HP Pavilion dm4-3090se Beats Edition
Manufacturer: HP Part number: A6X69UA#ABA
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Accessories
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The only real knock against this chic-looking 14-inch multimedia laptop is its plastic body; other than that, this is a great midrange laptop with a unique, eye-catching design.
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CNET editors' review
HP Pavilion dm4-3090se Beats Edition price range: $809.95 - $939.99
- Reviewed by: Dan Ackerman
- Reviewed on: 02/13/2012
The good: The HP Pavilion dm4-3090se Beats Edition is a sharp-looking black 14-inch laptop with a hybrid hard drive, a high-res matte display, a very cool red-backlit keyboard, and a subwoofer.
The bad: Starting at only $150 less than the all-metal HP Envy, the dm4 has a plastic body parts of which feel cheap in comparison. With thin, lightweight laptops popping up everywhere, it's a bit hefty, and the touch pad can be finicky.
The bottom line: The only real knock against this chic-looking 14-inch multimedia laptop is its plastic body; other than that, this is a great midrange laptop with a unique, eye-catching design.
For a high-end midsize Windows laptop, HP's Envy line (starting at $1,049) is probably the first place you should look. Fortunately, a lot of what made those Envy laptops so good has trickled down to HP's more affordable systems, and today many of them have, for example, Beats Audio and backlit keyboards.
The Pavilion dm4 is an excellent example of this. Our fixed-configuration system, the 3090se Beats Edition model, looks almost as high-end as an Envy, but costs only $899. The body is a sharp-looking matte black, including the wrist rest, the touch pad, and even the keyboard. Offsetting this are red accents (the signature color of Beats Audio), including a unique red keyboard backlight.
The hybrid hard drive, which takes a 500GB drive and adds 20GB of solid-state drive (SSD) storage for programs (on HP's Web site, that's been upgraded to 32GB), is a nice extra, but keep in mind that the Beats Edition of the HP Envy 14 is only $150 more. For that, you get the same 6GB of RAM and Intel Core i5 CPU, but a bigger 740GB hard drive and discrete AMD graphics. But more importantly, you get the Envy's superior metal chassis. The dm4 Beats Edition looks great, but is mostly plastic.
| Price as reviewed | $899 |
| Processor | 2.5GHz Intel Core i5-2450M |
| Memory | 6GB, 1,333MHz DDR3 |
| Hard drive | 500GB 7,200rpm / 20GB SSD |
| Chipset | Intel HM65 |
| Graphics | Intel HD3000 |
| Operating system | Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) |
| Dimensions (WD) | 13.3x8.9 inches |
| Height | 1.0 - 1.3 inches |
| Screen size (diagonal) | 14.0 inches |
| System weight / Weight with AC adapter | 4.5 pounds / 5.3 pounds |
| Category | Midsize |
Easily one of the most distinctive laptops in recent memory, the HP Pavilion dm4 Beats Edition looks like a more expensive machine than it is. The back of the lid has a thin metal overlay, while the rest of the body is mostly plastic, but all the parts have a matte-black finish that looks top-notch. The Beats Audio branding includes some red accents on tiny port and button labels, as well as a large Beats logo on the back of the lid (and the letter "B" on the keyboard has been replaced with a Beats Logo).
That said, this is not an especially thin or light laptop, especially compared with the very slim ultrabook-style systems we've been seeing a lot of lately. It's not bulky per se, but our expectations are rapidly changing, even for 14-inch systems.
The most notable physical feature on the dm4 is its keyboard. This is the same flat-topped, island-style keyboard found on most consumer HP models, with the rounded corners on the four outer corner keys, separate vertical row of navigation keys (Page Up, Page Down, and so on) and the function-reversed F-keys, which control volume, screen brightness, and other features. What really makes it stand out is the red (that Beats Audio color again) keyboard backlight.
Backlit keyboards are always a welcome extra, and once you start using one, it's hard to go back to a nonbacklit model. But, the lights are almost always white (Alienware has an adjustable backlight feature), and sometimes way too bright. In this case, the deep red is not only distinctive and attractive, it's also subtle, and works much better in a dark room, where a traditional keyboard backlight might be too intense. It's easily my favorite feature of this laptop.
The touch pad isn't the large click-pad style found in HP's Envy laptops. Instead, it's a smaller pad with separate left and right mouse buttons. It's acceptable, but multitouch gestures, such as two-finger scrolling, are especially jumpy--something we find in a lot of HP laptops--and the physical mouse buttons are small and clacky.
