Quantcast
PCWorld.com is upgrading some back-end systems. Some site features, such as user registration, may be temporarily unavailable.

NEW Reviews Beta Feedback

  • Print

HP Pavilion m8100n Desktop (2.8GHz Athlon 64 X2 5600+, 3GB DDR2, 500GB, DVDRW DL, Windows Vista Home Premium)

-

Pending

  • At a Glance
  • Compact case design
  • Dual-core Athlon 64 processor
  • Older-generation Athlon CPU

User Reviews for HP Pavilion m8100n Desktop (2.8GHz Athlon 64 X2 5600+, 3GB DDR2, 500GB, DVDRW DL, Windows Vista Home Premium)

  • Reviewed by: linxs

    Duration of ownership:

    Strengths: quiet fan, remote control, SATA drive

    Weaknesses: CD/DVD spinning makes bit of noise, 300W power supply, Vista, no DVI

    Overall Evaluation: This is a good multimedia PC if you are planning to hook it up to your TV. It includes the remote which you can control most DVD Player apps with it. Since it has a TV tuner, you can also setup to watch program that's coming via the coax input. PC has enough USB port for most needs both in front and on the back. Since it's HP, most of the expansions are HP friendly, ie, might have some issue with generic parts. It has a HP expansion slot for HP drives. Since it's running Vista, it's a bit buggy, not to mention getting used to new interface and where some of the things are. It's a good PC, but would spend more if it's hooked up to a 1080i/p and get one that plays Blu-ray and HDDVD Tuner.

  • Reviewed by: discounteggroll

    Duration of ownership:

    Strengths: 3gb ram, big HD, DVD burner, small footprint, quiet, true FW400 6 pin ports (2)

    Weaknesses: lack of DVI/Component out, cheap keyboard/mouse (wired)

    Overall Evaluation: For what I got this computer for ($350 after rebates) it was a no brainer. Robust Ram and HD make this computer comfortably fast for what it serves. I just wish it had a DVI port or component to hook it up to a HDTV more easily. Overall I am happy with it, and if you can find it on clearance I would highly recommend it

  • Reviewed by: lakers11521

    Duration of ownership:

    Strengths: Fast and Easy to setup,

    Weaknesses: Vista

    Overall Evaluation: I really like my new purchase. This CPU is really fast and has not given me any problem so far. Windows Vista takes time to get used to but it will eventually happen. I like the case of the CPU and black finish. I would recommend this CPU to anyone looking to buy a CPU at a good price.

  • Reviewed by: steevl

    Duration of ownership:

    Strengths: TV tuner card included; multi-featured remote control; Pre-loaded with media and other included software; 500GB hard drive; Smooth setup overall.

    Weaknesses: Limited expandability (no vacant standard PCI slots) and missing connections on motherboard (no parallel or serial port). No option to ship with XP nor any support offered for downgrade to XP.

    Overall Evaluation: Users who like a pre-loaded, no setup hassles machine will like this one. HP has loaded it with everything you'll need to get up and running - minus Office software, of course. The MS Office software that comes pre-loaded is a trial version. If you're more geared toward building your own or tweaking your PC, you may not like some of what you see here. There is a vacant PCIe slot, but the only two standard PCI slots are already occupied (TV tuner card and PCI modem). Also, adding another internal hard drive does not look easy, unless you buy HP's "Personal Media Drive" that would plug right into a slot on the front. Other than that, the machine runs quiet and smooth so far. The entire side panel is full of venting holes, so the inside might get a bit dusty with time, but it shouldn't have any trouble shedding heat.

  • Reviewed by: sandkeverson

    Duration of ownership:

    Strengths: Fast, remote is user friendly, Vista options easy to figure out

    Weaknesses: So far we are having no problems with this unit.

    Overall Evaluation: We purchased this unit as a bundle and have been very happy with it's performance. It is easy to set up right out of the box with an easy step by step instruction sheet. We were up and running with in minutes. The media center is a very nice feature added, it is worth getting one of HP's media computers if you are going to be doing any video or picture editing.

What You Should Know about the Pavilion m8100n Desktop (2.8GHz Athlon 64 X2 5600+, 3GB DDR2, 500GB, DVDRW DL, Windows Vista Home Premium)

Compact Case Is Designed for Smaller Work Areas

This compact computer is smaller than the standard and midsize tower PCs that fit under your desk, making it ideal for limited work areas. Small case designs vary, too. However, such PCs tend to be underpowered (especially on gaming), and mini cases also have few available expansion slots and drive bays. Generally you'll have to expand the system via USB, FireWire, or eSATA peripherals, so make sure your compact system has a large number (and assortment) of ports.

Similar Desktops

Latest Desktops Playing in PCW Video

Latest Desktops News, Reviews, How-To's

  • Kaspersky Unveils Antivirus for Mac It is wrong to think that a Mac operating system is safe from malware.
  • Apple Wins Court Victory Over Mac Clone Maker Psystar Mac clone maker Psystar was dealt a crushing blow by a federal judge that ruled the Florida company violated Apple's copyright as well as the DMCA.
  • Bugs & Fixes: LaunchBar Causes an Unexpected Surprise Step 1: Take one of the best utilities ever created for the Mac; one that I use every day. Step 2: Enhance its latest version with a promising new feature. What...
  • Upsized Apple Stores Coming Soon Apple may have only opened 26 stores throughout the 2009 fiscal year which ended in September but get ready because they're about to unleash between 40 to 50...
  • Apple Launches ITunes Preview iTunes. You know it. I know it. We all have some sort of a relationship with it, whether it's love for the things it does or hate for how bloated it has become.

Best Prices on HP Pavilion m8100n Desktop (2.8GHz Athlon 64 X2 5600+, 3GB DDR2, 500GB, DVDRW DL, Windows Vista Home Premium)

 

Best Prices on HP Pavilion m8100n Desktop (2.8GHz Athlon 64 X2 5600+, 3GB DDR2, 500GB, DVDRW DL, Windows Vista Home Premium)