HP Pavilion Media Center M8120N Desktop PC (Intel Core 2 Quad Processor Q6600, 3 GB RAM, 640 GB Hard Drive, Vista Premium)
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Windows Nightmare not Vista
  • excellent very happy
  • Loud, not as fast as I expected
  • Great machine for the money.
  • love my new PC
HP Pavilion Media Center M8120N Desktop PC (Intel Core 2 Quad Processor Q6600, 3 GB RAM, 640 GB Hard Drive, Vista Premium)

Manufacturer: Hewlett Packard Office
ProductGroup: Personal Computer
Binding: Personal Computers

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Product Features:
  • Powerful multimedia desktop with TV tuner (NTSC/ATSC), personal video recording functionality, and programming guide
  • 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 quad-core processor, dual 320 GB hard drives (640 GB total), 3 GB RAM (8 GB max), 16x LightScribe DVD drive
  • Connectivity: 6 USB, 2 FireWire, 1 VGA, 1 S-Video, 1 composite A/V digital audio output, surround sound speaker output, 15-in-1 memory card reader
  • 54g Wi-Fi (802.11b/g), 10/100/1000 Ethernet, Nvidia GeForce 7350 LE video card (with 128 MB of video memory)
  • Pre-installed with Windows Vista Home Premium (with Media Center capabilities)

ASIN: B000RNG3WO

Product Description

The Pavilion Media Center TV is designed to make it easier, and more convenient, for you to enjoy your digital entertainment. This desktop features an NTSC TV tuner and an over-the-air ATSC tuner, giving you the ability to receive both standard and high definition TV broadcasts. The Pavilion Media Center TV also has DVR functionality. Pause, record, and rewind live TV using the built-in 640GB hard drive, or if that's still not enough room for you, you can purchase an optional HP Personal Media Drive for up to an additional 500GB of storage space. 640GB of Hard Drive Space - 2 320GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drives HP Personal Media Drive Bay SuperMulti DVD Drive - (write speeds) up to 12x DVD-RAM, 8x DL DVD-R, 8x DL DVD+R, 16x DVD-R, 16x DVD+R, 6x DVD-RW, 8x DVD+RW, 40x CD-R, & 32x CD-RW SuperMulti DVD Drive - (read speeds) up to 16x DVD-ROM & 40x CD-ROM NVIDIA GeForce 7350 LE Graphics w/ TurboCache with 128MB of dedicated graphics - up to 623MB of total memory using shared memory (memory is taken from the main system) Personal Video Recorder (PVR) - NTSC TV Tuner, over-the-air ATSC HDTV tuner, and FM Tuner (antenna included) HD Audio (8 speaker configurable) Wireless LAN 802.11b/g Ports - 10/100/1000 Ethernet, 6 USB 2.0 (2 front), 2 FireWire (1 front), Microphone, Headphone, S-Video, Composite Video, Audio (L/R), 2 PS/2, Digital Audio Out, 1 VGA, & Rear Speaker/Subwoofer/Center Speaker Out Slots - 2 PCI (1 available), 1 PCI-E x1 (available) & 1 PCI-E x16 (occupied) Bays - 2 External 5.25 (1 available) & 2 Internal 3.5 (occupied) Front Panel 15-in-1 Memory Card Reader - supports SmartMedia, xD, MMC, SD, Compact Flash I/II, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick Pro Duo, RSMMC, MMC Mobile, MMC+, Mini SD, & IBM Microdrive Unit Dimensions - 15.16 (l) x 7.60 (w) x 16.54 (h/d) Unit Weight - 32 lbs. Monitor is not included

Amazon.com Product Description

The easy-to-use HP m8120n Media Center PC is the complete home PC system that delivers more entertainment choices, and brings them together in one place with easy access from anywhere in the room. You can watch, record, and pause live TV programming as well as schedule the PC to record upcoming episodes or entire series. The built-in TV tuner (providing both standard NTSC and high-def ATSC transmission) and personal video recorder (PVR) let you watch, pause, rewind, and record live television--up to 390 hours on the dual 320 GB hard drives (for a 640 GB total). An online Electronic Program Guide (EPG) lets you review the TV schedule and select individual episodes or entire series, so you can watch your favorite shows on your own time, at your own convenience. And you can easily burn TV shows and home video to DVD for friends and family with the dual-layer, multi-format LightScribe DVD/CD burner, which enables you to store up to 8.5 GB of data on a DL disc. LightScribe technology burns custom, silkscreen-quality labels and artwork directly onto LightScribe-enabled discs, right inside the drive.

This desktop is one of the first offered by HP to be powered by the 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Quad E6420 quad-core processor, which blows through processor-intensive tasks in demanding multitasking environments and makes the most of highly threaded applications. A built-in drive bay fits an optional HP Personal Media Drive (PMD), for up to 500 GB of additional storage that you can carry away with you when you go (PMD not included). It also features 2 GB of installed RAM (8 GB maximum), Nvidia GeForce 7350 LE video card (with 128 MB of dedicated video memory), 15-in-1 memory card reader, up to 8 channels of surround sound output, Wi-Fi connectivity, and a remote control with up to 16 feet of range.

This PC also comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, which includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center. In addition to easily playing your DVD movies and managing your digital audio library, you'll be able to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV). Vista also integrates new search tools throughout the operating system, includes new parental control features, and offers new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures.

The Basics

Video & Audio
Video is powered by the Nvidia GeForce 7350 LE, which features 128 MB of dedicated graphics memory and can provide up to 400 MB of total available graphics memory as allocated by Windows Vista. Nvidia's exclusive TurboCache technology allows direct rendering from the GPU to system memory by leveraging the bi-directional PCI Express bandwidth. The TurboCache Manager dynamically allocates memory for maximum system performance while intelligent software algorithms maximize application performance. It also offers an integrated audio card that can produce high definition surround sound configurable to 8 speakers.

Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
This desktop has an integrated 54g wireless LAN that's fully compatible with 802.11b/g wireless networks. For expansion, this desktop features a drive bay that fits an optional HP Personal Media Drive--which enables you to add 500 GB of storage for your video and music libraries. It has two PCI expansion slots (none available), one PCI x16 Express slot (not available), one PCI x1 Express slot (available), two 5.25-inch bays (one available), three 3.5-inch bays (one available), and the following external ports:

It includes an integrated 56K modem (V.90) and an RJ-45 LAN network port (for a 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet connection to networks and DSL/cable modems).

Operating System
Windows Vista Home Premium is the operating system for users with advanced computer needs, and it includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center for watching DVD movies and accessing your digital audio library. You can also use Windows Media Center to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV) and to access new kinds of online entertainment content. Computers that include Windows Vista Home Premium and an auxiliary Windows SideShow display will also allow you to access key data even when your computer is off. It is also easier than ever to share files between other PCs in your household and to manage your laptop computer settings to more securely connect via Wi-Fi.

Every edition of Windows Vista provides the essential tools and technologies to help protect you whether you are browsing the Internet, connecting to a wireless network, or just reading e-mail. All editions of Windows Vista include new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures long before you have lost any important personal data. And, all Windows Vista editions include parental control features that allow you to manage and monitor your family's use of games, the Internet, instant messaging, and other activities.

Preloaded Software
Includes Microsoft Works 8, Microsoft Office Home and Student Edition 2007 Trial, Symantec Norton Internet Security 2007 (with 60 days of Live Update), Roxio Creator/MyDVD (with LightScribe technology), Muvee autoProducer (for creating professional-looking home videos and burning to DVD), HP PhotoSmart Essential, and HP Total Care Advisor.

Dimensions & Weight
This desktop measures 15.16 x 7.6 x 16.54 inches (LxWxD) and weighs approximately 32 pounds.

What's in the Box
This package contains the HP Media Center m8120n desktop PC, keyboard, mouse, remote control, and power cord. It is backed by a limited warranty for parts and labor for one year from date of purchase as well as technical telephone assistance for one year. Software is also covered for 90 days from date of purchase.

