HP Pavilion dv6-3160us Review

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HP Pavilion dv6-3160us
820 $ at amazon.com
  • AMD Phenom II X4 N950(2.1 GHz)

  • ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650

  • 4 GB RAM Size

  • 640 GB HDD Capacity

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Our summary of all reviews

  • Performance

    38 /100

    This high level of performance allows for regular office work, multitasking, multimedia and HD video applications to run at a high speed. This laptop is adequate for professional video editing and other high performance tasks. It also supports quite well games such as “Call of Duty 4”. This laptop is ideal for users who demand high speed performance.

    • 3DMark 06 1024 x 768

      6393 #

    • Cinebench xCPU 64Bit

      5042 #

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  • Design

    4.0/5

    The design delighted the majority of all reviewers and they predicted it to be at the taste of most users. The notebook’s appearance walks a fine line between function and form.

  • Build Quality

    3.0/5

    The build quality is above average providing for the necessary protection of the computer’s internal parts. The build quality should be acceptable for users moving the laptop around on a frequent basis, even after a couple of years. The external parts might however wear out after medium-term usage , resulting in cracks or squeaking sounds.

    • Base Unit Flex

       : 

      4.0/5

      The notebook frame can solidly serve for many years without any major problems. Cracking sounds, gaps and loose parts are almost nonexistent. The surface will resist most abuse, however it will show scratches over time.

    • Hinge Stability

       : 

      2.0/5

      The hinge, connecting the screen to the laptop body, is not up to the standards of flexibility and tightness. Some difficulty will be experienced when trying to open the laptop with one hand. There might as well be some annoying wiggling experienced when walking around.

    • Display Panel

       : 

      4.0/5

      Colour distortions barely visible to the naked eye occur when pressing the back of the monitor, or when moving it back and forth. The user can expect that no gaps will exist between the different parts of the display panel.

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  • Display

    3.0/5

    Generally the reviewers deemed this laptop to be above average. Users could expect this display to provide for average satisfaction with office work as well as multimedia use. Gamers and professional designers might however not find this display to their taste. To get a more comprehensive review of this display, users should check the ratings of the different attributes of this screen.

    • Display Resolution

      1366x768

      This resolution is also called HD-ready. Viewing more than one website on the monitor is almost impossible, as one window takes up almost the whole space. Graphic designers might not be completely satisfied with this resolution, as this latter might be too small. High resolution picture and video editing is plainly impossible. This resolution is a good option for gamers as many graphic cards will be powerful enough to support the native resolution of this display. Watching most movies will be possible without any black bars at the top and bottom of the display.

    • Color Reproduction

       : 

      3.0/5

      The color spectrum covered by the display is acceptable. Both color saturation and natural appearance of the pictures are good enough for viewing HD movies and gaming. Professional designers however will find that only a higher level of color reproduction will satisfy their needs.

    • Contrast

       : 

      2.0/5

      The contrast between the darkest color -black- and the brightest color -white- is below average in this computer. This results in having the darkest areas being washed out resembling a dark shade of gray, while the brightest areas appear to be of a light grayish color. Movies can be enjoyed provided that the room is completely darkened. Most office workers will find the readability to be sufficient, while some might be annoyed by the close shades of gray characterizing both the dark text and the bright background. The needs of professional designers will surely not be met with this notebook.

    • Contrast Value

      151 :1

    • Brightness

       : 

      4.0/5

      Setting the computer to its maximum brightness will allow you to see the screen even when a strong light is shining on it. Outdoor usability is enhanced with this level of display brightness. Under most indoor light settings however, the screen would be too bright and should be dimmed for comfortable use. Making the display darker has the additional benefit of greatly increasing the battery life. The laptop brightness is evenly distributed over the whole screen, meaning the brightness is not concentrated on one spot of the monitor.

    • Average Brightness

      178.4 cd/m²

    • Reflections

       : 

      3.0/5

      Viewing the display without major difficulties is achievable in almost all indoor lighting conditions. Office workers should be satisfied with this laptop. Reflections on the display will however cause discomfort when outdoors, unless the laptop is positioned in shaded spaces.

    • Viewing Angle

       : 

      4.0/5

      You can see the screen comfortably even when looking from the side. Colors distortions will only happen, when the display is leaned backward or forward to its maximum. You can comfortably watch a movie with friends, or show the screen to a few people.

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  • Sound

    4.0/5

    The sound quality of this laptop can be rated as good compared to other notebooks on the market. While professional musicians will need a higher quality level for composition and recording, non-professional use of the internal speakers will be satisfactory. Watching movies and listening to music will be enjoyable, as the sound is clear and almost static-free. This laptop provides for a decent experience when watching action movies or playing games: The explosions are quite convincing and at maximum volume, the sound fills the room nicely.

    • Maximum Volume

       : 

      4.0/5

      The maximum volume of this laptop is pretty loud, allowing you to pretty much hear every sound played from the other end of the room. Watching movies with a group of people will work, but for an optimal experience, it is recommended to use external speakers, or headphones.

