On our 3DMark06 test, which graphics performance, the UL30A-A1 scored 836 when set to its native resolution (1,366×768) and 762 set to a lower resolution (1,024×768). While both these scores are about 120 marks behind the ultraportable averages, they are significantly lower than the HP Pavilion dv2-1030us’s scores (1,353 native; 1,503 standard). This is the only benchmark test in which the HP ultraportable’s scores beat the UL30A’s, and that’s thanks to the former’s discrete ATI graphics chip. On the Cinebench 10 test (which measures how well the GPU and CPU work together), the UL30A-A1 scored 2,736. For perpective, that’s a roughly equal result to the much pricier Apple MacBook Air, which scored 2,728.
This arrangement actually makes a lot of sense. After all, odds are you’re going to need the volume, screen brightness, battery meter, and WiFi toggle buttons far more often than the F6 key. But if you spend a lot of time working on more than one laptop, you may occasionally find yourself hitting Fn+F7 and wondering why the volume hasn’t been muted.
The TS4657 also increases flexibility for designers since it can be operated from any supply voltage from 3.0V to 5.5V. Hence design is simplified and engineers can use the same device for a variety of products. The operating current of only 7.4mA, three times smaller than the nearest competing device, leads to improved efficiency. By achieving 93dB dynamic range, 80dB Power Supply Rejection Ratio (at 217Hz), and 81dB THD+N at 0dBFS, this device also helps maximize the audio performance of equipment connected to the Line-Out.
But a year later, HP’s consumer PC lineup contains little trace of the Voodoo branding. HP had introduced the HP Blackbird with VoodooDNA and more recently HP Firebird with Voodoo DNA. Both are nowhere to be found on HP.com. In a more recent example, a new notebook, called the HP Envy was released last week. A year ago it was called the HP Voodoo Envy 133. Though the updated model takes some Voodoo ideas like the thin profile, quick booting, the power adapter, and packaging, you’d have to be a Voodoo fanboy to know Voodoo had any sort of influence at all on it.
The overall appearance on the M17x is outstanding. The aluminum case looks very nice, and gives the laptop an almost automotive feel. It does add to the weight, but honestly, this isn’t intended to be a portable laptop that you carry around everywhere. Alienware also went all out with the lighting. They’ve put LEDs under the keyboard, behind the speaker grill, and underneath the touch strip above the keyboard.
The really fun part is that you can change the color of the LED’s from in the Command Center, and there are different zones which allow you to vary the color of the lights from one side of the keyboard to the other. Personally, I turned all the LEDs red while I played some L4D in the dark, which gave the whole experience a particularly creepy air.
HP does a great job of keeping wire clutter to a minimum which is very useful for home theater entertainment centers. The system comes with a wireless keyboard, mouse and a media center remote. It also comes with an 802.11b/g/n wireless networking adapter for easy connection for all those streaming media services like Hulu or Netflix. The only real drawback is that these wireless features require the use of USB dongles that plug into the back reducing the overall number of available USB ports.