HP dm3t review
By Nilay Patel 
posted Nov 13th 2009 5:31PM
posted Nov 13th 2009 5:31PM
Hardware
Externally, the dm3 is a beautiful machine at first glance. It's very similar to the dv2, which we were also quite fond of, but the Intel processor inside doesn't run nearly as hot as the dv2's AMD chip, so there's no insane fan noise, and temperatures stay fairly low -- it gets warm, sure, but it's not anything like the dv2's nuclear-meltdown heat levels.
Structurally we've got to hand it to HP -- we've felt quite a few thin-and-lights flex in our hands as we've picked them up, but the dm3 is remarkably solid -- it's hard to even bend or twist with two hands at opposite corners. As you might expect, that means the chiclet-style keyboard is equally solid, and we had no major complaints as we typed this review on it -- sure, there's a slight gummy feeling to each keypress, but you'd have to be a major keyboard snob (like us) to really notice or care about it, and we'd bet most people will be thrilled with it.
Up top the 13.3-inch 1280 x 800 display is, well, pretty awful. Not only is it relatively dim, but it suffers from some abysmal vertical viewing angles -- we found ourselves constantly adjusting the screen tilt to compensate for washed out colors and poor contrast. We have no idea why display quality is always the first casualty of lower prices, but that's just how it goes, and the dm3t doesn't buck this unfortunate trend.
Software and performance
It's sort of interesting that we've all gotten used to how good Windows 7 is in its pure, factory-fresh state, when Microsoft is upfront in saying that most people will first experience 7 preloaded on a new machine -- complete with vendor modifications and additions. So it was actually kind of a shock to use WIndows 7 as installed by HP on the dm3t, since you have to deal with a lot of extra sluggish junk, like endless Norton pop-ups, a pushy, semi-automated HP software updater that will default to installing all updates without confirmation if you so much as breathe on it, and HP's MediaSmart toolbar and software, which just seems like a waste of time. After a while we were longing for our pristine install of 7 Home Premium -- we'd recommend dm3t buyers reinstall and clean house before settling in.
All that said, the dm3t was a more than capable performer when we finally got to work, and we never experienced any meaningful slowdowns or choppiness while we went about our business -- editing documents and photos, browsing, watching videos. We even managed to play that new 1080p YouTube clip, which is pretty impressive for a machine of this size. (Watching HD video on such a mediocre display was pretty sad, though. Thank god for HDMI out, right?) If you're a gamer you're going to want to spring for the optional $50 NVIDIA GeForce G 105M card -- the Intel integrated GMA4500MHD graphics in our tester couldn't really handle anything more than light duty, as you'd expect.
Battery life was pretty terrific -- Intel's CULV chips sip juice, and we got a fairly consistent nine hours or so of general usage on a charge. We're sure that would have gone down if we'd been really pushing the system, but if you're just generally using a computer to do computer stuff, the dm3t should last you a solid day. Hard to complain about that.
Wrap up
Does it burn DVD's? Man that's a serious question folks. A question that not even the photo gallery above can answer!
.........
The article seems to leave out the fact that there is no CD/DVD drive.
That has nothing to do with the notebook/netbook differentiation (well in my book). Netbooks tend to have Atom class processors, limited RAM and hard disks.
The DM3 is just a very thin and well put together notebook - without a DVD drive. It is relatively fast - though clearly not a gaming rig.
The chrome trackpad saddens me. Functionality > floss and gloss IMO. At least you can swap out that GMA. Pretty good review, Nilay.
can't help but think how sick a CULV would be in the VAIO X
my dv5t has a gloss trackpad and i don't really find it to be all that bad. i find it quite usable. plus, unlike matte plastic trackpads, it won't develop that bald spot in the middle after a lot of use. however, my favorite trackpad (in terms of texture) has to be the dimpled one on my friend's hp tablet.
anyway, if you're looking at getting this, try one of the glossy trackpads in a store before you completely write it off.
Got an HP glossy pad myself, and it's not that bad at all. Also, as maveric already pointed out, bald spots don't develop.
The only downside is the overall look - there are more fingerprints on it than in your usual CSI episode.
I've felt that trackpad. It's nasty. Trackpads have to have some "tooth" or texture to them. Too smooth, and it actually becomes irritating to the touch.
I'm also familiar with the screen issues, as well. It seems a fair amount of HP's machines suffer from dim displays as of late. They're not very bright at all. I always want them to ramp up several more levels in brightness.
Too bad. But on the bright side, it looks as if HP only has a couple of things to fix, which they can easily do. Now they just have to determine to make it happen.
Yeah, I want. My Mini 1000 can't last a third as long as this. I would gladly take a bigger computer for a bigger screen and the freedom from AC adaptors
this =/= netbook at all
i think he understands that... he said he wanted a bigger screen.
