New AMD Neo Athlon / Turion chips emerge in HP Pavilion dv2z

Well, well -- what have we here? HP's newly unveiled Pavilion dv2z just so happens to have a bit of fresh silicon within, as AMD's latest Neo chips are front and center in the configuration options. The thin-and-light machine can be ordered with single- or dual-core AMD Athlon Neo and Turion Neo dual-core processors, and if you're looking for specifics, you'll find the new 1.6GHz Athlon Neo X2 L335 and 1.6GHz Turion Neo X2 L625. Other specs on the 12.1-incher include a LED-backlit WXGA panel, optional Blu-ray drive, discrete ATI Radeon graphics, up to 500GB of HDD space, a built-in webcam, WiFi, optional WWAN (Verizon, Sprint or AT&T) and a 6-cell battery. It's up for order right now starting at $599.99, but if you're looking to leave that aged Neo MV-40 behind, you'll have to pony up a bit more than that. Full release is after the break.

Gallery: New AMD Neo chips emerge in HP Pavilion dv2z

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HP Award-Winning Pavilion dv2z Notebook PC Now Configurable with Dual-Core Processor and More

PALO ALTO, Calif., June 10, 2009 – HP today announced that the award-winning Pavilion dv2z, HP's affordable thin and light notebook PC, can now be configured to order from HP Direct. Consumers' options include AMD Athlon™ Neo single- or dual-core processors and Turion Neo dual-core processors, integrated or discrete graphics, and two striking finishes in Espresso black and Moonlight white.

Unveiled at CES 2009, the dv2z provides consumers with uncompromised performance and a rich-entertainment experience in a thin and light design at a great value. The dv2z measures just under 1-inch thin and weighs 3.81 pounds(1), making it easy to carry in any backpack or bag. It also features a 12.1-inch diagonal LED BrightView display that is mercury free, while the notebook is ENERGY STAR® qualified and EPEAT® Silver registered. Its nearly full-size keyboard provides a comfortable computing experience. The magnesium-aluminum alloy case offers lightweight durability and HP ProtectSmart prevents hard drive data loss that can occur when notebooks are jarred or dropped.

The dv2z takes entertainment to new levels of enjoyment. Powerful discrete graphics and an optional Blu-ray drive(2) provide a true high-definition entertainment experience which can be displayed on an HDTV(3) via the HDMI port. SRS Premium Sound pours through Altec Lansing speakers delivering immersive audio. HP MediaSmart software lets consumers enjoy their photos, music, Internet TV(4) and video in an easy-to-use application. And hard drive options up to 500 gigabytes(5) provide plenty of room for digital media and data.

A full range of connectivity options make it easy for consumers to work and play while on the go. The dv2z features optional mobile broadband with Gobi(6), the first built-in 3G modem which allows consumers to connect to multiple cellular networks using a single, embedded device. A built-in Webcam(7) and dual-array microphone makes it easy to stay in touch with friends and family. Consumers also have a choice of graphic options which include the ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD3410 discrete graphics for enhanced HD video experience or the ATI Mobility Radeon X1250 integrated graphics for longer battery life. New AMD dual-core processors(8) provide power for listening to music, viewing photos and conducting computing activities while running up to 5 hours on battery.

Pricing and availability

The HP Pavilion dv2z is available at hpdirect.com with a starting price of $599.99 (9).

[Howard @ Jun 11th 2009 9:26AM]

Current DV 2Z with a single MV 40 is already running hot as hell and sub 3 hours battery life (search google or go to store and touch the vent) Duo Core neo? I see melt down and sub 2 hours battery life! NO THANKS! DV3T FTW!!

[synct @ Jun 26th 2009 9:20AM]

Rumor has it that the new X2 Neo's use the same power or less than the MV40... so it actually would perform better and have lower heat since the CPU wouldn't be running as much.

[kal326 @ Jun 11th 2009 9:28AM]

Neo Athlon? Whoa!

[chris @ Jun 11th 2009 9:50AM]

So 610 with 4gigs of ram and the mv-40

Not too bad for a 12 inch.. Im tempted to sell the 1yr old DV5Z and buy this..

[jay jay @ Jun 11th 2009 9:59AM]

1.6ghz meh. is this amd's attempt to get into the netbook market? what does this chip do differently than there other processors already on the market?

