CNET Editor's rating: 7.5 out of 10
Reviewed by
Rich Brown
Review date: 09/07/07
The good: Updated design; fast, digital-media-oriented configuration; integrated IR receiver and wireless networking adapter eliminates external clutter.
The bad: No Bluetooth; RF receiver for wireless mouse and keyboard still external; 802.11b/g wireless, not draft N; overkill on external hard-drive bays.
The bottom line: HP's new digital-media-oriented Pavilion Elite m9040n is fast, loaded with features, and its new looks and newly integrated receivers improve its profile. Our main issue is the redundant bays for two of HP's proprietary external hard drives. If you can get past that, there's a solid desktop here.
HP's Pavilion Elite m9040n frustrates us because, but for a seemingly greedy design decision, we actually like it quite a bit. This $1,190 desktop comes with a quad-core chip and a cleaner profile than older HP desktops, thanks to its integrated remote-control receiver and wireless networking antenna. Our issue is that by including bays for two different types of proprietary external hard drives (sold separately, of course), HP wastes space and simultaneously tries to up-sell you on superfluous storage. If you're looking for a midtower system to record TV or edit digital media, the Pavilion Elite m9040n fits the bill quite well. We just wish we could look at the thing without wanting to brush past it like we would a street hawker.
While HP revamped the design on its SlimLine and Pavilion systems earlier this year, the Media Center TV systems received a less-significant visual update from last year's models. The front bezel and the front-side doors went from gray to glossy and matte-black, respectively, but the color change didn't impress us as much as HP's other new desktops, which received wholesale chassis revisions. The Pavilion Elite is essentially that spruced up Media Center TV. Now the whole front side gets the glossy piano black treatment, but for a silver bar running across the middle that bears a subtle-but-classy waved line image. This new look still doesn't sell us on the idea of a midtower in the living room, but it's probably as close to entertainment-center-acceptable as you can get with the traditional desktop form factor.
Specs-wise, the Elite m9040n is nearly identical to the Pavilion Media Center TV m8120n we reviewed just two months ago. The only significant difference is the graphics card.
HP Pavilion Elite m9040n
HP Pavilion Media Center TV m8120n
Price
$1,190
$1,150
CPU
2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
Motherboard chipset
Intel G33
Intel G965
Memory
3GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM
3GB 1,066MHz DDR2 SDRAM
Graphics
256MB Nvidia GeForce 8400 GS
128MB Nvidia GeForce 7350 LE
Hard drive
(2) 320GB 7,200 rpm
(2) 320GB 7,200 rpm
Optical drives
16x HP SuperDrive dual-layer DVD burner w/LightScribe
16x HP SuperDrive dual-layer DVD burner w/LightScribe
Operating system
Windows Vista Home Premium
Windows Vista Home Premium
We're glad to see that this new system echoes the same traits we liked about the older model, including plentiful memory, large hard-drive space, and a speedy, powerful quad-core CPU.
Thanks to all of those parts, and especially the graphics card and its dedicated 256MB of RAM, the Pavilion Elite m9040n edges out the older model on our benchmarks. It also fares well against Apple's new iMac, although Velocity Micro's Vector GX Campus Edition gives the new HP a challenge on tests where single-core processing speed matters more than multiple cores. For you that means that the Pavilion Elite m9040n will ably handle all of your digital media editing tasks and general computing. Just don't buy into HP's hype that this system is ready for "DirectX 10" gaming.
Direct X 10-certified the new graphics card may be, but as you can see from our Quake 4 test, it chokes on even low-end resolutions. If it can't handle that two-year-old game, don't expect it to play newer 3D titles. Mostly the graphics card helps because it has its own RAM and no longer steals from the system memory as on the Pavilion m8120n. And, sadly, your upgrade options are limited, as this system has only a 300-watt power supply--hardly enough to power a quad-core chip and even a midrange graphics upgrade.
Adobe Photoshop CS3 image-processing test (in seconds) (Shorter bars indicate better performance)
Although it's weak for gaming, the GeForce 8400 GS graphics card expands your output options by introducing HDMI into the world of mainstream desktops. We're not convinced that HDMI is useful in a midtower system that likely won't be connected to a living-room-based HDTV. You still get a DVI-output, so you don't lose anything by getting the HDMI port, but we suspect HP includes this feature more to bolster its marketing material than anything else.
