Review: HP Pavilion dv6-6013cl – Intel Sandy Bridge Processor Gaming capable
The dv6-6013cl is the first budget laptop we’ve reviewed that arrives equipped with the Intel second-generation Core processor (a.k.a., Sandy Bridge), in this case a dual-core 2.10GHz Intel Core i3-2310M. Other laptops that feature the new chipset consist of the Lenovo ThinkPad X220 and also the Apple MacBook Pro 15-inch (Thunderbolt).
While not at the high-end of the Intel Core processor line-up, the Core i3-2310M is nonetheless a strong CPU, supplying performance comparable to the first generation top-tier i3 processors, but adding vast improvements to graphics processing. As a result, the dv6-6013cl carried out well. It place up respectable scores in CineBench R11.5 (2.04) and Handbrake (3:13) benchmark tests, ranking alongside other top performers within the spending budget class, such as the Toshiba Satellite A665D-S5175 (2.05 Cinebench, 4:03 Handbrake) and Acer AS5742-6475 (2.10 CineBench, 3:02 Handbrake).
In benchmark tests that check the entire system overall, the HP Pavilion also carried out well, completing our Photoshop CS5 test in 5 minutes 48 seconds and scoring 5,563 factors in PCMark Vantage. These scores put it correct alongside the leading budget laptops we have observed, like the Acer AS5742-6475 (5:35 Photoshop; 5,639 PCMark) and Sony VPC-EB33FM/BJ (5:39 Photoshop; five,252 PCMark).
Where the dv6-6013cl is most impressive is in its new graphics capabilities. In 3DMark tests it blazed past its 1st-gen friends, scoring 4,116 at medium resolution and 1,748 at native resolution. The previous top-performers within the category, the Acer AS5742-6475 and Sony VPC-EB33FM/BJ, could not even arrive shut. The Acer AS5742-6475 scored 1,888 at medium settings and 1,617 at higher configurations, while the Sony VPC-EB33FM/BJ scored 1,874 (medium) and 1,686 (higher).
The improved integrated graphics capability was most pronounced within our gaming tests. In Crysis the dv6-6013cl scored 14.3 frames per second (fps) at medium resolution, and 3.6 fps on higher. In our Lost Planet 2 benchmark, the Pavilion scored 13.9 fps (medium) and 5.1 fps (higher). As a rule, budget systems with integrated graphics have not even been in a position to run these gaming tests. Whilst these specific video games are too demanding for competitive play, you will lastly have the ability to play really a few present 3D graphics video games, like World of Warcraft, Torchlight, and Fallout: New Vegas, on the dv6-6013cl.
Within our MobileMark 2007 battery rundown check the dv6-6013cl lasted five hours 17 minutes with a 6-cell 55Wh battery. This time is better than each the Lenovo G560-0679AKU, which lasted 3:49, and Acer Aspire AS5742-6475, which lasted 5:01. Nevertheless, each of those laptops use slightly smaller 48Wh battery, which will be the much more common dimension amongst budget laptops.
Even without the brand new Intel processor and subsequent enhancements in graphics ability, the HP Pavilion dv6-6013cl was a powerful contender for Editors’ Option. Its sturdy but fashionable style, the extras like a fourth USB port and second headphone jack, the lengthier lasting battery, and Costco’s prolonged guarantee had already pushed this laptop computer towards the head from the budget laptop computer category. Many thanks towards the new Intel Core i3 processor and also the addition of gaming options, even the Editors’ Choice Acer Aspire AS5742-6475 gets left behind. The HP Pavilion dv6-6013cl requires leading honors.
One of the initial details that caught my eye with all the dv6-6013cl was the up to date style, which uses brushed aluminum along with a daring dose of colour. With so many laptop designs mimicking the bare aluminum appear popularized by Apple’s MacBook Pro line, it’s refreshing to see a metal-clad laptop computer that has some more fascinating visual elements.
