HP Pavilion Slimline S3750F Desktop PC Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)NOTE: Amazon had recently consolidated the reviews for both the S3720 and the S3700's into one page. This review refers to the HP Pavilion Slimline S3720F Desktop PC (2.5 GHz Intel Pentium Dual-Core Desktop E5200 Processor, 4 GB RAM, 500 GB Hard Drive, DVD Drive,Vista Premium).
The HP Slimline S3720F is an excellent slim form-factor pc with a few limitations. I needed another small sized PC at my engineering lab, so I purchased the S3720F. Typically I build my own machines, so I was quite impressed when I purchased this model, assuming one understands its limitations.
The HP Slimline S3720F runs Intel's Dual Core E5200 processor (mid-range processor line). Note that this is not Intel's "Core 2 Duo" line (the high-range which has a faster front-side bus). Regardless in conjunction with a healthy 4 gb of RAM, there is enough horsepower to run most of my engineering applications, which can be quite intensive. The 500 GB harddrive is adequate, though I see myself needing more storage space in the future (easily remedied with an external HDD).
The S3720F runs Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack1. Contrary to the negative sentiment against Windows Vista, I have to clarify that Windows Vista SP1 is very functional. I use numerous operating systems including, various Linux packages, OS X (Mac), Windows XP, even Windows 7 Beta. So after uninstalling some "bloat-ware" and removing some unneeded startup programs (msconfig), the S3720F runs Vista like a dream. Some slowdown occurs when one uses some Aero features (graphic-intensive features). But aside from that, it is surprisingly smooth. I can load firefox pages in seconds, run Matlab, Itunes, and an array of other programs simultaneously with no noticeable slowdown.
A very important exception to note is that this computer comes with a 64-bit Windows OS. This may cause some incompatibility issues with some 32-bit software. This is arguably of no fault of the OS in its own, but rather that the software was not designed to run on a 64-bit OS. Aside from these issues, once you optimize the system, the performance is much better than one would expect.
The physical design of the system borrows from the concept of minimalism. In the front, there are two USB ports, a covered CD/DVD tray, a HP pocket media drive bay, and the many different memory cards ports. The backside houses the standard ports, with no exceptional features. Note that the video-out to the monitor is VGA and NOT DVI or HDMI. Overall there is some great aesthetic appeal, and one would not be embarrassed to stash this PC in an entertainment center. Be sure to place it in an area that is well ventilated (as with most to all PCs).
Overall, I am very pleased with the overall package for the price. Whether you use it for common office tasks, light engineering work, or a living-room media center (though only one VGA-out is limiting), the HP Slimline performs its tasks admirably.
Product Positives:
+Compact form-factor
+Less bloat-ware than comparable computers
+Windows Vista SP 1 64bit (needed to take advantage of the 4gb+ of ram)
+Great performance after some tweaking
+Wireless B/G Network Card built-in
+Quiet operation
Product Negatives:
-Limited room for upgrades
-VGA out only (no DVI, HDMI)
-Some 32-bit software may not work on a 64-bit OS
-Built-in video card is a bit on the weak side, poor performance in graphic-intensive programs (Solid-graphic modeling, games)
-Midrange CPU E5200 slower than Intel's Highline of Core 2 Duo's
-I don't like the "tactile feel" of the included keyboard
Updates and Other Thoughts:
-I thought I'd post the "Experience Rating" from Windows Vista, which is built-in Vista tool that rates your hardware against some performance metrics. The scale ranges from 1.0 (poor performance) to 5.9 (excellent performance). This tool can be found by right-clicking on "My computer" and scroll to properties. For the HP Slimline S3720F here are the results:
Processor: --------- 5.4
Memory (ram): ------ 4.6
Graphics: ---------- 3.7
Gaming Graphics: --- 3.0
Primary Hard Disk: - 5.9
Overall Score of: -- 3.0
The overall score is 3/6 which would suggest an average score. However, the "Overall Score" is based on the lowest subscore, which is the Gaming Graphics. Otherwise, this machine scored exceptionally well in the processor, memory, and harddisk subtests. So in conclusion, unless you plan on using this machine for heavy gaming, or artwork/graphic applications, the S3720F is an exceptional value computer.