You'll probably appreciate the other multimedia features in the Pavilion Elite m9040n more. The ATSC/NTSC TV tuner has become a mainstay in this kind of desktop. We still don't love PC-based television watching, but free PVR-capability has its obvious plusses. This in-store configuration has a single, dual-layer, Lightscribe-capable DVD burner, with room to add another optical drive. Online, you can configure the roll-your-own version with a Blu-ray/HD DVD combo drive, among other upgrades. With an HD optical drive, the HDMI-output becomes more compelling, as you might then be more likely to connect this system to a television.
This desktop also comes with a remote control that thankfully has no external receiver. Because media-card readers use a simple internal USB-interface, HP was able to integrate remote's IR receiver in between the removable media slots. This is similar to Dell's approach in adding a media card reader with a built-in Bluetooth option to its new Inspiron desktops earlier this year. HP also integrates the 802.11b/g Wi-Fi antenna, although the wireless RF mouse and keyboard still require a small, external USB receiver. Our hope is that this trend continues to the point where external dongles become extinct on Windows PCs. Apple has made HP, Dell, and others look behind in this regard for an embarrassingly long time.
What we'd also like to see disappear is HP's incessant pushing of its external hard drives. We can actually imagine adding one of either the Personal Media or the smaller Pocket Media drives to a system, overpriced though they may be. But to add bays for both types to a desktop is redundant, contributes to making the Pavilion Elite m9040n messy on the inside and difficult to upgrade. The thing already comes with a generous 640GB of fixed hard-drive storage. If you want more, sure, add one of these drives. But we can't imagine the average consumer would have any interest in swapping data between a PC and two external hard drives. Besides, HP, with your MediaSmart Server on the way (as soon as those "software enhancements" come through from Microsoft), external hard drives will become relics of the past, right?
On the top and along the right side, you can see the bays for HP's removable external hard drives. Sold separately, to no one we can think of who would want two removable hard drives.
You might also notice a little button in our detail shot, right under the HP logo. This is HP's new Easy Backup feature. When you press it, you get a very basic, HP-made software overlay that holds your hand through Windows Vista's built-in backup program. We don't find the dedicated backup button a major innovation, since HP isn't really adding any fundamental technology here. It's simply making it easier for you to get to a feature that comes with all Vista PCs. Still, we like that HP is calling attention to the idea that you should be backing up those photos, important documents, as well as your system software on a regular basis.
We're sad to report that HP also treats you to the usual mess of ad icons on the Windows desktop. We count seven this time around. At least Voodoo was able to keep HP's marketing hounds away from its new Blackbird 002 gaming system.
As always, though, we like HP's TotalCare utility, which is the most useful of the desktop support software packages that have become so popular this year. If you need any information about the state of your system, you will like find it here. HP's support in general excels, with toll-free 24-7 phone help and plentiful resources online. The one-year parts and labor warranty is only par for the course.
Apple iMac
Apple OS X; 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T7700; 2GB 800MHz DDR2 SDRAM; 256MB ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro graphics chip; 320GB 7,200rpm hard drive;
Dell Inspiron 531
Windows Vista Home Premium; 2.6GHz AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+; 2GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM; 256MB Nvidia GeForce 8600 GT graphics card; 250GB 7,200rpm Western Digital hard drive
Gateway DX430X
Windows Vista Home Premium; 2.13GHz Intel Core 2 Duo E6420; 2GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM; 320MB Nvidia GeForce 8800 GTS graphics card; 500GB 7,200rpm Seagate hard drive
HP Pavilion Elite m9040n
Windows Vista Home Premium; 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600; 3GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM; 256MB Nvidia GeForce 8400 GS graphics card; two 320GB 7,200rpm Hitachi hard drives
HP Pavilion Media Center TV m8120n
Windows Vista Home Premium; 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600; 3GB 1,066MHz DDR2 SDRAM; 128MB Nvidia GeForce 7350 LE graphics card; two 320GB 7,200rpm Hitachi hard drives
Sony VAIO TP1 Living Room PC
Windows Vista Home Premium; 1.83GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5600; 2GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM; 32MB (shared) Intel 945GM integrated graphics chip; 300GB 7,200rpm Seagate hard drive
Velocity Micro Vector GX Campus Edition
Windows Vista Home Premium; 1.86Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo 6320; 2GB 800MHz DDR2 SDRAM; 256MB GeForce 8600 GT graphics card; 320GB 7,200rpm Hitachi hard drive
Intro:
The HP Pavilion Elite m9040n is a Core 2 quad-based, mainstream computer.Compared to other general-purpose desktop computers on the market, it is expensive at around $1,400.This desktop comes with 3 GB RAM, and a 320GB hard drive.