The 14-inch display has a native resolution of 1,600x900 pixels, which is a nice step up from the 1,366x768 pixels you'll find on most 14- and 15-inch laptops. This is the idea resolution for a midsize laptop, as 1,366x768 pixels often feels restrictive, and 1,920x1080 pixels, which is found in only a handful of midsize screens, makes onscreen text too hard to read, and is often an expensive upgrade.
Also pleasing is the screen's matte finish. So many laptop screens are simply too glossy, and suffer from extreme glare under everyday lighting conditions. The antiglare finish used here certainly doesn't allow for colors and contrast as eye-catching at first as a glossy screen does, but in the long run, you get a lot more than you miss out on.
| HP Pavilion dm4-3090se Beats Edition | Average for category [midsize] | |
|---|---|---|
| Video | VGA plus HDMI | VGA plus HDMI or DisplayPort |
| Audio | Stereo speakers with subwoofer, combo headphone/mic jack | Stereo speakers, headphone/microphone jacks |
| Data | 2 USB 3.0, 1 USB 2.0, SD card reader | 2 USB 2.0, 2 USB 3.0, SD card reader, eSATA |
| Networking | Ethernet, 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Ethernet, 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, optional mobile broadband |
| Optical drive | DVD burner | DVD burner |
For a laptop that sells itself on audio branding, one might expect separate headphone and mic jacks, but otherwise, this is a standard load-out of ports and connections for a midprice, midsize laptop. The two speakers are augmented by a subwoofer, a rarity in a 14-inch laptop to be sure.
The sound from those speakers is certainly heftier than you get from most other laptops, even larger ones, but there's only so much air you'll ever be able to push through a laptop speaker. The Beats Audio control panel has settings for different types of headphones, and its own EQ. Beats Audio hardware and processing can be a polarizing topic. Some love it, others find it too bass- and compression-heavy.
This fixed-configuration system includes a 2.5GHz Intel Core i5-2450M processor, a very popular part for midsize laptops that cost $1,000 or more, along with 6GB of RAM. The most interesting component is probably the hybrid hard drive, combining 20GB of SSD storage with a traditional 500GB 7,200rpm drive.
In our benchmark tests, the HP dm4 performed well, beating other similarly priced midsize systems in both multitasking and single-app tests--although most other 14- and 15-inch laptops in this price range have slightly slower Core i5-2410 or Core i5-2430 CPUs. The extra RAM and hybrid hard drive (using the SSD portion for OS and applications) no doubt helped.
You are, however, stuck with the integrated Intel HD 3000 graphics, which is fine for streaming HD video and playing Facebook games, but not much more than that.
| HP Pavilion dm4-3090se | Average watts per hour | ||
| Off (60 percent) | 0.45 | ||
| Sleep (10 percent) | 0.86 | ||
| Idle (25 percent) | 6.86 | ||
| Load (5 percent) | 48.62 | ||
| Raw kWh | 39.44 | ||
| Annual power consumption cost | $4.48 | ||
Battery life on the HP dm4 Beats Edition was average. In our video playback battery drain test, the system ran for 4 hours and 17 minutes. That's certainly acceptable for a midsize laptop, but many other laptops in the category ran 30 to 60 minutes longer.
HP includes a one-year parts-and-labor warranty with the Pavilion dm4 (Envy laptops start with a two-year plan). There are, of course, many upgrade options available, from $229 for two years of in-home service and accidental damage protection to $329 for three years of the same. HP's service and support tools are perfectly navigable, and product manuals and software and driver downloads were easy to find. The 24-7 toll-free number can be tricky to spot, however. It's 800-474-6836.
The HP Pavilion dm4-3090se Beats Edition is an impressive-looking laptop with features you can't find in other midprice, midsize systems. But the additional investment to trade up the higher-end Envy line is between $150 and $200, which includes all-metal construction, discrete graphics, and even double the warranty coverage, making it a tough call unless you're very intent on making a smaller initial investment.
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)
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System configurations
HP Pavilion dm4-3090se
Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit); 2.5GHz Intel Core i5-2450M; 6GB DDR3 SDRAM 1,333MHz; 64MB (Dedicated) Intel HD 3000; 520GB Intel 7,200rpm
Dell Inspiron N411z
Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) w/ SP1; 2.3GHz Intel Core i5-2410M; 8GB DDR3 SDRAM 1,333MHz; 64MB (Dedicated) Intel HD 3000; 750GB Western Digital 7,200rpm
Samsung QX411-W01
Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) w/ SP1; 2.4GHz Intel Core i5-2430M; 6GB DDR3 SDRAM 1,333MHz; 64MB (Dedicated) Intel GMA HD; 640GB Seagate 5,400rpm
Gateway ID47H02u
Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit); 2.3GHz Intel Core i5-2410M; 4GB DDR3 SDRAM 1,333MHz; 64MB (Dedicated) Intel GMA HD; 500GB Western Digital 5,400rpm
Lenovo Essential B470
Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) w/ SP1; 2.3GHz Intel Core i5-2410M; 4GB DDR3 SDRAM 1,333MHz; 1GB Nvidia GeForce 410M; 500GB Seagate 5,400rpm
User reviews
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Great notebook! Beats could be better, plastic a no no.
by potthoff on April 9, 2012
Pros: Matte black finish, glare proof screen, red back-lit keys, speedy processing, music functions on reverse F-Keys. Almost instant booting and shut-down.
