HP Pavilion dm4-1065dx user reviews

Pros Almost everything this computer has to offer.

Cons it only has two USB ports.

Summary This is a fantastic computer. I am a graphic designer and I have to run multiple memory sucking programs at once and this DM4 handles it with ease. It?s funny I see people and critics complain that this computer does not have Blu-ray so they rate it lower for that, Come on it is a 14 inch laptop. If you HD so bad buy a 46 inch plus HDTV, Blu-ray player, and an audio system with 7.1 sound because that is how HD is meant to be watched. I much rather have a 500gb/7200rpm ram, 4 gigs memory, and a core i5 processor than Blu-ray ROM because the tradeoff is 320-500GB/5400RPM ram, 3 gigs memory and core i3 processor for other 14 inch computer in this price range. Also, this computer has a metal shell, awesome keyboard, a nice touch pad, webcam, eSATA port, HDMI output, memory card reader, and a fingerprint reader. Also, if you are looking for a gaming laptop then buy a gaming laptop!!!!!!! You don?t buy a Porsche when you are looking for a Ferrari.

Pros Windows 7 appears to run seamlessly. No problems multitasking. Intuitive, but a little overwhelming with all the new features Win7 has (its freakin' neat!). Its a great bang for the buck. The fingerprint reader is way faster than typing passwords.

Cons I would have liked to have bluetooth as a built in feature for headphone use. The speakers are not very loud, but what can you expect for the size? And as always, software is sold a la carte :::sigh:::

Summary I love this computer. Anybody that buys this computer that hates it is probably using it outside of what this computer is intended for. As Scott noted: "(The DM4-1065dx) lacks dedicated graphics." Its not a gaming computer, dude. However, it is a great compromise between size and performance. The keys are spaced apart where even my clumsy fingers can hit them accurately, and the screen is big enough where I don't have to choose between squinting to read it or seeing the full webpage. I don't like touchpads period, but the one included is at least usable. Maybe its wrong to compare the touchpad "pinch" feature to the iPod, but its kind of disappointing. At least the touchpad can be turned off. I use a laser mouse. The fingerprint reader is sweet. It means I can swipe a finger instead of entering a user name and a password to log in to the various websites I'm always using for school. I'm not a collector of blu-ray discs so it doesn't matter that it doesn't have it. I feel like for the price though it probably should include blue tooth. That would be very handy. Other than that, some of the standard features in the windows 7 premium software pack are pretty cool, but I don't know anybody who doesn't occasionally use Microsoft Word and I really feel like that should be included as a standard. I am somewhat suprised that internet security still isn't being included as a standard (it comes with a crappy 30 day trial). In general though, HP delivered a lot of performance for the price and I've been really happy with this purchase.

Pros It is easy to use, lightweight and faster than expected. Some nice features (e.g., organization) if you place photos on it.

Cons Hard drive failed within two months of purchase. Scrolling pages is difficult. Battery life is not 6 hours as represented. Windows Office is not pre-installed as was represented to me at purchase - only the Trial version is included.

Summary I bought this because I thought it a good value for the price. Not so. I maybe should have waited until I had enough and gone for the Mac.

On this HP, the hard drive failed within two months of my purchase of it. It is out at the manufacturer for replacment under warranty. Neither the warranty nor my maintenance plan with BestBuy cover reinstallation of the Operating System. The OS will be wiped off the laptop when the hard drive is replaced. That said, make sure if you purchase this to immediately make the recovery disks (DVDs) using Recovery Manager and keep the disks safe. After the hard drive went, I learned from two other people that the hard drives in their HP laptops also failed - each within 6 months of purchase.

I had read negative reviews about scrolling using the pad. It does required two fingers, which is irritating. I figured since I have small hands and fingers I may have an easier time of it. Not so. Sometimes I can't scroll a page and when I can, I have very little control over my scrolling. Get a mouse.

I was told by the BestBuy agent that this laptop came with Windows Office pre-installed and that I would not need to later purchase Word or Excel. Not so. Only the trial version is included. If you are told by a vendor that Windows is pre-installed, make sure you confirm that the Product Key is included in the laptop box or is otherwise provided to you at purchase. I had a chat with Microsoft and they said they no longer permit their software to be pre-installed. They only permit trial versions to be sold with laptops these days.

The battery life is disappointing based on what I had expected. I had expected 6 hours as stated upon purchase. I get 3 - 4 hours.

HP has a little menu of HP particular features that pop up upon start up. You can minimize them. However, as I type, my hand must wave across something because that little menu constantly pops up and interferes with what I am doing and I have to minimize it again.

On the positive side...this laptop is nicely shaped and lightweight enough. It is faster than I expected. I have found its features fairly easy to navigate. The keyboard is good for someone with bigger hands as the keys are larger than I have seen and spaced fairly generously apart. The monitor provides a decent enough picture. I use it to look at photos and have only once used it to watch a TV program. The sound was ok enough. If there is background noise (lawn mowing, people talking) you may wish to use headphones.

Pros Very very fast - and very reliable. Screen is bright and crisp and very good fo viewing movies, videos and photographs. Keyboard is very comfortable and responsive. Runs COOL

Cons HORRIBLE SOUND - External speakers is a MUST if want to watch a movie or listen to music - Only 2 USB Ports - LOT's of trash software that is not needed - power cord plug-in needs to be at the rear f the unit!

Summary Excellent buy for the price - very fast laptop - runs cool and the screen is a charm. The worst drawback on this very nice laptop is the lack of audio which is very bad. You are mandated to either have external speakers or use headphones. Unit is stuffed with junk software and when removed - the unit runs flawlessly. Only 2 USB Ports. Power cord is on the side and can cause possible issues.