Product Description

HP Pavilion A6230N Desktop PC. The perfect PC for photos, video and music HP Pavilion desktop PCs include a variety of features that make taking and sharing digital pictures easier than ever. As you would expect from the leader in consumer PCs and PhotoSmart printers, 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 PCs feature the exclusive Pocket Media Drive bay20 that allows you to add instant storage. The Pocket Media Drive21 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.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1325 in Personal Computers
• Brand: Hewlett-Packard
• Model: A6230N
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: 16.28" h x 9.64" w x 6.89" l,
• CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 2.8 GHz
• Memory: 3000MB DDR2 SDRAM
• Hard Disk: 400GB
• Processors: 2

Features

• Sleek and shiny black-and-silver desktop with 2.8 GHz AMD Athlon 64 X2 5600+ dual-core processor
• 400 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 video/graphics card with 128 MB of dedicated 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)

Amazon.com Product Description
Boasting a sleek and shiny black-and-silver chassis, the HP Pavilion a6230n 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 400 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 400 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).

Screen, 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 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
Includes Microsoft Works, Microsoft Office 2007 Student and Teacher Edition (60-day trial), Muvee Autoproducer Basic Edition, Roxio Creator 9 and MyDVD Basic, HP PhotoSmart Essential, and Symantec Norton Internet Security 2007 (with 60 days of Live Update).

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 a6230n 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

A solid desktop and a great value!
The HP Pavilion a6230n is an impressive desktop as of this writing (October, 2007). The AMD Athlon 64 X2 5600+ dual-core processor is a fast processor giving similar performance to the Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 processor for much less money. In fact, the only Intel processors that perform much better than the 5600+ are the Intel Quad-core processors ... and the "cheapest" quad-core desktops cost $400 more than this desktop.

3GB of RAM and a 400GB SATA hard drive certainly help with performance in Vista, but Vista performance would be even better with a dedicated video card. Speaking of which, the a6230n has plenty of internal space for expansion. There is an open 5-inch drive bay and an open 3.5-inch drive bay, two PCI slots (one is used by the dial-up modem but I removed it and replaced it with a sound card since I don't use dial-up), one PCI-E x1 card slot and one PCI-E x16 card slot.

Of course, you can also add a pocket media drive to the front bay ... nice for transporting large files.

The only minor flaw with this desktop is that the a6230n only comes with a 300 watt power supply unit. You really need to replace it with a 500 watt (or larger) power supply if you plan to add more drives, expansion cards, or a good dedicated graphics card. If you only plan to use the computer "as-is" then the 300 watt power supply is more than enough.

And one last thing ... Windows Vista is NOT as bad as many people say. Yes, you have to spend at least one full day changing default settings if you want it to run better than a machine with Windows XP, but Vista is a much better operating system once you change the default settings.

Unfortunately, Microsoft selected a lot of stupid default settings in order to "protect" people who don't understand computers. If you are one of those people (someone who doesn't understand computers) then you will be very well protected by all of the default settings in Vista. However, if you are a "power user" (someone who knows what "msconfig" or "disk defragmentation" means) then you can easily change the default settings in Vista to make things fast and enjoyable.

If you want to learn about improving Vista performance just do a Google search for "Vista tweaks."

Anyway, back to the a6230n ... it's a GREAT desktop. Buy one. I did.

Best Bang for the Buck!!
The good: Blazing fast, quiet, well-made, ton of disk space, great price, $50 rebate.

The so-so: Room inside of case is non-existent (difficult to add additional DVD/CD ROM drive), not enough PCI slots, no wireless keyboard/mouse, Windows Vista.

I just received it a few weeks ago, and for the money, it was the best deal out there. I originally wanted to purchase the a6130n from Best Buy, and they jerked me around, plus it was in short supply. The salesperson told me that the a6230n would be available at the end of September for about the same price, so I decided to 1) wait, and 2) try Amazon, as I was not going to give BB a dime of my money. The PC arrived 4 days before it was scheduled, and I had no issues with it out of the box. I had it up and running in no time (added an extra SATA DVD ROM drive and wireless keyboard/mouse and network card). The onboard video card is average, but for most folks who aren't PC gamers, it should suffice. I looked at Gateway (more expensive), Dell and Sony (even more expensive, less power), Compaq and IBM (underpowered and few features) and Acer (yeah, right) and the a6230n is the best bang for the buck available.

A great value.
This is a lot of computer for the money. HP seems to be the most generous company with their computer configurations. You can find a cheaper Dell but would spend hundreds to increase the RAM, hard drive, etc.

This system would be great for games, with an updated graphics card of course. Just note, as several reviews do, that will need to replace the power supply to support any modern video card. It is not difficult, although it can be a pain to get to without removing cards. It is a shame that all the big names cheap out on the power supply. It is kind of disingenuous to have all that potential expandability without the available power.