HP Pavilion 8668C: One SWEET Computer!
Written: Sep 17 '00
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Pros: Fast, lots of perks, useful, pre-installed software.
Cons: Some, not so useful software I rather not come on a new machine.
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| djgeiger's Full Review: HP Pavilion 8668C |
It comes a time in any internet business when you come to the realization you need more than one computer. We expanded our office space and decided we really could use two more computers. Back in April of 2000 we purchased 2 HP Pavilion 9680C's. We have been very satisfied with these computers and wanted to purchase 2 more. What we found though, is HP Pavilion 8668C's for the purchase price of $1,599. We picked up two and brought them home.
The computer came in two boxes. Unpacking and setting up the machines was very easy. All the components are color coded and this made setting them up a snap. After boot up you go through the registration process with Microsoft Windows and also the HP Pavilion. Getting the registration out of the way was pretty nice.
The computers, thankfully aren't the stark white designs of previous computers we have had. The monitor and tower are of a contemporary design in gray and black.
The 17' monitor conforms with EPA Energy Star standards and has power management features. It also has a non-glare picture tube that reduces the glare of ambient light. I can tilt the screen anywhere I need it, and with my neck injury that comes in very handy. The base of the monitor also swivels. The monitor supports high refresh rates, reducing screen flicker. On top of the monitor is a built in microphone. When my daughter visits she loves this feature since she can talk with her friends on Yahoo Instant Messenger with live voice. Listening to some of her conversations the sound is of high quality. The control panel for the monitor is located on the bottom, front of the screen, making it easily accessible. I've had monitors before where the controls are hidden under the monitor and I have to bend down to find the little buttons, then look back up to see what the results of the display changes were. Turns into a timely process over and over. The power button is located on the right side. The button has a very light touch to it. Compare to a old Bench Mark I had which had a very hard pushing button. On each side of the monitor is a speaker. The speakers kind of look like puppy ears. The speakers are Premium Polk Audio stereo speakers with Powerport technology. The sound isn't the greatest but playing my favorite audio CD, Billy Joel The River of Dreams it certainly sounds pretty nice.
The microprocessor is an upgradeable, Intel III 650 MHz. It runs pretty fast. Before we purchased the 9680's in April we were running 400's and there is a significant difference in accessing information. Speaking of speed, I am on pins and needles today. For months now we have been not so patiently waiting for a decent internet connection. In Oklahoma we connect at the break neck speed of 24,000. Here in Galt California we have been connecting at 46,000 to 50,000, a difference from Oklahoma but it is so slow! We finally have Comcast Cable coming in on Tuesday, I am one very happy camper! The frontside bus on the 8668C is 100MHz. The hard drive isn't the biggest in the world at 30GB Ultra DMA but it certainly serves out purposes. The memory is 128MB of SDRAM which is expandable to 256. There is two PCI slots. In terms of external ports there are 2 USB; 2 serial; 1 parallel; 1 game port. In the front of the tower, on the lower bottom is a little door that opens up. Inside this door is a easily accessible serial port and a USB slot. After using the 9680's we quickly discovered the usefulness of having a port located on the front of the tower, especially when the back of the tower is so difficult to get to. The available bays is a internal 3.5" and a external 5.25".
On my old Bench Mark I had a CD-Writer. After using one, I knew I couldn't live without one ever again. It is so useful for backing up information and backing up purchased CD software. On this new computer is a HP CD-Writer Plus multi read, 4x/4x/24x:(24xmax,speed write, 4x max, speed re-write, 24x max speed read). The computer has a DVD-Rom 8x max speed. I really enjoy the DVD, but am unable to run several of my games I use to play on the old CD Rom. But who has time any more, any way?
The keyboard is downright handy. It's a one-touch Internet keyboard. I love the easy access volume control, and the mute button on the keyboard. You can also print and fax right from the keyboard. There are several additional, handy features on this keyboard. The mouse is a simple HP 2-button scrolling mouse. The modem is a internal Data/fax modem ITU V.90 K6 flex modem. Another words a cheap modem that functions just fine.
The computer comes pre-loaded with lots of useful software and of course some not so useful software. Microsoft Windows 98 second addition is pre-loaded. I love the second addition. We can share modems and share our new, forth coming cable connection, meaning we only have to pay for one service. Productivity and Finance: Microsoft Works 2000, Quicken Basic 2000, Microsoft Money 2000, and Smith/Micro Quicklink III Fax software. I haven't use the Fax software since we have our own fax machine on the HP Office Jet 500. The education and reference/entertainment software is Microsoft Encarta 2000 Encyclopedia, Music Match Jukebox 4, and Ravisent CineMaster 99. The CD-Writer software that I often make use of is Adaptec Easy CD Creator and Adaptec DirectCD.
The warranty isn't the best in the world, but really not too bad. At least they live up to it. Hardware-parts and labor is one year. They also offer phone support for the first 30 days to get you "up and running".
I had two occasions to call on the phone assistance. One, I wasn't real happy about the speed of the machine or the speed of the boot up process. After a call to HP, he helped me optimize my machines with many settings I never knew existed. Many of these changes were in the start up, under program, accessories , system tools, then system information, tools then system configuration under start up. After changing these settings and getting rid of some of the pre-load software I didn't need, like all the Internet and Online garbage the computer ran like a champ! The other reason I had to call HP, one of the monitors had been a bit battered in shipment. He simply said to take it back where we purchased the computer and exchange it. Since we bought the computers at Sam's Club it was a simple exchange process.
A couple extra little features that are pretty nice is on top of the tower is a flip up case to store your HP Pavilion System Recovery Disk. Also the two front ports are covered with a flip up door as well as the DVD.
We have really learned to respect and trust HP products over the last couple years. We are considering a purchase of a laptop computer in the next few months, actually I really need a laptop computer in the next few months. I am a work-a-holic. I can keep it up all day and all night. But it's really a pretty good idea to spend quality time with my husband. When we watch movies together, if I had a laptop I could continue with some of the easy tasks that need to be performed each day. When we finally purchase our new RV, we will have to have two laptops since none of the RV's seem to have room for two desktops and all the accessories.
Many people would benefit from purchasing this machine. It works great in the gaming department, and makes a great office computer. If you enjoy music CD's there is lots of benefits to purchasing this computer.
I can strongly recommended the purchase of the HP Pavilion 8668C. After a few initial bugs they have functioned flawless, at least until the computer was infected with a VBS script worm, but that is another story for another day! Taking the price into consideration for all that you get, you can't go wrong. There are very few computers that can offer all this computer has to offer at such a competitive price.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 1,599
Operating System: Windows
Processor: Intel Pentium III
Processor speed: 601-700
RAM: 128
Internal Storage: CD-RW and DVD
Hard Drive (GB): 21-30
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Epinions.com ID:
djgeiger
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Member: Diana Geiger
Location: Huron, South Dakota USA
Reviews written: 150
Trusted by: 343 members
About Me:
I am a writer and the Exotic Pets Editor for BellaOnline.com.
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