Additionally to the navy blue paint job, the Pavilion dv6-6013cl also uses a vertical “grain,” which looks great, and added some subtle but practical curves towards the metal panels as well. On the palm rest, for instance, the metal panel curves down in to the keyboard, supplying a more comfy surface for your fingers. Around the lid along the hinge, a curved lip lets you carry the closed laptop computer much more comfortably and having a more safe grip. The steel construction also indicates this laptop computer does not suffer from the noticeable chassis flexing typical to many other spending budget methods.
The dv6-6013cl measures 10 by 14.8 by 1.6 inches (HWD), though these dimensions are slightly misleading as the laptop computer is mainly 1.4 inches thick besides for your curved lip along the hinge. Weighing 5.6 pounds, it is a tad heavier than each the 5.3-pound Sony VAIO VPC-EB33FM/BJ and also the five-pound Acer Aspire AS5742-6475.
The dv6-6013cl has a chiclet-style keyboard carried out within the same fashion as prior HP laptops, such as the high-end HP Envy 14-1210NR . These two keyboards are almost similar except for the backlight found on the Envy 14. Additionally to the complete sized keyboard, HP also squeezed inside a numeric pad onto the dv6-6013cl. The buttons of the numeric pad are slightly narrower than the regular keys, but feel no various in actual use. The dv6-6013cl also uses a multitouch trackpad with separate buttons instead of the troubled clickpad HP utilized on prior Pavilion models. It’s distinctive visually also, highlighted by a white ring of light, which could be amazing if only it were paired having a backlit keyboard. It is not, so once the lights are low, you will have the ability to mouse with out trouble, but you’ll be typing blind.
The 15.6-inch display has a maximum resolution of 1,366 by 768, that is standard for 15.6-inch screens, and can play 720p video. While the screen isn’t big sufficient for a group to collect about for a movie, it’s big enough for one or two people. The widescreen layout is good for movies, but especially so throughout productive duties, because it offers sufficient visual real-estate to work with two big windows side-by-side.
The dv6-6013cl also seems much better than most laptops in this cost range. Where numerous budget laptops have inexpensive speakers that sound anemic, the dv6-6103cl consists of Beats Audio, a mixture of software and hardware that offers a fulfilling listening experience. Sound remains clear and undistorted even when turned up, and the only complaint I have is the fact that the lack of any bass response was much more obvious because the quantity was elevated.
Its choice of ports is pretty typical for a spending budget laptop. It has each VGA and HDMI outputs for connecting to an exterior monitor or HDTV, and also the usual Ethernet port and 802.11n Wi-Fi. While USB 2.0 ports are common, most spending budget systems offer only two or three–the Pavilion dv6-6013cl has four. Additionally to the regular headphone and microphone jacks there’s also a second headphone jack, allowing two people to listen with headphones.
The Pavilion dv6-6013cl also includes a generous 500GB 5,400rpm tough drive, the same dimension as the drives found within the Lenovo G560-0679AKU ($599 list, 3.5 stars) or the Acer AS5742-6475. A built-in memory card reader handles SD and MMC cards, and also the optical drive lets you read and burn up CDs and DVDs.
Searching at the desktop, you’ll see a few bits of bloatware, like a dedicated eBay link, HP games, along with a generic e-book reader. Digging into the programs of the computer reveals much more pre-installed trials and freebies, like a trial subscription for Norton Internet Security, Microsoft Office, and unwanted freebies like the Bing Bar, or HP’s PictureMover. You’ll probably want to clear a lot of those off of your program immediately.
Simply because this is a Costco configuration, purchasers may also take advantage of Costco’s prolonged warranty, which doubles the 1-year guarantee provided by HP, covering the laptop computer for two many years at no extra expense. Additionally to this lengthened warranty time period, Costco also provides their Electronics Concierge Solutions, a totally free tech assistance line.
