Notebook PC feature glossary

HP and Compaq notebook PCs range from 3.91 to 15.5 pounds and from .52  to 2.3 inches thin.

• If you are highly mobile and need a notebook that’s easy to carry wherever you go, a model from 3.91 to 6 pounds is right for you.
  
• If you need day-to-day mobility, but use your notebook primarily in one place, consider one that weighs from 6 to 7 pounds.
  
• If you are looking to replace a desktop PC with a notebook PC that will remain stationary most of the time, look for models that weigh 8 pounds and up.

And always protect your notebook while you’re on the go with a case designed specifically for the model you choose.

HP and Compaq notebooks offer a variety of screen sizes and types to meet your specific needs. Each one delivers incredible high-definition picture quality.

Screen size: HP and Compaq offer 12.1-, 14.1-, 15.4-, 17 and 20.1-inch widescreen displays. The 14.1- and 15.4-inch widescreens deliver an incredible picture in a compact size for enhanced mobility. If you rank visual experience above mobility, look for a 17-inch or a 20.1-inch model.

WXGA and WSXGA: HP and Compaq offer two types of screen technologies: WXGA and WSXGA. WXGA is available on all models and delivers a crisp, high-definition picture. WSXGA, available only on 17-inch models, provides enhanced screen resolution for an even greater high-definition experience—ideal for those viewing high-def content more often.

HP’s exclusive BrightView and Ultra-BrightView technologies: All HP and Compaq notebooks offer HP’s exclusive BrightView technology. BrightView improves the contrast and clarity of your notebook display so colors are brighter and images come to life. Some models offer HP’s Ultra-BrightView technology, which provides an even wider range of colors.

HP and Compaq notebook PCs offer a variety of processor options, all designed specifically for mobile computing. You can choose from Intel® Core™ Solo or Duo processors and AMD Sempron or AMD Turion processors. Processors are distinguished by clock speed (measured in gigahertz or GHz) and bandwidth (measured in bits).

They are also divided into two groups—traditional single-core processors (like the Intel® Core™ Solo) and dual-core processors (Intel® Core™ Duo). Dual-core processors boost performance for demanding applications such as graphics-intensive games, while allowing you to download music or running security programs simultaneously.

Keep in mind that a single-core processor with a higher GHz rating may not be faster than a dual-core processor with a lower GHz rating. When selecting the processor for your notebook, consider the following 

• If you’ll be editing digital movies and music or are involved in multimedia production, look for the fastest available options—including dual processors or 64-bit processing technology. Gaming also requires faster processors to keep the action moving smoothly. HP offers notebook PCs with processor speeds up to 2.6 GHz.
  
• If you work with large digital media files, intensive spreadsheets and presentation software, Look to those in the mid-range of processing speed, from 1.8 to 2.2 GHz.
  
• If you’re into watching movies and digital videos, listening to music and organizing photos, or activities like word processing, e-mail and Web browsing, a processor with speeds ranging from 1.6 to 1.9 GHz would be suitable

Along with your processor, the amount of random access memory (RAM) greatly affects your notebook’s performance.

HP and Compaq notebooks are expandable to 4GB RAM. With a greater amount of RAM, you can run more applications at one time and make them run faster. Plus, with more RAM you’ll enjoy greater performance for tasks such as digital video editing and downloading music.

When deciding on how much memory your notebook needs, consider this:

• 1GB is ideal for watching movies, listening to music and organizing photos, and activities like word processing, e-mail or Web browsing.
  
• 2GB RAM is recommended for running multiple applications simultaneously and working with larger digital media files such as movie and video files, desktop publishing and graphic design software files, intensive spreadsheets and presentation software.
  
• 3-4GB RAM is recommended for memory-intensive such as gaming, digital video editing and producing DVDs, and running graphic design software.

Your notebook’s hard drive is where all data is stored—from programs and drivers to digital photos and music. The more gigabytes (GB) on your hard drive, the more applications and files you can store.

When you select the size of your hard drive, consider the amount of data you have now and what you will be adding in the future. It’s a good idea to buy a hard drive with the largest amount of space you can afford.

• If you plan on storing documents, spreadsheets and data related to business or home finances, and you’ll be installing productivity-related programs, you can opt for a hard drive in the low to mid range: 80 to 100GB.
  
• If you have a growing music and video library, store lots of photos and larger digital media files and plan on installing games and more intensive video and design software, consider a maximum-size hard-drive.

All HP and Compaq notebooks offer built-in wireless networking and/or Bluetooth® wireless technology. While you may not use a wireless network every day, it is recommended that you enable your notebook with wireless technology.

• With wireless 802.11 a/b/g/n you can access the Internet through wireless networks wherever they’re available—on campus, the office, the coffee shop, the airport, even around certain cities. With wireless you get the most mobility out of your notebook, so you can choose where you work or play.
  
• Bluetooth® technology allows you to connect to a variety of other Bluetooth®-enabled devices including printers, cell phones, PDAs, digital cameras and more. Through this technology you can access and back up the important data on your wireless devices, and even print wirelessly with a Bluetooth®-enabled printer.

All HP and Compaq notebook PCs give you a variety of disc drives to choose from.

• DVD/CD-RW combo drive allows you to view DVDs and burn CDs. You can use this drive to create music CDs, store data and enjoy your favorite movies on the go.
  