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The HP Pavilion s3720f Slimline desktop PC gives you all the power of a fully loaded home/office desktop in a sleek, silver-and-black chassis that's one-third the size of a traditional PC tower, enabling you to place it unobtrusively anywhere--from your office to entertainment center to kitchen. The built-in TV tuner (providing both standard NTSC and high-def ATSC transmission) and personal video recorder (PVR) let you watch, pause, rewind, and record live television. It also comes with a combo optical drive with Blu-ray Disc playback for watching your favorite films in crystal-clear resolution and SuperMulti DVD burner with LightScribe technology that lets you etch custom, silkscreen-quality labels and artwork directly onto LightScribe-enabled CDs and DVDs. You can easily burn your home video productions to DVD for friends and family with the dual-layer, multi-format LightScribe DVD/CD burner, which enables you to store up to 8.5 GB of data on a DL disc.
Thanks to its integrated Draft-N Wi-Fi capabilities (802.11a/b/g/n), you don't need to worry about stringing Ethernet cable from your broadband modem in another room. This desktop is powered by the 2.5 GHz Intel Pentium E5200 dual-core processor, which increases the efficiency and speed of the PC while running multiple programs and the latest multi-threaded software. It features a large-and-in-charge 640 GB hard drive, and it includes an open drive bay for an optional HP Pocket Media Drive (which can add up to 160 GB of storage). Other features include 4 GB of installed RAM (maximum), Nvidia GeForce 9500 GS graphics with 512 MB of dedicated memory (and up to 2558 MB of available memory), multi-format memory card reader, a wide variety of connectivity options (including both USB 2.0 and Firewire), and digital audio output for home theater surround sound.
The pre-installed 64-bit version of Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium (Service Pack 1) includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center. In addition to easily playing your DVD movies and managing your digital audio library, you'll be able to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV). Vista also integrates new search tools throughout the operating system, includes new parental control features, and offers new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures.
The Basics
Processor: This desktop is powered by AMD's 2.1 GHz Phenom X4 9450 quad-core processor was designed for megatasking--running multiple, multi-threaded applications such as processor-intensive visual design and modeling and serious 3D games as well all your digital multimedia. With an integrated memory controller and shared L3 cache, AMD Phenom X4 9000 Series processors have low-latency access to main memory for amazingly rapid system response and phenomenal system performance. The 9750 has 2 MB of L2 cache in addition to 2 MB of L3 cache and a 2000MT/s system bus.
All AMD Phenom X4 9000 series processors feature AMD64 with Direct Connect Architecture to blast through performance bottlenecks and provide direct access to DDR2 memory. AMD's HyperTransport 3.0 technology now provides support for full 1080p high-definition video. And with the next generation Cool'n'Quiet 2.0 technology reducing heat and noise, the AMD Phenom X4 9000 Series quad-core processor delivers seamless multitasking and optimum energy efficiency.

Hard Drive: The 640 GB Serial ATA (SATA) hard drive (7200 RPM) offers a wealth of storage space, perfect for storing a vast multimedia collection or for editing digital video. This SATA hard drive has a 3Gb/s interface speed that enables up to 300MB/s data transfer rates (double the speed of the current SATA interface of 1.5Gb/s).
This Slimline PC also includes a drive bay that fits an optional HP Pocket Media Drive, which enables you to add up to 160 GB of additional storage. The Pocket Media Drive also works with any USB-enabled PC, for easy transferring of multimedia files from other computers in your home.

Memory: The 4 GB of installed RAM (PC2-6400, 2 x 2 GB) maximizes the capacity for this notebook,. It also offers an ultra-fast 800 MHz speed.

DVD/CD Drive: This HP desktop is capable of playing back Blu-ray Disc movies in stunning clarity, as well as playing your current library of purchased and burned disc content. This desktop can also write standard DVD and CD media. The BD drive offers up to 6x speeds for reading BD-R/RE discs. It also offers the following write speeds for standard DVD and CD discs: 4x DVD±R DL, 16x for single-layer DVD±R, 8x DVD-RW, 6x DVD-RW, 40x CD-R, 24x CD-RW, and 5x for DVD-RAM.