Specifications
- Type Value
- Processor Name Intel Core i3-2310M
- Operating System Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
- Processor Speed 2.1 GHz
- RAM 4 GB
- Weight 5.6 lb
- Screen Size 15.6 inches
- Screen Size Type widescreen
- Graphics Card Intel HD Graphics
- Storage Capacity (as Tested) 500 GB
- Networking Options 802.11n
- Primary Optical Drive DVD+/-RW (Plus Minus)
The dv6-6013cl is the first budget laptop we’ve reviewed that arrives equipped with the Intel second-generation Core processor (a.k.a., Sandy Bridge), in this case a dual-core 2.10GHz Intel Core i3-2310M. Other laptops that feature the new chipset consist of the Lenovo ThinkPad X220 and also the Apple MacBook Pro 15-inch (Thunderbolt).
While not at the high-end of the Intel Core processor line-up, the Core i3-2310M is nonetheless a strong CPU, supplying performance comparable to the first generation top-tier i3 processors, but adding vast improvements to graphics processing. As a result, the dv6-6013cl carried out well. It place up respectable scores in CineBench R11.5 (2.04) and Handbrake (3:13) benchmark tests, ranking alongside other top performers within the spending budget class, such as the Toshiba Satellite A665D-S5175 (2.05 Cinebench, 4:03 Handbrake) and Acer AS5742-6475 (2.10 CineBench, 3:02 Handbrake).
In benchmark tests that check the entire system overall, the HP Pavilion also carried out well, completing our Photoshop CS5 test in 5 minutes 48 seconds and scoring 5,563 factors in PCMark Vantage. These scores put it correct alongside the leading budget laptops we have observed, like the Acer AS5742-6475 (5:35 Photoshop; 5,639 PCMark) and Sony VPC-EB33FM/BJ (5:39 Photoshop; five,252 PCMark).
Where the dv6-6013cl is most impressive is in its new graphics capabilities. In 3DMark tests it blazed past its 1st-gen friends, scoring 4,116 at medium resolution and 1,748 at native resolution. The previous top-performers within the category, the Acer AS5742-6475 and Sony VPC-EB33FM/BJ, could not even arrive shut. The Acer AS5742-6475 scored 1,888 at medium settings and 1,617 at higher configurations, while the Sony VPC-EB33FM/BJ scored 1,874 (medium) and 1,686 (higher).
The improved integrated graphics capability was most pronounced within our gaming tests. In Crysis the dv6-6013cl scored 14.3 frames per second (fps) at medium resolution, and 3.6 fps on higher. In our Lost Planet 2 benchmark, the Pavilion scored 13.9 fps (medium) and 5.1 fps (higher). As a rule, budget systems with integrated graphics have not even been in a position to run these gaming tests. Whilst these specific video games are too demanding for competitive play, you will lastly have the ability to play really a few present 3D graphics video games, like World of Warcraft, Torchlight, and Fallout: New Vegas, on the dv6-6013cl.
Within our MobileMark 2007 battery rundown check the dv6-6013cl lasted five hours 17 minutes with a 6-cell 55Wh battery. This time is better than each the Lenovo G560-0679AKU, which lasted 3:49, and Acer Aspire AS5742-6475, which lasted 5:01. Nevertheless, each of those laptops use slightly smaller 48Wh battery, which will be the much more common dimension amongst budget laptops.
Even without the brand new Intel processor and subsequent enhancements in graphics ability, the HP Pavilion dv6-6013cl was a powerful contender for Editors’ Option. Its sturdy but fashionable style, the extras like a fourth USB port and second headphone jack, the lengthier lasting battery, and Costco’s prolonged guarantee had already pushed this laptop computer towards the head from the budget laptop computer category. Many thanks towards the new Intel Core i3 processor and also the addition of gaming options, even the Editors’ Choice Acer Aspire AS5742-6475 gets left behind. The HP Pavilion dv6-6013cl requires leading honors.
One of the initial details that caught my eye with all the dv6-6013cl was the up to date style, which uses brushed aluminum along with a daring dose of colour. With so many laptop designs mimicking the bare aluminum appear popularized by Apple’s MacBook Pro line, it’s refreshing to see a metal-clad laptop computer that has some more fascinating visual elements.
