By virtue of its position as the world's number one PC maker, Hewlett-Packard is able to design gorgeous-looking laptops, include the latest processing parts, and be super-aggressive in setting low prices. An example of this market dominance is the HP Pavilion dv6500t, a 15.4-inch media laptop that can be customized the way you like it. And like it I do. In the configuration I tested, for $899 (direct) you get an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of RAM, and a 120GB hard drive. Other features, such as the integrated 1.3-megapixel webcam, gorgeous white imprints, and fingerprint reader, come standard on all HP laptops, whether it's a budget system like the dv6500t or a $2,000 model.

I'm accustomed to reviewing HP Pavilion laptops with gorgeous black piano finishes and wavy "Zen" patterns laminated onto the lid, such as the HP Pavilion dv9500t. So it was a real treat to test the white piano finish, with imprints consisting of a series of short, parallel bars resembling results from a DNA test. (The design is called Ceramic White Influx.) The white piano finish is more resistant to fingerprints and smudges than the black finish. The dv9500t is sleek, though the black HP logo on the side looks a little tacky. HP uses a design method called In-Mold Decoration (IMD) to add the imprints. The Gateway M-150X uses the same technique, whereas a laptop like the Sony VAIO VGN-NR160 uses leather-like textures to accentuate its design. The Editors' Choice Dell Inspiron 1420 comes with customizable, colored lids to dazzle its customers. Whichever brand or pattern you go with, it's clear you can buy a sleek and sexy-looking laptop these days for under $1,000.

The dv6500t's 5.8-pound frame is not heavy at all considering it includes a 15.4-inch screen. The Sony NR160, with a similar screen, is almost half a pound heavier. And then there's the Acer Aspire 4710-2013, which shaves off some weight (at 5.5 pounds), screen real estate (at 14.1 inches), and dollars ($600 versus the 6500t's $899). All three systems boast brilliant screens; it's hard to determine which one is brighter. Movies, videos, and photos will look terrific on any of them. The dv6500t's keyboard is a treat to type on and the mouse buttons are as quiet as those on the Dell Inspiron 1420.

The dv6500t comes standard with a 1.3-megapixel webcam and a built-in fingerprint reader. An upgrade (from 80GB) to a 120GB hard drive is free, although the Sony NR160 gives you 160GB worth of storage space as part of its $830 package. The dv6500t also comes standard with a dual-layer DVD burner that has LightScribe capabilities. LightScribe is an HP technology that uses a laser instead of ink to print labels onto a DVD or CD. You'll need to buy proprietary LightScribe media, which is pricier than regular media. As with all HP Pavilion laptops, you get two headphone ports, a wireless on/off switch, touch-sensitive media keys, and a dedicated button to disable the touchpad.

The processing parts are very similar to the Dell Inspiron 1420's in that you get a 1.67-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor and 2GB of RAM. The only difference is that the dv6500t comes with integrated graphics, instead of the nVidia GeForce 8400M GS card found on the Inspiron 1420. That's not to say you can't upgrade. For $79, you can opt for the same card as the Dell's. The 8400M GS will let you play the latest 3D gaming titles.

The dv6500t's SYSmark 2007 Preview Overall performance edged out that of the Dell Inspiron 1420. However, the dv6500t's video-encoding and Photoshop scores fell slightly behind those of the 1420. The dv6500t's 44-Whr battery was able to generate 3 hours 13 minutes worth of battery life—15 minutes less than the Inspiron 1420. I highly recommend upgrading to the 12-cell battery for an extra $20, though it'll increase the system's weight by about half a pound.

Even with all the great deals we're seeing on laptops these days, the HP Pavilion dv6500t is easily a top-tier budget laptop. For $899, there is very little to complain about, but you wouldn't expect anything less from the number one PC maker. The dv6500t is loaded with features, provides a comfortable user experience, and packs performance parts that can tackle some of today's toughest tasks.

Check out the HP Pavilion dv6500t's test scores.

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