Keyboard & Mouse: It comes with an HP multimedia keyboard and scroller mouse (both with PS/2 connections).
Video & Audio Video is powered by the Nvidia GeForce 9500 GS graphics/video card, which provides 512 MB of dedicated video RAM and offers up to 2558 MB of total available graphics memory as allocated by Windows Vista. Enabled by PureVideo HD, movies come to life with outstanding picture clarity, ultra-smooth video and vivid color. The lifelike images have up to six times the detail of standard DVD movies. Delivering state-of-the-art graphics performance, The GeForce 9500 GS graphics card is sure to give you the power and performance you crave to play the hottest DirectX 9 and DirectX 10 titles. Its 16x full-screen antialiasing technology delivers superior quality along with astounding performance and since it's optimized for Windows Vista.
The video card includes VGA and DVI video out as well as HDMI audio/video out options. This PC also offers an integrated audio card that can produce high definition surround sound configurable to 8 speakers.
Networking, Connectivity & Expansion This desktop can be wirelessly networked with the integrated Draft-N Wi-Fi LAN (802.11b/g/n). Based on the draft 802.11n Wi-Fi specification, it offers up to five times the performance and twice the wireless range as existing 802.11g wireless. It's also backward compatible with 802.11b/g networks. For expansion, this Slimline desktop has one PCI x1 Express slot (occupied), one PCI x16 Express slot (occupied), one 5.25-inch external bay (occupied), and one 3.5-inch bay (occupied). It comes with the following external connections:
6 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals--from digital cameras to MP3 players (2 front, 4 back)
1 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
15-in-1 multi-format memory card reader, compatible with CompactFlash I/II, IBM Microdrive, Secure Digital (SD), miniSD, MultiMediaCard (MMC), Reduced Size MultiMediaCard (RS-MMC), MultiMediaCard Plus (MMC plus), MultiMediaCard Mobile (MMC mobile), Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick Pro Duo, SmartMedia, and xD Picture Card
2 PS/2 ports for connecting keyboards and mice
Video out: DVI, HDMI, and VGA
1 line-in, 1 line-out, 1 microphone, and 1 digital audio output
Fast Ethernet port for 10/100 networking
56K modem

Operating System The 64-bit version of Windows Vista Home Premium (with SP1) is the operating system for users with advanced computer needs, and it includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center for watching DVD movies and accessing your digital audio library. You can also use Windows Media Center to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV) and to access new kinds of online entertainment content. Computers that include Windows Vista Home Premium and an auxiliary Windows SideShow display will also allow you to access key data even when your computer is off. It is also easier than ever to share files between other PCs in your household and to manage your laptop computer settings to more securely connect via Wi-Fi.
Every edition of Windows Vista provides the essential tools and technologies to help protect you whether you are browsing the Internet, connecting to a wireless network, or just reading e-mail. All editions of Windows Vista include new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures long before you have lost any important personal data. And, all Windows Vista editions include parental control features that allow you to manage and monitor your family's use of games, the Internet, instant messaging, and other activities.
Preloaded Software
HP MediaSmart Software Suite: Your one-stop multimedia and entertainment center to create photo slideshows, share personal videos, listen to your favorite music playlists and watch DVD movies.
muvee autoProducer Basic: Automatically create professional looking home videos and burn to DVD.
Cyberlink DVD Suite Deluxe: Automatically fix and edit videos and create CDs and DVDs. Edit, burn and archive data to discs.
Microsoft Works 9: Includes a word processor, spreadsheet, database and calendar.
Microsoft Office Home and Student Edition 2007 (60-day trial version).
Adobe Reader 8: Read and print PDF files.
Norton Internet Security 2009 protects your PC and your identity when you email, bank and shop online; 60 days of protection updates included.

Dimensions & Weight This Slimline desktop measures 13.39 x 4.2 x 10.9 inches (LxWxH/D) and weighs approximately 19.7 pounds.
What's in the Box This package contains the HP Slimline s3750f desktop PC, keyboard, mouse, and power cord. It is backed by a limited warranty for parts and labor for one year from date of purchase as well as technical telephone assistance for one year. Software is also covered for 90 days from date of purchase.
Note: Monitor not included.

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