I have recently been invited to participate in the Back To School: Better Together computer promotion sponsored by HP, Microsoft, Timbuk2, and Syncables which includes a review and giveaway (more on this in a future post) of four products: the HP Pavilion Dv6 with Windows Vista, the HP Mini 110 with Windows XP, a Timbuk2 computer bag, and Syncables computer synchronizing software. Today’s post is a review of the HP Dv6 Notebook.
When I first began using the HP Dv6 Notebook, I was instantly impressed by a number of things. First, the computer design was amazing! Not only is the computer truly beautiful, but it is also much more functional than most other laptops I have used. As I turned on the computer and began to use it, I found the power and performance of this computer is just as stunning as the outer design. With huge amounts of hard drive space and lots of useful software pre-installed, this computer can be quickly customized or used as-is.
Fingerprint Reader
One of the first features I noticed was the fingerprint reader. This small piece of hardware, embedded on the lower right-hand corner of the computer, almost seems like something out of a science fiction book. After quickly running through a few setup steps in which I logged most of my fingers in the computer (it doesn’t accept little fingers), I arranged to log in to my computer with a password or with the fingerprint reader. Now, when my computer turns on I can quickly log in by swiping my finger.
Unfortunately, I have had a few slight problems with the fingerprint reader. Sometimes it takes the computer a few seconds to connect to it after turning on, and the reader does not always recognize my fingerprint. I expect the recognition error is a problem with my swiping methods and will probably go away once I get through the learning curve. In my future reviews, I plan to write an update on how this difficulty progresses.
Computer Light
Soon after setting up the fingerprint reader, I temporarily shut the computer lid… and noticed another excellent feature! The HP logo on the notebook’s lid actually lights up – just like on a Mac computer. Not only is this feature nice looking, but it also helps protect the hard drive. On the computer I used before this one, it was always difficult to know when the hard drive had stopped spinning so I could safely move it. With the handy light on this new notebook, however, I can always know when the hard drive is off.
Mouse Pad
When I first started using the computer, I was somewhat puzzled by a strange button located between the mouse pad and the keyboard. I had never seen anything like it before, and I had not read the owner’s manual yet (I rarely do read owner’s manuals until I have a problem). After fiddling around with the mystery button for a while, I decided to check the instruction guide. Fortunately, in an easily understood diagram, it explained that the button turned the mouse pad on and off.
Turning the mouse pad off makes it easy to type without having the mouse jumping around the screen. While this may seem unnecessary to some, those who (like me) have used a laptop without this feature will definitely appreciate it.
Excellent Audio
Perhaps the most visible feature included in this computer are the speakers – they are much larger than normal speakers. In fact, most of the space between the keyboard and the screen is covered with the speakers! Because of the unusual size, I naturally wanted to see if the sound was better than normal also.
On the computer I used before, the sound was so quiet that external speakers had to be plugged in to make the sound audible more than a few feet away from the computer. On this notebook, however, the sound is plenty loud without any external speakers. In fact, the built-in speakers on this notebook may even be louder than the external speakers on the other laptop! Although I do not use sound very often, I look forward to finding opportunity to use these built-in speakers.
Great Operating System
This computer comes with the Windows Vista operating system. Although I have heard some people complain about Vista, I have never had any problems with it. I mostly use my computer for internet browsing, text editing, and occasionally some graphic design, and I have never noticed any problems. I think that most people who complain about Vista are using it to do more memory-intense things such as video editing or gaming – both of which tax a computer’s power much more severely than a student’s needs ever would be likely to. I consider Windows Vista to be an excellent operating system for students.
A (Very) Few Complaints
Unfortunately, no computer would be complete without some problems, and the Dv6, amazing as it is, does have a few. The cooling fan, which turns on intermittently, is somewhat louder than I would have expected. However, this problem may be only temporary because Oregon is currently going through a record-breaking heat wave. I will let you know in future reviews if this problem continues as the unusual heat alleviates.
The only other problem I have found yet is a strange clicking noise that appears whenever the volume is adjusted from the keyboard. It continues for a few seconds after any adjustment and can be rather frustrating when you try to change the volume in the middle of a movie or song. The only workaround I have found for this problem is that of using the on-screen volume adjuster instead of the on-keyboard adjuster.
Overall, the few problems I have run into can be somewhat frustrating, but the many good parts of this notebook far outweigh the few problems. This is the best computer I have ever used!