Customer Reviews:

1 out of 5 stars Windows Nightmare not Vista.......2007-09-21

I cannot beleive it but the Apple commercials are 100% correct. I have never had a computer virus until I had this thing for three weeks. So I perform a system restore. Now Vista denies my access to my personal files telling me I am not the administrator. I got this fixed but now it is blocking my Microsoft Office programs.
Vista tries to be too smart. Not a good operating system. I wish I had this pc with Windows XP. HP support provides about 90% of the steps to fix the problems. Unfortunatley it is that last 10% that gives you fits.
Also HP loads the computer up with a bunch of junk programs that do the basics. If you want to write a decent looking write scribe label you will need to pay the $50 an upgrade the Roxio program to the full feature version.

5 out of 5 stars excellent very happy.......2007-09-21

My husband and I are very happy with the overall performance of this pc, so far we have had it for a month and the only problem we had with it is with watching TV. However, we called up customer service and had the problem fixed within minutes. HP has excellent customer service and for that reason alone its worth choosing one of there products. In my honest opinion this machine is the best bang for the buck you will find...that is if your looking for a media pc with all the bells and whistles.

3 out of 5 stars Loud, not as fast as I expected.......2007-09-19

I usually buy a new desktop every 2 to 3 years. This time I waited 5 years from the last one, and was expecting a dramatic improvement in speed and OS interface as usual. It boots up and shuts down about twice as fast, but I haven't even loaded this up with software yet. Vista is a pretty interface and full of features, but cumbersome to use. The effect of windows fading in and out feels slow. I may just need to some to get used to it.

The whirring of the fans and grinding of the hard drive are loud and annoying. I keep this in the bedroom and leave it on sometimes at night, so this is a bummer. My 5-year old Dell is much quieter. Other owners on this site and others have commented that this model is quiet. Huh???

Did I get a bad one? Or is this relatively quiet compared to other high end systems? How about the loud grinding hard drive sound? BTW, my other int and ext HD's don't make this sound, except for one ext one, but it's still pretty quiet. Any comments?

5 out of 5 stars Great machine for the money........2007-09-17

I have owned the m8i20n for about one week. My main application is for heavy duty photo editing using Photoshop CS2, and Lightroom 1.2. It is performing up my expectations and contrary to other reviewers, Vista works well. Here are some thoughts:

Strengths:

1. The Quatro processor is incredibly fast. Vista Processor score is 5.9.

2. The mother board has empty slots for upgrades.

3. Plenty of hard disk capacity. I opted for 2 360GB disks in a RAID 1 configuration (two identical drives at all times).

4. I like the CF slot on the front panel.

Weaknesses.

1. The video board is useless for my needs. It is slow (Vista - 3.4), and it only supports one (DVI)monitor.

2. The power supply is at best adequate if you upgrade the system.

3. The wireless keyboard is inadequate. (Non-ergonomic, skips keystrokes).

Other thoughts.

1. I replaced the video board with a PX8500 form Leadtek. I now have support for two DVI monitors, and the Vista Aero score is 5.9. The gaming score is 5.3. Best of all, this board does not require a new power supply.

2. The keyboard must go. Fortunately I have several surplus ones, so this is not an issue for me.

3. Since the two disk are in a raid configuration, I purchased a 360Gb HP Personal Media Drive. It works well as a backup drive and as a buffer drive for Photoshop.

4. Since I do not use my computer to watch TV, I removed the Video card. I was able to sell it on an auction site for $70.

5. With the video board and the modem board both removed, I now have 2 PCI slots for upgrades.

4. The unit is not as quiet as I would like, but it is not worse than others.

5 out of 5 stars love my new PC.......2007-09-08

I ordered my new PC and it arrived within the week. I was thrilled. The set up with the directions you gave me were simple- I could do it without asking anyone for help.
Each feature has been so easy to master. I now use my digital camera card in the slot on the PC to upload my photos- no more cords to worry about. I made a file of photos and used the DVD burner to burn a file for safe keeping. Simple, fast, and I love it!
And I watched some movies on it too.. really great!
I'm pleased with my selection and very pleased with Amazon's shipping.
HP Pavilion A6130N Desktop PC (AMD Athlon 64 Processor, 3 GB RAM, 400 GB Hard Drive, Vista Premium)
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • The system has crashed 5 times in first 3 days.
  • tradeoffs: value vs minor inconviences
  • Just Awesome
  • The Ultimate Intense Application Computer (Stock)
  • Good for the price
HP Pavilion A6130N Desktop PC (AMD Athlon 64 Processor, 3 GB RAM, 400 GB Hard Drive, Vista Premium)

Manufacturer: Hewlett Packard Office
ProductGroup: Personal Computer
Binding: Personal Computers

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Product Features:
  • Sleek and shiny black-and-silver desktop with 2.6 GHz AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ dual-core processor
  • 400 GB Serial ATA hard drive, 3 GB RAM (4 GB max), 16x LightScribe DVD-/+RW drive
  • Connections: 6 USB, 2 FireWire, digital coaxial audio out, 15-in-1 memory card reader
  • Nvidia GeForce 6150 video/graphics card with 128 MB of dedicated video RAM, 10/100 Ethernet
  • Pre-installed with Windows Vista Home Premium (with Media Center capabilities)

ASIN: B000RNC4TK

Product Description

This HP Pavilion desktop features an AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core Processor 5000+, and 3GB of DDR2 SDRAM. Enough speed and power to handle nearly any application. From word processing to 3D video games. Other interesting features include a front panel 15-in-1 memory card reader, that lets you easily transfer digital media from your portable devices. The SuperMulti DVD drive can read and burn to nearly any CD or DVD disc, including Dual Layer and DVD-RAM. 400GB 7200RPM Hard Drive SuperMulti DVD Writer - (write speeds) up to 12 DVD-RAM, 8x DL DVD-R, 8x DL DVD+R, 16x DVD-R, 16x DVD+R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 40x CD-R, & 32x CD-RW SuperMulti DVD Writer - (read speeds) up to 16x DVD-ROM & 40x CD-ROM NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE Graphics with TurboCache with 128MB of memory (up to 632MB of shared memory - memory is taken from the main system's RAM) High Definition Audio (8 speaker configurable) Front Panel 15-in-1 Memory Card Reader - supports SmartMedia, xD, MultiMedia Card, Secure Digital (SD), Compact Flash I/II, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick Pro Duo, RSMMC, MMC Mobile, MMC+, Mini SD, & Microdrive 56k Fax Modem Ports - 10/100 Ethernet, 6 USB 2.0 (2 front), 2 FireWire (1 front), Microphone, Line In, Line Out, 2 PS/2, Digital Audio Out, VGA Out, Speakers Out Slots - 1 PCI-E x16 (available), 1 PCI-E x1 (available), & 2 PCI (1 available) Bays - 2 External 5.25 (1 available), 1 External 3.5 (occupied), & 1 Internal 3.5 (occupied) Unit Dimensions - 16.28 (l) x 6.89 (w) x 15.24 (h/d) Unit Weight - approx. 22 lbs. Monitor is not included

Amazon.com Product Description

Boasting a sleek and shiny black-and-silver chassis, the HP Pavilion a6130n desktop PC comes loaded with the all tools you need to easily create, manage, share, and enjoy your digital photos, home videos, movies, and music. You can easily burn your home video productions to DVD for friends and family with the dual-layer, multi-format DVD/CD burner, which enables you to store up to 8.5 GB of data on a DL disc and provides a super-fast 16x DVD+R/-R write speed. It also includes LightScribe technology for personalized silkscreen-quality, laser-etched CD/DVD labels created right in the drive.