• A super multi 8X DVDR/RW with double-layer support allows you to view and burn both DVDs and CDs. This option also supports double-layer DVD media, which means you can fit almost twice the amount of data on a DVD. If you plan on editing digital video and creating DVDs, or need greater storage capacity for your data, this is the option for you.
  
• LightScribe super multi 8X DVDRW with double layer gives you all the capabilities of the previous option, with one major enhancement—LightScribe technology. LightScribe allows you to create silk-screen-quality, laser-etched labels on your discs right in your notebook—no more markers or stickers. 
  
•  HD DVD ROM provides ultra-realistic high-def playback

To learn more about LightScribe, click here.

With HP and Compaq you have a choice of Windows Vista® operation systems to meet your needs. 

• Windows Vista® Home Basic - is great for everyday home computing needs. If you use your PC primarily for browsing the Internet, e-mail and viewing photos, this is the choice for you.

• Windows Vista®Home Premium delivers more ease of use, plus a whole new level of security and entertainment to your PC. Intuitive. Entertaining. Dependable. Windows Vista Home Premium is the preferred edition for home desktop PCs.

• Windows Vista® Business is the definitive choice for your business–today and tomorrow! Windows Vista Business empowers you to work more efficiently and securely with a stunning and simple new user interface, easy-to-use search, and powerful safety features such as automatic data backup

• Windows Vista® Ultimate -  is the most complete edition of Windows Vista. It has the power, security and mobility features you need for work, and the entertainment and ease you want for fun. It has everything you need to shift seamlessly between the worlds of play and productivity.

When it comes to data—whether getting to it or keeping it safe— HP and Compaq notebook PCs give you the flexible storage options to do it all.

• Choose built-in memory card slots to easily access photos from your digital camera, camera phone, PDA and other devices.
• For maximum flexibility in sharing your digital media files, consider a compact, portable HP pocket media drive or personal media drive that allows you take your data and files with you wherever you go, while leaving your notebook at home. With 120GB, 160GB, 300GB, 500GB and 750GB capacities, you can store entire media libraries and access them on other PCs via USB connectivity.
• Consider an external hard drive to keep at your home, office or dorm to back up the data on your notebook and keep your critical files safe.
• A USB flash drive is a fast and convenient way to take files on the road and share them between computers. Ideal for keeping the files you need at your fingertips.

To learn more about storage and connectivity options, click here.

If you and your HP or Compaq notebook will be spending a lot time in one location, consider an HP notebook expansion base. An expansion base is an ideal addition to the home office, the workplace or the dorm. You will be able to work in greater comfort for longer periods of time, while expanding your connectivity options, charging batteries and more.

An HP notebook expansion base allows you to

• Recharge your notebook PC’s batteries and back up your data
• Expand your connectivity with up to six USB inputs and a variety of other connections
• Work cable-free with a wireless keyboard and mouse
• Increase your hard-drive storage with the expansion-base hard drive
• Improve ergonomics

When you are on the go and need to connect to various devices, consider the Targus Mobile Port Replicator. This handy addition expands your connectivity and allows you to connect via Ethernet, serial, USB, VGA and more. You can also connect joysticks, mice and keyboards.

To learn more about HP expansion bases and the Targus Mobile Port Replicator, click here.

Whether you’ll be using your HP or Compaq notebook PC for entertainment or school, office or home, you want the best graphics possible. HP and Compaq notebooks give you the option to choose graphics cards from industry leaders so you get the performance you want.

• Choose a graphics card with up to 128MB of memory for watching movies and viewing photos. You’ll need additional video processing power to deliver greater detail and color in the images you view.
• Choose a high-quality graphics card with up to 512MB of memory for graphic design and video editing. You’ll also need the graphics card to include the capacity for higher resolution and increased memory.
  
• For 3-D gaming, choose graphics cards and/or graphics accelerators specifically designed with at least 256MB of memory. These graphics cards designed specifically for gaming, provide the more realistic 3-D renderings that hardcore gamers demand.

If your goal is maximum mobility and you’ll be spending most of your time away from power sources, you should consider a high-capacity battery for your HP or Compaq notebook PC.

The battery is what makes a notebook PC mobile. The longer your battery lasts, the more mobile you can be. That’s why HP offers a complete line of high-capacity batteries for HP and Compaq notebook PCs. These batteries provide up to twice the capacity of the standard notebook battery.

Whether you’re watching a movie or working on a proposal, you’ll be sure to have the battery life to get you through.

To learn more about high-capacity notebook batteries click here.

HP offers exclusive technologies to make mobile computing fun and efficient. With these innovative technologies and renowned reliability and support, an HP or Compaq notebook PC is the right choice. Read below to learn more.

• HP QuickPlay   HP QuickPlay brings your favorite music and movies to life with the touch of a button.  Easy to use with dedicated media control keys, HP QuickPlay also reduces power use, so your battery lasts longer at home or on the go.
• HP BrightView You have to see it to believe it! With eye-popping colors, high-gloss screens and clearer images imagine how much you’ll enjoy your music videos and movies. Anti-reflective technology also reduces eye fatigue so the sun’s reflection doesn’t get in the way of your viewing enjoyment.
• HP LightScribe Create affordable, silk-screen-quality disc labels without a printer. Easy-to-use LightScribe burns labels directly onto your CDs and DVDs with laser-etched precision, producing beautiful gray-scale images similar to black-and-white photography. It’s perfect for music lovers, professionals that want to categorize and organize content, and video enthusiasts who want to archive and distribute footage by adding a professional, creative touch to their discs.