Like all the laptops in the HP Pavilion line, the dv6000's sleek design and shiny finish hold their own next to systems from style-conscious manufacturers such as Apple and Sony. Aside from its good looks, the dv6000 also provides a solid set of entertainment features and high-end components for a fair price. Those components didn't result in record-breaking performance, and its battery life was below average. For these reasons we recommend the Pavilion dv6000 for home users who want a laptop with basic entertainment features and who don't plan to spend a lot of time away from the power outlet.
Design
The HP Pavilion dv6000 measures 358mm by 41mm by 257mm -- about the same size as the Dell Inspiron E1505 and the PC Club Enpower ENP680. At 2.8kg, however, the Pavilion dv6000 is the lightest of the three -- its AC adaptor brings the total travel weight to a still portable 3.3kg.
We like the HP Pavilion dv6000's 15.4-inch widescreen display -- its native resolution of 1,280x800 provides ample space to work or play. The screen's glossy finish makes colours pop and look brighter, though we noticed a distracting glare when working next to a window on a sunny day. There is an option to bypass the glossy coating if you intend to use the dv6000 in bright environments. Above the display sits a 1.3-megapixel webcam that's useful for videoconferencing -- two built-in microphones on the display bezel eliminate the need for an external microphone.
Like all Pavilion laptops, the dv6000 includes a row of light-touch buttons above the keyboard that launch the media player and provide volume and playback controls. We like the sleek look of the keys, but we hate the beeping that indicates you've pressed a button -- the sound can be disabled, but doing so is rather complicated. The Altec Lansing stereo speakers, located above those controls, deliver decent-quality sound, but unfortunately the sound becomes muffled if you close the laptop lid.
The Pavilion dv6000's keyboard is ample and comfortable to type on for long periods, and both touchpad and mouse buttons are entirely usable. We love the Pavilion dv6000's touchpad on/off button, which keeps you from accidentally misplacing the cursor while typing and makes it easy to use an external mouse.
Features
The HP Pavilion dv6000 offers an average mix of ports for a laptop of its size. There are four-pin FireWire, VGA, S-Video and three USB 2.0 ports, as well as a microphone jack and -- for those who like to share movies and music with friends -- two headphone jacks, one of which supports S/PDIF output. Card slots on the dv6000 read the latest ExpressCards, plus Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, Secure Digital, MultiMediaCard and xD formats. Networking options include Ethernet, modem and 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi -- Bluetooth is available as an option. The laptop's double-layer DVD burner includes LightScribe, which lets you burn your own labels onto compatible discs.
Our Pavilion dv6000 ran on Windows XP Professional -- given its many media features, we're surprised the system is not available with Windows XP Media Center. HP bundles a decent amount of software, such as the Microsoft Works 8 productivity suite, Microsoft Money 2006, basic photo-editing software and applications for disc viewing and burning, with the system.
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User reviews23
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candylaced 7 April 2012
Good: It's a good size. The screen is large and the laptop feels nice and solid. Plus it's pretty fast.
Bad: Had a problem with overheating once. The motherboard gave out. The battery's dead.
Comment: I got this laptop as a birthday present about five years ago now. At first, it worked like a dream. But then it started overheating. I couldn't rest it flat on a hard surface. I'd always have to balance it half on the table and keep the other half in the air. Otherwise it'd heat up and switch off. However, that probably was easily fixed when I had the fan cleared out. Turns out, there was a lot of dust in it while was the cause of the problem. I had it cleaned about three years ago now and funnily enough, I've not had the same problem.
And also, around about the same time my motherboard packed up. I had to take it to get it repaired ( I took it to a local place 'cause I couldn't afford to wait ages by sending it back to HP ). The local guy fixed it for me in four days. It was costly though.
Since then, I've not had major trouble. My battery's totally dead. Which means, I can't use it without having it constantly plugged into a socket. Which is not really an issue for me.
To be honest, I'm quite happy with this laptop. It's five years old and still going strong. It's a well built, solid affair and still worked even after I dropped it twice!
I'm actually quite surprised by all the negative reviews!
I would definitely consider buying another HP. However, this time I'd opt fora smaller screen because carrying my 15.4 around starts to kill my shoulder after a while!
Steve Edwards 16 January 2012
Good: Keeps my Lap warm
Bad: Absolutely everything
Comment: I know this laptop is old but as far as i can tell this applies to all dv6 series laptops DONT BUY IT!!!!! There is a well documented issues with overheating graphics chip. This is a design fault and HP should have recalled the ebtire series. They didnt which left a lot of people with a useless doorstop. i can still use it occasionaly but to get it booted up I have to leave it wrapped baking in a jacket it with the black screen. After about half hour I do a hard re boot which sometimes works but mostly not. obviously windows doesnt like being shut down mid boot so now my windows is messed up too. oh did I mention the screen has been replaced by hp already as well as the firms botch, I mean 'fix', to try and keep temperature down. Which is basically a patch for the bios to keep the fan running constantly. Shocking. The annoying thing is, because I keep my kit clean this looks brand new, but its next to useless. AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE Ill never buy HP junk again. Spread the word.
duchessecheko 16 September 2011
Good: I like the size of the screen. Actually I liked most everything about my computer when it worked properly
Bad: Everything seems to be falling apart - first the dvd drive no longer opens when machine is booted up; the webcam has stopped working and I am getting messages saying the one of the usb ports if not functioning properly which means it will probably go on me too
Comment: I really liked this machine when I bought it but it gets very hot and now everything seems to be shutting down piece by piece. I am afraid I am going to have to replace it but it will not be with another product
from HP
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