HP Pavilion dv2 Review Verdict: Neo is Not The One

If there’s one thing that our full review of the HP Pavilion dv2 proves, it’s that AMD still has a lot of work to do in order to catch up to Intel. In fact, this may have been the chipmaker’s first and last shot to get a tier-one notebook manufacturer to embrace its new Neo processor, given that Intel is about to go full steam ahead with CULV.

The much-hyped Neo CPU, which was designed for affordable thin and light notebooks like HP’s stylish 12-incher, offered acceptable Vista performance in our tests. And the discrete ATI Graphics chips are responsible for processing all images sent to your computer?s display.
Learn Moregraphics card, complete with 512MB of dedicated video memory, runs circles around not only other netbooks but most higher-priced ultraportables. The problem is that this notebook doesn’t deliver on two of AMD’s key promises for Neo: long battery life and machines that run cool.

On both counts the dv2 fell flat. Unlike most ultraportables and netbooks, which last well over 5 hours on a charge, this system mustered only 2.5 hours in our tests. (To be fair, the Graphics chips are responsible for processing all images sent to your computer?s display.
Learn Morediscrete graphics card is partly to blame.) The dv2 also ran very warm compared to other netbooks and notebooks, registering as high as 110 degrees on the bottom side near the battery. (To be fair here, too, HP’s implementation and design likely played a role.)

Are these flaws enough to torpedo the dv2? Perhaps, but only this particular version. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Intel swoop in with its CULV on the same chassis or perhaps even an Intel Atom plus Nvidia ION combo. For the moment, Neo is more “uh oh” than “whoa.”