HP Pavilion dv2800t Review (Artist Edition)

The HP Pavilion dv2800t Artist Edition series notebook is a notebook "designed by young people and chosen by young people" for its unique style. This notebook has all the creature comforts as the standard dv2700t, with the only addition being a custom paint job. For notebook enthusiasts who want to stick out from the crowd, this is a sure bet to get noticed at school or your local StarBucks.

Our pre-production review model had the following configuration, which has a different processor than what is available for purchase:

• Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)
• Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T7500 (2.2GHz, 4MB L2 Cache, 667MHz FSB)
• 14.1" WXGA High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1280 x 800)
• 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
• NVIDIA 128MB 8400M GS Video Card
• HP Imprint (Artist Edition) Finish + Webcam + Microphone
• Integrated Altec Lansing stereo speakers
• Intel PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection and Bluetooth
• 250GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
• LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support
• 6-Cell Lithium Ion Battery
• Dimensions (with 6-cell battery): 13.15" (L) x 9.33" (W) x 1.02" (min H)/1.54" (max H)
• Weight: 5lb 7.4oz
• 65W AC adapter

Build and Design

The design of the Artist Edition dv2800t is very unique, and unlike anything I have seen before. It starts with custom graphics embedded into the imprint finish, then has matching plastic trim around the notebook that blends in with the design, and even goes as far as a custom painted keyboard and touchpad that also match the design. The paint and colored plastic has the same feel as the durable imprint finish found on other HP notebooks, so you know it will stand up against day to day abuse. All of this gives you a notebook that has the feel of a mass produced notebook with a very custom design that few notebooks could stack up against.

Build quality is excellent, having a durable feeling chassis that has no creaks or squeaks found in its plastic. Flex is kept at a minimum, with the only noticeable amount found in the palmrest if you press very firmly with your fingertips. The screen cover and hinges feel rugged enough to handle day to day abuse, and with the durable imprint finish the surface barely shows any scratches or scuff marks found on other glossy notebooks.

Display

The 14.1" WXGA glossy screen isn't the best screen I have seen, but it does perform well enough for a notebook of this size and price. Colors and brightness were very good for mild gaming or movie watching. Viewing angles were limited, meaning you will probably want to angle the screen in a certain way for best color, or you will be staring at a screen that looks washed out or having inverted color. Horizontal viewing angles were very good for side to side viewing, but vertical viewing angles were average at best, with only a 10-15 degree sweet spot before color degradation.

Keyboard and Touchpad

The keyboard on the dv2800t is very comfortable to type on, with minimal flex and very responsive keys. Key spacing and key size is excellent for a 14" notebook, leaving little to be desired when typing for extended periods of time. Going along with the custom design, the keys on the Artist Edition dv2800t are painted dark brown to match the custom design of the rest of the notebook. This leaves a semi-gloss finish on the keys, which feels somewhat different from the run of the mill plastic keyboard. The best way to describe it would be like typing on a keyboard with a slightly worn surface.

The touchpad is gold on this custom painted model, having the same imprint finish found on the rest of the notebook. The surface is a very smooth and glossy, letting your finger glide across it with ease. One thing that always amazes me with the glossy HP touchpad surface is my fingers never bind or stick to the surface, almost like it was waxed.

The touchpad buttons provide good feedback, as well as give you a nice throw that you don't find in many touchpad buttons. Instead of giving you a shallow "click" they move down 3-4mm with a nice solid "thunk."

The dv2800t also includes the touch-sensitive media buttons common to HP Pavilion notebooks located above the keyboard.

Gaming and Performance

You probably won't be playing Crysis on the HP Artist Edition dv2800t, but you could play some less tasking games like Halflife 2 or Portal with tweaked settings. One of the games I try to play on notebooks these days is Portal, since it takes about an hour to beat, heats up a notebook quite well, and has enough fast action that you get to stress the keyboard and mouse trying to keep up with various sequences. This notebook with the NVIDIA 8400M GS handled the game very well set at the screens native WXGA resolution, and most detail settings at low. This gave me acceptable framerates in the 25-35 range, which any way you cut it is better than being stuck with solitaire.

System benchmarks performed quite well.