    • Sound Clarity

       : 

      4.0/5

      The sound is quite clear. Background noises should be no issue. This computer provides for an enjoyable sound experience when watching movies and playing games.

    • Lows

       : 

      1.0/5

      With the internal speakers of this laptop, there is practically no bass, making music or movies feel flat. The sound is thus either scratchy, too low or flat.

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  • Keyboard

    5.0/5

    This keyboard has been rated to be among the best in the market. The reviewers were impressed by the comfort and the speed provided for when typing. It is ideal for users whose profession demands long typing hours such as for journalists or academicians, without suffering from the slightest pain or frustration in the process. It is as well impressively comfortable and enduring for gaming, as one of the many activities requiring frequent and long usage, all of which this keyboard is perfectly fitted for.

    • Keyboard Size

       : 

      4.0/5

      The size of this keyboard allows for a good typing experience, as the keys are large enough to reduce typos. The palm rest is as well a quality of this keyboard, deep enough for easy and comfortable usage. The gaps between the keys make the keyboard quite proportionate, and to the linking of most users.

    • Key Responsiveness

       : 

      5.0/5

      This keyboard is made for enjoying long typing hours. The keys do not need that much applied pressure for accurate feedback, and you might even be quite amazed by the improvement in your typing accuracy -no typos- and your speed. The keyboard feels very smooth and comfortable, as the keys go just deep enough when typing. All in all: Guaranteed satisfaction no matter you expectations and your demands.

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  • Touchpad

    5.0/5

    The reviewers found this trackpad to provide for a perfect combination of size, accuracy, smoothness and resistance. All these qualities make this trackpad a perfect fit for laptops with big displays, or everyone who plans to use the touchpad extensively only for gaming you will find an external mouse needed. The buttons are as well suited for all applications even those requiring a high level of accuracy such as picture editing or design. In short, this trackpad will ease you into adapting to your laptop in quite a pleasing way.

    • Sensitivity

       : 

      5.0/5

      This touchpad has proved to provided for excellent feedback with impressive accuracy. There was no lag or jumpiness, which greatly contributes to increasing your working speed. Your mouse pointer’s precision will be nothing short of an arrow splitting the stem of a flower. All in all, this touchpad is perfectly reliable concerning precision and reaction.

    • Touchpad Size

       : 

      5.0/5

      The generous size of this touchpad will remind of limitless playing fields when you were a little child. You can reach the furthest part on the screen with a single slide over the touchpad, even with big displays.

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  • Battery Surfing

    2:55 h

    The battery provides for up to 3 hours working away from a power source, if the energy saving mode is enabled, and the brightness is set to the minimum. Needless to say that you should avoid running any other programs while you are on battery alone. If you require more independent time from a power source, you should seriously consider a second battery to carry around with you.

    • Battery DVD/Video

      1:31 h

      The battery of this computer will barely enable you to through your preparations for one client presentation. If you think of watching a movie, you might find yourself unable to find out if they actually lived happily forever after. For mobile use an external battery will be a must, otherwise you will not be able to leave the house without your charger.

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  • Weight

    5.51 lbs

    Some users will be exhausted carrying the computer with them, even for a few minutes. Although the weight is within the range of acceptability, it might yet be challenging to find a fitting bag for comfortable mobility. If you take into account the extra weight of the charger, this notebook will be tiring to walk around with even for a short period of time. It might as well occupy too much space for convenient use in cafes or airplanes.

  • Noise

    3.0/5

    Most users will find the laptop to be on the quiet side. There is some noise emitted from the fan, the CD drive and other laptop parts, yet most will not experience any inconveniences due to it. Noise sensitive people might opt for an even quieter computer.

    • Noise Idle

       : 

      3.0/5

      You could hear some silent noise from the fans when the laptop is idle.

    • Noise Full Load

       : 

      3.0/5

      When you are watching a movie, editing a video, or playing games, the noise emitted by this laptop will not be of much disturbance according to most reviewers. The degree to which you will be annoyed depends on your sensitivity and on how quiet your surroundings are.

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  • Temperature

    3.0/5

    The laptop may occasionally get too warm. Most reviewers found, at normal room temperature, you can comfortably use the laptop without burning your fingers or legs. The notebook may only become too warm when you stress it, watching a movie or alike.

    • Heat Top: Full Use

       : 

      5.0/5

      The laptop keeps quite cool at normal use. That’s very convenient.

    • Heat Top: Normal Use

       : 

      3.0/5

      The laptop gets warm on top but nothing you would complain about.

    • Heat Bottom: Normal Use

       : 

      2.0/5

      The bottom of the laptop can get a bit warmer. If you don’t want to use it on your lap, it will be okay.

    • Heat Bottom: Full Load

       : 

      1.0/5

      There are unpleasant hot spots on the laptop.

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Where to buy

You can get the HP Pavilion dv6-3160us for 820$
A

All external reviews  HP  Pavilion dv6-3160us

Language Source URL Review Date Author

English

www.notebookcheck.net 11/29/10 Simon Kohlstock
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Total number of reviews: 1