Review HP Pavilion g6-1141sg Notebook - Notebookcheck.net Reviews
Software
HP has equipped the Pavilion g6 with a vast amount of various programs.
Since it is a promotion model of the TestIT2011 campaign, even more software has been installed on the notebook. Windows reported a total of 103 installed programs on the laptop. As a result, booting is slow. You should take the time to delete unnecessary programs.
Verdict
HP Pavilion g6-1141sg
By and large, the HP Pavilion g6 doesn't have any major flaws and will present a possible choice for many who are looking for a low-price office notebook. HP has kept the design rather plain and has omitted gimmicks. The workmanship quality is also all right, but could be better.
The Pavilion g6 unfortunately slackens a bit in terms of display. But, this is not unusual for this price range. In return, the installed Intel Core i5 processor gives the notebook a good amount of power and equips the device for office routine. The processor's incorporated graphics card fits to an office laptop. It only gives the user little elbow room beyond that, though. Games usually run smoothly in the lowest settings.
Otherwise, we noticed the notebook's temperatures and noise positively. Both are within a pleasant range. In terms of battery life, there are laptops that score a bit better here, also within the Intel TestIT!2011 campaign.
All in all, the HP Pavilion g6 is a capable and, above all, inexpensive office notebook with only minor flaws.
Our reader and reporter Tobias B. says:
Case: The case is 100% plastic. Merely the hp logo on the lid and the hinge covers are metal. However, the glossy silver metallic surface lets the notebook look attractive. Fingerprints are collected there, but aren't nearly as obvious as on black high-gloss surfaces.
The display lid yields under just light pressure and can be twisted. But there's no need to fear damages. The hinges are annoying. It would have been endurable if the notebook only couldn't be opened with one hand, but it can't even be adjusted single handedly. While we're on the subject, it's not particularly big, but it is enough to work with on the lap.
The notebook's bottom can only be dented on the maintenance cover and underneath the DVD drive. The stability is acceptable, though. The plastic can only be depressed so much that it creaks on the top, over the drive. Moreover, the drive can be dented, as well. There is a large area above the keyboard, where the plastic can be pressed.
Basically, hp could have done a better job in terms of workmanship. I liked the Asus X53 with a complete aluminum work surface a lot better. 70%
Input Devices: The g6 doesn't have a chiclet keyboard, which I personally prefer. The keys are fairly large. But that's not surprising because there is a lot of room on 15.6" when a numpad is left out. I can type great on the keyboard.
The F keys standardly have the FN function. So, one finger is enough to adjust volume or display brightness. Keyboard shortcuts, like Alt+F4, work without FN anyway. The WLAN key is a practical thing. There is a small LED that lights up white when WLAN is enabled (by the way, caps lock does too) and red when it's not. Speaking of LEDs – both for power status and hard disk access are on the left. So, you only have to turn your head and the laptop to see them. The layout is like on a normal keyboard (except for DEL, INS, etc). The arrow keys have an unusual layout, though – left and right are oversized and both up and down together are as small as a single key on a normal keyboard, in return.
Now we come to the g6's biggest flaw – the mouse pad. To be honest, if I had to work productively with it for 2 hours, I'd throw this thing out of the window after 30 minutes. It can only be distinguished from the wrist-rest by its corrugated surface. Thus, you occasionally end up with 2 fingers on it during use, which results in zooming or finding the mouse somewhere completely different. The worst thing is scrolling though. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Frequently, scrolling successfully with 2 fingers first works after the third attempt. Maybe, I'm just being too stupid, but I never had problems on the X53. Keyboard: 94%, mouse pad: 50%
Display and speakers: The display is about as bright as the one in the X53. I find both very bright, but the nbc team's assessments will be more precise. Working outside is therefore quite possible, but not always (typical glossy screen).
The speakers are great for notebook conditions. Because they are pretty loud and located at the front, you can easily fill a room with sound for a presentation, for example. Listening to music isn't anguishing with the comparatively good bass, but you shouldn't expect a hi-fi experience. Display: 85%, loudspeakers: 87%
Miscellaneous: The booting from standby is also worth mentioning. I've never seen that any faster. You haven't even completely opened the lid and the login screen from Windows 7 is there.
The fan's behavior could have been better. The fan ALWAYS runs, but in return doesn't alter its noise in office mode or while watching movies (from the hard disk) and stays quite cool.
Verdict: Overall, I wouldn't give the g6 a purchase recommendation. You can also get an Asus X53 for about 550€. I see its drawbacks only in the additional 300g of weight and the somewhat poorer speakers. The g6 is miles apart from the X53 in terms of workmanship (aluminum!).
