HP DM1-1018TU Quick Review

I managed to get this unit under my custody for a week due to some “user error” (in other words, I’m supposed to do a clean restore on this unit because someone did something to it!). So I thought, let’s do a quick review on this product for fun (and hopefully it will help someone out there who is considering this unit).

What is it, really?

This machine, in my opinion is a crossover between a netbook and a notebook. Why? Firstly, it is pretty small, the display is 11.6″ in size, and it sports the 720p TV’s resolution (well, similar) – 1366 x 768 pixels, but it’s not as small as a typical netbook (typically, a netbook’s display is between 8″ to 10″ and their screen resolution is anywhere between 800 x 480 pixels to 1024 x 600 pixels. HP calls it “Entertainment Notebook”.

Secondly, it is designed in such a way that the front part of the notebook (okay I’m gonna call it a notebook for sake of simplicity), where the touchpad and palm rest is, is thinner than the rear (a-la MacBook Air), giving you the impression that this unit is really, really thin.

Technical Specifications

Processor: Intel Pentium SU4100 (1.30GHz, Two Cores, 2M L2 Cache, 800Mhz FSB)
Memory: 2,048 MB (that’s 2.0GB) DDR3 RAM
Display: 11.6″ 1366 x 768 (widescreen)
Storage: 250GB 5400RPM SATA HDD
Battery: 6-Cell Battery (est. lifetime ~ 4.5 Hours)
Graphics: Intel GMA4500M (memory shared with main memory)
Expansion Ports: 3x USB 2.0 ports, 1x HDMI port, 1x VGA-out port, 1x Ethernet (gigabit), 1x mic/headphone port (auto-sensing), 1x 5-in-1 Card Reader slot
Connectivity: WiFi (Broadcomm 802.11 b/g), Bluetooth 2.1+EDR
Others: VGA Webcam and Microphone
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Basic (32-bit)

This little thing packs quite some punch. With Intel GMA 4500M on board, this means this unit can decode full HD movies without much challenge (that means that HDMI port is of a good use after all).

With 2GB of main memory, while I agree that it is nothing to shout for, but it is decent for most daily tasks. 250GB 5400RPM SATA hard disk is pretty good too, enough to store quite a lot of materials, and pretty speedy as well. Some notebooks are equipped with the slower-variant 4200RPM disks, while these disk saves some power, but they can be quite horrible in term of speed, especially when you need the machine to be ‘just a tad bit faster’ so you can load your RM 100,000.00 proposal to your potential clients.

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Basic doesn’t offer pretty features like desktop transparency and the pretty effects, but it gets the job done. In fact, this machine gives the impression that it is a lot faster than my desktop, because the windows don’t animate and they don’t fade!

Ergonomics

First, let’s look at the keyboard. Due to it’s small size, they keyboard is naturally made smaller as well. According to the spec sheet, this keyboard is 92% of the size of a normal full-sized notebook keyboard. The spacing between the keys are narrower as well. If you’ve never used a netbook regularly before, you will have to get used to the smaller keyboard. Tactile feedback of the keyboard is good, and the keys are silent, making that late-night chatting or working less irritating for your partners at night.

Next, the touchpad input. I have some issues with this touchpad. Firstly the tracking and response of the touchpad is mediocre (and sometimes horrible). It doesn’t seem to register clicks properly. Speaking of clicks, the touchpad buttons are placed right at the edge of the unit, and it is very stiff and noisy (it makes that sound as if you’re tapping on an empty plastic container when you click on it).

Other than these two, there’s a power button and wireless on/off button on either edge of the keyboard. Everything else (volume, brightness, display toggle) is located on the keyboard itself.

The screen of this notebook is brilliant. It’s bright, glossy and it doesn’t strain my eyes even after almost half-day of using the unit non-stop. With a decent screen resolution, viewing most websites and applications is not a problem at all.

Upgradability

Upgrading this unit in the future is made easy on the two most-upgraded components of a notebook/netbook – Memory (RAM) and Storage (Hard Disk Drive). Both items are under the same cover underneath the unit, so upgrading both will only require you to unscrew one panel (rather than two for some units).

Summary

In general, I find this unit is a very viable little notebook (or you can call it a high-end netbook). The cost is very similar to most entry-level notebook as of the date of writing, retailing at MYR 2,199.

Pros: