HP Pavilion dv4000

When we first reviewed the HP Pavilion dv1000 a couple months ago, it easily won Editors' Choice honors in our multimedia category. Its upgrade, the Pavilion dv4000, joins it at the top of the heap, with its own Editors' Choice title. It's got the same look and feel, plus a more impressive 15.4-inch widescreen, improving on the dv1000's 14.1-inch display. Performance also gets a boost, thanks to Intel's latest Centrino components. And like the previous version, you still get all the multimedia goodies at a great price ($1,429 direct).

The dv4000 is about a pound heavier because of its larger screen. The optional BrightView screen is included in the price, but if you don't care for the glare, then you can configure your unit with a matte display for about $25 less. You'll also notice that HP has adjusted the mouse buttons, which are now slightly elevated from the touchpad, yet still very responsive.

HP offers QuickPlay, a great feature that gives users instant access to DVDs and music without having to power up the system. Two multimedia keys located under the screen can launch QuickPlay (one for DVDs and one for audio CDs), and you can then navigate through your DVDs and audio CDs using the keyboard. You can also access your "My Music" folder in Microsoft Windows without having to boot into the operating system. (A remote control like the one that resides in the dv1000's PC Card slot is a $14 upgrade.)

Our system came configured with the latest-generation Intel Pentium M 750 processor (1.86 GHz) and the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 GM (128MB). HP still isn't offering a discrete graphics solution for this series, but the new Centrino integrated graphics is a slight improvement. Just don't expect to run any 3D-intensive games on this machine. Even with the latest upgrades, the dv4000's SYSmark 2004 performance scores haven't improved much, nor has its BatteryMark 2004 score. The dv4000's battery life clocked in at 3 hours, 17 minutes—7 minutes more than the dv1000's. You can also get the 12-cell, extended battery for an extra 25 bucks.

The dv4000 adds several new features, including an ExpressCard 54/34 combo slot for WAN capabilities. It also integrates an additional USB port, for a total of four. A good set of speakers sits in the front panel—where it should be. And instead of the CD-RW combo drive found on the dv1000, the dv4000 includes a DVD±RW drive.

Though it's heavier than the earlier model, the dv4000 increases its value with added features like the 15.4-inch widescreen. If you're looking for a smart-looking, smart-acting multimedia system, you can't go wrong with this one.