Product Description

HP A1700N Pavilion Desktop PC. HP personal computers deliver the features you need to get the most from Windows Vista. Together, HP and Windows Vista provide intuitive system control, powerful search and organization, and more security when you go online. Only HP PCs are built with the SuperMulti DVD Burner Burner that includes LightScribe Technology. LightScribe lets you laser tech silkscreen quality text and image on to CDs and DVDs, creating lasting laser etched silkscreen quality images. Its easy to create personalized labels on your discs with your own text, photos or designs. Just burn, flip, burn. After you burn content on the disc, just flip the disc over, reinsert and burn your label anything from a simple title to a full disc work of art. Can your PC do that. The HP Pavilion PC can.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2414 in Personal Computers
• Brand: Hewlett-Packard
• Model: A1700N
• Dimensions: 9.50" h x 15.00" w x 7.17" l,
• CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 2.2 GHz
• Memory: 1GB DDR2 SDRAM
• Hard Disk: 250GB
• Processors: 2

Features

• Entertainment-focused desktop PC with 2.0 GHz AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ dual-core processor
• 250 GB hard drive, 1 GB installed RAM (4 GB max), multi-format/dual-layer LightScribe DVD drive
• Connectivity: 7 USB, 2 FireWire, 1 VGA, 2 PS/2, surround sound speaker outputs, 9-in-1 memory card reader
• 10/100 Ethernet, Nvidia GeForce 6150LE with 128 MB of dedicated video RAM
• Pre-installed with Windows Vista Home Premium (with Media Center capabilities)

Amazon.com Product Description
The HP Pavilion a1700n 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 2.0 GHz AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ 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 128 MB of dedicated video RAM, a wide variety of connection ports on both the front and rear of the box, and a 9-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 3800+ 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 2.0 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.)

• 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.
  
• 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. This desktop has a 4 GB maximum RAM capacity (4 x 1 GB), perfect for high-def video and 3-D gaming.
  
• 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 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, 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 6150LE graphics/video card with 128 MB of dedicated graphics memory. Windows Vista can also allocate up to 319 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 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)
• 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).

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 to your favorite Wi-Fi hotspot.

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, Symantec Norton Internet Security 2007 (with 60 days of Live Update), Roxio Creator (with LightScribe technology), Muvee autoProducer (for creating professional-looking home videos and burning to DVD), and HP Total Care Advisor.

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

Power
This desktop is Energy Star rated, which means that it uses 15 watts or less of power when on low-power mode. An Energy Star qualified computer uses 70% less electricity than computers without enabled power management features.

What's in the Box
This package contains the HP Pavilion a1700n 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

Standard Machine
Good value for the price I paid. I bought it for use on office work and internet surfing. It's not too flashy, but it could use another Gig of RAM. All complaints I have about it so far stem from the Vista operating system, not the PC itself.

Examples of my troubles:
I had to hunt to find out how to create a system restore disk (my last few PC's were annoyingly in my face telling me to make one... I miss that).
It often won't stay in sleep mode.
It took me almost 2 hours to get my usb connected printer working because I as the administrator didn't have the authority to print.

Also, I expected the 64 bit version of Vista to come pre loaded (since it has a 64 bit processor) but it didn't. I don't know whether to blame Microsoft or HP for that.

GREAT COMPUTER FOR THE PRICE
For an after rebate price of just a little more than 3x the price of Windows Vista Premium itself, you can get this fine speedy computer in your home.

I did upgrade the computer to 2GB of RAM and added a stand-alone video card and this runs Vista with Aero interface flawlessly. Although the AMD Athlon 64 X2 cpus trail Intel Core 2 counterparts in performance, the difference would be unnoticable.

The case of the computer is very neatly designed for trouble free upgrades, the bundled software is useful and support from HP is excellent. I'd highly recommend it for anyone looking for a real fast computer for a budget price.

And as always Amazon had it at my door in a few days without charging for shipping.

What You See Is Not Always What You Get!
I admit, I've been spoiled for the last couple years by my HP Media Center PC (XP), model number m1070n. It's an electronics nerd's dream come true. It's got all kinds of inputs and outputs for RCA plugs and every other plug you could ever imagine. It even has USB receptacles for computer geeks. It does just about anything pertaining to movies, music, and photography. When I first received it, I was as happy as the time I got my first reel-to-reel (mono) tape deck back in 1965!

So, when I wanted an additional computer, I did some on-line researching and discovered the A1700n. It sounded like a great deal: Does everything my HP Media Center does, and at a great price. And, it's that new Windows Vista everyone's talking about. So I bought an A1700n and a new printer.

I figured that Vista was just XP done better. Boy was I wrong. Vista is difficult for me to figure out. It seems unnecessarily complicated. And it doesn't come with an instruction book. It's sort of like placing XP into a 1964 Rambler, smashing it at 70 miles per hour into a brick wall, pouring the contents out into a new computer carcass, and calling it Vista.

Not a one of my three printers and two scanners are compatible with Vista.
As a matter of fact, the new printer I bought when I obtained the A1700n disabled the DVD/CD drive. So, I had to do the recovery process on the A1700n almost immediately after taking it out of the box. Now all of my printers and scanners are rigged up to, you guessed it, my good ol' HP Media Center XP PC.

Additionally I was told at my local computer store, that they have no software or equipment in yet that is compatible with Vista, with the exception of some income tax software, --maybe.

As for all the A1700n's bells and whistles, let me say this. Almost every "feature" included with it (except for Windows Media Player) is just a minimal "taste test" version, with an offering of a download enhancement available for a fee.

Additionally, forget trying to hook up your old VCR or camcorder to the A1700n. There are no RCA jacks for doing so. You can only transfer video from a digital video camera by use of a firewire or USB port. It is suggested that old VCRs can be routed through some digital camcorders, which in turn are connected to the A1700n. That's "some" digital camcorders.

I strongly suggest that anyone who may be interested in the A1700n (or Vista for that matter) go check it out at his or her local computer store before making a purchase.

Thank you for reading this, and have a good day.