Additionally to the navy blue paint job, the Pavilion dv6-6013cl also uses a vertical “grain,” which looks great, and added some subtle but practical curves towards the metal panels as well. On the palm rest, for instance, the metal panel curves down in to the keyboard, supplying a more comfy surface for your fingers. Around the lid along the hinge, a curved lip lets you carry the closed laptop computer much more comfortably and having a more safe grip. The steel construction also indicates this laptop computer does not suffer from the noticeable chassis flexing typical to many other spending budget methods.
The dv6-6013cl measures 10 by 14.8 by 1.6 inches (HWD), though these dimensions are slightly misleading as the laptop computer is mainly 1.4 inches thick besides for your curved lip along the hinge. Weighing 5.6 pounds, it is a tad heavier than each the 5.3-pound Sony VAIO VPC-EB33FM/BJ and also the five-pound Acer Aspire AS5742-6475.
The dv6-6013cl has a chiclet-style keyboard carried out within the same fashion as prior HP laptops, such as the high-end HP Envy 14-1210NR . These two keyboards are almost similar except for the backlight found on the Envy 14. Additionally to the complete sized keyboard, HP also squeezed inside a numeric pad onto the dv6-6013cl. The buttons of the numeric pad are slightly narrower than the regular keys, but feel no various in actual use. The dv6-6013cl also uses a multitouch trackpad with separate buttons instead of the troubled clickpad HP utilized on prior Pavilion models. It’s distinctive visually also, highlighted by a white ring of light, which could be amazing if only it were paired having a backlit keyboard. It is not, so once the lights are low, you will have the ability to mouse with out trouble, but you’ll be typing blind.
The 15.6-inch display has a maximum resolution of 1,366 by 768, that is standard for 15.6-inch screens, and can play 720p video. While the screen isn’t big sufficient for a group to collect about for a movie, it’s big enough for one or two people. The widescreen layout is good for movies, but especially so throughout productive duties, because it offers sufficient visual real-estate to work with two big windows side-by-side.
The dv6-6013cl also seems much better than most laptops in this cost range. Where numerous budget laptops have inexpensive speakers that sound anemic, the dv6-6103cl consists of Beats Audio, a mixture of software and hardware that offers a fulfilling listening experience. Sound remains clear and undistorted even when turned up, and the only complaint I have is the fact that the lack of any bass response was much more obvious because the quantity was elevated.
Its choice of ports is pretty typical for a spending budget laptop. It has each VGA and HDMI outputs for connecting to an exterior monitor or HDTV, and also the usual Ethernet port and 802.11n Wi-Fi. While USB 2.0 ports are common, most spending budget systems offer only two or three–the Pavilion dv6-6013cl has four. Additionally to the regular headphone and microphone jacks there’s also a second headphone jack, allowing two people to listen with headphones.
The Pavilion dv6-6013cl also includes a generous 500GB 5,400rpm tough drive, the same dimension as the drives found within the Lenovo G560-0679AKU ($599 list, 3.5 stars) or the Acer AS5742-6475. A built-in memory card reader handles SD and MMC cards, and also the optical drive lets you read and burn up CDs and DVDs.
Searching at the desktop, you’ll see a few bits of bloatware, like a dedicated eBay link, HP games, along with a generic e-book reader. Digging into the programs of the computer reveals much more pre-installed trials and freebies, like a trial subscription for Norton Internet Security, Microsoft Office, and unwanted freebies like the Bing Bar, or HP’s PictureMover. You’ll probably want to clear a lot of those off of your program immediately.
Simply because this is a Costco configuration, purchasers may also take advantage of Costco’s prolonged warranty, which doubles the 1-year guarantee provided by HP, covering the laptop computer for two many years at no extra expense. Additionally to this lengthened warranty time period, Costco also provides their Electronics Concierge Solutions, a totally free tech assistance line.
Specifications
- Type Value
- Processor Name Intel Core i3-2310M
- Operating System Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
- Processor Speed 2.1 GHz
- RAM 4 GB
- Weight 5.6 lb
- Screen Size 15.6 inches
- Screen Size Type widescreen
- Graphics Card Intel HD Graphics
- Storage Capacity (as Tested) 500 GB
- Networking Options 802.11n
- Primary Optical Drive DVD+/-RW (Plus Minus)
