Posts tagged with HP dv2
When is 7 Bigger than X?
Posted by Nigel Dessau in 11:20 PM
(7 votes, average: 3.86 out of 5)
Loading ...The answer to that question changes quickly and often but for this week the answer is 7 as in Windows® 7. In conjunction with the general availability of Windows 7 Release Candidate (RC) this week, AMD will talking about Windows 7 and what are doing about it.
First off we think Microsoft has done a great job on Windows 7 and not only because to experience a truly dynamic visual computing experience like Windows 7 you need AMD on AMD on AMD. (That’s our CPU plus our Chipset plus our ATI Graphics). But also because it’s a great piece of code. I am writing this blog on Office on the RC on my AMD-powered HP dv2. It’s really the perfect mix of style and substance – especially when I travel.
Some of this is due to the great A3 platform and part of it is thanks to Microsoft, who has been working with AMD and other partners, and is focusing on customers’ top computing priorities. Together the industry is and evolving usage scenarios designed to deliver a better and more robust operating system for consumers and businesses.
Back in March, AMD launched the industry’s first Windows 7 unified graphics driver with ATI CatalystTM 9.4 software suite. The driver, and every subsequent ATI Catalyst driver update, delivers a unified driver installation packaged to incorporate Windows 7 support, including Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) 1.1 compliance. Ready for Windows 7 today, feedback from developers testing applications using the Windows 7 beta release helps ensure the ATI Catalyst unified driver continues to deliver industry-leading stability and performance.
We will continue to work closely with Microsoft to ensure broad availability of optimized hardware and software solutions for Windows 7 at launch. In the end I believe AMD’s mainstream multi-core and 64-bit microprocessor technology and advanced graphics solutions provide consumers with superior performance, stability and compatibility for Windows 7, along with a stunning visual experience for the Windows 7 Aero desktop.
So, for the moment Windows 7 may be bigger than OS X in the market. Is it better? Well that’s an interesting question, full of emotion and maybe for another blog.
Nigel Dessau is senior vice president and chief marketing officer at AMD. His postings are his own opinions and may not represent AMD’s positions, strategies or opinions. Links to third party sites are provided for convenience and unless explicitly stated, AMD is not responsible for the contents of such links sites and no endorsement is implied.
The Future of Mainstream Notebook PCs
Posted by Nigel Dessau in 4:07 PM
On a recent flight to Asia, I noticed a few fellow travelers curiously staring at my HP Pavilion dv2 notebook. I could see their minds working as they tried to identify what it was ― “A netbook?” “Maybe it’s an expensive ultraportable?”
Along the same lines, the early reviews of the HP Pavilion dv2 try to shoehorn the product into one of two existing categories: netbook or full-size notebook. However, the truth is it is neither. It has the functionality of a mainstream notebook, but in a sleeker and ultraportable form factor, made possible with AMD’s platform for ultrathin notebooks.
The ultrathin dv2 is literally in-between.
When consumers are looking to purchase a laptop, I think there are five things they should consider: form factor, user experience, battery life, processing power, and of course their budget. Let’s see how the dv2 rates relative to other systems I’ve used recently.
Head to Head
This feedback is based on how the dv2 fared during my week of travel:
- Form factor:
o The HP Pavilion dv2 is light and ideal for traveling, weighing in at less than four pounds.
o Compared to other machines I’ve taken on trips over the last year, the dv2 was noticeably lighter.
- User experience:
o The dv2 has about 92% of a standard keyboard, and with a very responsive trackpad was very easy to use.
o The dv2 also delivered strong audio with internal Altec Lansing stereo speakers, which was noticeably an improvement over mono speakers that are not ideal for playing music.
o In terms of discrete graphics, the dv2 delivered stunning picture quality on both a standard size monitor and the laptop.
o Another secret to a great user experience is a wireless wide area network. I was able to take the battery off and plug in a 3G network card in the back. Makes it the perfect “cloud” client.
o Lastly, my HP Pavilion dv2 is equipped with Windows 7, which is as great of a client user experience as you can get (getting close to OS X).
- Battery life:
o As we know it’s all about how you use your machine. The HP Pavilion dv2’s battery life clocked in at more than 3 hours with normal day-to-day use.
o I didn’t do the MM07 tests – see other blogs.
- Processor:
o The AMD Athlon™ Neo processor and ATI Radeon™ graphics in the HP Pavilion dv2 were great for watching videos in HD (720p). It also performed well when multi-tasking.
o I typically had two or three windows open; one for Twitter, one for email, and one for MLB.com to keep up with the Yankees.
o I didn’t experience any lag.
- Price:
o People typically have a set budget, and they look for laptops within that budget that best meet their particular requirements.
o Typical high-end ultraportables cost on the higher end of the price scale and might be outside the realm of some budgets. The HP Pavilion dv2 delivers the functionality of a mainstream notebook but in a sleek, highly portable form factor — and starting at around $749 MSRP.
All things considered, it’s not hard to see why I favor the HP dv2. As more ultrathin notebooks become available, I believe the industry will look back and consider the AMD processor-based HP Pavilion dv2 revolutionary. I think we’re looking at the future of mainstream notebooks.