Noteworthy Features:
Has a nVidia GeForce 8400 GS graphics chip, which is somewhat better performing than some similarly priced desktop computers.The Core 2 quad based processor installed on this machine is fast enough to handle demanding applications, such as digital video.
Weaker Features:
None noted, given available product data.
Suitability:
A general-purpose desktop computer, suited for basic computing, plus digital photo sorting, audio appreciation, and entertainment applications.Also comes with office-grade word processing software -- fine for most serious business or academic writers.However, store massive amounts of data on DVD using the DVD recorder included in this computer.This computer also has a CD writer, allowing you to compile your own audio CDs or video CDs.You can use the bundled video software to compile and edit movies uploaded from a digital camcorder.Your computer can be your digital darkroom; remove red-eye, power lines, and former roommates from your digital photos with this computer?s bundled photo editing software.
Value:
Overall, this desktop computer's features are as expected for this price.If you were to judge strictly by CPU speed, however, the price of a mainstream PCs with comparable speed is about 20% lower.
Suggestions:
(1) Using this PC's Firewire (1394) port, you can connect to many digital camcorders and other equipment and rapidly upload data to the computer's hard drive.(2) If you plan to be playing the latest 3-D games, you may want to invest in a more powerful video card from NVidia or ATI, which are popular with the gaming community (requires an open AGP or PCIe slot).
8 out of 10 - Excellent Read this before purchasing.
Before you decide to buy any brand of computer, especially from HP, you ought to have a look at the ...
Before you decide to buy any brand of computer, especially from HP, you ought to have a look at the deal sites. They list any and all coupons, specials, and deals that stores are having. HP constantly has coupon codes available, and I purchased this computer for $650, via a $450 discount. Secondly, while configuring your system, please have a look at component sites such as newegg for price comparisons. 2 GB of memory costs ~$40, not the HP price of $100 or more. That being said, this machine is pretty great out of the box. If you are looking to upgrade it, I would focus on the graphics card. If you want to use this as a fairly gaming-intense computer look into a Geforce 8800GT or ATI 3850/3870 card (8800GT is the better choice imho). The problem with upgrading the graphics is that you will need to get a better PSU. On one of the many component sites, make sure you get one that fits the machine and has at least 450W (prob more like 550). I haven't yet checked to see how much clearance is available for the longer cards, but I believe there is enough room for it.
I have been reading comments about BSODs and such, and how people have called support for those issues. There are still a lot of problems with Vista (have been testing it for quite some time) and Microsoft has been issuing hotfixes for these issues. The only issues which HP can deal with are driver issues. If you really do not like Vista, I recommend dual booting XP (if you have a copy from your old computer) or go the free route with Linux (Ubuntu or PCLinuxOS are your best choices for average consumer). The Linux route is free, and the dual booting installation is fairly simple. The Linux community (esp Ubuntu) is very helpful via their forums and either of those mentioned options work very well (though I would say PCLinuxOS is the simplest).
This computer, at the right price, is well worth it. I tried building a computer for less and succeeded only by $40 after I took into account the need for a PSU and video card for the HP (they ought to have better graphics upgrade ability). I hope this will lead you to a better purchase, though I did not provide much with a review, I want you to be able to make a less expensive purchase.
Read more
by thopp (see profile) -
December 8, 2007
17 out of 17 users found this user opinion helpful.
9 out of 10 - Spectacular Surprisingly Efficient
I bought this PC to record over the air HDTV, I do not have cable nor satellite subscription as I ...
I bought this PC to record over the air HDTV, I do not have cable nor satellite subscription as I have been dissapointed with their set top boxes, extremely poor service and outrageous fees.
My main objective was to combine a new powerful PC for the family and record high definition tv programs without having to buy separate components and I found exactly what I was looking for on this HP system using Windows Media Center.
As you can tell I am thrifty, I try to get the biggest bang for my money and the HP has been an excellent investment, right out of the box.
I also have a wife that just wants to punch a button and enjoy her favorite tv program so I needed to make sure the new system would be easy to use otherwise I would be the one on the other side of the phone line telling her what to do or explaining why the system was not working.
The setup was easy, the HDTV tunner worked on the first try and we recorded our first show right after we connected the DVI cable to my TV. Thre is no difference at all between live tv and recorded tv, we love it!