This desktop is powered by the 2.6 GHz AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ dual-core processor, which increases the efficiency and speed of the PC while running multiple programs and the latest multi-threaded software. Store more music, videos, and data on the roomy 400 GB Serial ATA hard drive, which offers fast transfer rates. It also comes loaded with 2 GB of RAM (which can be bumped up to 4 GB), an integrated Nvidia GeForce 6150 video/graphics card with 128 MB of dedicated video RAM, a wide variety of connection ports on both the front and rear of the box, and a 15-in-1 memory card reader that's compatible with today's most popular digital camera formats.

It comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, which includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center. In addition to easily playing your DVD movies and managing your digital audio library, you'll be able to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV). Vista also integrates new search tools throughout the operating system, includes new parental control features, and offers new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures.

The Basics

Video & Audio
This desktop features an integrated Nvidia GeForce 6150 SE graphics/video card with 128 MB of dedicated graphics memory. Windows Vista can also allocate up to 623 MB of total graphics memory from the system memory. It features NVidia's PureVideo technology--which provides great picture clarity, smooth video, accurate color, and precise image scaling for video content--and full support for Microsoft DirectX 9.0 for stunningly realistic cinematic effects for all DirectX-compatible applications. It also offers an integrated audio card that can produce high definition surround sound configurable to 8 speakers.

Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
For expansion, this desktop has two PCI slots (one available), one PCI Express x1 slot (available), one PCI Express x16 slot (available), two 5.25-inch bays (one available), and three 3.5-inch bays (two available). It comes with a built-in floppy drive and the following external connectors:

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).

Operating System
Windows Vista Home Premium is the operating system for users with advanced computer needs, and it includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center for watching DVD movies and accessing your digital audio library. You can also use Windows Media Center to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV) and to access new kinds of online entertainment content. Computers that include Windows Vista Home Premium and an auxiliary Windows SideShow display will also allow you to access key data even when your computer is off. It is also easier than ever to share files between other PCs in your household and to manage your laptop computer settings to more securely connect via Wi-Fi.

Every edition of Windows Vista provides the essential tools and technologies to help protect you whether you are browsing the Internet, connecting to a wireless network, or just reading e-mail. All editions of Windows Vista include new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures long before you have lost any important personal data. And, all Windows Vista editions include parental control features that allow you to manage and monitor your family's use of games, the Internet, instant messaging, and other activities.

Preloaded Software
Includes Microsoft Works 8, Microsoft Office Home and Student Edition 2007 Trial, Symantec Norton Internet Security 2007 (with 60 days of Live Update), Roxio Creator/MyDVD (with LightScribe technology), Muvee autoProducer (for creating professional-looking home videos and burning to DVD), HP PhotoSmart Essential, and HP Total Care Advisor.

Dimensions & Weight
It measures 16.3 x 6.9 x 15.25 inches (LxWxD) and weighs approximately 22 pounds.

What's in the Box
This package contains the HP Pavilion a6130n desktop PC, power cable, keyboard, and mouse. It is backed by a limited warranty for parts and labor for one year from date of purchase as well as technical telephone assistance for one year. Software is also covered for 90 days from date of purchase.

Customer Reviews:

2 out of 5 stars The system has crashed 5 times in first 3 days........2007-08-22

This is unbelievable for me, since I used to work for MSFT. How can they continue to ship operating system which continue to have hand up problems. I bought the system on Sunday, and today is Tuesday and this thing has crashed 5 times. I had to hard boot the computer!!

- System hang up issues -
- Windows explorer hang up
- Task manager froze
- I was installing My HP games - and it hangs up while installing Wild Tangent - I waited 11 mintues and since it wasn't doing anything I had to shut it down.
- I tried Disk defragmentation and once again - it hnags up on me
Last night- it hangs up when I did shut down.

Either this is just a bad machine - because everyone else here on Amazon loves there. I have a netowrk at home and run 4 other PC's and laptop and have been in Hi-tech for last 11 years. I am going to take it back and ask for an exchange or just buy another machine.

4 out of 5 stars tradeoffs: value vs minor inconviences.......2007-08-15

First, ordered this from Amazon and delivery was fast! It actually got here a week before the monitor (Samsung 226).

HP a6130n is a prebuilt desktop so you can't "customize" it. But for the value, you get alot of bang for your buck. Also, according to a friend who works for HP, the prebuilts don't have as many "issues" as those you customize. Since I've only had the machine up and running for less than a week and have not ever owned a "customized" HP, I do not know this first hand.

I see other users and pro reviewers have said the graphics is weak, but as a nongamer, the picture looks great.

Drawbacks: I wish hp would change 2 things.
1. it does not have a digital monitor output. Apparently that's pretty standard in new systems. According to an hp rep, this system has been available since June 2007 (despite what it says on the Amazon page).
2. lots of noise! It's very loud when I start it up or when I open up a program. I see another reviewer has praised how quiet this system is so I'm not sure whether I have a bummer one or not.
2.5 mouse-(minor, minor issue)- roller ball mouse, who knew they still made them?


Update: had to send it back. I talked to 4 different HP techs regarding the grinding noise. The last cs person I talked to was very knowledgable and nice. After running some diagnostics and actually listening to the noise over the phone, the guys at hp think this particular one I got has hard drive issues. But I have to say, the techs I chatted with online and phone were all incredibly nice.

5 out of 5 stars Just Awesome.......2007-08-13

How they can pack this much computing power into such a low price is beyond me (oh wait...free trade). Seriously, this thing is a monster. The dual core AMD processor is super fast and can handle a million things at once. You also have more than enough RAM for your needs, which is nice since Vista is such a memory hog. Vista uses about 1GB of RAM, so really you have 2GB of usuable RAM, which is still more than enough for the average user. Also, at 400GB of storage, you're not likely to run out of room any time soon.

As others have pointed out, the ONLY weakness with the system is the graphics card. If you are going to do any sort of gaming on this (or any serious photo work) you really must upgrade the graphics card, as the integrated one is just barely adequate. Its enough to run the Vista themes on a basic level, and you can obviously watch videos and such, but it really chugs on games and also if you're doing any serious photo editing. Also, it would have been nice if they would have thrown in a wireless network card (but alot of desktop PC's dont have them) so if you have a wireless network, add another 50 bucks or so for a decent (and Vista capable) wireless card. Other than that I really have no complaints about this computer. HP's are great, my last one lasted for years and they are easy to upgrade so I expect to have this around for a long time. What else...lightscribe DVD burner, memory card reader, USB ports up the yin-yang, expansion bays and audio inputs / outputs on the front of the computer...this just about has it all. And, its cool looking to boot.


OBTW...those of you complaining about lack of restore / installation discs...did you even open or read the owner's manual? On just about the first page it tells you how to burn your own recovery discs from the Recovery partition. So do NOT pay HP $29 for discs! Just follow the instructions in the manual and burn your restore discs onto 2 DVD's!

In sum, this is about the best bang for your buck right now. I actually switched back to Windows from using Macs the past couple years and this thing blows the Mac away in every aspect (except graphics.) Great machine, awesome price, and HP support actually speaks intelligible English and generally answer the phone within 2 minutes. As far as the computing world goes, HP is on top of all aspects of the game. Very happy with this purchase.

5 out of 5 stars The Ultimate Intense Application Computer (Stock).......2007-08-12

This computer is one of the fastest computers you can get on the market. The AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ (2.6Ghz) is extremely powerful for handling those graphic intense applications. The 400GB SATA II Hard Drive is Ultra-Fast and Ultra-Quiet; in fact the whole system can't even be heard! The DVD-RW/+RW DL LightScribe drive has Ultra-Fast read and write speeds. Data transfer is extremely fast between the Optical Drive and the Hard Drive, thanks to SATA cabling (Yes, the DVD drive is connected through SATA, which is new to the market). The power supply is 250w. The 3GB of DDR2-800 RAM is Ultra-Fast and provides plenty of extra RAM for Vista to utilize. The a6130n has a integrated GeForce 6150SE featuring Nvidia TurboCache Technology. It features dedicated 64MB of DDR2 with 256MB of RAM (Shared). All-in-all with the Vista Graphics memory allocation it is 1071MB of Shared Graphics Memory. The GPU is the one downfall of this system. But for non-hardcore gamers, this system is the ulitmate for the price. Highly Recommended!