If the shipping carton arrived at my house in the shape show in the gallery I would refuse delivery and ask for my money back.
Well, it's a review unit -- I don't think I'm the first to have opened it, by any means, and they re-open to wipe and reinstall the OS between each reviewer.
HP seems to be playing with fire regarding their track pads. Every other one looks and feels different which seems like a terrible idea to begin with. How is it even remotely possible that you would make the part of the machine that the user interacts with the most - the very worst thing about it? Is anyone at hp reading this? Do they use their own machines?
no, they don't use their own machines OF COURSE. I used to work for HP. We use the business laptops, that are free of those stupid frills such as the "HP imprint" (FUGLY) and this hideous trackpad.
I can't believe the next Friday the 13th is going to be next August; I'll miss Jason.
He better be in the next article.
I think I could get over the screen. This notebook is about portability first and foremost. Secondly, am I really the only person in the planet that hates friction trackpads? I don't want to rub my finger across sandpaper when using my computer.
One of the problems with glossy trackpads is that the create friction if you have dry hands.
I had the dm3z (AMD version) for a week before I returned it. Let me list some pros and cons.
Pros:
1) Very thin
2) Very nice screen (16:9)
3) Doesn't weight too much (4.2lbs)
4) It has a multitouch trackpad.
5) CPU performance far exceeds Atom chips. I doubt even the Pine Trial refresh will beat the AMD chips in this thing.
Cons:
1) AMD version had maybe 4 hours max and that's using the HD 3200. Expect less with the 4330.
2) Got very, very warm. Too hot for your lap.
3) Multitouch is hit or miss. Definitely not a reason to specifically buy this laptop.
Meh (or in between):
1) Most people will hate the trackpad because it has far too much traction. As you get more finger oils onto it, it will get slicker, but this requires you not to wipe down the trackpad or your back to square one again.
2) Not typical notebook performance (notice, I didn't put this as a pure con). Dont' spent a lot of money tricking this out, and you'll get better bang with your buck elsewhere. Say under $800 to keep it reasonable.
My recommendation: Probably good enough to be a secondary computer to take notes on, and even the base $500 AMD configuration FAR exceeds what any notebook will ever offer you. If you have any reason to start configuring above that besides getting 4GB of RAM, I feel you're spending too much. Neither the AMD or Intel version (unless you get the very high end 2.26Ghz CPU) is fast enough to be used as your only computer, so save yourself the headache and look elsewhere.
Just my thoughts.
I have an Acer 3810t which is a culv machine like this (mine has an SU9400 though), and it is my only computer.
You know I was thinking about getting a Timeline to replace my Extensa. How does yours perform?
The 4330 model can switch back to integrated on battery, so it won't make a difference.
Wow. Apple's flat, black key design has really caught on. Now....HP!
You..maybe wanna retract that statement?
today it's black tomorrow it'll be silver again ... and for good's sake people stop with these comparisons, nobody gives a furry ass if the vendors copy each other as long as the products have a decent quality and design
didn't sony do it first?
"sure, there's a slight gummy feeling to each keypress, but you'd have to be a major keyboard snob (like us) to really notice or care about it" Don't you mean, Apple fanboys, like you guys?..........
Yes, I did take it that far.
I thought about buying this the other day because of its pure sex appeal, but then I was like, "I have no dollars"
So I didn't.
I'm not a rich snob or anything just to let y'all know. I Never have dollars.
I want to buy this thing so I can tear out the screen and the
touchpad and replace it with something a little more functional.
Am I in for a serious project here or will this be a relatively
simple operation?
Why don't you just get a macbook?
Well i think the "issues" highlighted here are easily forgivable. I don't expect a high end screen on notebook in this price range and the glossy trackpad is really not a deal breaker. I've used glossy 'pads before and i had no problems.
I'm very tempted by this machine, the battery life, price and portability would make it ideal for uni.
hp just love ALMOST releasing decent products, only to cock the whole thing up every single time. idiots.
I know right! ALWAYS WITH THE GLOSSY TRACKPAD!
"Port selection is pretty generous: round the left side you'll find Ethernet, VGA, HDMI, two USB, an SD card slot, and 3.5mm headphone and line-in jacks, and there's two more USB on the left side along with the power switch and a WiFi / Bluetooth radio toggle."
...
Has anyone seen a performance review of the dm3t with the processor with 6mb cache and the nvidia card?
Did anyone else think that the LCD was smashed on the first pic?
If I had to buy a laptop right now for my second computer, I'd buy this guy. Love the price and the build quality. But I think I'm going to wait for as long as Windows 7 RC works on my current lappy and hopefully get an Arrandale rig.