Read more
by HDTV Addict (see profile) -
October 9, 2007
10 out of 10 users found this user opinion helpful.
3 out of 10 - Poor unhappy camper
This is a more expensive model than I would have bought but I followed the advice of a writer in ...
This is a more expensive model than I would have bought but I followed the advice of a writer in the Wall Street Journal.This model met or exceeded his criteria for taking full advantage of Vista. Shortly after I began using it I discovered things like USB ports and the remote control didn't work after sleep mode. I contacted HP who were very responsive to my concerns but so far we have not been able to correct the problem. I checked out the display models in 4 different stores and found out 2 of them also had problems after sleep mode. Presently I'm working around the problem by shutting down the computer instead of using the sleep mode. Unless HP comes through with a solution,I probably will return it to them.
Updated I have to give HP an A+ for quickly responding to my concerns. The HP tech person suggested I should seek guidance from Microsoft about the USB problems.Also,that perhaps I shouldn't use Sleep mode.Which leaves me the always on or shutdown alternatives.I pointed out to him their manual said"for best results with Vista don't shut it down." When I inquired about the possibility of returning the computer to HP he read me the fine print "hardware failure only allowable reason for return." I came away with the feeling that any tech person who authorizes a return may find his chances for promotion very limited.
Updated Although the problems have not been solved, I have to give HP an A+ for quickly responding to my concerns about my m9040n. The HP tech person suggested I should seek guidance from Microsoft about the USB etc problems after Sleep mode. Also,that perhaps I shouldn't use Sleep mode.Which leaves me the always on or Shutdown alternatives.I pointed out to him HP's manual says"for best results with Vista don't shut it down." When I inquired about the possibility of returning the computer to HP for diagnosis since my computer trouble-shooting skills are practically non-existent,he read me the fine print "hardware failure only allowable reason for return" and offered to guide me over the phone. I came away with the feeling that any tech person who authorizes a return may find his chances for promotion very limited.
9 out of 10 - Spectacular Fast, Quite with a lot of extras
Got a great deal at Circuit City. $1139 including the HP w2207 WS monitor.
If you have a MS mouse ...
Got a great deal at Circuit City. $1139 including the HP w2207 WS monitor.
If you have a MS mouse and / or keyboard you will want to use the update feature in Windows to install the HID update or your PC will not sleep properly.
Has a NVIDA 8400GS video card with 256 Meg of dedicated memory that can also borrow from the system RAM should it need more.
If you want to upgrade the video card however you will be out of luck unless you also change the power supply since it is only 300 watts.
The system has 3GB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM. Which I thought was strange since the model it is replacing had 3GB 1,066MHz DDR2 SDRAM.
Still this machine is very fast, and quite.
I have had no problems with it except for the sleep problems which were fixed when I installed the Microsoft HID Non User Input Data Filter.
You may want to uninstall the junk software that HP puts on it. I got a great deal on Windows OneCare on it and it has run perfect.
The mouse and keyboard that comes with it is adequate, but I just didn't like the feel and there was no forward or back button on the mouse, so I purchased a MS combo KB & Mouse. There is a nice rubberized pad on top of the box so if you put your iPod, phone, etc on it they won't slide off. It has all many different media readers on it, and easy access to two USB ports, one Fire wire, an S-Video, and RCA jacks as well as headphones and a mic. It does have one expansion bay but if you add a second DVD or HDDVD drive you will need to be sure it is SATA. There are two bays accessible for removable media but they both require HP only hardware. I don't plan on using this so this seems to b e a waste of space. HP would have been better off only have one driver.
7 out of 10 - Very good bittersweet experience
My model is the m90000t, its the like the same but it don't came with wireless keyboard or mouse, ...
My model is the m90000t, its the like the same but it don't came with wireless keyboard or mouse, thing that I prefer. The mouse though was like the old ones with a ball. I couldn't but laugh when I saw it, buying a very expensive and modern computer and find that kind of mouse, I thought that my mouse was laying an egg.
The Windows was full with crap programs and demos. I look for a clean Windows Cd but I was again sourpriced that non came in the package. I called to HP to order a CD of the OS and a Indian, whit heavy accent wont to sell me a CD and told me to make a recovery CD using the computer, whish is a image of the system saved in a secodary partition.
After having several problems with other programs, I guess compativility with Vista, I want to reinstall Windows. Ill have to call HP and tell that I lost the recovery CDs, to see if this time they sells me those. I hope they don't send me an image.
To play games is very smooth. The TV things I hand't use as I don't need them.
