The dv5 (dv5z) is the latest 15" notebook to come out of the HP production line and it is right up there getting stuck in with the competition. The dv5 features an AMD dual-core processor, some very exciting graphics and a plethora of reasons to make you want one.

It’s easy to see why you might want one of these, just by having a glimpse at the specs. Ours (the 1030ei) has an AMD 1.9GHz Athlon X2 Dual-Core ­Processor, 2GB RAM, ATI ­Mobility Radeon HD 3450 Graphics and 120GB SATA hard disk. So there is not ­really an awful lot to sneeze at here.   

On the design side of things HP has gone for a very much improved silver finish and an almost black lacquer-like feel to the lid. The ­chassis build-quality is very good, as well it should be, this is the type of notebook for users with a lot of ­computing (or ­gaming) to do. It seems that ­notebook screens are set to keep getting better and ­better. Every time we see one of these screens we have to ­remark that: “This is probably the best screen they’ve come out with so far.” The 15.4" ­diagonal WSXGA+ high-­definition HP BrightView widescreen display (1680 x 1050) is truly superb and a pleasure to work with, in all lighting conditions.

The dv5 also sports the requisite amount of ports and inputs that you’d expect from a consumer notebook, with the addition of some you probably won’t find on your run-of-the-mill notebook. There are: 3 USB 2.0 ports, 1 eSATA port/USB port ­ExpressCard/54 slot, 1 HDMI 1.3 connector, 5-in-1 ­multi-card reader, microphone in, 2 headphone/audio out ports, 1 Expansion Port 3 Docking Station Connector, 1 LAN port and 1 VGA out. Get it for R10 785 (incl VAT) from www.hpshop.co.za.

HP offers a range of AMD and Intel processors with the dv5 models. Intel models are available from Computer ­Corporation on 08616-08616.