HP Pavilion ze4335us Notebook PC (1.80--GHz Celeron, 256 MB RAM, 40 GB Hard Drive, DVD+CD-RW Combo Drive)

HP Pavilion ze4335us Notebook PC (1.80--GHz Celeron, 256 MB RAM, 40 GB Hard Drive, DVD+CD-RW Combo Drive)
Manufacturer: Hewlett Packard
Product Type: Personal Computer

Editorial Review:
Amazon Product Description
The Basics:
It wasn't more than a couple of years ago that a notebook such as the HP Pavilion ze4335us was considered high-end. Today, however, notebooks of this caliber are viewed as entry-level units, best suited to those who use a portable computer for relatively straightforward tasks such as word processing, email correspondence, personal finances and contact management. The good news comes on two fronts: Firstly, if you're accustomed to the speed and capabilities of your ten-year-old notebook, the Pavilion ze4335us will best it in every respect. Secondly, the price point is perfect for those who need to pinch their pennies. If you don't foresee stockpiling a mountain of multimedia files, playing 3D games or running sophisticated applications, the Pavilion ze4335us is a wise and fiscally responsible choice.

Processor:
At the heart of any computer lies the CPU (or processor), a massive collection of miniature transistors that governs the speed and power of the entire unit. Some of today's notebooks are equipped with high-end CPU's on par with those found in top-of-the-line desktop PCs, while others are quick enough only for basic duties such as word processing, email and the like. The Pavilion ze4335us is equipped with a cost-effective Intel Celeron running at 1.8 GHz. The Celeron is Intel's entry-level processor, and the 1.8 GHz model resides in the middle of the lineup in terms of speed. Accordingly, the system simply doesn't have enough muscle for power-hungry applications such as graphic design, games, video editing and high-end business programs. But for light-duty use, it's more than adequate.

Memory:
Computers typically store information on their hard drive, but they keep frequently and recently accessed data in Random Access Memory (RAM) for faster retrieval. More RAM means more efficient computing, superior multitasking and less strain on your hard drive. The Pavilion ze4335us incorporates 256 MB of 266 MHz RAM. This is a minimal RAM allotment for modern mobile computing. Therefore, the system will slow noticeably during periods of intensive multitasking or when called upon to operate complex applications.

Video:
CPU's are usually so busy doing basic calculations that they need assistance translating visual output to the viewing screen. This is the duty of the graphics card (or graphics controller). The best graphics controllers feature on-board "dedicated" video memory rather than "sharing" portions of the system's all-important main memory. This unit features an ATI Mobility Radeon with 64 MB of "shared" video RAM, and thusly is unable to smoothly display high-end 3D applications such as games and animation. It is, however, perfectly sufficient for most 2D tasks and some minor 3D work.

Display:
The Pavilion ze4335us is equipped with a generous 15-inch display - equivalent to the viewable screen area of a 17-inch CRT desktop monitor. This is the average size for a modern notebook computer. The system's maximum resolution is 1024 by 768, which again is typical of today's midlevel notebooks.

Hard Disk:
With the enclosed 40 GB hard drive, users can store a typical range of mobile applications, an adequate number of data files and even a few music or multimedia files. However, the system will not readily handle a full library of music and video files, digital photos and games.

Optical Drive:
An optical drive is essential in today's computing environment. A "CD-ROM" drive allows you to install CD-based applications and play music CDs. A "CD-RW" drive adds CD "burning", so you can also backup your important files to long-lasting discs and create personalized music CDs. With a DVD-ROM drive you can watch DVD movies. And with a DVD-RW drive, you can "write" home movies to durable discs and archive files to DVD (DVDs boast more than seven times the storage capacity of a CD). Some drives allow you to do a combination of all of these tasks. This unit includes a DVD-ROM/CD-RW drive through which it can play and burn CDs and play DVDs. In its stock form, DVD burning is not supported.

Audio:
The unit is equipped with two miniature stereo speakers, a mini microphone jack and a stereo mini headphone jack.

Keyboard and Controls:
You'll control your notebook via an 88-key keyboard with touchpad and five convenient one-touch controls.

Connectivity and Expansion:
Being an entry-level machine, the Pavilion ze4335us is not fitted with state-of-the-art connections. It features substantially slower USB 1.1 plug and play ports rather than the much faster USB 2.0. It does not include an IEEE 1394 FireWire port (commonly used for quick data uploads from digital camcorders), a memory card reader, or wireless Bluetooth or Infrared. Nor does it offer wireless communication. It does feature a 56K modem for low-speed dial-up Internet and email access, a 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX Ethernet port for high-speed wired network and Internet, an S-Video TV-out for high-quality video output to a television set, and parallel and serial ports.

Operating System and Software:
The bundled software package is headed by today's most accepted operating system, Windows XP Home Edition. Other applications include the Corel Productivity Pack (WordPerfect and Quattro Pro), the Quicken New User's Edition 2002 financial suite, and a selection of music and multimedia utilities.

Dimensions and Weight:
Notebook computers are manufactured in a wide variety of sizes and weights. Many of today's most powerful notebooks are also the largest, weighing ten or twelve lbs or more and therefore too big and cumbersome for extensive, continuous traveling. These are often referred to as "desktop replacements". On the other extreme are "thin and lights" or "ultra-portables", super-miniaturized units that typically aren't as powerful as their larger brethren but weigh as little as two lbs and will often fit comfortably inside a large purse. At 12.96 by 10.72 by 1.62 inches and 7.25 lbs, the Pavilion ze4335us is of average size.

Power:
Power is delivered via an 8-cell 4.4A PM Lithium battery.