Hewlett Packard Pavilion 1175a

Everything about notebooks is a compromise. Trying to fit all the components that make up a PC into a box no larger than a reference book means that corners must be cut and specifications squeezed. The most successful models are those that strike the best balance between price and functionality.

HP has chosen a different course to most manufacturers. The processor is given the greatest attention, but the manufacturer feels that a balanced system is the way to make a good portable computer.

The processor at the heart of this system is still no slouch. A 1GHz Celeron whirrs away inside a notebook with 256Mb of memory. This model uses 8Mb of that memory to supply the S3 Twister graphics chip but that still leaves enough to cope with Windows XP Home. The Pavilion also sports a handsome 15in TFT screen.

A 20Gb hard disk sounds a little weedy in these days of digital audio and video but it's enough for all but the most demanding users.

With regards to external storage, HP has thought ahead and fitted a DVD/CD-RW combination drive. There is no floppy drive inside the notebook but, with the CD-RW, it is unlikely to be missed. Other methods of communicating with the outside world are provided by the internal modem and networking card.

Two Type II PC Card slots offer further expansion for high-speed peripherals, if required. There are three USB ports available but the lack of any PS/2 ports means that anyone using a mouse will only have access to two.

Although hard disk capacity isn't conducive to video editing, the presence of a mini-FireWire port makes hooking up a digital camcorder a possibility.

The full-sized keyboard is very pleasant to use, and doesn't suffer from the excessive rattle and bounce that bedevils cheap notebook PCs. Mouse duties are performed by a touchpad but this one has a couple of interesting tricks up its sleeve.

The first novelty is a supplementary pad to the right of the main one that functions as a scroll wheel. Desktop PC users swear by their scroll wheels but those fitted to notebooks are traditionally clumsy. That's not a problem here.

The second nice feature is a button at the top of the touchpad which toggles it on and off. It is very easy to brush the touchpad when typing on a notebook and suddenly find yourself adding text in the wrong place. A little button letting you turn it off is a simple way to prevent typists tearing their hair out.

There are a few bits of proprietary software loaded onto the Pavilion but the inclusion of Microsoft's Works Suite 2002 is a bonus. It may not have the advanced features of Office but it does mean it can be used straight out of the box.

This system may not have the most powerful processor in the world but the balanced specification, rugged build and thoughtful design make it a very attractive notebook at a good price.

Price: £1,299 (inc. VAT)

Contact: Hewlett Packard 0870 547 4747
www.hp.co.uk

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A nice notebook. £1,117 ****.