4 out of 5 stars Good for the price.......2007-08-03

First, for the money you spend on this thing, you can't expect a high end video card for new games. Nobody is going to toss in a $500 video card when the whole package goes for $600.
The integrated video actually does a decent job at older games such as Unreal Tournament 2004 and anything else that isn't too demanding.
My biggest complaint is the keyboard. It is cheap and quite unresponsive.
Some don't like the mouse, since it is mechanical. Personally, I hate optical mice and feel that a mechanical mouse that is kept clean or a trackball is a better choice.

Windows Vista is great. But expect a few headaches for compatibility when you get any kind of brand new operating system. Don't blame it on HP.
HP Pavilion Media Center M8100N Desktop PC (AMD Athlon 64 Processor, 3 GB RAM, 500 GB Hard Drive, Vista Premium)
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Windows Nightmare not Vista
  • excellent very happy
  • Loud, not as fast as I expected
  • Great machine for the money.
  • love my new PC
HP Pavilion Media Center M8100N Desktop PC (AMD Athlon 64 Processor, 3 GB RAM, 500 GB Hard Drive, Vista Premium)

Manufacturer: Hewlett Packard Office
ProductGroup: Personal Computer
Binding: Personal Computers

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Product Features:
  • Powerful multimedia desktop with TV tuner (NTSC/ATSC), personal video recording functionality, and programming guide
  • 2.8 GHz AMD Athlon 64 X2 5600+ dual-core processor, 500 GB SATA hard drive, 3 GB RAM (8 GB max), 16x LightScribe DVD drive
  • Connectivity: 6 USB, 2 FireWire, 1 VGA, 1 S-Video, 1 composite A/V digital audio output, surround sound speaker output, 15-in-1 memory card reader
  • Nvidia GeForce Go 6150 video card with up to 288 MB shared memory, 10/100 Ethernet
  • Pre-installed with Windows Vista Home Premium (with Media Center capabilities)

ASIN: B000RNI6L0

Product Description

The Pavilion Media Center TV is designed to make it easier, and more convenient, for you to enjoy your digital entertainment. This desktop features an NTSC TV tuner and an over-the-air ATSC tuner, giving you the ability to receive both standard and high definition TV broadcasts. The Pavilion Media Center TV also has DVR functionality. Pause, record, and rewind live TV using the built-in 500GB hard drive, or if that's still not enough room for you, you can purchase an optional HP Personal Media Drive for up to an additional 500GB of storage space. 500GB 7200RPM SATA HDD HP Personal Media Drive Bay SuperMulti DVD Drive - (write speeds) up to 12x DVD-RAM, 8x DL DVD-R, 8x DL DVD+R, 16x DVD-R, 16x DVD+R, 6x DVD-RW, 8x DVD+RW, 40x CD-R, & 32x CD-RW SuperMulti DVD Drive - (read speeds) up to 16x DVD-ROM & 40x CD-ROM NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE Graphics with TurboCache with 128MB of dedicated graphics - up to 623MB of total memory using shared memory (memory is taken from the main system's RAM) Personal Video Recorder (PVR) - NTSC TV Tuner, over-the-air ATSC high-definition television tuner, and FM Tuner (antenna included) High Definition Audio (8 speaker configurable) Ports - 10/100 Ethernet, 6 USB 2.0 (2 front), 2 FireWire (1 front), Microphone, Headphone, S-Video, Composite Video, Audio (L/R), 2 PS/2, Digital Audio Out, 1 VGA Out, & Rear Speaker/Subwoofer/Center Speaker Out Slots - 2 PCI (occupied) & 1 PCI-E x16 (occupied) Bays - 2 External 5.25 (1 available) & 2 Internal 3.5 (1 available) Front Panel 15-in-1 Memory Card Reader - supports SmartMedia, xD Picture Cards, MMC, SD, Compact Flash I/II, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick Pro Duo, RSMMC, MMC Mobile, MMC+, Mini SD, & IBM Microdrive Unit Dimensions - 15.16 (l) x 7.60 (w) x 16.54 (h/d) Unit Weight - 32 lbs. Monitor is not included

Amazon.com Product Description

The easy-to-use HP m8000n Media Center PC is the complete home PC system that delivers more entertainment choices, and brings them together in one place with easy access from anywhere in the room. You can watch, record, and pause live TV programming as well as schedule the PC to record upcoming episodes or entire series. The built-in TV tuner (providing both standard NTSC and high-def ATSC transmission) and personal video recorder (PVR) let you watch, pause, rewind, and record live television--up to 305 hours on this 500 GB hard drive. An online Electronic Program Guide (EPG) lets you review the TV schedule and select individual episodes or entire series, so you can watch your favorite shows on your own time, at your own convenience. And you can easily burn TV shows and home video to DVD for friends and family with the dual-layer, multi-format LightScribe DVD/CD burner, which enables you to store up to 8.5 GB of data on a DL disc. LightScribe technology burns custom, silkscreen-quality labels and artwork directly onto LightScribe-enabled discs, right inside the drive.

This desktop is powered by the 2.8 GHz AMD Athlon 64 X2 5600+ dual-core processor, which increases the efficiency and speed of the PC while running multiple programs and the latest multi-threaded software. A built-in drive bay fits an optional HP Personal Media Drive (PMD), for up to 500 GB of additional storage that you can carry away with you when you go (PMD not included). It also features 3 GB of installed RAM (8 GB maximum), Nvidia GeForce 6150 LE video card (with 128 MB of dedicated video memory), 15-in-1 memory card reader, up to 8 channels of surround sound output, and a remote control with up to 16 feet of range.

This PC also comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, which includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center. In addition to easily playing your DVD movies and managing your digital audio library, you'll be able to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV). Vista also integrates new search tools throughout the operating system, includes new parental control features, and offers new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures.

The Basics

Video & Audio
This desktop features an integrated Nvidia GeForce 6150 SE graphics/video card with 128 MB of dedicated graphics memory. Windows Vista can also allocate up to 623 MB of total graphics memory from the system memory. It features NVidia's PureVideo technology--which provides great picture clarity, smooth video, accurate color, and precise image scaling for video content--and full support for Microsoft DirectX 9.0 for stunningly realistic cinematic effects for all DirectX-compatible applications. It also offers an integrated audio card that can produce high definition surround sound configurable to 8 speakers.

Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
For expansion, this desktop features a drive bay that fits an optional HP Personal Media Drive--which enables you to add 500 GB of storage for your video and music libraries. It has two PCI expansion slots (none available), one PCI x16 Express slot (available), one PCI x1 Express slot (available), two 5.25-inch bays (one available), three 3.5-inch bays (two available), and the following external ports:

It includes 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).

Operating System
Windows Vista Home Premium is the operating system for users with advanced computer needs, and it includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center for watching DVD movies and accessing your digital audio library. You can also use Windows Media Center to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV) and to access new kinds of online entertainment content. Computers that include Windows Vista Home Premium and an auxiliary Windows SideShow display will also allow you to access key data even when your computer is off. It is also easier than ever to share files between other PCs in your household and to manage your laptop computer settings to more securely connect via Wi-Fi.

Every edition of Windows Vista provides the essential tools and technologies to help protect you whether you are browsing the Internet, connecting to a wireless network, or just reading e-mail. All editions of Windows Vista include new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures long before you have lost any important personal data. And, all Windows Vista editions include parental control features that allow you to manage and monitor your family's use of games, the Internet, instant messaging, and other activities.

