HP COMPAQ 6910 / CORE 2 DUO

The configuration of our review machine is as follows:

HP Compaq 6910p specs:

• CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo T7300 2.00GHz
• OS: Microsoft Windows Vista Business
• Hard Drive: 120 GB SATA @ 5400RPM
• Screen: 14.1″ WXGA Widescreen (1280 x 800) (WXGA+ option available)
• Graphics: Intel GMA X3100 integrated graphics
• RAM: 2.0GB DDR2 SDRAM (2 x 1GB)
• Optical Drive: DVD SuperMulti drive (DVD+/-RW) w/Double Layer Support
• Battery: 6-cell lithium ion, 55WHr
• Wireless: Intel PRO / Wireless 802.11 a/b/g/n
• Optional WWAN: Integrated HP ev2200 1xEV-DO Wireless Module
• Security: Fingerprint reader, TPM hardware-based encryption
• Weight: 5.2 lbs
• Dimensions: 13″ (Width) x 9.4″ (Depth) x 1.1″ (Height)
• Ports/Slots: docking connector; 1 IEEE 1394 (FireWire); 3 Universal Serial Bus (USB 2.0); VGA monitor out; S-video out; RJ-45 Ethernet LAN; RJ-11 modem; Type I/II PC Card Slot; SmartCard; SD card reader; headphone/speaker jack; microphone

Looks

The 6910p is all business in its looks using only dark gray and black colors. It’s a clean and boxy look. To keep the look clean HP even goes so far as to make the media buttons touch sensitive instead of regular push button style. While the touch sensitive buttons look nice and the lights on them are pretty, I personally prefer the protruding buttons as it’s generally more user friendly to be able to “feel” a button. Thankfully the touch sensitive buttons do not beep loudly when touched like the old HP dv6000 series did, that wouldn’t go over well in a business environment.

Design and Build

The overall build quality of the HP 6910p is very good. A latch is used to hold the screen down when stowed, I really like the rubber gripped latch opener because it’s easy to feel and find without looking down at the notebook and easy to operate. There’s no fiddling to open the screen. The screen has rubber stoppers around it to prevent the screen from slamming into the keyboard when you close it.

The lid of the notebook is constructed of a firm mag-alloy material and will endure the bumps of the road. When the back of the lid is pushed on no screen ripples appear, indicating that the protection is quite adequate. The same mag alloy material is used on the palm rests area which makes sure this area is sturdy and doesn’t sink under the weight of your hands. The keyboard is also firm with absolutely no mushiness or sink to it.

One knock is that HP included a plastic dummy insert for the the PCMCIA slot, a flap is preferable as those inserts are tricky and tend to get lost eventually.