HP Pavilion S3020N Desktop PC : Products & Reviews   
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HP Pavilion S3020N Desktop PC : Products & Reviews

HP Pavilion S3020N Desktop PC

The HP Pavilion s3020n Slimline desktop PC gives you all the power of a fully loaded home/office desktop in a sleek, silver-and-black chassis that's one-third the size of a traditional PC tower, enabling you to place it unobtrusively anywhere--from your office to entertainment center to kitchen. You can easily burn your home video productions to DVD for friends and family with the dual-layer, multi-format LightScribe DVD/CD burner, which enables you to store up to 8.5 GB of data on a DL disc. And thanks to its integrated Wi-Fi capabilities (802.11b/g), you don't need to worry about stringing Ethernet cable from your broadband modem in another room.

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. It features a spacious 250 GB hard drive, 1 GB of installed RAM (2 GB maximum), Nvidia GeForce 6150LE video card with 128 MB of dedicated memory (and up to 319 MB of shared memory), multi-format memory card reader, a wide variety of connectivity options (including both USB 2.0 and FireWire), and digital audio output for home theater surround sound.

This desktop also 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 (2 x 512 MB DDR2) is a good start, but you'll want to add more RAM to handle today's demanding multimedia and productivity suites. It provides two DIMM slots and has a 2 GB maximum RAM capacity. 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 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: This desktop comes with an HP multimedia keyboard and optical mouse (both PS/2) and remote control.

Screen, Video & Audio
This desktop features an integrated Nvidia GeForce 6150LE graphics/video card with up to 319 MB of shared video memory (allocated from the system RAM). Nvidia's exclusive TurboCache technology allows direct rendering from the GPU to system memory by leveraging the bi-directional PCI Express bandwidth. The TurboCache Manager dynamically allocates memory for maximum system performance while intelligent software algorithms maximize application performance. It also offers an integrated audio card that can produce high definition surround sound configurable to 8 speakers.

Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
This desktop has an integrated 54g wireless LAN that's fully compatible with 802.11b/g wireless networks. For expansion, this Slimline desktop has one PCI slot (occupied), one 5.25-inch external bay (occupied), and one internal 3.5-inch bay (occupied). It comes with the following external connections:

    * 5 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players
    * 1 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
    * 2 PS/2 ports for connecting keyboards and mice
    * 1 VGA monitor port
    * 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
    * 1 line-in, 1 line-out, and 1 microphone
    * Audio output: digital audio out, surround sound speakers--rear, side, center

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 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 8, Microsoft Office Home and Student Edition 2007 Trial, Symantec Norton Internet Security 2007 (with 60 days of Live Update), Roxio Creator/MyDVD (with LightScribe technology), Muvee autoProducer (for creating professional-looking home videos and burning to DVD), HP Photosmart Essential, and HP Total Care Advisor.

What's in the Box
This package contains the HP Slimline s3020n desktop PC, keyboard, mouse, and power cord. 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.

Product Description
Get all the power and functionality of a fully loaded desktop PC in a space saving design that is one third the size of a conventional tower. The HP Pavilion Slimline features the exclusive HP Pocket Media Drive bay that allows you to add instant storage and works with any other USB enabled PC. 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. The SuperMulti DVD burner with LightScribe technology lets you create custom, silkscreen quality labels and artwork directly onto LightScribe enabled CD and DVD discs. The Windows Vista Home Premium operating system is the preferred edition for home desktop PCs. With extensive digital entertainment features, expanded search capabilities, and the fluid, three dimensional Windows Aero user interface, it provides a truly extraordinary user experience. LAN 802.11 b/g Wireless Integrated Video Graphics High Definition 7.1 audio ALC 888 chipset Integrated 10/100 Base-T networking interface Memory card reader supports - Compact Flash I, Compact Flash II, IBM Microdrive, Secure Digital (SD), mini-SD, 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, xD Picture Card External ports - I/O ports on the front panel, 15-in-1 (4 slot) One, USB & Headphone Expansion slots - 1 PCI & 16x PCI Express 16x DVD+-R/RW RAM, +-R DL LightScribe, 5x DVD-RAM, 4x DVD-R DL Write, 8x DVD+R DL Write, 16x DVD+R Write, 8x DVD+RW Rewritable, 16x DVD-R Write, 6x DVD-RW Rewritable, 16x DVD-ROM Read, 40x CD-R Write, 32x CD-RW Rewritable, 40x CD-ROM Read Maximum speed Monitor is not included


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HP Pavilion S3020N Desktop PC : Products & Reviews