HP's Pavilion zd7310 notebook is a mobile powerhouse, providing performance you expect from a powerful desktop in a highly portable package. Under the hood, the zd7310 offers a 3.0 GHz hyper-threaded Intel Pentium 4 processor, an 80 GB hard drive, and 512 MB of installed RAM. This cooly designed notebook also features a 17-inch screen, 16-bit Sound Blaster Pro audio, 54g wi-fi connectivity (with SpeedBooster support), and a DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive.
The Basics
- Hard Drive: The 80 GB hard drive is larger than the average notebook's, enabling road warriors more than enough capacity for storing documents, digital media files, and productivity software.
- Processor: The hyper-threaded 3.0 GHz Intel Pentium 4 processor allows a single CPU system to behave in some aspects like a dual-CPU system, helping to deliver faster transistors and increased performance. It also features a 1 MB L2 cache and a blazingly fast 800 MHz front-side bus speed
A Hyper-Threading processor helps a PC to run multiple demanding applications at the same time. This technology enables the processor to execute two threads (a part of a program) in parallel, boosting performance during key high-drain procedures. This results in more efficient software performance (such as faster reaction times in gaming applications) and enhanced multitasking.
- Memory: The 512 MB of built-in memory (2 x 256 MB, 333 MHz, DDR SDRAM) is a good start for power users. It has two memory slots in total, with a maximum memory expansion up to 2 GB (2 x 1024 MB)--a must for taking full advantage of this notebook's powerhouse capabilities.
- CD/DVD Drive: The combo CD-RW/DVD-ROM drive can write and read CDs at 24x. It can read DVDs at 16x.
- Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a standard keyboard with scroll bar and integrated numeric keypad, and a touchpad with on/off button and dedicated vertical scroll up/down pad.
Sound and Graphics The Nvidia GeForce FX Go5200 provides a great cinematic experience when playing back DVDs as well as smooth gameplay. It features 64 MB of dedicated DDR video RAM. The 17-inch WXGA high-definition BrightView widescreen display has a 1440 x 900-pixel resolution. The integrated audio card offers 16-bit Sound Blaster Pro-compatible audio through the internal Harman Kardon speakers.
Connectivity and Expansion Slots
The zd7310us has an integrated 54g wireless LAN that's fully compatible with 802.11b/g wireless networks. The 125 HSM/SpeedBooster support will enable it to be ready for tomorrow's 125 Mbps wireless LANs. You get a good offering of connectivity options, including super-fast USB 2.0 and Firewire:
- 4 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
- 1 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
- 1 VGA monitor port
- 1 S-Video out
- 1 parallel port
- 1 PCMCIA (or PC Card) slot (Type I/II, 32-bit)
- 5-in-1 memory card reader (compatible with Secure Digital, MultiMedia, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, and SmartMedia)
- 1 headphone jack and 1 microphone jack
It also has an integrated 56K modem (V.90) and an RJ-45 LAN network port (for a 10/100 Ethernet connection to networks and DSL/cable modems).
Preloaded System and Software
This system comes with the Windows XP Home Edition operating system, and it also features Microsoft Works (for working with word processing and spreadsheet documents). Other preloaded software includes Microsoft Money, Norton Antivirus 2004 (with 60-day LiveUpdate subscription), Adobe Acrobat Reader, Encarta Plus, HP Image Zone Plus, InterVideo WinDVD Creator and Home Theater, Muvee autoProducer, Sonic RecordNow, and Apple iTunes.
The included HP Image Zone Plus photo and imaging software makes it easy to organize, edit, share, print, protect, and store your photos and video clips. Organize and find your photos easily by timeline, keywords, and/or location using the unique photo-globe mapping tool. Remove red eye and fix other common problems. Share your photos quickly via e-mails that include thumbnails with links to the full-sized images--without downloading time-consuming attachments.
Dimensions and Weight
At 9.5 pounds, the zd7310 isn't the most easily portable notebook, and is best served as a desktop replacement. It measures 15.67 x 10.94 x 1.67 inches (L x W x H).
Power
It's powered by a 12-cell rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which provides an average of battery life of around 2 hours (depending on usage).
What's in the Box
This package contains the HP Pavilion zd7310us notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, and operating instructions. It is backed by a one-year limiited hardware warranty.
1 Overall a nice machine--except for the fan noise
I've had this laptop for about 4 months now, and the overall performance has been as expected for a Pentium 4 machine.
One serious downside though is the fan noise. For some reason I expect laptops to be quiet, but this one is not. The fan runs constantly, and is quite loud. I suppose this is necessary when using all the capabilities of the P4, but for normal web surfing and such "light duty" tasks, it is not. I think HP could have designed in a smarter fan speed controller, so that it only sounds like a vacuum cleaner when the CPU is really getting a workout (gaming and such). I feel it was a cop out on the part of the HP designers not to include a smarter fan speed controller.
Other than that, I think it's one of the best values out there. The display is great, as is the built-in numeric keypad, and the included software can't be beat.
2 Very good notebook
Got this to because of the integrated wireless card to use all around the house. Connection is great, speed is awesome and display is good. As said in other reviews, it is heavy, gets hot and the battery life is not for extreme mobile usage. I have watched several movies and burned CD's and I have yet to notice any significant lag time. The speakers are better than most notebooks, but not as good as I expected from Harman Kardon. One feature I would have liked was a second headphone jack, but I can live without it...lol. Overall, I would recommend it as a good notebook if you are buying it for the size of the screen. Otherwise I would recommend looking at Toshiba or Sony.
3 Good Book
I have a 7000 series notebook. P4 3Ghz, 1Gb Ram, 60Gb Hard Drive, Geforce card,wireless,DVD Burner etc.
Works great love it. Got it from HP.com though for financing. Ran bout $700 cheaper than Dell's XPS Notebook. If I had the cash I would go for an Alienware. But my Hp is doing good. Got it for gaming and graphics work.
4 Great laptop. Nice 17inch screen
Was looking for a desktop replacement pc for my home. Also wanted to use it to watch movies in the den. It is a bit heavy, but what do you expect with a 17inch screen. Well designed keyboard, and mouse touch pad. Recommended for home use. For serious computing needs at work, I still use the IBM Thinkpads. If you have lots of money to burn, I would also recommend the sony laptops with Xbrite displays. That display is awesome.
