HP 430 2ng Gen PDC First Impressions

I was looking for a entry level laptop for my mom( basic net surfing, skype etc). My budget was around 20k.

Fellow members suggested me some great options(thanks a lot) but I ended up getting this http://www.flipkart....6f-0fb24d7aef8e

Why?

It was actually for mom. For my own usage I would have gone with ASUS one which had an entry level GPU but here, reliability and hassle free usage was first priority. I just felp that HP with onboard graphics will be more reliable in the longer run.

Since I won't be using it, I am posting initial impressions with some pics.

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Damages 21481

SPECS

CPU Intel® Pentium® Processor B960

(2M Cache, 2.20 GHz)

HDD 500GB 5400RPM(Hitachi)

Memory 2GB X 1 DDR3(Samsung)

Graphics Intel HD

Display 14 Inch 1366 x 768 High-Definition LED HP Brightview Display

Webcam 0.3 Megapixel

Optical Drive SuperMulti DVD R/RW with Double Layer Support

Wireless LAN IEEE 802.11 b/g/n(Atheros)

Bluetooth Yes(Atheros)

OS DOS

TouchPad Supporting Multi-touch Gestures with On/Off Button(Synaptics)

Keyboard Full Size

Internal Mic Yes

Ethernet 10/100 BASE-T Ethernet LAN(Realtek)

Battery 6 cell 10.8V 4200mAh 47whr

Power Supply 65 watt

Ports- 3 x USB 2.0 VGA RJ45 Multi Card Slot HDMI(Big surprise as it was not mentioned on flipkart) Audio out Mic IN Lock port

Weight 2.27 Kg

Dimension 342 x 231 x 31 mm

Color Silver

I booked this laptop at 6:00 PM on saturday. Since sunday is off, I wasn't expecting delivery before thursday. I received laptop at 1:00 PM. So, thumbs up for quick delivery. Packaging was also really good.

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Build Quality

Well, I got what I paid for. Laptop is made completely from plastic. But still its not fragile by any means. Keyboard could have been better. Touchpad is multitouch but still a big disappointment. I actually never liked these texturtured touchpads

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I did like this silvery back. fingerprints are not that visible. It does flex a little bit when pressure is applied

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Fan and exhaust is located at left side which IMO is nice. I have always been more comfortable with laptops which have their exhaust on left side.

[attachment=13394SC00257.jpg]

Left side has VGA, Exhaust RJ45, HDMI, 1 USB 2.0, Mic in, 3.5mm headphone jack, Card reader and indicators( IMO indicators should be in front so that they are always visible.

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Front has absolutely nothing

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Right has optical drive, 2 USB 2.0, DC in and lock port

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Back doesn't have anything at all.

Display

[attachment=13398SC00271.jpg]

I must say, it has been biggest disappointment. Screen is really bad. Colors look absolutely washed out. Black looks like grey. But then it will work out just fine for day to day use.

Performance

Windows Experience Index

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Super PI

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HD Tune

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Cinebench

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Passmark

[attachment=13403:summary.jpg]

[attachment=13404:CPU,GPU-Z and hw monitor.jpg]

I just don't understand the naming scheme. B960 is second generation pentium dual core. Architecturally its just a second generation i3 without HT and turbo boost(I could be wrong). They give sticker of Pentium Inside and CPU-Z shows Celeron

My GPU is also not properly detected by GPUZ. It shows memory size of 0MB.

Heat and Noise

[attachment=13405:Stressing.jpg]

I am pleasantly surprised in this regard. Fan is really quiet at full speed. I stressed both GPU and CPU but it never went beyond 72c

[font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]The bottomline is that, Its good VFM laptop. I would recommend it to people who are on tight budget and need a reliable laptop for everyday needs. Don't go for it if you want to watch movies.[/font]

If anyone wants to now any specific thing, PM me.[font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] [/font]

Any suggestions and comments are welcome

[font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]BTW, There is a option in BIOS " Fan always ON" should I enable it or disable. Default was enabled but I disabled it. What do you guys recommend?[/font]

 

[satan194p]

No replies? Did I break some rule?

 

[nish_pinto]

"My GPU is also not properly detected by GPUZ. It shows memory size of 0MB."

Its the same will all the laptops having IGP, shows 0 mb.

 

[satan194p]

"My GPU is also not properly detected by GPUZ. It shows memory size of 0MB."

Its the same will all the laptops having IGP, shows 0 mb.

ok, Any idea about BIOS option?

BTW, can anyone else comment on screen? Is it just me or screen is really that bad?

 

[nish_pinto]

What about BIOS option?

About the screen, you get what you pay for. So don't expect wonders. In the 20-22k range laptops, I found the screen of Acer 5750Z better than any other.

 

[satan194p]

What about BIOS option?

[font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]There is a option in BIOS " Fan always ON" should I enable it or disable. Default was enabled but I disabled it. What do you guys recommend?[/font][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] [/font]

 

[DarkAngel]

Crisp first impressions with good no. of pics and benchies

Keep them coming.

 

[satan194p]

Crisp first impressions with good no. of pics and benchies

Keep them coming.

Thanks