Product Description

HP Pavilion desktop PCs include a variety of features that make taking and sharing digital pictures easier than ever. Every HP Pavilion PC gives you the tools to make working with digital photos and video clips fun and convenient. Organize, edit, share and protect your digital photos with HP Photosmart Essential. The front-panel 15-in-1 memory card reader makes it easy to transfer photos and files to and from your digital camera and other peripheral devices. HP Pavilion PC's feature the exclusive Pocket Media Drive bay that allows you to add instant storage. The Pocket Media Drive also works with any USB enabled PC. The SuperMulti DVD burner with LightScribe technology lets you create custom, silkscreen-quality labels and artwork directly onto LightScribe-enabled CD and DVD discs. NVIDIA Geforce 6150 SE 128MB dedicated Graphics Memory LightScribe SuperMulti DVD+-R/RW with Double Layer High Definition Audio, 8 speaker configurable 10/100 Ethernet 15-in-1 card reader Front ports - 1 IEEE 1394, 2 USB, Microphone Back ports - 1 IEEE 1394, 4 USB, Headphone, Digital Audio Out, Microphone/Line-in/Line-out, Rear speaker-out, Side speaker out, Center (subwoofer), 2 PS2 ports (keyboard, mouse), 1 RJ-11 (Modem), 1 RJ-45, VGA Expansion slots - 2 PCI (1 available), 1 PCI Express x 16 (1 available), 1 PCI Express x 1 (1 available) Drive bays - 2 external 5.25 (1 available), 1 external 3.5 (1 available), 2 internal 3.5 (1 available) Monitor is not included

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #223 in Personal Computers
• Brand: Hewlett-Packard
• Model: A6330F
• Dimensions: 16.28" h x 9.64" w x 6.89" l, 30.00 pounds
• CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 2.8 GHz
• Memory: 3000MB DDR2 SDRAM
• Hard Disk: 500GB
• Processors: 2

Features

• Sleek and shiny black-and-silver desktop with 2.8 GHz AMD Athlon 64 X2 5600+ dual-core processor
• 500 GB hard drive, 3 GB RAM (8 GB max), 16x dual-layer DVD burner with LightScribe disc printing
• Open drive bay for an optional HP Pocket Media Drive; Nvidia GeForce 6150 SE video/graphics with 1343 MB of total available memory
• Connectivity: six USB 2.0; two FireWire; 15-in-1 memory card reader; 10/100 Fast Ethernet
• Pre-installed with Windows Vista Home Premium (with Media Center capabilities); includes keyboard and scroller mouse

Amazon.com Product Description
Boasting a sleek and shiny black-and-silver chassis, the HP Pavilion a6330f 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 2.8 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. Store more music, videos, and data on the super-sized 500 GB Serial ATA hard drive, which offers fast transfer rates. It also includes an open drive bay for an optional HP Pocket Media Drive (which can add up to 160 GB of storage). Other features include 3 GB of RAM (which can be bumped up to 8 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

• Processor: AMD's Athlon 64 X2 5600+ dual-core processor is built for tomorrow's 64-bit applications, which will require a processor with significant power. Dual-core technology is like having two processors working together, each one taking care of different applications, so power-users actually experience greater performance when multiple applications are running. Digital media enthusiasts will appreciate the enhancements while simultaneously working in high-definition video and photo editing and audio mixing programs. It includes such AMD features as HyperTransport Technology (which increases the communication between integrated circuits) and Enhanced Virus Protection.

  This 2.8 GHz processor offers a system bus with speeds up to a blazing 2000 MHz and each core offers a 1 MB L2 cache--for a 2 MB total. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.)

• Hard Drive: The super-sized 500 GB Serial ATA (SATA) hard drive (7200 RPM) offers a wealth of storage space, perfect for storing a vast multimedia collection or for editing digital video. This SATA hard drive has a 3Gb/s interface speed that enables up to 300MB/s data transfer rates (double the speed of the current SATA interface of 1.5Gb/s).