Who Is It For?
Starting at just over $600, the HP Pavilion Dv6 is an excellent choice for any college student who needs a good main computer. It includes all the important features of a normal desktop, but with the portability of a laptop. It is designed to work in conjunction with the HP Mini 110, a very portable netbook which I plan to review next week.
Future Review
Be sure to read my six month review.
Related Posts...
Interesting!
At home, we have the Dell XPS M1330 It’s a nice laptop, if not warm.
We never use the fingerprint reader, however. It’s prone to error. The only way for it to register my fingerprint is for me to press down with moderately high pressure. In a sense, I have to grate my finger across the little scanner strip.
Could it be an updated version?
I actually have the older version of that (it’s about a year old). The fingerprint scanner works pretty well, you eventually get the hang of swiping your finger properly on it. My biggest complaint is probably how hot the computer runs — I’ve had it shut off on me from overheating. Worse yet, the fan is extremely difficult to clean out.
That said, it’s a great computer and has served me well for a variety of purposes.
Try elevating it with wooden blocks – or something of the like. It helps dissipate heat perfectly!
Thank you for all your helpful comments!
I am glad to hear that the problem with the fingerprint reader is only temporary. Also, the idea of using wooden blocks sounds great!
Excellent review Nate. This giveaway is going to be so fun!!!
I came across this looking for a solution to the ticking sound when adjusting the volume.
The other day I increased the volume on the touch option and it wouldn’t stop clicking i had to reboot the pc or press the mute button. How frustrating! I guess the guy who created this one must have been deaf… apart from that it’s a great laptop (so far).
my brother has a computer very similar to this one (eg: Hp, lit up logo etc) and it also makes the clicing noise with the volume. The clicking is a little annoying. Once when he changed the volume it kept clicking too. he also had to turn it off, but after that we had no problems. Other than that it’s a really good computer, excellent for watching movies and playing games.
We dont have a laptop. But I do know that my husband has looked around and if we could ever afford one he would love to have a HP. Its hard enough raising 2 small children and my husband going to school full time to get the money to stretch and make it through each month. I know that once he finishes school things will be better and maybe then he can go out and purchase a new computer.
Very good computer, very good looking and performing. But as said there is a few bugs: clicking sound when you change the volume on the touch option (that prevents me using it now), reading problems with the SD/MMC/XD card reader (have to move my SD card a bit every time to make it work), some frustrating graphic problems when watching movies (that may be because of Vista..), very limited battery life (about an hour with the energy-saver profile) and excess heating of the computer, which isn’t a problem in itself unless if you have the notebook on your knees for a long time, it can get pretty hot…
I’ve found that the volume doesn’t click if you tap either end to turn it up or down rather than sliding your finger along it.
Thank you Emma! Your tip works on my computer also! Now I can (finally) adjust my speaker volume without activating the annoying clicking sound. This is great!
If you boot into bios on startup (F10) there should be a setting to disable button sound
I know there was one on my dv9000 and there is on my dv7-2185
@ Josh
This is great! I just tried it and it does work on the Dv6 also. Thank you!
It is very beautiful notebook,
” I LIKE IT “
i love my dv6
I bought my computer August 15, 2009… as you can see from above that was only 3 months and 5 days ago. Twenty-Eight days after buying my computer I had to take it back into Best Buy so they could “fix” it because it was running supremely slow… to the point of being almost unusable. I got my computer back a week later they said there was nothing wrong with it but it seemed to be running much better so I took my computer home and continued on. I also have the clicking sound when adjusting the volume… i was told there was nothing that could be done. Now, here i am December 20th, and yesterday when i started booting my computer up I got a note-thingy that said my batery was defective. So i ran the hp battery test that came on my DV6 and it said to replace it and that it was still under warranty. I am now fighting with HP about it cause they refuse to do anything without me sending them my WHOLE computer which I think is rediculous concidering my computer is running fine with the battery as the only exception.
Minus the two problems I have encountered in the three months I have owned my DV6 the computer is amazing. It runs fast, the graphics are good, the sound quality is good… I am currently attending college as a Graphic Design major so I have many many programs that take up quite a bit of space, and still, my computer runs good and fast. I would recommend this computer to anyone but advise them to upgrade to a better battery and make sure you have good virus+spyware protection.
ah… thakyou everyone for sharing your comments and thanks for reviewing this laptop. actually i have just booked a hp dv6 dx today. n i’m so excited about it. i was also worried if i chose a god one or a bad one. coz it costs a lot of money here. now i feel relived after reading this page. thanks to everyone. i will also let u ppl know if i come across any problems.