Preloaded Software
Includes Microsoft Works 8, Microsoft Office Home and Student Edition 2007 Trial, Symantec Norton Internet Security 2007 (with 60 days of Live Update), Roxio Creator/MyDVD (with LightScribe technology), Muvee autoProducer (for creating professional-looking home videos and burning to DVD), HP PhotoSmart Essential, and HP Total Care Advisor.

Dimensions & Weight
This desktop measures 15.16 x 7.6 x 16.54 inches (LxWxD) and weighs approximately 32 pounds.

What's in the Box
This package contains the HP Media Center m8100n desktop PC, keyboard, mouse, remote control, and power cord. It is backed by a limited warranty for parts and labor for one year from date of purchase as well as technical telephone assistance for one year. Software is also covered for 90 days from date of purchase.

Customer Reviews:

1 out of 5 stars Windows Nightmare not Vista.......2007-09-21

I cannot beleive it but the Apple commercials are 100% correct. I have never had a computer virus until I had this thing for three weeks. So I perform a system restore. Now Vista denies my access to my personal files telling me I am not the administrator. I got this fixed but now it is blocking my Microsoft Office programs.
Vista tries to be too smart. Not a good operating system. I wish I had this pc with Windows XP. HP support provides about 90% of the steps to fix the problems. Unfortunatley it is that last 10% that gives you fits.
Also HP loads the computer up with a bunch of junk programs that do the basics. If you want to write a decent looking write scribe label you will need to pay the $50 an upgrade the Roxio program to the full feature version.

5 out of 5 stars excellent very happy.......2007-09-21

My husband and I are very happy with the overall performance of this pc, so far we have had it for a month and the only problem we had with it is with watching TV. However, we called up customer service and had the problem fixed within minutes. HP has excellent customer service and for that reason alone its worth choosing one of there products. In my honest opinion this machine is the best bang for the buck you will find...that is if your looking for a media pc with all the bells and whistles.

3 out of 5 stars Loud, not as fast as I expected.......2007-09-19

I usually buy a new desktop every 2 to 3 years. This time I waited 5 years from the last one, and was expecting a dramatic improvement in speed and OS interface as usual. It boots up and shuts down about twice as fast, but I haven't even loaded this up with software yet. Vista is a pretty interface and full of features, but cumbersome to use. The effect of windows fading in and out feels slow. I may just need to some to get used to it.

The whirring of the fans and grinding of the hard drive are loud and annoying. I keep this in the bedroom and leave it on sometimes at night, so this is a bummer. My 5-year old Dell is much quieter. Other owners on this site and others have commented that this model is quiet. Huh???

Did I get a bad one? Or is this relatively quiet compared to other high end systems? How about the loud grinding hard drive sound? BTW, my other int and ext HD's don't make this sound, except for one ext one, but it's still pretty quiet. Any comments?

5 out of 5 stars Great machine for the money........2007-09-17

I have owned the m8i20n for about one week. My main application is for heavy duty photo editing using Photoshop CS2, and Lightroom 1.2. It is performing up my expectations and contrary to other reviewers, Vista works well. Here are some thoughts:

Strengths:

1. The Quatro processor is incredibly fast. Vista Processor score is 5.9.

2. The mother board has empty slots for upgrades.

3. Plenty of hard disk capacity. I opted for 2 360GB disks in a RAID 1 configuration (two identical drives at all times).

4. I like the CF slot on the front panel.

Weaknesses.

1. The video board is useless for my needs. It is slow (Vista - 3.4), and it only supports one (DVI)monitor.

2. The power supply is at best adequate if you upgrade the system.

3. The wireless keyboard is inadequate. (Non-ergonomic, skips keystrokes).

Other thoughts.

1. I replaced the video board with a PX8500 form Leadtek. I now have support for two DVI monitors, and the Vista Aero score is 5.9. The gaming score is 5.3. Best of all, this board does not require a new power supply.

2. The keyboard must go. Fortunately I have several surplus ones, so this is not an issue for me.

3. Since the two disk are in a raid configuration, I purchased a 360Gb HP Personal Media Drive. It works well as a backup drive and as a buffer drive for Photoshop.

4. Since I do not use my computer to watch TV, I removed the Video card. I was able to sell it on an auction site for $70.

5. With the video board and the modem board both removed, I now have 2 PCI slots for upgrades.

4. The unit is not as quiet as I would like, but it is not worse than others.

5 out of 5 stars love my new PC.......2007-09-08

I ordered my new PC and it arrived within the week. I was thrilled. The set up with the directions you gave me were simple- I could do it without asking anyone for help.
Each feature has been so easy to master. I now use my digital camera card in the slot on the PC to upload my photos- no more cords to worry about. I made a file of photos and used the DVD burner to burn a file for safe keeping. Simple, fast, and I love it!
And I watched some movies on it too.. really great!
I'm pleased with my selection and very pleased with Amazon's shipping.
HP Pavilion A6152N Desktop PC (Intel Core 2 Quad Processor Q6600, 3 GB RAM, 400 GB Hard Drive, Vista Premium)
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • All Chinese!
  • Good computing power for the money
  • Great deal and poweful
  • What good is speed when there are so many potholes?
  • Good hardware dragged down by dismal OS
HP Pavilion A6152N Desktop PC (Intel Core 2 Quad Processor Q6600, 3 GB RAM, 400 GB Hard Drive, Vista Premium)

Manufacturer: Hewlett Packard Office
ProductGroup: Personal Computer
Binding: Personal Computers

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Product Features:
  • Intel Viiv Processor Technology with an Intel Core 2 Quad Processor Q6600
  • 3072MB Memory/ 400GB Hard Drive Stores Up to 171,000 Photos
  • SuperMulti DVD Burner with LightScribe Technology
  • Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100
  • 22.00 Lbs (WxLxH) 16.28" x 6.89" x 9.64"

ASIN: B000S6O03E

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars All Chinese!.......2007-09-18

I bought it yesterday at CC for a decent price. I haven't used it yet, but the spec seems to kick some serious butt. One thing disappointed me at first sight is this comp is almost all Chinese-made (box, case, HDD, PSU, fan...). I doubt about a Chinese processor tho LOL. I opened the case (really easy, only 1 screw!), and the HDD is made-in-China Hitachi. Now, when it comes to delicate stuff like HDD, which will contain tons of my precious data, I'm really brand- and made-in-xxx concious. My prefered brand has always been WD, and secondly is Maxtor. Seagate died on me once after only 5 months of use in another comp, so I kinda staying away from that brand for some time. Even with WD, which I have several and none has crashed on me yet, I prefered Thailand-made to Malaysia-made. If you check for reviews on Amazon for a couple of WD MyBook exHDD models, you will read something like that. Maybe, I'm gonna add another WD Sata HDD for storage.
The case is good to look at but gets dirty easily due to the glossy plate. Something about it and its component, design... looks a bit cheesy to me. My old Sony Vaio was made in USA with foreign components and I really likes the look and feel of it inside and outside the case. The arrangement inside the case is brilliant. Components are from names that you know: WD, Samsung... While inside this HP, it looks pretty cramped. The only name I know is Hitachi. 300W PSU is LITE-ON (not impressed with their optical drives). The HDD stands up in a metal frame, and it seems you have to take that frame out to add another HDD.
Oh, and beside the comp, mouse (wheeled), and keyboard, there is a free phone cable in the box also. Quadcore on Dial-up? Thoughtful, aren't ya, HP?
The optical DVD drive is SATA connected, and there is an expansion bay. Don't worry, there is a PATA connection on Mboard for PATA drive. HP Pocket Drive is pretty useless for me (who needs it when there are HDD specialist WD out there?). Would rather have a floppy drive instead!
Anyway, with all the spec, the value is right. Chinese stuffs are cheap! Durability is another thing, but with the name HP on the case, it should not be cheesy.