[PCIV @ Jun 11th 2009 10:09AM]

They don't get beat by a 900mhz celeron, that's what. Also the Neo platform can game AND play h264.

[iofthestorm @ Jun 11th 2009 1:26PM]

Err, as the other guy said these are actually faster than a 900mhz Celery. Just because it happens to be 1.6ghz doesn't mean it's as slow as Atom.

[loosely_coupled @ Jun 11th 2009 5:55PM]

The Athlon Neo is an improved version of the older Athlon 64 core in 65nm. It is faster than the Atom, and now has a dual-core variant whereas Intel's not going to allow dual-core Atom in a laptop at least until pineview.

For anyone wanting this thing, I would wait until the new "Congo" platform is ready. This one is the older chipset with the integrated ATI X1250 instead of the almost-ready Congo platform which uses the far better X3200 GPU, and has a better chipset that is smaller and uses less power.

Alternatively, choose the Turion Neo which is actually a big faster than the Athlon Neo, and it comes with a low-power ATI 3400 dedicated GPU.

[bevo4138 @ Jun 11th 2009 10:06AM]

Sorry, but I'd rather get a laptop that doesn't ship with a cracked screen.

[billygerent @ Jun 11th 2009 10:10AM]

lol

[MK @ Jun 11th 2009 10:22AM]

Take the black version then :)

[Pookiewood @ Jun 11th 2009 11:37AM]

That was a Good'rn!

[Kinger @ Jun 11th 2009 10:05AM]

finally a (sort of) netbook that I could do work on.. and by that I mean run CS4 decently..

[AlCabone @ Jun 11th 2009 10:21AM]

I don't know why people compare the Neo platform with the Atom. It is clearly a competitor to Intel's CULV platform.

[iofthestorm @ Jun 11th 2009 1:28PM]

People are stupid...

[mbentley @ Jun 11th 2009 10:34AM]

so can these "Neo" chips dodge bullets?

[Alex @ Jun 11th 2009 10:46AM]

Does the screen come pre-shattered?

[greatsunjester @ Jun 11th 2009 10:54AM]

Before I try to google search for a comparison i figure I will ask here if someone has already found a good one. Is there any comparison review between the NEO and ATOM processors? Maybe including the ION platform for graphics comparison?

[Al @ Jun 11th 2009 11:56AM]

I don't think so as this has pretty solid 512mb ati gpu, and this is more aimed at Intels ULV and CULV cpu (i.e. latest version of Celeron, Core 2 Solo and base low voltage line of Core 2 Duo). A better comparison would be against the MSI U200, X320, Samsung x360, or Acer Timeline.

[Someone on the Internet @ Jun 11th 2009 12:15PM]

the real question that comes to mind is how does a Turion Neo compare an Atom DC or maybe an LV C2D? That said, if this had a 10.9 inch screen(IE a Dv1z) I would not even think twice, it would be mine.

[inteller @ Jun 11th 2009 12:39PM]

for the optional WWAN, does the ATT version come with the modem built in without a SIM?

[inteller @ Jun 11th 2009 12:42PM]

Oh also, why they make it appear like there is a price drop, there is not. They have dumbed down the specs from the original. If you spec it out like the original model it comes out the same, if not more than the original.

HP FAIL.

[iofthestorm @ Jun 11th 2009 1:33PM]

Err, the original had the AMD Neo MV-40. The new CPUs are the same clock speed but do more per clock obviously. Maybe that's why it seems more expensive, but right now I loathe HP for not extending the warranty on the tx2000z series which has the same defective chipset as a bunch of other laptops that got warranty extensions, so I wouldn't put anything past them.

[Wayne @ Jun 11th 2009 2:20PM]

waiting for detail review, + pricy~ & not too mobile with this baby, nearlly 4 lbs?

[acme @ Jun 11th 2009 2:30PM]

anyone got a link to performance benchmarks?

[inteller @ Jun 11th 2009 3:47PM]

the old model gets a 3.4 WEI score, and I think that was due to the held back graphics. With the discrete 3400 graphics I bet you get WEIs in the mid 4s.

[HPavilion @ Jun 21st 2009 1:18PM]

I'll buy this if they'll offer it with a backlit keyboard and a fingerprint reader. Its just too expensive about the same with the dv3t which is a lot better in specs.