HP DV6846

HP’s DV series of laptops have in the past offered a very good mix of multimedia features along with a great finish and good performance. The DV6846 is the latest addition to this lineup. Does it live up to the standards set by its predecessors? Let's find out.

While many people aren't too happy with the smooth finish of the DV series, I think it strikes a perfect balance between slick looks and sturdy construction. Allow me to explain. HP traditionally uses what it calls the 'HP Imprint' – which involves a silver-and-black chassis, a glossy black LCD panel, a silver accented keyboard area with jet-black keys, and an art-deco harsh glossy finish to the lid.

The DV6846 is no different. As always, the construction is excellent, with sturdy hinges and a tough body that can take a lot of beating. Its profile too remains unchanged. Rather surprisingly, the DV6846 is a bit heavier than previous models in the series and heats up a lot more as well. This could cause some issues if you use it literally as a 'laptop'!

Another thing that remains unchanged is the keyboard. As with its predecessors, the keyboard offers a very comfortable working experience. The keys themselves are well-spaced out and offer good tactile feedback, and their smooth textured finish make short work of long hours of typing.

The touchpad is also well-designed. Unlike other manufacturers that tend to deploy a textured finish for the touchpad, HP offers a smooth finish. This allows for quick manipulation of the mouse cursor, and when you combine it with its larger-than-average size and the satisfying 'deep-click' feel of the mouse buttons, it certainly scores.

The screen is a positive step forward. The resolution remains the same as expected (15" panel with a native resolution of 1280 x 800), but it offers far richer color, and better contrast and brightness ratios. Black levels are much deeper too, which makes it a pleasure to watch movies. One drawback, however, is that the screen itself is extremely glossy and reflective. This can sometimes hinder legibility, especially in brightly lit areas.

Connectivity-wise, the laptop is strictly average. It offers three USB slots, the standard selection of Ethernet connectivity (Ethernet/ telephone modem jack), a 4-in-1 card reader and a LightScribe dual-layer DVD writer. In terms of wireless connectivity it offers 802.11 a/b/g and Bluetooth.

The DV6846 is quite healthy when it comes to its system specifications. It has an Intel T5550 processor, an Nvidia 8400M GS graphical chipset, 300GB of storage space, and 3GB of RAM.

In our PCMark test, the laptop managed an average score of 4410. This is very good, and only held back by the baseline C2D processor. The 3DMark06 score, however, was a none too impressive 1601. When you combine the two, what you get is an excellent laptop that is sadly held back by baseline specifications.

However, this does not impact on the multi-tasking capability of the laptop. The generous 3GB RAM and ample storage imply that the OS (Windows Vista Home Professional) runs smoothly, and one can easily use the laptop as a full-blown desktop replacement.

Our final test involved checking the battery life of the DV6846, and it proved to be quite a revelation. On a simple 6-cell battery, the laptop lasted nearly 3 hours before shutting down. This was a full-stress test; on a more sedate setting it reached 3.15 hours. Overall this is very good for a laptop in this segment.

The DV6846 retails at Rs 55,999 + 4% taxes. Considering the price and the bare-bones specifications, one would be better off looking at Dell’s XPS M1530, which offers significantly better looks and a sharper screen. I'd recommend the DV6846 only you if must get an HP... but even then, earlier models in the DV range are still around – and at their reduced prices offer better value for money.