HP’s Pavilion dv2 is a notable product for a number of reasons, but foremost among them is that it was the first product to ship with AMD’s Athlon Neo mobile processor. Past this, it is one of the first products to fit in the newly created affordable (consumer) ultraportable space, as part of the netbook-ification of the portable computing market. This sub-$1000 12-inch notebook* is designed to come ahead of today’s netbooks in terms of power, usability, and performance, but still offer consumers something that is reasonably affordable. Of course, AMD, did not come out with a dedicated netbook processor and needed to pick a battle that they could (possibly) win. The result was this new category of computers.
The dv2 starts at $699, but our test model, with discrete graphics was priced at $749. It has a 12-inch display and up to 500GB of storage so it can’t be netbook… right? Even so, it lacks an ExpressCard slot and runs a processor with limited power (the Athlon Neo is typically ranked above the Atom, but always below Intel’s ULV Core 2 Duos), and it is–fundamentally speaking–an affordable ultraportable, which gives it an undeniable hint of netbook character. At 3.8 pounds and 0.93-inches thick it is portable (on par with something like the ThinkPad X200) but it’s a bit large for a netbook (Samsung’s NC10 is 2.8 pounds).
Our test machine (dv2-1001xx) arrived with Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit, an AMD Athlon Neo MV-40 processor, 4GB of RAM, a 320GB 5400RPM disk, Bluetooth, and a/b/g/n WiFi. [It has a SIM card slot and mobile broadband, but the fearture currently does not work.] Graphics are handled by ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3410 with up to 2302MB total graphics memory and 512MB dedicated. The 12.1-inch display runs at 1280×800 and there is a webcam above it. The system does not have a built-in optical drive, but a very nice USB DVD burner (with LightScribe) that can be upgraded to Blu-ray. The drives are not built-in to the computer, but they are slim enough to be take along with the machine.
The HP dv2 may be thin but it has a full selection of external ports. These include ethernet, VGA, HDMI, three USB ports, a card reader, and mic/headphone jacks. There is a wireless on/off button on the right side as well, but no hardware volume controls. The power button is a slider, also on the right side, which is certainly going to confuse a few casual computer users their first time with the dv2.
On the hardware side, the dv2 is a very well built consumer machine. It is largely plastic, but feels solid, and the thin design is great to see on something at this price. The outer material uses HP’s Imprint which puts designs below the surface, leaving the smooth, glossy material with some pretty cool designs. The overall look is a attractive (though very consumer-centric, as demonstrated by the designs on the interior). The exterior is scratch resistant but does tend to look dirty when it picks up smudges and dust
The dv2 uses a keyboard that is very reminiscent to that of that on the company’s Mini notebook. That is so say that it slightly scooped, plastic keys that are generously spaced and deliver a very good typing experience. The keyboard on the dv2 isn’t cramped or difficult to type on for extended periods of time. The trackpad is a nice size, but uses a mirrored chrome-like material that feels sticky at times despite it’s smoothness. It looks very cool, but seems like it was chosen for aesthetics, not performance.
Performance was the biggest question people had with the dv2, because the Athlon Neo had previously not been tested. CNET did a test that is worth reading out for background information but users should keep in mind that CPU power is not the entire point. AMD took a platform approach with the dv2 (specifically their Yukon platform) so this dv2 has ATI’s discrete graphics, making for an overall more powerful system than you might expect. It’s not going to outpace any Core 2 Duo-equipped ultraportables (which might cost 2-3x) but it will have an edge on them in the graphics department. An integrated model will be available in the future.
This extra power, specifically with the discrete graphics, has two tradeoffs. The first is heat–the dv2 runs a warm and even during general email/internet use the left palmrest is hotter than we’d like. This is not bothersome, but it is noticeable. It gets warmer, when the system is cranking, but it never crossed over to “hot”. The other tradeoff is battery life–the dv2 cannot last the 7 hours that we are seeing from netbooks like the new Samsung’s or Asus’ Eee PC 1000HE, or, for that matter, the 8+ hours we see from high-end ultraportables at this weight (like HP’s 2530p). The battery on the dv2 with the 6-cell battery is generally good for about four hours during standard mobile working conditions. This would be more if you opted for the version with integrated graphics.
The best way to appreciate the dv2 is to use it for standard netbook tasks. A trip to the coffee shop to do a few hours of emailing/surfing or using it on the couch really let’s the dv2 shine. The keyboard and display feel like a standard notebook, not like those on a 10-inch system which is generally adequate but less than ideal. The 1280×800 resolution on a12-inch panel is easy on the eyes which is a nice change of pace as well.
The most refreshing change with the dv2 might be the graphics though. The dv2 is no powerhouse, but the graphics afford it some versatility which is going to be big for some people. It can’t play today’s games at full resolution and all the settings topped out, but it will handle some light gaming. In addition to playing some intensive games at small resolutions, it can do things like play casual games very well. In testing it performed very well with Peggles Nights and And Yet It Moves. If you opt for the Blu-ray you will be able to use that and the HDMI port to play HD video on a larger display as well.
At $750 the dv2 is going to catch a lot of people off guard. It’s quite affordable if you are looking at it as an ultraportable, but it will seem expensive if you are comparing it to $400 netbooks. The consumer ultraportable segment is being defined right now and it’s not quite clear how the Intel’s CULV processors will affect the market, but for the time being, HP did a nice job with the dv2. Looking at in on its own, consumers will be getting a thin, reasonably light system with enough power to handle almost all mobile tasks. It’s highly portable, but large enough to be OK on the desktop. There was some rough edges, like the heat production and battery life, but none of these should be deal-breakers. The performance felt a bit snappier than that on Atom-powered netbooks which will be important for buyers, but the change was not as not drastic during day-to-day tasks.
Potential buyers should keep in mind that the dv2 can take the place of a full notebook and is not restricted to acting as a secondary mobile device, like a netbook generally is. The fact that it can play Blu-ray video might not be handy for everyone, but it gives some insight into how versatile the system is and what you are getting compared to a lower-end system. Ultimately, the dv2 is better during use than it is on paper, so it’s worth checking out. Even so it won’t be able to avoid comparisons to netbooks and the value won’t be there for everyone. Currently the biggest direct competitor for the dv2 is Samsung’s NC20 though which features another non-Intel processor, VIA’s Nano, and sells for about $550.
[* - A note on terminology: For purposes of this review we'll be referring to the HP Pavilion dv2 as a "notebook". Due to the price, size, and processor power some people have called the dv2 a netbook, akin to Dell's Inspiron Mini 12. This class of device will be more defined once Intel's CULV-powered products arrive, but for the time being we'll view the dv2 simply as a notebook and let readers make their own distinctions. Both AMD and HP have been intent on having the dv2 viewed as an ultraportable notebook, not a netbook.
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