  This desktop also includes a drive bay that fits an optional HP Pocket Media Drive, which enables you to add up to 160 GB of additional storage. The Pocket Media Drive also works with any USB-enabled PC, for easy transferring of multimedia files from other computers in your home.

• Memory: The 3 GB of installed RAM (PC5300, 2 x 1 GB and 2 x 512 MB) is an excellent start, but you'll want to add more RAM to handle today's demanding multimedia and gaming software. It also offers a top-of-class 667 MHz speed. This desktop has an 8 GB maximum RAM capacity (4 x 2 GB). To receive the faster data transfer benefits of the dual-channel DDR2 RAM, any RAM additions require memory modules of same capacity and clockspeed.

• DVD/CD Drive: This multiformat DVD/CD drive is compatible with writing both DVD+ and DVD- disc formats as well as dual-layer (DL) DVD+/-R discs, which can store up to 8.5 GB of data. It features 8x DVD-R DL Write Once, 8x DVD+R DL Write Once, 16x DVD+R, 8x DVD+RW, 16x DVD-R, 6x DVD-RW, 12x DVD-RAM, 40x CD-R, 32x CD-RW write speeds and 40x CD-ROM, and 16x DVD-ROM read speeds.

  This LightScribe DVD±RW drive lets you laser-etch silkscreen quality text and images on to CDs and DVDs . Your software, PC and discs work together for a no-hassle way to burn just the labels you want. After you burn content, just flip the disc over, reinsert and burn your label--anything from a simple title to a full-disc work of art.

• Keyboard & Mouse: It comes with an HP multimedia keyboard and scroller mouse (both with PS/2 connections).

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 1343 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 (both available), two 5.25-inch bays (one available), and three 3.5-inch bays (two available). It comes with the following external connectors:

• 6 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players (2 in front, 4 in rear)
• 2 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals (1 in front, 1 in rear)
• 2 PS/2 ports for connecting keyboards and mice
• 1 VGA monitor port
• 2 headphone and 2 microphone (front and rear)
• 2 line-in (front and rear)
• Digital coaxial audio input/output as well as surround sound speaker outputs (rear/side/center)
• 15-in-1 multi-format memory card reader, compatible with CompactFlash I/II, IBM Microdrive, Secure Digital (SD), miniSD, MultiMediaCard (MMC), Reduced Size MultiMediaCard (RS-MMC), MultiMediaCard Plus (MMC plus), MultiMediaCard Mobile (MMC mobile), Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick Pro Duo, SmartMedia, and xD Picture Card.
• 10/100 Fast Ethernet
• 56K modem

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
Symantec Norton Internet Security 2008 (60 days of complimentary live update), HP PhotoSmart Essential, Muvee autoProducer, Cyberlink DVD Suite, Microsoft Works 9, Microsoft Office 2007 Student and Teacher Edition (60-day trial)

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 a6330f 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.

Note: Monitor not included.

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Customer Reviews

Review of new computer
HP Pavilion A6330F Desktop PC (AMD Athlon 64 X 2 Dual Core 5600+ Processor, 3 GB RAM, 500 GB Hard Drive, Vista Premium) This computer is great and works very much to my satisfaction!

Great basic computer
This computer (and a Toshiba monitor) replaced my Gateway system. So far it does everything I need and it does them well. I was worried about Vista but the 2gb of memeory seems to be handling it. Great DVD setup, and the price is right.

Okay purchase once you downgrade to XP.
Bought this computer on February 25 using the free shipping (estimated 5-7 days) and it arrived on February 27! Overall, no complaints. But there's a few things you should know. The computer isn't as quiet as the specs claim; the fan emits an audible hum. Still, it's a far cry from the roar of the AMD Duron Athlon I had custom made in 2000 and upgraded from. However, said roar is perfectly duplicated by this system when a DVD is burned or initially read-accessed. At times I can also hear metallic clicks (sounds kinda like when you crinkle foil) indicating that the computer is processing something. While noticeable, they're not loud.