Cons: Plastic body, Beats Audio is less than expected. Sounds much better than other notebooks, but I may still need to add some better external speakers. Only one USB 2.0 port. Lid is a fingerprint magnet.
Summary: Excellent notebook that could have better sound.
Summary: Excellent notebook that could have better sound.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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nice looking laptop. check the processor and the weight
by t3chguy on April 27, 2012
Pros: red-backlit keyboard,
Cons: This PC features the 2nd Gen Intel Core i5-2450M processor, which is different than the Intel A110 processor. the link here to Amazon selling this HP DM4-3090se Beats Edition has the Intel A110 processor instead of the Intel Core i5-2450M.
Summary: check all the specs first before buying. the performance might be good but make sure you are getting what you are paying for in the first place. like paying for ...
Summary: check all the specs first before buying. the performance might be good but make sure you are getting what you are paying for in the first place. like paying for the Intel Core i5 processor and 4.4 lbs laptop and getting the Intel A110 processor and 7.8 lbs. laptop instead.
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Is a great Bargin
by sAiLoR48 on April 2, 2012
Pros: stock ram/processor speed
Cons: cant stand the actual form factor/case.. why is this plastic in 2012.. dropped the ball in that aspect
Summary: the cnet review is spot on
Summary: the cnet review is spot on
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HP stated recently they are not leaving market.
by Rustyweed on March 20, 2012
Pros: This is on our list to buy soon in Australia with a standard 500 Gig hard drive and 8 Gig of ram fitted.
Cons: Not sure yet as haven't purchased it yet.
Summary: This laptop should be fine for general use, with reasonable sound.
Summary: This laptop should be fine for general use, with reasonable sound.
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New model what doesn`t look like others notebooks.
by danja123 on February 19, 2012
Pros: Very good weight. Normal price. Its really smart.
Cons: Very good notebook for home and business.
Summary: Its good to buy and use this new notebook from HP.
Summary: Its good to buy and use this new notebook from HP.
0 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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a gamble as HP said they were leaving the PC business.
by wichita on February 16, 2012
Pros: nice weight and size
Cons: maybe a brick if and when HP leaves the business.
Summary: nothing like taking a dump in your own nest.
I have switch to Brother printers as they are better built and will be buying ASUS desk and laptops in the ...Summary: nothing like taking a dump in your own nest.
I have switch to Brother printers as they are better built and will be buying ASUS desk and laptops in the future.0 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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HP leaving the computer business is too much a gamble
by Jerroldtidwell on February 19, 2012
Pros: It is a slick enough device...again, look at the summary
Cons: look at the summary.
0 out of 6 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: HP
- Part number: A6X69UA#ABA
- Description: Thin, light and fully loaded. A stunning combination! Less than 1" thin at the front with a 14" awe-inspiring HD display. Enjoy studio-quality sound with Beats Audio plus two HP triple bass reflex subwoofers. And feel every rap, rock and rhythm. Anywhere you desire.