@ Anup
Glad to help! I am looking forward to hearing from you!
First of All i would like to thanks Mr. Nate Desmond for reviewing this laptop. I bought my computer few days ago and find same problems as you wrote in you reviews first Volume Clicking and second some time and found Fan Noise.
But overall this is a best system for me
I got my dv6 2 days ago with 3 gb of ram, 512 ati graphics card and currently running on windows 7! This laptap is awesome and I haven’t found any problems yet! Truly a work of art!
The Dv6 is an amazing, powerful and stylish notebook. I strongly recommend it.
@ Kim & Dev
I completely agree with you – the Dv6 is great!
What is battery life like?
I am most likely getting the HP DV6-2110 but I can’t find anything on battery life
Hi there, Im looking to buy a laptop for my sons 14th bithday in a few weeks, and trying to decide which one is a nightmare!! I found this HP-DV6 or Samaung R519 both are 4GB but I need to know which is better? He mainly uses his old laptop for school work and gaming but half the keys have now fell off lol!! If anyone would know which of these has the better graphics card or more suitable for my son it would be great,
many thanks,.. Hayley
@ Hayley
I am planning to get the HP dv6 very soon. The specs on it kicks *** compared to the samsung laptop you have mentioned. With 1 gig of nvidia graphics u cant ask for more as a gamer, supported by 4 gig DDR3 of ram and with the new intel i5 processor, it is a gamers paradise. It has a 500gb HDD so you will never run out of space for all ur movies n music.
I would personally reccomend the dv6. But that answer is biased because ive done alot of research on it and im getting it soon. but looking at the samsung laptop’s specs and the the dv6 specs, the DV6 STANDS OUT.
hey!
I just bought one of these on Saturday, the 6th Feb.
It seems to have a slightly different spec from the one tested…
there is no fingerprint reader, it has a 320 gig 7200rpm HDD, it has 4 gig ddr2 RAM with a 512meg ATI graphics card – it also has a 2.12GHz AMD Athlon processor and Windows Home Premium 7 64 bit
I would recommend this laptop to anyone in the market for an entertainment (I just cant call it a gaming laptop – it just doesn’t have the spec) laptop with excellent graphics processing capabilities…
I regularly use Blender, Milkshape 3D, Paint Shop Pro 9 and GIMP – with no lag or any other problems, and Windows 7 is excellent!
Again – I cannot recommend this highly enough…
To think – I nearly bought A Toshiba Satellite A500-p …
I just got Hp DV6 – 2155tx . It has almost everything i expected . Intel i3 core , Windows 7 , LED screen with brightview , 500 GB HDD , 4 GB RAM , finger print reader , TV tuner card , HDMI port , webcam , wi-fi b/g not sure about n , Bluetooth and 1GB Nvidia graphics card . Its superb , i am not sure but feel 1080p resolution is possible to get from this laptop in case we want to watch HD movies or play games using TV. Comes along with 2 remotes , for tv tuner and one for normal movies and music to be played using media player . Excellent sound , could have been a bit more louder .
Highly recommended , looks are amazing in DV6 series and it rocks with its performance too.
thanks every one for your comments about the dv6 laptop
i have just got the dv6-2150ee 2 days ago , it’s amazing.
specially the core i5 processor and the nvidia card 1 GB dedicated.
BUT i have also the same problem of the fan noise !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i had before the toshiba L500 , it has moderate specs compared with dv6 but it has no noisy fan and very quite at working.
So i am asking our advice is this problem of the fan nosie has a solution or has it any effect on the system in the future.
thanks for reading this.
kindly waiting your comments.
i’ve just ordered my HP pavilion dv6!!!!
i’m looking forward to get it!!!!
I purchased my dv-6 a few days ago. I love it but the only problem I am having is with the web cam. When I turn it on its in black and white. When I go to the cams settings I can not click the enable color as it is not in bold print. Any help is welcomed!
I bought a Dv6 2153tx laptop 5 days ago, , the problem wid my laptop is it gets strucked sometimes and none of the keys will work tat time. . Even the power button doesnt work so am unable to even switch it off. . It switches off when the battery drains up completely, then i ve to start it. . This is a serious problem, please help me.