HP Pavilion zd8185EA

The HP Pavilaion ZD8185EA is what HP term a "Desktop Replacement". Built around the same Pentium 4 processor that competiting desktop PC's carry, this laptop is aimed at those that require a fast and powerful desktop PC but in the compact space of the laptop.

The overall specs of the Laptop make it an ideal replacement for many desktop equivlents but with weight exceeding 4KG this is deffiently not a laptop for those on the constant move.

The two most impressive features of the laptop are the 17" widescreen featuring a Glossy Layer to give a crystal clear picure, with an ATI Radeon x600 Graphic Card, which provides excellent performance when compared to other laptops.

A full sized keyboard (equivalent to a desktop pc keyboard) means that continuous use of the laptop for essays, prolonged work and gaming are a pleasurable experenice. The laptopn also features enough USB ports to keep your USB devises going and features Wireless and Bluetooth Connectivity. A small Remote control which slots into the Laptops PCMCIA slot is also included but unfortutantly is flimbsey and broke within a few weeks of owning the machine.

The Bad Points

I have had to send the laptop for repair twice, first for the screen to be tightened as the picture was wobblying and the second time to have it replaced when 12 vertical lines appeared across the screen.

The screen still has a wobble after being repaired and is most noticable when typing. The external monitor connection produces a fuzzy picture on external monitors (by this i mean the pixels jump about on external screens).

The machine also proves prone to randomly freezing even when it has been reset back to factor settings and the supplied external power pack gets soo hot you cant touch it at times.

Dissappointly to get the laptop picked up for repair took 6 weeks of phoning HP, something of a surprise for a company focused on providing excellent customer care.

So to summarise the machine

Good Points - Fast Processor, Sufficent Ram and Great Graphics Card

Bad Points - The Screen Wobbles, the power supply gets too hot to touch and the Customer Service is appauling.

Overal Verdict - I will not from my experience with this laptop be buying another HP Product in a rush. This is the second HP Laptop I have owned and I have expereinced problems with both, surprisingly both have had screen problems.

I would recommend avvoiding this laptop and if you do consider buying a HP laptop be sure to take out the extended warranty as all the problems have happened around 13 months after the laptop was purchased.