Brief Review
The HP Pavilion dv4 -1145go is an Entertainment Notebook PC powered by the Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T5800.
It comes with 4GB of RAM, 360 GB hard drive, and is pre-loaded with Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit with Service Pack 1.
With it’s 14.1" HP Brightview, the units native resolution of 1280 x 800 demonstrates it’s ability to display rich colors and deep blacks, while doing daily computing tasks, as well as watching entertainment media, or playing games.
Product: HP Pavilion dv4 -1145go
Author: Jose Perez
Published on: December 7th 2008
Product cost: Range $949.00
Manufacturer: HP
Spelling and Grammatical editor: Planetx64 Staff
{mospagebreak title=Specifications}
- Intel® Centrino® Processor Technology featuring Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor T5800
- Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium 64-bit with Service
Pack 1 - 14.1” Diagonal WXGA High-Definition (8) HP Brightview Infinity Display
(1280 x 800) - Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD (shared) with up to 1759MB
Total Available Graphics Memory - 4096MB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
- 320GB (5400RPM) Hard Drive (SATA)
- LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD±R/RW with Double Layer Support
- Intel® WiFi Link 5100AGN
- HDMI Port
- Webcam
- HP Remote Control
{mospagebreak title=Pros and Cons}
Pros:
- Media Center Implementation
- Port Availability
- Display
- Performance
The dv4, handles media playback very well, and is tightly integrated with HP’s hardware/software/remote combination. Ports galore here, give it a thumbs up in the connectivity department, including among the standard ports, an HDMI port, e-sata, and a Photo-ready with 5-in-1 media card reader. The bright display combined with the media accelerator seem to be a good performance implementation. In general, the machine seems very snappy and responsive, handling both everyday tasks, and media intensive applications.
Cons:
- Trackpad Feel
- Remote
There’s not a whole lot to dislike here. That said, I had somewhat of a usability collision with the trackpad. It seems to be a very chrome looking mirrored surface. Which is fine until you slide your fingers across it. It does not feel natural, and makes it somewhat hard to drag and scroll on it. Like other such glossy surfaces, it also smudges quite a bit. I think a more matte material here would work slightly better.
The remote performs it’s functions well and slides away nicely on the side of the notebook. However, the buttons feel a bit clunky so the feedback is not always acknowledged. Hence you have to click a few times for it actions to take place. Again, once it clicks it works fine, it just seems a bit uncomfortable to assure a proper click.
{mospagebreak title=Conclusions}
Overall, the dv4-1145go seems like an excellent mobile entertainment notebook. With it’s 4GB of RAM running in 64-bit windows, the machine performs admirably using its 2Ghz Core 2 Duo Processor.
HP also pre-configured this unit with Windows Live services including: Mail, Writer, Messenger and Photogallery, accessible via an elegant on-screen floating dock. Port availability is abundant, as well as a 6 Cell battery for long lasting charges.
If you’re a fan of Lightscribe, then you’re in luck here too. HP has included a SuperMulti 8X DVD±R/RW Lightscribe drive with Double Layer Support. Standard webcam, a generous 320 GB of hard disk space and audio ports round out what is a solid unit for the on-the-go mobile warrior.