HP Pavilion dv9330us

This HP Pavilion dv9330us laptop computer is powered by the 1.73 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5300 processor, which offers a 20 percent performance boost over its predecessor while using 28 percent less power, so you get the benefit of a powerful dual-core PC plus all the benefits of mobility. You can easily burn your home video productions to DVD for friends and family with the dual-layer, multi-format DVD/CD burner, which also includes LightScribe technology for personalized silkscreen-quality, laser-etched CD/DVD labels. This HP Pavilion dv9330us laptop computer features a 160 GB hard drive, 2 GB of installed RAM memory (maxing capacity), an integrated Nvidia GeForce 7600 video/graphics card with 256 MB of discrete video RAM, tri-mode Wi-Fi LAN (802.11a/b/g), multi-format memory card reader, and an HDMI connectivity for uncompressed digital audio and video transmission to an HDTV.

Processor: The Intel Core 2 Duo T5300 processor has a 1.73 GHz processor speed, fast 533 MHz front-side bus (FSB), and large 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. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.)

Hard Drive: The 160 GB hard drive (5400 RPM) offers enough to room to hold a digital audio library of over 26,000 songs and still have room left over for movies, games, and a large collection of software. This Serial ATA (SATA) hard drive also quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data - akin to FireWire and USB 2.0.

Memory: The 2 GB of built-in memory maximizes the capacity of this HP laptop, which is par for the course for multimedia-centric laptops (though small in comparison to multimedia-oriented desktops). But you'll be able to handle immersive 3-D video games, video editing, graphics-intensive presentations, and multiple open business productivity applications right out of the box.

DVD/CD Drive: This multiformat DVD/CD drive is compatible with writing 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 4x DVD-R DL Write Once, 2.4x DVD+R DL Write Once, 8x DVD+R, 4x DVD+RW, 8x DVD-R, 4x DVD-RW, 16x DVD-ROM, 40x CD-R, 24x CD-RW, and 40x CD-ROM speeds.

Keyboard & Mouse: This HP Pavilion dv9330us laptop computer has a 101-key keyboard and a touchpad with on/off button and dedicated vertical/horizontal Scroll Up/Down pad. It also includes two quick-launch buttons (HP QuickPlay Music and DVD).

Screen, Video & Audio: 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. Video is powered by the Nvidia GeForce 7600 graphics card, which was chosen by PC World magazine as one of the 100 Best Products of 2006 (July, 2006). It has 256 MB of video RAM. It features NVidia's PureVideo technology - which provides great picture clarity, smooth video, accurate color, and precise image scaling for video content. It also offers full support for Microsoft DirectX 9.0 Shader Model 3.0 and true high dynamic-range (HDR) lighting. And it's ready for the next step in graphics processing - SLI technology (Scalable Link Interface) - which delivers twice the performance of a single GPU configuration by allowing two graphics cards to run in parallel.

Networking, Connectivity & Expansion: The Intel PRO wireless LAN 3945ABG provides a tri-mode network connection (supporting 802.11a/b/g), with throughput up to 54 Mbps at 5 GHz (802.11a) and 2.4 GHz (802.11g). It also includes a next-generation ExpressCard 54/34 card slot (replacing the PCMCIA slot), which lets you take advantage of thinner, faster, and lighter expansion cards for even more advanced wireless, networking, storage, and security features.

Operating system: This HP Pavilion dv9330us laptop computer also comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, which includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center. In addition to easily playing your DVD movies and managing your digital audio library, you'll be able to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV). Vista also integrates new search tools throughout the operating system, includes new parental control features, and offers new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures.

Dimensions & Weight: This HP Pavilion dv9330us laptop computer measures 15.16 x 11.65 x 1.57 inches (WxHxD) and weighs 7.7 pounds.