HP Compaq 8510p User Review

HP Compaq 8510p was released in August 2007 as is part of the "performance notebooks" in their business line. This means you get the Santa Rosa chipset, the magnesium alloy display enclosure, HP 3D Drive Guard and HP Protect software package. The specific unit being reviewed here is a preconfigured model (RM303UT). HP offers a number of pre-configurations varying processor speed, memory and operating system as well as the option to customize your setup.

Specs

• Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Professional
• Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T7300 2GHz 4MB L2 cache 800MHz front side bus
• Chipset: Mobile Intel PM965
• Memory: 1GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM
• Hard drive: SATA 160GB 5400rpm, HP 3D DriveGuard
• Removable media: DVD+/-RW
• Display: 15.4" in WSXGA+
• Graphics: ATI Radeon HD 2600, 256MB of video memory (512MB Hypermemory)
• Audio: High Definition Audio, stereo speakers, stereo headphone/line out, stereo microphone in, integrated microphone
• Wireless: Intel 802.11a/b/g (4965AG), Bluetooth 2.0
• Communications: Intel Gigabit Network Connection (10/100/1000 NIC),9 56K v.92 modem
• Expansion slots" One Type I/II PC Card slot supports 32-bit CardBus and 16-bit cards, Secure Digital slot
• Ports and connectors: Four USB 2.0 ports, VGA, HDMI, stereo microphone in, stereo headphone/line out, 1394a, power connector, RJ-11/modem, RJ-45/ethernet, docking connector, secondary battery connector
• Dimensions: (h × w × d) 1.1" (at front) x 14.0" x 10.24"
• Weight: 6.1 lbs (weight will vary by configuration)
• Power: 8-cell Lithium-Ion Battery (73WHr) with HP Fast Charge, 90W HP Smart AC Adapter

Build & Design

Overall the feel of this build is pretty solid. When carrying the laptop around I find that the DVD drive occasionally pops open (when power is on), but I think that tends to happy on any tray-based drive. There is not much flex in the screen, even when closing the top with one hand. Pushing from the back of the screen produces ripples in the LCD.

The case is a slightly blueish grey with black accents. The understated silver HP logo is a nice touch in an era when company logos seem to get bigger and bigger. Being a graphic designer, I’m not in love with the typeface used on the keys, but I don’t imagine many people would care about this. Each of the ports on the side is marked by a small icon on the edge of the keyboard. While useful, I could do without this as it clutters an otherwise minimal look.