I have repaired more HP/Compaq/Dell laptops than I care to admit and made some decent money in the process, all things considered I will stick with the MacBook Pro that I have been using for the last two years that has specs that blow this thin and light out of the water.
Windows 7 Ultimate runs just fine in Boot camp for the times when I feel the need to jump into a first person shooter. Personally I would never buy an HP just because they stick norton on it in the factory... there are much better and cheaper Antivirus ans security suite programs out there. Do some research HP and quit releasing crap onto the market place...
The trackpad is awful out of the box, but it does not bother me at all now after having it for a week, so the trackpad really isn't that bad, but I understand that from a reviewer's point of view, they will only use it once or maybe twice before writing the review.
This machine is pretty amazing for its price, I got a dm3z, and it responds quickly and doesn't lag at all really even though it only has a dual-core 1.6 ghz, and even with its high portability, it could compete with my 2 years old desktop spec-wise,
You spent a whole paragraph ranting on the previous model's AMD chip without mentioning ONCE in the entire article that this also comes in an AMD configuration.
Yes, I will bitch about it because not only did you ignore it, every other review on the planet has been for the AMD version and were all courteous enough to mention that it has both.
I've had my dm3t for about a week now, and I must say the downsides of this review are incredibly overblown IMHO. Addressing the trackpad and screen: the glossy trackpad is actually quite nice once you crank up the sensitivity and get it greased up a bit, akin to using an iPod touch or any other glass-screened touch smart phone. It's a non-issue as far as I'm concerned. The screen is anything but dim, and can be cranked up to eye-scorching brightness if you really want to. At low brightness, you'll find vertical viewing angles to be limited, but no more so than I've encountered with any other laptop.
In terms of performance, it's a damn hot machine. Mine is specced out with the 2.26Ghz intel core 2 on 4 gigs of DDR3 and a 7200 rpm disc, pushing that nVidia GPU. Absolutely nothing to complain about there, it easily bests my Vaio FW in terms of sheer performance. We're talking Macbook Pro 13 performance, Macbook Air chassis, and sub Macbook pricing here. Economically speaking, only a fool or zealot would buy a Mac over one of these.
Submitted for your consideration.
@FlashFreeze
I have the same one you do. I agree 100%! A fantastic laptop! I have NO issues!!! Best money spent!
I've had mine for about two weeks with similar specifications and I agree with your assessment. The track pad gets way better, but less pretty, once it's covered in oil from your thumb. Also, the reviewer is correct about the HP bloat. It is awful, especially the HP Media! I’m going to have to figure out what I can uninstall without losing functionality. Right now that seems to be any program that says HP in the title. I love the machine, but I'm sending it back tomorrow for repair. There is an intermittent crackling in the speakers when listening to music. I hope it is just a loose ground and they can repair it because this is a great machine for anyone that carries a laptop around all day.
@FlashFreeze
Adding to the consensus, to my knowledge, all consumer hp laptops have the same glossy trackpads. Once the trackpad is greased up and the sensitivity upped, they're fine to use (I have a dv4t).
where the hell is the HD2 review?
Nice!
I was about to buy an HP because it looked decent, and then I used the track pad and it was too hard to use.
First, it creates finger print smudges every time you use it, making you want to wipe it off each time. It's either that, or people will think you're using a dirty computer.
Second, it hurt my finger. I tried moving across it really fast, and it gives me a finger burn. I think I'll pay a little bit more and go to Sony. Their trackpad is smooth and responsive.
Unless that has a different screen from the dm3z, the resolution is actually 1366x768. HP advertises the incorrect resolution on their website.
Just curious of people's opinions. I'm in the market for a system like this as a secondary/transport computer to use for school and such. I was about to buy one of these until I saw that the high-end AMD config the way I wanted was going to be a total of $760 at which point I decided I could do better for the money (redid the config the next day and it was just over $700). The UL80VT review the other day piqued my interest but the build quality concerns me, whereas this has a (seemingly) nice construction.
officemax.com has the Amd ones for 499.99 and you can use bing cash back on top of that too
The screen is perfectly fine for personal use - sitting in front of it. Yes, due to off angle issues, you wouldn't want to use it for presentations.
The slick trackpad is great! It's multi-touch, so it is a bit weird for the first day or so - until you realize that you have to treat it like a female :-) If you press too hard like you do on a resistive pad, your finger sticks. Once you learn to glide over the surface - just teasing it - it comes to life.
@Batman - NFW. Notebooks are not BYO projects. You'd be nuts. If a feature doesn't work for you, get a different one. Check it out in a store - Staples and Office Depot carry them. You'll find that the screen and trackpad are just fine.