HP Pavilion dv9000t

Hewlett-Packard Company
http://www.hp.com

Type: Gaming, Media
Operating System: MS Windows XP Media Center
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo T7400
Processor Speed: 2.16 GHz
RAM: 2048 MB
Weight: 8.5 lb
Screen Size: 17 inches
Screen Size Type: widescreen
Graphics Card: nVidia GeForce Go 7600
Storage Capacity: 200 GB
Networking Options: 802.11a/g
Primary Optical Drive: HD DVD-ROM/DVD+R DL

PC manufacturers are constantly striving to get Media Center laptops into your living room, and the integration of technology trends such as high-definition media content will only speed their passage. The HP Pavilion dv9000t is a fine example of what the future will bring. With a built-in HD DVD drive and the latest Intel Core 2 Duo processor, this Media Center laptop is poised to share space with your couch.
If you’re at all familiar with HP’s latest Pavilion laptop line, you’re aware that it has undergone a major design overhaul. Like the smaller Pavilion dv2000z and dv6000t models, the dv9000t’s subtle, wavy patterns and finish help the line stand out from other consumer laptop designs. The glossy finish is similar to the one on Apple’s white MacBook (13-inch) except that it’s black, so it tends to attract more fingerprints. The imprinting technology used to create the wavy lines on the lid is HP’s own; the design, inspired by Japanese rock gardens, is unique to the Pavilion line.
To ensure that you get the most out of your movie experience, the dv9000t features a brightly lit, 17-inch widescreen. The 1,440-by-900 resolution is a little low for an HD laptop, though; true HD is 1,920-by-1,200, the resolution found on the Sony VAIO VGN-AR190G and the Toshiba Qosmio G35-AV650. You’ll still be able to get high-definition content at 720p (instead of 1080i and 1080p). The keyboard is pleasant to type on, and like all Pavilion mouse buttons, the dv9000t’s are both quiet and responsive.
HP spares no expense by integrating an HD DVD-ROM into the dv9000t. Proprietary HD playback software is bundled into the company’s QuickPlay 2.3 media player, which also works as a preboot player, so you can watch movies without booting Windows. Basically, HP elected to engineer its own playback software to avoid problematic apps such as Intervideo’s WinDVD HD or even Cyberlink’s PowerDVD HD, and so far, so good—playback quality was extremely pleasant. I couldn’t detect any artifacts or stuttering problems. Transitions were smooth using the chapter-skip buttons, and the fast-forward and rewind functions worked like a charm. You can also use the convenient touch-sensitive keys located above the keyboard to stop and play the movie, skip chapters, and adjust the volume during your HD DVD experience. Hardware options include the HP remote ($24), which fits snugly into the ExpressCard slot, or a Media Center remote, which will also work with QuickPlay 2.3.
Though you won’t be able to burn HD DVDs, the dv9000t does feature a dual-layer DVD burner, which is built into the HD DVD drive along with HP’s LightScribe etching capabilities. LightScribe lets you print labels using monochrome etching lasers to label the nonreadable side of the disc; so you can use it instead of your trusty ink jet printer and peel-off labels. The system also comes with dual 100GB hard drives (200GB total), so you’ll have more than enough space for all your videos, music files, and photos. HP also integrates an HDMI port (but no HDMI cable) so you can view your HD DVD titles on a larger display. Other notable features include a 1.3-megapixel webcam built into the top of the screen and two headphone ports in the center of the front bezel. Unfortunately, there’s still no TV tuner. I’d like to see one in the future, similar to the ones found on the Toshiba Qosmio G35-AV650 and the Sony VAIO VGN-AR190G.

Like the dv6000t, the dv9000t has received the latest Intel processor upgrade. Coupled with 2GB of RAM, the formidable 2.16-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7400 processor generated SYSmark 2004 SE scores similar to those of the Alienware Area-51 m5550 and the WinBook T231. But unlike the m5550 and the T231, which had trouble keeping the heat under 100 degrees (Fahrenheit), the dv9000t managed to maintain a cool and steady 85 degrees at the base of the unit. It also finished my video-encoding tests in less than 6 minutes, and its handling of Adobe Photoshop scripts was equally impressive. (Editors’ note: As of this writing, HP informed us that the T7400 processor won’t be available on its dv9000 series of laptops. The 2-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7200 will be the fastest processor available. Check back soon for our update on benchmark-test results with the T7200.)

The dv9000t’s nVidia GeForce Go 7600 graphics card will let you play games such as Doom 3 and FEAR with ease; it’s the same graphics card found on the Alienware Area-51 m5550 and the Velocity Micro NoteMagix L80 Ultra. Battery life, as expected, is not great. But at least 2 hours 43 minutes is enough time to get through a movie.

The HP Pavilion dv9000t is a great Media Center laptop, especially if you’re in the market for an HD DVD-ROM drive. It carries the best HD playback software to date, and its pricing ($2,395 direct) is in line with that of the Toshiba G35-AV650 ($2,399). These features plus the new Intel Core 2 Duo processor make the dv9000t a solid laptop for your home office or, of course, your living room.