HP Pavilion dv6 Review #AClaseConHPyIntel

In my previous post about the HP Pavilion dv6 I asked readers to let me know what they thought was important in a laptop. I received a few comments with the same responses, I’ve noted them below in no particular order.     

• Battery life
• Start Up/Speed
• Durability
• Screen Size/Brightness
• Memory/RAM
• Size/Weight

Seeing how so many readers had the same concerns, I decided to focus my HP Pavilion dv6 review on those responses. Note, I am not a techy. My review will be based on my experience with the laptop and will be written in layman’s terms.       

Start Up/Speed
The first time I started up the laptop , it seemed to take longer than most computers; however, I believe this was because I was overly excited. Additionally, I was required to register several products, like the Free 60-day Norton Internet Security 2011 Subscription and the HP SimplePass fingerprint reader, which comes with the laptop. After the initial log-on, future start ups were much quicker.     

In terms of speed, I found that I was able to have a few screens – sometimes 10 at a time- and various applications, like Word or Excel, open at the same time, without it impacting the speed or functionality of the laptop. This was a huge problem with my previous laptop and one that caused an amazing amount of frustration.
      

Battery Life
I’ve been using my HP Pavilion dv6 on a continuous basis since my last review. During that time, I’ve had to use the laptop for several hours. Based on my experience, I can get up to 6 hours. This is fabulous for people like me who need to get out of their home office every once in awhile since it makes it very easy to pack up and take to the park, Starbucks or just about anywhere!   

TIP: One thing I have found that destroys battery life in any laptop is when a user leaves it plugged in all the time. I used to do this with my last laptop and it is a huge no no. It will burn out your battery and cause it to work less, not more.     

Screen Size/Brightness
The HP Pavilion dv6 has a large screen, which I LOVE! It has a “15.6-inch diagonal HD BrightView display” that allows you to view a  1366 x 768  display. Perfect for seeing Latina On a Mission!      

The large screen means that I am not straining my eyes and am able to see more on a page without scrolling.  It also allows me to see what my son is doing when he is seated at the table and I am on the couch or in the kitchen, both approximately 3 feet away.      

The screen’s brightness levels can be adjusted to the user’s preference. As someone who is online for almost ten hours a day, this is an extremely important feature that protects my eyesight.   

TIP: Adjusting the brightness level on your screen and looking away from the screen from time to time is a great way to give your eyes a break.     

Size/Weight
The HP Pavilion dv6 is pretty big in all the right places yet still compact enough to travel with the user. The size of the laptop means that it has a standard keyboard, with a numeric keypad on the right handside. I’ve found this to be an asset when budgeting or doing Math homework with the little one. Best of all this laptop, won’t break your back – literally- since it weighs approximately 5 1/2 pounds.     

Memory/Ram     
As a budget friendly laptop, starting at $549.99,  most would assume that it does not have sufficient Memory/RAM for a person’s daily needs.  They are wrong. The laptop I received was the basic version. It has no added bells and whistles, yet it can still hold its own against higher priced models. It includes:    

• Operating System: Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
  This operating system makes it easier and faster to launch applications and/or find documents. It also makes going online faster, easier and safer with Internet Explorer 8. 
• Processor: 2nd generation Intel® Core™ i3-2310M
  This processor lets you switch between applications with Intel Hyper-Threading Technology. This technology provides a faster experience because of the 4-way multi-task processing it uses that automatically speeds up the system, when the PC needs an extra performance boost.
• Memory: 4GB DDR3 System Memory (1 DIMM)
  The 4GB DDR3 System Memory will allow you to use more programs at once and make them run faster. Also, when you purchase the laptop via HP, you get a FREE Upgrade to 6GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm). ¡Wepa! Click to purchase your HP Pavilion dv6 and get FREE memory upgrade    

Durability     
With two dogs and two boys, I know accidents happen. Knowing this durability is always at the top of my list, and based on my readers responses, its on the top of their lists as well. I will like to note that I did not put my new brushed aluminum laptop to any tests. Meaning I was not about to throw it to the ground, let someone step on it or give it to a dog to gnaw, just to prove its durability! As a result, I’m basing this portion of the review on information provided by HP. See below.

I would like to note that HP is the preferred laptop for the U.S. Air Force and the Navy. Knowing they use these laptops in extreme conditions, makes me believe that my chaotic lifestyle will not come near the extremes they do in the service. Based on that, I think its safe to say that this laptop will last in my household or yours!

This post only touched the items readers requested in my previous post. The next post will discuss entertainment features! As a frequent YouTube user, I have to admit I loved this portion of the review.
     

Do you Skype, watch movies or YouTube on your laptop?      

Psst stay tuned! One Latinalicious reader is going to have an opportunity to win a HP Pavilion dv6 right here on Latina On a Mission!