The HP Pavilion dv2 is a great example of the AMD Fusion philosophy in practice, illustrating our unique ability to marry our customers’ aspirations with our technology to produce an innovative solution. We recognized that there were consumers who wanted a lightweight, stylish notebook without the netbook’s compromises ― and at an affordable price point. From this the AMD platform for ultrathin notebooks was born.
Down the road, I think we may even see ultrathin portable notebooks replace full-size notebooks as the mainstream choice for the market.
If you want to take part in the next generation of notebook computing, click here to order your own HP Pavilion dv2.
Nigel Dessau is senior vice president and chief marketing officer at AMD. His postings are his own opinions and may not represent AMD’s positions, strategies or opinions. Links to third party sites are provided for convenience and unless explicitly stated, AMD is not responsible for the contents of such links sites and no endorsement is implied.
The Buzz about Lauren
Posted by Nigel Dessau in 12:17 PM
I spent an afternoon this week with one of our teams working on value propositions. While most people know what one is, few are good at writing them. What weakens many value propositions is the failure to successfully articulate your advantage relative to your competition, to clearly state to the customer why you will meet their needs better than the other guy. But when you make the differentiation clear, it can be very powerful.
Case in point: Microsoft.
Apple had their day with their catchy “I’m a Mac” commercials and Microsoft responded with “I’m a PC.” To me that campaign reinforced Apple’s differentiation but didn’t always clearly connect to the needs of the PC user. Now, Microsoft is stealing some thunder with its “Laptop Hunters” campaign, starting with a new ad that’s had everyone talking.
The premise of the campaign is simple — Microsoft’s advertising agency Crispin Porter + Bogusky recruited prospective shoppers in the Los Angeles area with an offer to buy a new laptop in the range of $700 to $2,000. Whatever money they didn’t spend, they get to keep.
In the first commercial, a seemingly average person named Lauren wants to find a laptop that costs no more than $1000 and meets three simple requirements: speed, a comfortable keyboard and a 17-inch screen. Lauren first visits an Apple store, only to leave disappointed because the least expensive laptop is $1,000 and has only a 13-inch screen. “I’m just not cool enough to be a Mac person,” she says as she drives to Best Buy. Once there she surveys the bevy of laptops within her budget and (success!) settles on the HP Pavilion dv7z featuring the AMD Turion™ Ultra X2 processor, priced at $699.
So why does the first “Laptop Hunters” commercial have everyone fired up? Clearly, Microsoft has a successful value proposition that differentiates the PC from the Mac. But what I find more interesting is the campaign’s focus on the user’s needs rather than the technology.
The User Experience
I admire how this commercial captures the typical consumers’ current mindset: low cost, high value ― and how it’s about the experience (speed, comfort, monitor size). Just as Lauren was presented with a challenge to find her perfect laptop at an affordable price, the entire computing industry is currently faced with the challenge of adapting to the changing customer preference for lower cost ― without compromise.
This commercial also speaks to my belief that today’s consumer isn’t interested in “geek speak” or being sold a product with more bells and whistles than he or she needs. It works because it highlights what most consumers do when they are purchasing a new computer — identify the most important features, set a budget and find the best fit. Lauren knew the three things she cared about most, and once she found a PC with those features at the right price, she was ready to cheer excitedly in the parking lot.
Users want simplification and a straightforward way to identify which systems have the features they most care about ― and they want the best value for the money they’re spending.
Value Defined
Value is something AMD has always been committed to in its products. It didn’t take an economic meltdown to open our eyes — we’ve understood this from the debut of our platform for ultrathin notebooks that pack the performance of a pricey ultraportable in a sleek and stylish ― and affordable ― package like the HP Pavilion dv2, to the launch of the triple core AMD Phenom™ II X3 processors that offer an extra core of power for the price of competitive dual-core processors.
We understand that value doesn’t mean “cheap.” It means getting what you want and need, and getting it for the best price. If you’re paying for more than you need (especially if you’re not getting what is most important to you!), then you’re not getting value for your money.
It’s not surprising that Lauren chose the HP Pavilion dv7, 2008 AMD platform for mainstream notebook PCs featuring AMD Turion™ X2 processor and ATI Radeon™ HD Graphics. This system offers great multimedia capabilities, including HD Blu-Ray playback, manages everyday multitasking without hiccups, and demonstrated a battery life of 3 hours and 21 minutes on CNET’s video playback battery drain test (which is a decent metric of real world usage scenarios), and all for under $1,000.
So how do I Get One?
To celebrate the outcome of Lauren’s laptop hunt, we’re giving away two HP Pavilion dv7s so two lucky winners can pump their fists excitedly in a parking lot like Lauren! To enter, become a follower of @AMD_Unprocessed on Twitter and tell us why the HP Pavilion dv7 is just what you want between 4/3 at 12:01 AM ET and 4/19 at 11:59 PM ET using #AMDcontest. Two winners will be selected at random and announced by @AMD_Unprocessed on 4/20. Click here for contest rules.
Good luck to all you laptop hunters. If you don’t win, I suggest you consider the HP dv2 – I managed to secure one and I can assure you it provides a great experience.
Nigel Dessau is senior vice president and chief marketing officer at AMD. His postings are his own opinions and may not represent AMD’s positions, strategies or opinions. Links to third party sites are provided for convenience and unless explicitly stated, AMD is not responsible for the contents of such links sites and no endorsement is implied.