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> HP Special Edition L2005US 14" Notebook PC (AMD Turion 64 Processor ML-30, 512
MB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, DVD±R/RW/CD-RW Combo Drive) Review

Welcome
to the HP Special Edition L2005US 14" Notebook PC (AMD Turion 64 Processor ML-30,
512 MB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, DVD±R/RW/CD-RW Combo Drive) Review page:
Work
faster and more productively with the special edition HP L2005US notebook PC.
You'll also be helping the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF). With your purchase,
$50 from each HP L2000 notebook goes to the LAF. The LAF provides the practical
tools and information that people living with cancer need to live strong. Jointly
developed by HP and processor manufacturer AMD, the L2005US features LIVESTRONG
on the cover and a reproduction of Lance Armstrong's autograph. Each purchase
includes a yellow LIVESTRONG wristband and yellow stereo ear bud headphones
with in-line volume control. LIVESTRONG wristbands represent unity in the battle
against cancer and hope for all those who are living with cancer.
The HP L2005US features a strong AMD Turion 64 ML-30
processor, which will handle all you can throw at it today and will be ready for
the coming onslaught of applications that will take advantage of 64-bit processing
technology. Supremely mobile, it weighs just over 5 pounds and has a BrightView
14-inch display--which provides improved viewing in direct sunlight. Other features
include an 80 GB hard drive, 512 MB of installed RAM (2 GB maximum), dual-layer,
multiformat DVD writer, built-in 54g wireless connectivity with 125HSM SpeedBooster,
128 MB of shared video RAM, and Windows XP Professional.
In
addition to the $50 that the LAF will receive from each notebook, AMD and HP plan
to donate notebooks for use in LAF-funded cancer survivorship centers throughout
the United States. In addition, the two companies are inviting you to join them
in the support of the Lance Armstrong Foundation by matching or exceeding the
$50 per unit for the LAF.
AMD Turion 64 Processor
Combining
strong performance with efficient usage of power, the 1.6 GHz AMD Turion 64 ML-30
is uniquely optimized to power today's thinnest notebooks. It's also built for
tomorrow's 64-bit applications, which will require a processor with significant
power. It includes such AMD technology features as HyperTransport (which increases
the communication between integrated circuits), PowerNow! (which enables longer
battery life and reduced heat generation), and Enhanced Virus Protection (which
works with Windows XP Service Pack 2 to better withstand attacks from certain
classes of viruses). It also features a 1 MB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache
temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's
performance.)
The Basics
- Hard Drive: The 80 GB hard drive (5400 RPM) is
a bit above average in size for notebook PCs, and its capacity is a welcome size
for road warriors.
- Memory: The 512 MB of
built-in memory (2 x 256 MB, PC2700, DDR SDRAM) is a good start for power users.
It has two memory slots in total, with a maximum memory expansion up to 2 GB (2
x 1024 MB).
- CD/DVD Drive: Offering the latest
in DVD writing technology, the L2005US multiformat DVD/CD drive is compatible
with both DVD+ and DVD- disc formats as well as dual-layer DVD+R discs, which
can store up to 8.5 GB of data. You can also burn your favorite music mixes to
CD.
- Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook
has a 101-key keyboard and a touchpad with on/off button and dedicated vertical/horizontal
Scroll Up/Down pad.
Screen, Graphics and
SoundWhile the L2005US's screen is actually as wide as standard
15-inch displays, the high-definition, widescreen 14-inch display (1280 x 768-pixel
resolution) has the same form factor as a 12-inch screen--taking up less space
on your desk. Even more impressive, its high resolution provides 25% more information
than standard 15-inch XGA displays. This BrightView screen also provides a 20
percent brighter screen for better definition and 33 percent wider viewing angle
for more accurate, off-center viewing. Video is powered by the ATI Radeon XPress
200M IGP video/graphics card, which delivers good, though not high-end, 3D graphics.
It has 128 MB of shared video RAM, which uses the notebook's main memory. It also
features 16-bit Sound Blaster Pro-compatible audio and internal speakers.
Connectivity
and Expansion Slots
The L2005US has an integrated 54g wireless LAN that's
fully compatible with 802.11b/g wireless networks. The 125 HSM/SpeedBooster support
will enable it to be ready for tomorrow's 125 Mbps wireless LANs. You get a decent
offering of connectivity options, which does include super-fast USB 2.0 and Firewire:
- 3 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
- 1 VGA monitor
port
- 1 S-Video port for connecting to a TV
- 1
PCMCIA (or PC Card) slot (Type I/II, 32-bit)
- 1
headphone jack and 1 microphone jack
- 1 Expansion
Port 2 connector
- 6-in-1 Digital Media Reader for
Secure Digital cards, MultiMedia cards, Memory Sticks, Memory Stick Pro, SmartMedia,
and XD Picture Cards
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).
Preloaded System and Software
This
system comes with the Windows XP Professional Edition (which adds Microsoft's
IIS Web server, back-up and recovery utilities, Remote Desktop, and other enhanced
business features) with Service Pack 2 featuring Advanced Security Technologies,
which helps to reduce unwanted downloads and pop-ups while surfing the Web. Other
preloaded software includes Sonic Digital Media Studio, InterVideo WinDVD Player,
Microsoft Zones.com, Apple iTunes and Apple iTunes Music Store, Adobe PhotoShop
Album, Muvee AutoProducer DVD Edition with Burning, Microsoft Works, Microsoft
Money, Microsoft MSN Encarta Plus, and Microsoft Office 2003 Student and Teacher
Edition (60 day trial version).
Dimensions and
Weight
Nice and light, this notebook weighs just 5.33 pounds and measures
13.15 x 9.1 x 1.29 inches.
Power
It's
powered by a 6-cell rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which has a battery life
of up to 3 hours (depending on usage).
What's in
the Box
This package contains the L2005US notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion
battery, AC adapter, printed operating instructions, zippered bag, yellow earbud
headphones, and yellow LIVESTRONG wristband. LIVESTRONG wristbands
represent unity in the battle against cancer and hope for all those who are living
with cancer. It is backed by a one-year limited hardware warranty, 1-year free
technical support, and 30-day free software support.
Buy the
HP Special Edition L2005US 14" Notebook PC (AMD Turion 64 Processor ML-30, 512
MB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, DVD±R/RW/CD-RW Combo Drive)