5 out of 5 stars Good computing power for the money.......2007-09-07

I bought this machine as my primary home desktop - to deal with everyday email and stuff as well as to keep and manage my photo collection, and later on my home-made movies. So far, I am happy.
Pros: Cheap for the computing power, amount of memory, and storage space.
Cons: Integrated graphics which is the biggest factor dragging down the overall Vista's performance rating (PCI Express slot for a future standalone video adapter is available though). Only one PCI slot (which is also occupied with an unneeded modem). Also, wish it were available with XP - it would then fly like a rocket!
Given it five stars anyway as I got what I expected.

5 out of 5 stars Great deal and poweful.......2007-08-31

PROs: This is a great deal. I bought it last week and have had no problems with it at all. I was able to easily take out the Power Supply (300W) and replace it with a 700W RocketFish powersupply. Very easy procedure. In addition, I added a PCI-e NVIDIA 8800 GT Graphics card and everything fit perfectly. Now the Vista Index went from a 3.3 to a 5.3. This machine really flys. For a gamer this is the route to go. For others, the machine as-is works great. Since you have quad-processors, even a locked program doesn't halt the O/S because they're on different processors. The onboard sound has surround sound which has so far impressed me and with 3 GB RAM, Vista Premium and a 400 GB Hard Drive, this computer should stay up-to-speed for many years. I really like the low-power mode which basically is like a super-hibernate mode except that it wakes up faster than turning on your TV. Very nice. The photo doesn't show it, but the very bottom flap opens up to reveal headphone/mic jacks and also 2 more USB ports and a firewire port. There are also the same on the back of the machine. Also, it is remarkably quiet. It is literally 1/4 as loud as my previous machine. You hardly know it is on. Again, a big plus. Also, the DVD is LightScribe so you have that as an added bonus. Overall, just a great powerful machine for a good price. Plus you have HP to stand behind it.
CONs: For some reason HP decided to put a modem in the only PCI slot. It can easily be taken out, but it seemed strange to include it. In the old days I would've been concerned about only 1 PCI slot, but with everything external USB 2.0 now anyway, I don't see it as an issue.

2 out of 5 stars What good is speed when there are so many potholes?.......2007-08-27

I bought this along with a Scanjet 7650. The HP/Vista system was quite "buggy" with frequent spontaneous shutdowns, freeze-ups, and failure of the OS to recognize the scanner. I called HP support and got the most incredible advice - I could either subscribe to HP paid help ($149.00) or reformat the hard drive, go buy Windows XP and install that on the computer instead. But no willingness to trouble-shoot the problem. I have since rolled back the computer twice to the original factory settings but the bugs and blue screens persist. I agree with Van that it might all be in the OS, but I bought this as a tool, not a hobby, so Amazon is getting it back.

4 out of 5 stars Good hardware dragged down by dismal OS.......2007-08-18

After spending 7 years with Dell Dimension 4100 series (that old beige box everyone has seen from somewhere), I decided that the time is right for me to move on to faster, something less restricting.
After trying it for 4 days, fiddling it for no less than 10 hours a day, this is what I've learned so far:

1. Power Supply in this PC is rated at 300W. Remove the side panel, and PSU will tell you on small letters.
2. It's very quiet, so much so that puts my old PC sounding like a jet taking off. However, if you are in a quiet room, you will hear occasional resonance from two fans (one on CPU, one on rear, those are closely located to each other).
3. Be sure to make a recover disc before you do anything. Guide pg.28 has the instruction on how-to. It requires either 2 DVDs, or 14 CDs.
4. Should you decide to install a TV-Tuner card (I did), be very careful. Cable bundle resides right behind PCI slot (initially occupied by Modem) is hard to move around, so you might have to disconnect few cables in order to install new card, then replug them back in.
5. Front panel, pretty to look at, easy to dirty them with your finger prints.
6. Keyboard included are great, if you like how laptop keyboard feels. Otherwise, it's downright terrible.
7. Mouse is mechanical one, good for gamers, so-so for casual users.
8. Amazing performer. I could watch 1080p/h.264 encoded content without skipping a beat while running Windows Defender. Simply amazing.
9. Windows Vista is buggy. I have encountered 4 BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) already. 3 times while trying to install a program (made for Vista), and 1 time for unknown reason. Sometimes, when a program hangs, you can't seem to kill it even with task manager.
So many things have been tinkered with for good or for worse, so those who are used to XP will best be prepared for some rocky transition.
On a positive note, visuals are eye catcher.
HP shouldn't be held responsible for Vista acting naughty, so I am placing my hope that Service Pack 1 will provide much needed cure.
HP Pavilion A6110N Desktop PC (AMD Athlon 64 Processor, 2 GB RAM, 320 GB Hard Drive, Vista Premium)
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • The system has crashed 5 times in first 3 days.
  • tradeoffs: value vs minor inconviences
  • Just Awesome
  • The Ultimate Intense Application Computer (Stock)
  • Good for the price
HP Pavilion A6110N Desktop PC (AMD Athlon 64 Processor, 2 GB RAM, 320 GB Hard Drive, Vista Premium)

Manufacturer: Hewlett Packard Office
ProductGroup: Personal Computer
Binding: Personal Computers

DesktopsDesktops | Computers & Add-Ons | Categories | Electronics
All Hewlett-PackardAll Hewlett-Packard | Hewlett-Packard | Computers Brands | Computers Features | Electronics
HP NotebooksHP Notebooks | Computers | Hewlett-Packard | Computers Brands | Computers Features | Electronics
HP Pavilion DesktopsHP Pavilion Desktops | Computers | Hewlett-Packard | Computers Brands | Computers Features | Electronics
HP Pavilion NotebooksHP Pavilion Notebooks | Computers | Hewlett-Packard | Computers Brands | Computers Features | Electronics
AMD-Powered NotebooksAMD-Powered Notebooks | AMD | Computers Brands | Computers Features | Electronics | Athlon XP | Athlon XP-M | Turion64 | Mobile Athlon64 | Mobile Sempron
Hewlett-PackardHewlett-Packard | by Brand | Gifts | Specialty Stores | Computers Features | Electronics
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Product Features:
  • Sleek and shiny black-and-silver desktop with 2.4 GHz AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ dual-core processor
  • 320 GB Serial ATA hard drive, 2 GB RAM (4 GB max), 16x LightScribe DVD-/+RW drive
  • Connections: 6 USB, 2 FireWire, digital coaxial audio out, 15-in-1 memory card reader
  • Nvidia GeForce 6150 video/graphics card with 128 MB of dedicated video RAM, 10/100 Ethernet
  • Pre-installed with Windows Vista Home Premium (with Media Center capabilities)

ASIN: B000RNDZ9S

Product Description

This HP Pavilion desktop features an AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core Processor 4400+, and 2GB of DDR2 SDRAM. Enough speed and power to handle nearly any application. From word processing to 3D video games. Other interesting features include a front panel 15-in-1 memory card reader, that lets you easily transfer digital media from your portable devices. The SuperMulti DVD drive can read and burn to nearly any CD or DVD disc, including Dual Layer and DVD-RAM. 320GB 7200RPM Hard Drive SuperMulti DVD Writer - (write speeds) up to 12 DVD-RAM, 8x DL DVD-R, 8x DL DVD+R, 16x DVD-R, 16x DVD+R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 40x CD-R, & 32x CD-RW SuperMulti DVD Writer - (read speeds) up to 16x DVD-ROM & 40x CD-ROM NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE Graphics with TurboCache with 128MB of memory (up to 632MB of shared memory - memory is taken from the main system's RAM) High Definition Audio (8 speaker configurable) Front Panel 15-in-1 Memory Card Reader - supports SmartMedia, xD, MultiMedia Card, Secure Digital (SD), Compact Flash I/II, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick Pro Duo, RSMMC, MMC Mobile, MMC+, Mini SD, & Microdrive 56k Fax Modem Ports - 10/100 Ethernet, 6 USB 2.0 (2 front), 2 FireWire (1 front), Microphone, Line In, Line Out, 2 PS/2, Digital Audio Out, VGA Out, Speakers Out Slots - 1 PCI-E x16 (available), 1 PCI-E x1 (available), & 2 PCI (1 available) Bays - 2 External 5.25 (1 available), 1 External 3.5 (occupied), & 1 Internal 3.5 (occupied) Unit Dimensions - 16.28 (l) x 6.89 (w) x 15.24 (h/d) Unit Weight - approx. 22 lbs. Monitor is not included