The case came with two Placeholders to conect some external USB drives. They use about 25% of the front pannel.
The sound card uses a program that I have to configure each time I connect a microphone, and after that I have to restart Skype if I want to talk.
10 out of 10 - Perfect It's exactly what I wanted...
This is a LOT of bang for the buck. Quad core, 3gb, vista premium, etc...it does need a new ...
This is a LOT of bang for the buck. Quad core, 3gb, vista premium, etc...it does need a new video card if you're a gamer but I don't know many PC's that come with the "pefect" video card anyway.
It's odd to be a fan of HP because usually I'd build custom or something but this is a really nice machine.
Read more
by drew489 (see profile) -
January 14, 2008
2 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
8 out of 10 - Excellent Great deal for the price!
I got this computer becuase the one I had before got hit by lighting. I at the time worked from ...
I got this computer becuase the one I had before got hit by lighting. I at the time worked from home, and I am a heavy gamer - so i needed one that could fit both of those catergories. I havent had a single problem so far that wasnt my fault, surprizingly vista to me is bad ass - i have no problems with it and i maneuver around well. The upgrades for this computer were also relatively cheap - i got 2g extra memory, and a faster processor + Better video card than stock (for gaming). My only complaints are that the wireless key board and mouse sometimes screw up and get all jerky and stuff (its either from the comp updating itself, or my bluetooth signal is getting screwed with). Also seems like a long time from when you push the button - to when it goes to your desktop. I'd definitely recommend this to someone who is glued to the computer like i am - the product (for once!) is not to **** you off and fight with it, its atleast to me, a relaxing time knowing nothing is screwy.
Read more
by Immortaliti (see profile) -
March 29, 2008
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
9 out of 10 - Spectacular Powerful system that I just have a few pet peeves about...
Admittedly, I bought this system as a refurb, so I think the factory just fixed it and tested it pretty ...
Admittedly, I bought this system as a refurb, so I think the factory just fixed it and tested it pretty thoroughly. Luckily, I have no issues with mine- it's really fast and the wireless keyboard, mouse and integrated WiFi all work well. Great Media Center PC too- I've recorded several programs and the quality is excellent. Junkware HP bundled with the machine was a peeve I was able to correct with just a little time, only other gripe is the two proprietary HP expansion ports for it's overpriced HP hard drives. Other people have said the 300 watt power supply is maxed out and the graphics card is sub par. So, you'd have to update the former if you wanted to upgrade your graphics card. Not a problem for me though- I'm not a big gamer so the system as shipped is fine/it has most of the bells and whistles you'd need.
Read more
by jca671 (see profile) -
March 23, 2008
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
3 out of 10 - Poor Problems!!
This machine looked great on paper. Performance was quick, nice graphics, Vista was visually appealing and easy to use. I ...
This machine looked great on paper. Performance was quick, nice graphics, Vista was visually appealing and easy to use. I had problems right from the start trying to update Vista thru the Windows Update site. I was able to download about 3/4 of the updates but several failed and I kept getting error messages telling me that I didn't have enough memory (3 gigs isn't enough?) or enough hard drive space (300+ gigs?). I was working off a broadband connection and my other two computers worked just fine. I even ran some diagnostics on my signal. No problems there. The HP would hang up on the Update download, crash on the installation and I would have to shut down and do a reboot. I don't know if it was just Vista or it was an HP problem but I didn't want any part of it especially with a new machine. I returned the product and ordered a Dell with XP.
Read more
by RM55 (see profile) -
March 14, 2008
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
3 out of 10 - Poor Not an HP fan
I purchased this preloaded machine from Costco to handle my multiple live feeds and work requirements. It was able to ...
I purchased this preloaded machine from Costco to handle my multiple live feeds and work requirements. It was able to handle my computing needs but I had trouble from day one with Sleep/Hibernate issues and the video drivers would not load properly for the HP w2408 monitor. I spent nearly 10 weeks with the HP and MicroSoft help desks trying to resolve the issues. The sleep/hibernate issue was resolved by working with the MicroSoft help, HP couldn't resolve that one. HP also told me not to worry about the video drivers, that they were installed. However, upon finding the monitor settings, the drivers were not installed. Their final solution was to do a System Recovery....I'm in the process of boxing the unit up and returning to Costco for a full refund under their 90 day return policy. I have ordered a comparable Dell
Read more
by wagnerhaus (see profile) -
January 24, 2008
Hide
Watch product review video
More stores below
Show