Product Description

HP a1610n Pavilion Media Center Desktop PC - This desktop computer is filled with features that will enhance your digital creativity, and expand your enjoyment of your digital media. With Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition, you can connect this PC to your TV set, and using the intuitive graphical interface, you can easily navigate and enjoy your digital videos, audio files, pictures, and more. This PC also features some impressive raw power that is great for video manipulation, PC gaming, and other demanding tasks. Keep reading to find out exactly what this computer can offer you and your family. 4 Memory Slots (2 open) NVIDIA GeForce 6150 LE Chipset 250GB 7200RPM SATA HDD SuperMulti DVD Burner with LightScribe Technology - (write speeds) up to 8x DL DVD+R, 4x DL DVD+R, 5x DVD-RAM, 16x DVD-R, 16x DVD+R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 40x CD-R, & 32x CD-RW SuperMulti DVD Burner with LightScribe Technology - (read speeds) up to 16x DVD-ROM and 40x CD-ROM Integrated NVIDIA GeForce 6150LE Graphics with up to 256MB of shared memory (memory is taken from the main system) High Definition Audio (8 speaker support) Ports - 10/100 Ethernet, 7 USB 2.0 (4 back, 3 front), 2 FireWire (1 front), 1 Microphone/Line-In/Line-Out (front and back), 2 PS/2, 1 Digital Audio Out, 1 VGA Out, Rear Speaker Out, Side Speaker Out, Center and Subwoofer Front Panel 9-in-1 Memory Card Reader - supports Smart Media, xD-Picture Cards, MultiMedia Card (MMC), Secure Digital (SD), Compact Flash I/II, Microdrive, Memory Stick and Memory Stick Pro 56k Fax Modem Expansion Slots - 3 PCI (2 open) / 1 PCI Express x16 (open) Expansion Bays - 2 External 5.25 (1 open) / 1 External 3.5 (1 open) / 1 Internal 3.5 (0 open) Unit Weight - approx. 24 lbs.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2442 in Personal Computers
• Brand: Hewlett-Packard
• Model: A1610N
• Dimensions: 15.00" h x 17.00" w x 7.17" l,
• CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 2.2 GHz
• Memory: 1000MB DDR2 SDRAM
• Hard Disk: 250GB
• Processors: 2

Features

• Entertainment-focused desktop PC with 2.2 GHz AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ dual-core processor
• 250 GB hard drive, 1 GB of RAM (4 GB max), 16x LightScribe multi-format DVD/CD burner with dual-layer support
• Seven USB 2.0, two FireWire, one VGA, one 9-in-1 memory card reader, coaxial digital audio output
• Nvidia GeForce 6150 video card with 256 MB shared RAM; 10/100 Ethernet, 56K modem
• Windows XP Media Center--Windows Vista capable and Windows Vista Premium ready

Amazon.com Product Description
The HP Pavilion a1610n comes loaded with the all tools you need to easily create, manage, share, and enjoy your digital photos, home videos, movies, and music. It features a wide range of connectivity options for all your peripherals and preloaded HP Photosmart Premier digital image editing and management software. And 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 2.2 GHz AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ 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 250 GB Serial ATA hard drive, which offers fast transfer rates. it also comes loaded with 1 GB of RAM (which can be bumped up to 4 GB), an integrated Nvidia GeForce 6150 video/graphics card with up to 256 MB of shared video RAM, a wide variety of connection ports on both the front and rear of the box, a 9-in-1 memory card reader that's compatible with today's most popular digital camera formats, Windows Media Center 2005 operating system, and a wide assortment of pre-loaded software. This is a Windows Vista capable PC, and it's also Windows Vista Premium ready.

The Basics

• Hard Drive: The extra-large 250 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 also quickens the pace with a higher speed transfer of data--akin to FireWire and USB 2.0.
  
• Processor: AMD's Athlon 64 X2 4200+ dual-core processor is built for tomorrow's 64-bit applications, which will require a processor with significant power. It outperforms the highest-performing AMD Athlon 64 4000+ single-core processor on multi-tasking benchmarks by up to 30 percent. 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 2.2 GHz processor offers a system bus with speeds up to a blazing 2000 MHz and each core offers a 512 KB L2 cache--for a 1 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.)
  

• Memory: The 1 GB of installed RAM (PC4200, 2 x 512 MB, 533 MHz) is a good start, but you'll want to add more RAM to handle today's demanding multimedia and gaming software. Its 400 MHz speed is a little slower than comparable multimedia desktops, but does add to this package's affordability. This desktop has a 4 GB maximum RAM capacity (4 x 1 GB), which is a bit small in comparison to other multimedia desktops in this HP lineup.
  
• CD/DVD Drive: Offering the latest in DVD writing technology, 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 4x DVD-R DL Write Once, 8x DVD+R DL Write Once, 16x DVD+R, 8x DVD+RW, 16x DVD-R, 6x DVD-RW, 5x DVD-RAM, 40x CD-R, and 32x CD-RW write speeds. It also offers 16x DVD-ROM and 40x CD-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).

Graphics and Sound
This desktop features an integrated Nvidia GeForce 6150LE graphics/video card with up to 256 MB of shared video 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 and is compatible with Dolby Pro Logic II.

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

• 7 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players (3 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)
• Coaxial digital audio (SPDIF) output for connecting to surround sound home theater receiver
• Surround sound speaker outputs (rear/side/center (subwoofer)
• 9-in-1 media card reader on the front, compatible with CompactFlash (Type I and II), MicroDrive, SmartMedia, Memory Stick/Memory Stick Pro, MultiMedia Card, Secure Digital, and XD Picture Card

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).