Amazon.com Product Description

Boasting a sleek and shiny black-and-silver chassis, the HP Pavilion a6110n desktop PC comes loaded with the all tools you need to easily create, manage, share, and enjoy your digital photos, home videos, movies, and music. You can easily burn your home video productions to DVD for friends and family with the dual-layer, multi-format DVD/CD burner, which enables you to store up to 8.5 GB of data on a DL disc and provides a super-fast 16x DVD+R/-R write speed. It also includes LightScribe technology for personalized silkscreen-quality, laser-etched CD/DVD labels created right in the drive.

This desktop is powered by the 2.4 GHz AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ dual-core processor, which increases the efficiency and speed of the PC while running multiple programs and the latest multi-threaded software. Store more music, videos, and data on the roomy 320 GB Serial ATA hard drive, which offers fast transfer rates. It also comes loaded with 2 GB of RAM (which can be bumped up to 4 GB), an integrated Nvidia GeForce 6150 video/graphics card with 128 MB of dedicated video RAM, a wide variety of connection ports on both the front and rear of the box, and a 15-in-1 memory card reader that's compatible with today's most popular digital camera formats.

It comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, which includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center. In addition to easily playing your DVD movies and managing your digital audio library, you'll be able to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV). Vista also integrates new search tools throughout the operating system, includes new parental control features, and offers new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures.

The Basics

Video & Audio
This desktop features an integrated Nvidia GeForce 6150 SE graphics/video card with 128 MB of dedicated graphics memory. Windows Vista can also allocate up to 623 MB of total graphics memory from the system memory. It features NVidia's PureVideo technology--which provides great picture clarity, smooth video, accurate color, and precise image scaling for video content--and full support for Microsoft DirectX 9.0 for stunningly realistic cinematic effects for all DirectX-compatible applications. It also offers an integrated audio card that can produce high definition surround sound configurable to 8 speakers.

Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
For expansion, this desktop has two PCI slots (one available), one PCI Express x1 slot (available), one PCI Express x16 slot (available), two 5.25-inch bays (one available), and three 3.5-inch bays (two available). It comes with a built-in floppy drive and the following external connectors:

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).

Operating System
Windows Vista Home Premium is the operating system for users with advanced computer needs, and it includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center for watching DVD movies and accessing your digital audio library. You can also use Windows Media Center to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV) and to access new kinds of online entertainment content. Computers that include Windows Vista Home Premium and an auxiliary Windows SideShow display will also allow you to access key data even when your computer is off. It is also easier than ever to share files between other PCs in your household and to manage your laptop computer settings to more securely connect via Wi-Fi.

Every edition of Windows Vista provides the essential tools and technologies to help protect you whether you are browsing the Internet, connecting to a wireless network, or just reading e-mail. All editions of Windows Vista include new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures long before you have lost any important personal data. And, all Windows Vista editions include parental control features that allow you to manage and monitor your family's use of games, the Internet, instant messaging, and other activities.

Preloaded Software
Includes Microsoft Works 8, Microsoft Office Home and Student Edition 2007 Trial, Symantec Norton Internet Security 2007 (with 60 days of Live Update), Roxio Creator/MyDVD (with LightScribe technology), Muvee autoProducer (for creating professional-looking home videos and burning to DVD), HP PhotoSmart Essential, and HP Total Care Advisor.

Dimensions & Weight
It measures 16.3 x 6.9 x 15.25 inches (LxWxD) and weighs approximately 22 pounds.

What's in the Box
This package contains the HP Pavilion a6110n desktop PC, power cable, keyboard, and mouse. It is backed by a limited warranty for parts and labor for one year from date of purchase as well as technical telephone assistance for one year. Software is also covered for 90 days from date of purchase.

Customer Reviews:

2 out of 5 stars The system has crashed 5 times in first 3 days........2007-08-22

This is unbelievable for me, since I used to work for MSFT. How can they continue to ship operating system which continue to have hand up problems. I bought the system on Sunday, and today is Tuesday and this thing has crashed 5 times. I had to hard boot the computer!!

- System hang up issues -
- Windows explorer hang up
- Task manager froze
- I was installing My HP games - and it hangs up while installing Wild Tangent - I waited 11 mintues and since it wasn't doing anything I had to shut it down.
- I tried Disk defragmentation and once again - it hnags up on me
Last night- it hangs up when I did shut down.

Either this is just a bad machine - because everyone else here on Amazon loves there. I have a netowrk at home and run 4 other PC's and laptop and have been in Hi-tech for last 11 years. I am going to take it back and ask for an exchange or just buy another machine.

4 out of 5 stars tradeoffs: value vs minor inconviences.......2007-08-15

First, ordered this from Amazon and delivery was fast! It actually got here a week before the monitor (Samsung 226).

HP a6130n is a prebuilt desktop so you can't "customize" it. But for the value, you get alot of bang for your buck. Also, according to a friend who works for HP, the prebuilts don't have as many "issues" as those you customize. Since I've only had the machine up and running for less than a week and have not ever owned a "customized" HP, I do not know this first hand.

I see other users and pro reviewers have said the graphics is weak, but as a nongamer, the picture looks great.

Drawbacks: I wish hp would change 2 things.
1. it does not have a digital monitor output. Apparently that's pretty standard in new systems. According to an hp rep, this system has been available since June 2007 (despite what it says on the Amazon page).
2. lots of noise! It's very loud when I start it up or when I open up a program. I see another reviewer has praised how quiet this system is so I'm not sure whether I have a bummer one or not.
2.5 mouse-(minor, minor issue)- roller ball mouse, who knew they still made them?


Update: had to send it back. I talked to 4 different HP techs regarding the grinding noise. The last cs person I talked to was very knowledgable and nice. After running some diagnostics and actually listening to the noise over the phone, the guys at hp think this particular one I got has hard drive issues. But I have to say, the techs I chatted with online and phone were all incredibly nice.

5 out of 5 stars Just Awesome.......2007-08-13

How they can pack this much computing power into such a low price is beyond me (oh wait...free trade). Seriously, this thing is a monster. The dual core AMD processor is super fast and can handle a million things at once. You also have more than enough RAM for your needs, which is nice since Vista is such a memory hog. Vista uses about 1GB of RAM, so really you have 2GB of usuable RAM, which is still more than enough for the average user. Also, at 400GB of storage, you're not likely to run out of room any time soon.

As others have pointed out, the ONLY weakness with the system is the graphics card. If you are going to do any sort of gaming on this (or any serious photo work) you really must upgrade the graphics card, as the integrated one is just barely adequate. Its enough to run the Vista themes on a basic level, and you can obviously watch videos and such, but it really chugs on games and also if you're doing any serious photo editing. Also, it would have been nice if they would have thrown in a wireless network card (but alot of desktop PC's dont have them) so if you have a wireless network, add another 50 bucks or so for a decent (and Vista capable) wireless card. Other than that I really have no complaints about this computer. HP's are great, my last one lasted for years and they are easy to upgrade so I expect to have this around for a long time. What else...lightscribe DVD burner, memory card reader, USB ports up the yin-yang, expansion bays and audio inputs / outputs on the front of the computer...this just about has it all. And, its cool looking to boot.


