HP Pavilion A530N Desktop PC (2.0 GHz Athlon 64 3200+, 512 MB RAM, 200 GB Hard Drive, DVD+RW/CD-RW Combo)

Rating:
Summary: Best bang for the BUCK!
Review: .

I'm a former computer tech. I lived in the Silicon Valley during the development of the PC and I've worked on PC's as a hobby and a part time business since 1983. Usually I build my own PCs from scratch. I've been getting by with a bunch of AMD K6 processor, from 233 to 400 MHz for the last 6 years. I needed to upgrade for a reliable CD burner, and some of the new features like DVD writer, as well as firewire, sound, and USB right on the front. I felt the 64 bit processor was key to my decision making. It represents a significant technological advantage, once the next generation software becomes more wide spread.

Another important reason to upgrade for me was to support the Apple iPod. At some point I'll buy an iMac, but since I need the machine for Windows software, I decided to go this route first.

If you are not dependent on Windows applications. I strongly recomment getting a G5 iMac instead of this machine. If you are shopping for a windows machine, you can't go wrong with this one.

This HP machine has four different Smart Media interfaces to connect any sort of digital camera. A slide up cover hides this when not in use. Nice!

It has the second largest Hard Disk drive made. Way more than I will ever need--but who knows. I've already loaded half of my CD Rom collection. It has room to load dozens of movies.

The 128 MB nVidia video adapter is not cutting edge, but fine for my purposes. I ran my display resolution up to the point where the print was so small, my head hurt trying to read it. I'd call that overkill, but if you are a "video gamer" then perhaps you are stupid enough to feel compelled to replace the video card with a faster one. If so, then be sure to sell this video card because many people would be happy to buy it from you. Finally, I ran a rather intensive video game and it never hiccupped.

I paid $800 for this machine, and bought a second 512 MB PC2700 184 pin DIMM board for another $99--which was about twice what I'd normally pay via mail order. Memory is a hassle via mail order, because if you have to return it, it takes time and effort. This second memory board gave me problems. I specifically asked if I needed Dual Channel memory, and was told I did not. This was a screw up on the part of the salesman at Circuit City. I believe this machine does need dual channel memory. I did not pull out the existing memory, or contact HP to verify this.

In any case, I'm taking the memory back and applying the refund towards buying an Apple 40GB iPod instead.

I loaded tons of software and never came close to using up all the memory. I'm going to load my Topo software and Nobeltec Visual Navigation Suite and try all my super intensive graphic software to test it further. I don't expect I'll need more memory. However, if the architecture is dual channel, you could expect a performance gain by adding a second memory board.

All in all, I'm very happy with this machine. As much as I like to tweak machines, I may not do much to this for a while, because it seems to run find and suit my needs.

I got Windows XP Home Edition on this machine, buti didn't get a disk. So I was disgusted with that. HP loaded a lot of crap on this machine and it took me hours to delete it all. HP does create your own CD option, but that will just restore all the HP crap all over again, if I have to do it again. I plan to write Microsoft and ask for a CD-ROM. I may wipe the whole drive and reinstall Windows XP at some point. If you are familiar with computers you may want to do that at some point. I;'d recommend you delete all the sort cuts off the desktop and set the machine to run in the old windows style, which is easier to use and make more sense.

Good luck.



Rating:
Summary: THIS IS WHAT I WANT FROM A COMPUTER
Review: I DID BUY THIS COMPUTER ONE WEEK AGO. IT RUNS FLAWLESSLY AND FAST. IT IS REALLY PLUG AND PLAY AND VERY EASY TO USE.EVERYTHING WORKS AS EXPECTED. FOR ADDITIONAL $200.00 YOU GET A 64 BIT SYSTEM AND WILL TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE NEW 64 BIT SOFTWARE THAT IS COMING NEW TO THE MARKET. I BUY A NEW COMPUTER EVERY FOUR YEAR,SO PURCHASING A 64 BIT UNIT FROM NOW COULD BE A GOOD IDEA.