Preloaded System and Software
The pre-installed Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 (Update Rollup 2) is essentially Windows XP Professional Edition with a variety of tools to help you to create, organize, and enjoy digital media ranging from music to home movies to photo slide shows. The Update Rollup 2 upgrade offers support for the Windows Media Center Extender technology built into XBox 360 game consoles, which lets you access entertainment from your Media Center PC--whether it's live and recorded TV and movies, music, photos or Online Spotlight--on any TV in the house.

The HP Photosmart Premier photo and imaging software makes digital photography fast and easy by helping you organize, edit, protect, and share your digital pictures and video clips. Sonic's DigitalMedia Plus makes it easy and intuitive to back up your pictures, videos, and music onto DVD-R/+R media for safekeeping. It also comes with Microsoft Works (for working with word processing and spreadsheet documents), Symantec Norton Internet Security 2006 (with 60 days of LiveUpdate), PC Recovery, PC Doctor, MSN Encarta Standard, Microsoft Money, Quicken New User Edition, Sonic MyDVD Plus, Muvee AutoProducer, and RealRhapsody.

Dimensions and Weight
This desktop PC measures 15.2 x 7 x 17 inches (HxWxD) and weighs approximately 24 pounds.

What's in the Box
This package contains the HP Pavilion a1610n 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.

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Customer Reviews

Decent Value PC
I purchased the HP a1610n after comparing several Dell's and HP's, as well as performace benchmarks of Intel dual-core CPU's and AMD dual-core CPU's. The HP from Amazon offered the best value I could find. [...], not bad. I ordered it on Monday from Amazon, and it arrived on Tuesday, the next day! And that was with Super-Saver (no cost) shipping. Setting up this PC was simple. Be aware that the mouse is the old rolling ball type, so if you want an optical mouse, you'll need to purchase one. Also, I installed a 2nd DVD burner, and installation was not terribly eash. Apparently HP wants to make it ia little difficult in mounting non-HP drives. But I was able to do that. This PC also has 4-SATA and 2-PATA interface connectors on the motherboard. Great for using the less expensive PATA (IDE) DVD burners. There are also so many USB and Firewire ports (4-USB rear, 2-USB front, 1-Firewire on front and 1-Firewire on back). The 9-in-1 memory card reader was a nice bonus too. On top of all this, I ordered this PC just days before Microsoft announced the free Vista upgrade. The next day I got an email from Amazon saying even though I wasn't entitled to the Microsoft free Vista upgrade, Amazon was going to send me a $150 upgrade coupon. I believe the upgrade cost for Vista for this PC will be $159 for the Home version. That was very cool of Amazon to do that. Overall, a great value. PC performs great. Uninstalled all the garbage on-line and trial stuff. Connected the 2nd DVD burner, and external USB hard-drive, a new printer, wireless adapter and router, and all worked flawlessly with the WinXP MediaEdition OS. First Windows upgrade had fifty-plus new components. They installed with no problem. Kudos to HP and Amazon for offering a good value.

HP totally cares less about service
HP's "total care" service is a fraud. I bought a HP a1630n multimedia PC Oct 2006. For the past 2 1/2 months, it has been inoperable. It started fairly typically--corrupted windows files, operating system will not reformat as needed, multiple crashes, freezes, etc. But nothing has fixed the problem. At HP's direction I underwent 4 destructive recoveries in December alone. The last one wiped out the operating system but would reinstall nothing. They promised to send me recovery discs overnight but took 3 weeks. When I finally got them, they didn't work either. Took it in for repair. Sent back, tried it again, same problem. Asked me to do another destructive recovery, left me with an unformatted PC once again. They now are making me send it in for repair AGAIN.
You would think after over two months of doing everything they asked, and having it not work, HP would give me a replacement PC. But no.
The worst thing is that they have NO ACCOUNTABILITY. The woman in quality control handling my case, I am told, is my final resort. Her supervisor WILL NOT TALK TO CUSTOMERS. I was told my only recourse is "to write the CEO of HP." No matter who I managed to get hold of, I was given this answer.
I will never buy HP again.

HP quality control is a joke! Don't buy!!!!
Anybody thinks the PC is less expensive and a good bargain. For me the biggest investment is your time, not your money. I want to give this product rate 0 start, which is not available.

I could not agree more with the review by D.Alejandro. Same things happened to me. Seems it is not an isolated case. I first ordered A1610N, several days after I got it, screen became only dotted lines. Did several recoveries, no luck, had to return to HP. Thought it was only an isolated case, ordered an A1650. Arrived in Jan. It ran good for several days, then no boot. Had to do recovery three times, it always ran good for several days, then the PC just went on strike, no boot, blank screen nothing. Have to ship it to repair center. Not sure whether they can fix it or not. Just consider the hassel and long hours you spent on this junk. Called tech support, really could not help you in anyway, except thank you for holding the line. Don't know how HP claims it s customer service is one of the best.

Today's HP is no longer the old HP you used to know. I was a loyal customer, my old HP brio PC ran several years without a single problem. Today HP cuts corners to become price competitive. I don't care whether the PC is made in Mexico, or the support call center in india as long as it can provide quality services and products. Clearly HP can not do it. I should have given Dell a serious consideration. NO HP products any more!