General
- System Type Notebook
- Recommended Use Home use
- OS Provided Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition
- Service & Support 1 year warranty
- Notebook type Midsize
Processor / Chipset
- Processor 2nd Gen Core i5,
Intel i5-2450M / 2.5 GHz - Max Turbo Speed 3.1 GHz
- Multi-Core Technology Dual-Core
- Cache L3 cache - 3 MB
- 64-bit Computing Yes
- Features Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0
Memory
- RAM 6 GB ( 1 x 4 GB + 1 x 2 GB )
- Max RAM Supported 16 GB
- Technology DDR3 SDRAM
- Form Factor SO DIMM 204-pin
- Slots Qty 2
- Empty Slots 0
Storage
- Floppy Drive None
- Hard Drive 500 GB HDD / 7200 rpm
- Interface Serial ATA-300
- Hard Drive (2nd) 32 GB SSD - Serial ATA-300
- Storage Removable None
- Optical Drive DVD±RW / DVD-RAM
- Hard drive type Solid state|Standard
Display
- Type 14 in
- LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight
- Max Resolution 1600 x 900 ( HD+ )
- Widescreen Yes
- Features HD+ anti-glare
Audio & Video
- Graphics Processor Intel HD Graphics 3000
- Memory Allocation Technology Dynamic Video Memory Technology
- Total Available Graphics Memory 1696 MB
- Camera Yes
- Sound Microphone
- Audio Features Beats Audio
Input
- Type Backlit keyboard,
Touchpad - Features Built-in numeric keyboard,
Multi-touch touchpad Communications
- Wireless Bluetooth,
802.11b/g/n - Network Interface Gigabit Ethernet
- Features Intel Wireless Display (WiDi)
Battery
- Technology 6-cell Lithium ion
- Installed Qty 1
- Capacity 55 Wh
- Run Time 7.5 hour(s)
AC Adapter
- Output 65 Watt
Connections & Expansion
- Slots Memory,
Memory card reader - Interfaces 2 x USB 3.0,
USB 2.0,
HDMI,
VGA,
LAN,
Headphone/microphone combo jack - Interfaces 2 x USB 3.0 - USB 3.0,
1 x USB 2.0 - USB 2.0,
1 x Ethernet - RJ-45,
1 x Display / video - VGA,
1 x Headphones,
1 x HDMI - Memory Card Reader Card reader ( SD Memory Card ),
( MultiMediaCard ) Software
- Software Included HP Games Powered by WildTangent,
LoJack for Laptops,
HP Recovery Manager,
Bingbar 7,
HP Rara Music,
HP Security Assistant,
HP Power Manager,
Snapfish PictureMover,
Adobe Flash Player,
Ebay,
Microsoft Windows DVD Maker,
HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection,
HP Support Assistant,
HP QuickWeb,
Skype,
HP Launch Box,
Microsoft Silverlight,
Microsoft Internet Explorer 9.0,
Adobe Shockwave Player,
HP Application Assistant,
HP MovieStore powered by Rovi,
Zya Music Maker,
Norton Internet Security 2012 (60 days subscription),
Windows Live Essentials 2011,
CyberLink YouCam DE,
EverNote,
Adobe Reader,
Microsoft Windows Media Player,
HP Setup Manager - Microsoft Office Preloaded Includes a pre-loaded image of select Microsoft Office 2010 suites. Purchase an Office 2010 Product Key Card or disc to activate preloaded software on this PC.
Miscellaneous
- Color Brushed aluminum black
- Embedded Security Fingerprint reader
- Features Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately),
HP CoolSense,
Power-on password - Included Accessories Beats Special Edition sleeve
- Localization English / United States
Dimensions & Weight
- Width 13.3 in
- Depth 8.9 in
- Height 1.3 in
- Weight 4.4 lbs
Manufacturer Warranty
- Service & Support Details Limited warranty - Parts and labor - 1 year
Sustainability
- ENERGY STAR Qualified Yes
- Greenpeace policy rating (Nov 2011) 5.9
Accessories
- HP Compaq Disk-on-Key USB Flash Drive (32MB) (30404584)
- A-Data Classic Series C008 - USB flash drive - 4 GB (34637987)9.69
- A-Data Classic Series C008 - USB flash drive - 64 GB (34581520)64.99
- HP Bluetooth Laser Mouse mouse (34991452)
- HP Bluetooth Laser Mouse mouse (32756730)61.99
- Belkin Compact Mouse M100 mouse (35145329)7.99
- HP Ultra Mini USB Numeric Keypad - keypad (31470034)17.14 - 24.99
- Cisco Linksys E4200 v2 Maximum Performance Dual-Band N900 router (35098697)164.99 - 199.99
- Asus RT-N56U Dual-Band Gigabit Wireless-N Router (34200558)114.79 - 135.00
- Belkin N150 Wireless Router - wireless router - 802.11b/g/n - desktop (34859948)28.99 - 34.99
- Belkin N300 Wireless N Router - wireless router - 802.11b/g/n - desktop (35263578)39.99 - 48.99
- Belkin N600 DB Wireless Dual-Band N+ Router - wireless router - 802.11 a/b/g/n - desktop (35190484)66.57 - 104.73
- Belkin N900 Dual-Band Wireless Router - wireless router - 802.11n - desktop (35262637)194.99 - 292.17
- Buffalo AirStation Nfiniti HighPower Giga WZR-HP-G450H - wireless router - none - 802.11b/g/n - desktop (34859675)82.11 - 95.99
- Cisco 881 Fast Ethernet Security Router supporting EVDO/1xRTT - router - cellular modem - 802.11b/g/n (draft 2.0) - desktop (35026157)
Manufacturer info
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse HP products on Shopper.com
-
- Manufacturer:HP
- Address:
3000 Hanover Street, Palo Alto, CA 94304-1185