OBTW...those of you complaining about lack of restore / installation discs...did you even open or read the owner's manual? On just about the first page it tells you how to burn your own recovery discs from the Recovery partition. So do NOT pay HP $29 for discs! Just follow the instructions in the manual and burn your restore discs onto 2 DVD's!

In sum, this is about the best bang for your buck right now. I actually switched back to Windows from using Macs the past couple years and this thing blows the Mac away in every aspect (except graphics.) Great machine, awesome price, and HP support actually speaks intelligible English and generally answer the phone within 2 minutes. As far as the computing world goes, HP is on top of all aspects of the game. Very happy with this purchase.

5 out of 5 stars The Ultimate Intense Application Computer (Stock).......2007-08-12

This computer is one of the fastest computers you can get on the market. The AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ (2.6Ghz) is extremely powerful for handling those graphic intense applications. The 400GB SATA II Hard Drive is Ultra-Fast and Ultra-Quiet; in fact the whole system can't even be heard! The DVD-RW/+RW DL LightScribe drive has Ultra-Fast read and write speeds. Data transfer is extremely fast between the Optical Drive and the Hard Drive, thanks to SATA cabling (Yes, the DVD drive is connected through SATA, which is new to the market). The power supply is 250w. The 3GB of DDR2-800 RAM is Ultra-Fast and provides plenty of extra RAM for Vista to utilize. The a6130n has a integrated GeForce 6150SE featuring Nvidia TurboCache Technology. It features dedicated 64MB of DDR2 with 256MB of RAM (Shared). All-in-all with the Vista Graphics memory allocation it is 1071MB of Shared Graphics Memory. The GPU is the one downfall of this system. But for non-hardcore gamers, this system is the ulitmate for the price. Highly Recommended!

4 out of 5 stars Good for the price.......2007-08-03

First, for the money you spend on this thing, you can't expect a high end video card for new games. Nobody is going to toss in a $500 video card when the whole package goes for $600.
The integrated video actually does a decent job at older games such as Unreal Tournament 2004 and anything else that isn't too demanding.
My biggest complaint is the keyboard. It is cheap and quite unresponsive.
Some don't like the mouse, since it is mechanical. Personally, I hate optical mice and feel that a mechanical mouse that is kept clean or a trackball is a better choice.

Windows Vista is great. But expect a few headaches for compatibility when you get any kind of brand new operating system. Don't blame it on HP.
HP Pavilion A6120N Desktop PC (Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 2GB RAM, 320 GB Hard Drive, Vista Premium)
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • The system has crashed 5 times in first 3 days.
  • tradeoffs: value vs minor inconviences
  • Just Awesome
  • The Ultimate Intense Application Computer (Stock)
  • Good for the price
HP Pavilion A6120N Desktop PC (Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 2GB RAM, 320 GB Hard Drive, Vista Premium)

Manufacturer: Hewlett Packard Office
ProductGroup: Personal Computer
Binding: Personal Computers

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Product Features:
  • Sleek and shiny black-and-silver desktop with Viiv-enabled 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo E4400 dual-core processor
  • 320 GB Serial ATA hard drive, 2 GB RAM (4 GB max), 16x LightScribe DVD-/+RW drive
  • Connections: 6 USB, 2 FireWire, digital coaxial audio out, 15-in-1 memory card reader
  • Intel GMA 950 video/graphics card with 64 MB of dedicated video RAM, 10/100 Ethernet
  • Pre-installed with Windows Vista Home Premium (with Media Center capabilities)

ASIN: B000RNI6K6

Product Description

This HP Pavilion desktop features an Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E4400 (2.0 GHz), and 2GB of DDR2 SDRAM. Enough speed and power to handle nearly any application. From word processing to 3D video games. Other interesting features include a front panel 15-in-1 memory card reader, that lets you easily transfer digital media from your portable devices. The SuperMulti DVD drive can read and burn to nearly any CD or DVD disc, including Dual Layer and DVD-RAM. 320GB 7200RPM Hard Drive SuperMulti DVD Writer - (write speeds) up to 12 DVD-RAM, 8x DL DVD-R, 8x DL DVD+R, 16x DVD-R, 16x DVD+R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 40x CD-R, & 32x CD-RW SuperMulti DVD Writer - (read speeds) up to 16x DVD-ROM & 40x CD-ROM Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 with 64MB of memory (up to 256MB of shared memory - memory is taken from the main system's RAM) High Definition Audio (8 speaker configurable) Front Panel 15-in-1 Memory Card Reader - supports SmartMedia, xD, MultiMedia Card, Secure Digital (SD), Compact Flash I/II, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick Pro Duo, RSMMC, MMC Mobile, MMC+, Mini SD, & Microdrive 56k Fax Modem Ports - 10/100 Ethernet, 6 USB 2.0 (2 front), 2 FireWire (1 front), Microphone, Line In, Line Out, 2 PS/2, Digital Audio Out, VGA Out, Speakers Out Slots - 1 PCI-E x16 (available), 1 PCI-E x1 (available), & 2 PCI (1 available) Bays - 2 External 5.25 (1 available), 1 External 3.5 (occupied), & 2 Internal 3.5 (1 available) Unit Dimensions - 16.28 (l) x 6.89 (w) x 15.24 (h/d) Unit Weight - approx. 22 lbs. Monitor is not included

Amazon.com Product Description

Boasting a sleek and shiny black-and-silver chassis, the HP Pavilion a6120n desktop PC comes loaded with the all tools you need to easily create, manage, share, and enjoy your digital photos, home videos, movies, and music. You can easily burn your home video productions to DVD for friends and family with the dual-layer, multi-format DVD/CD burner, which enables you to store up to 8.5 GB of data on a DL disc and provides a super-fast 16x DVD+R/-R write speed. It also includes LightScribe technology for personalized silkscreen-quality, laser-etched CD/DVD labels created right in the drive.

This desktop is powered by the Viiv-enabled 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo E4400 dual-core processor, which provides an optimized, multithreaded architecture for improved gaming and multitasking performance. Store more music, videos, and data on the roomy 320 GB Serial ATA hard drive, which offers fast transfer rates. It also comes loaded with 2 GB of RAM (which can be bumped up to 4 GB), an integrated Intel GMA video/graphics card with 64 MB of dedicated video RAM, a wide variety of connection ports on both the front and rear of the box, and a 15-in-1 memory card reader that's compatible with today's most popular digital camera formats.

It comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, which includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center. In addition to easily playing your DVD movies and managing your digital audio library, you'll be able to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV). Vista also integrates new search tools throughout the operating system, includes new parental control features, and offers new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures.

The Basics

Video & Audio
Video is powered by the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950, which uses Intel Dynamic Video Memory Technology (DVMT) and provides 64 MB of dedicated graphics memory. Windows Vista can also allocate up to 256 MB of total graphics memory from the system memory. It also has an integrated audio card that can produce high definition surround sound configurable to 8 speakers.

Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
For expansion, this desktop has two PCI slots (one available), one PCI Express x1 slot (available), one PCI Express x16 slot (available), two 5.25-inch bays (one available), and three 3.5-inch bays (two available). It comes with a built-in floppy drive and the following external connectors:

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).

Operating System
Windows Vista Home Premium is the operating system for users with advanced computer needs, and it includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center for watching DVD movies and accessing your digital audio library. You can also use Windows Media Center to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV) and to access new kinds of online entertainment content. Computers that include Windows Vista Home Premium and an auxiliary Windows SideShow display will also allow you to access key data even when your computer is off. It is also easier than ever to share files between other PCs in your household and to manage your laptop computer settings to more securely connect via Wi-Fi.

Every edition of Windows Vista provides the essential tools and technologies to help protect you whether you are browsing the Internet, connecting to a wireless network, or just reading e-mail. All editions of Windows Vista include new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures long before you have lost any important personal data. And, all Windows Vista editions include parental control features that allow you to manage and monitor your