CDs take quite a few seconds to auto read; my old PC detected them almost instantly by comparison. About the hard drive size, I confess that I was ignorant to the fact that video cards and other internal components can consume 35 or more GB of space. This was what the HP rep told me when I called asking the reason that my A6330F was showing 465 GB and not the 500 GB as advertised. I know, I know, it's still a huge hard drive---I'm not complaining. I just like to know upfront exactly what I'm getting and paying for is all.

Unlike what I read in the first review here, the back of my PC did not come with a DVI port, but I figure I can buy a VGA-DVI adapter and a DVI cable to compensate.

Giving Vista the benefit of the doubt, I tried it out for a few minutes and boy was everyone right. You ARE better off downgrading this computer to XP and I was oblivious to how I should go about doing this. When I stupidly installed XP Pro SP2 Lite I was thinking that it would autodetect all components during installation like it did on all of the PCs I ever put it on. It did NOT and I had no internet because the network card wasn't being recognized. I'm going off the topic here I know but I thought it best to share this part of my experience because I wasted quite a few hours before I was able to enjoy this purchase, completely ruining my excitement over finally replacing my 8 year old computer.

Since nothing in the paperwork you get says this, I thought I'd let you know: calling HP and letting them know that you overwrote Vista will completely void your warranty. I found this out in a pretty bad way too. I call them all alarmed that the crucial hardware isn't being recognized and as soon as I told them that I attempted to downgrade from Vista the rep unceremoniously transferred me to technical support and that guy coldly said as though addressing a felon, "There is nothing I can do for you. You have just permanently voided your warranty." I fell silent, shocked and expecting him to elaborate or apologize but he eerily kept quiet. Sorry to digress further but I must add that some people forget that their failure to help their fellow man in sheer loyalty to the multi-billion dollar corporation that likely pays them all of $6-7/ hour isn't gonna get them a raise, bonus or any kind of award. I'm sure HP didn't promote that rep. for being so calloused. Sheesh, would it have killed him to mutter, "You can get the drivers free on the internet at the HP site, don't worry, it's gonna be okay"?

Through forum reading and driver searches made using the HP website (I spent hours pulling up the desktop models that came with XP and noting what drivers HP had for download; I trial-and-error installed some and thank God, even though the model numbers were different it worked as evidenced by the yellow question marks going away in Device Manager), NVIDIA website and freeware programs like Unknown Device Identifier and Everest Ultimate Edition v.4.20.1292 I not only got all of the drivers I needed but also discovered that you need to run XP MCE on this system unless you don't mind seeing "IEEE 1394 Controller" with a yellow question mark next to it in Device Manager. My PC was totally functional, no problems at all running XP Pro with the drivers I'd installed but for some reason, no matter what I did, I couldn't get rid of that one aberration in Device Manager is all. Switching to XP MCE (and installing the drivers I collected---yes you still have to install them) was the only thing that solved this.

In short, downgrading will cause the following items in Device Manager to have a yellow question mark next to it: Audio Device on High Definition Audio Bus; Other PCI Bridge Device; SM Bus Controller; Video Controller (VGA compatible); PCI Simple Communications Controller (and said IEEE item if you downgrade to XP Pro instead of MCE). I uploaded the required drivers here (I call it my Vista Downgrade Kit for HP A6330F: hxxp://xxx.megaupload.com/?d=HS7FX0Q3 Mirror: hxxp://momupload.com/files/84176/Vista_Downgrade_Kit_for_HP_A6330F.rar.html Mirror: hxxp://thefilehost.net/download.php?id=5A2955031 hxxp://momupload.com/files/84206/Win_XP_Pro_SP2_Lite.iso.html Mirror: hxxp://xxx.megaupload.com/?d=EYRFWHC4 For MCE try torrents (my upload to filedropper.com is taking longer than a week). If I can save just one person the stress and aggravation I went through, my pains will be worth it.