HP Pavilion dm1z Pro Reviews

HP’s dm1z is not the prefect netbook. It’s also not the perfect budget ultraportable. But it’s closer to perfection, when approached from either perspective, than any laptop on the market today. As a netbook, it’s expensive. But if you don’t select any of the options besides the AMD E-450 processor you’ll be receiving a perfectly functional Windows computer for $424.99 that, unlike its smaller competition, offers a comfortable keyboard and touchpad as well as a usable display. In other words, the HP dm1z is what netbooks originally claimed to be but never were – an affordable and enjoyable Windows PC in a portable package. As a budget ultraportable, the HP dm1z suffers from poor processor performance. Yet it’s also much less expensive and much more portable than the beefier Intel-powered Ultraportables that will so easily thrash the dm1z in SiSoft Sandra or 7-Zip. In addition, this laptop matches or nearly matches more expensive competitors in graphics performance, available RAM and hard drive capacity. The only alternative I can recommend is the aging ASUS Eee PC 1215N, which is slightly bigger (it has a 12.1” display) and therefor slightly more comfortable for larger folks like myself. If you’re of more typical size, however, the dm1z can’t be beat.

Good-looking and long running, the HP Pavilion dm1z is a well-rounded ultraportable that delivers high style at a low price.

There have been plenty of 11-inch AMD-powered ultraportables this year, but HP's Pavilion dm1z was the first, and this updated version puts it back in the lead in this crowded category.

At the end, my experience with the HP dm1z was positive enough to recommend one to my mother to replace her aging HP tablet PC. It's responsive, runs cool, lasts a long time on the battery, and has a smart design. If I can recommend one to my mother, I can recommend one to you, and for that I think the dm1z (at least at $449) is worthy of a Silver Editors' Choice. At $399 and with a better screen, we'd be looking at Gold.

I'm particularly shocked by the dm1z's level of overall polish, which is highly unusual for a Windows notebook, never mind one that costs only $450. You could spend an extra $100-150 on an Intel CULV laptop with a quicker processor, but honestly, why would you? Odds are you might end up with something less comfortable to use. The HP Pavilion dm1z is, therefore, fully deserving of our Editor's Choice award. Right now, I'm considering ditching my MacBook for one of these. That's saying a lot.

The HP Pavilion dm1z is probably one of the best thin and light laptops you can find for under $450. The AMD E-350 processor and Radeon HD 6310 give the laptop more kick than you’d get from any Intel Atom powered laptop, but the chipset isn’t as expensive as the lastest higher-powered chips from Intel, which helps keep the price down.

Viewed as an ultraportable laptop, the Pavilion dm1z is mediocre though inexpensive; but as a netbook, it's fantastic and avoids the usual netbook compromises.

Is this really happening? After years of waiting has AMD finally done it? Provided a netbook / ultraportable platform that melds really solid performance and graphics with solid battery life? Something that can kick Intel's Atom to the curb, but doesn't require a recharge every two and a half hours? The Pavilion dm1z certainly has all signs pointing to yes – the 11.6-inch system runs for over five hours on a charge while providing full HD playback and great multitasking prowess. Of course, the rest of the market hasn't sat still for systems like the Fusion-powered dm1z, and there are plenty of other good affordable ultraportables out there. But at $450 the dm1z provides the best balance of performance, graphics, and battery life for the price, and to that end, AMD can finally pat itself on the back... even if it did take five years to get here.

The HP Pavilion dm1z delivers good value with solid performance and decent battery life for a low price.

The HP Pavilion dm1z is next step in netbook evolution, as its new AMD Fusion APU proved you can have great battery life without sacrificing speed.