-minute pauses, and non ... Read More
Rating: - It's a really sucks notebook ever!
I bought this computer a year ago and now it has a problem of accidently automatic shutdown. Wheneven I use it for more than a hour, it will abruptly shutdown without any symptoms in advance. I experienced this more and more often since it first appeared a month ago. I called the HP costomer service and I was told my warranty just expired last month so I couldn't use free service, but it really occured within warrenty.
NEVER BUY HP PRODUCTs! THEY ARE SUCKS!
Rating: - Serious Defects Require Us To Replace After 15 Months
I bought the zd8230 in December 2005. By August 2006 the power cord would no longer stay in the back of the computer as it is the least deep of any cord I've ever had on a series of laptops over the years. (Other reviewers on Amazon have noted that the HP power cords can be a problem.) The battery life was down to 20 minutes and the laptop was RED HOT and couldn't be held on your lap. As a result, the fan was constantly running at top speed. We sent it in for warranty repair in August 2006 and it was returned like new, with a new battery and power cord.
Rating: - HP Sucks
HP has the WORST customer service of any company of any kind that I have ever dealt with. I have never called without having spent at least one hour on the phone with them before the various extensions in India, none of whom are helpful. And once the service is complete the computer is usually returned with more problems than they were originally sent with. I would never buy another HP again
Rating: - Solid performance, well worth the money
HP offers many different configurations of the HP dv8000 series. The unit I'm reviewing (dv8235nr) has two 100 GB hard drives, TV tuner, and an Nvidia GeForce Go 7400 GPU. From a performance aspect, this machine is simply amazing. Whether you want to record a TV show to watch later, play graphics-intensive video games, or burn CDs/DVDs...the 8230 can do it all without flinching. I bought this machine mainly for playing video games that most laptops on the market could not handle. Even with all the details and effects set to the highest level, the gameplay experience is very fluid and framerates are stable. ... Read More
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