Key features
2.7 GHz AMD A-Series Dual-Core A6-4400M processor 4 GB of DDR3 RAM Over 3 hours of battery life 3 USB ports, two of which offer USB 3.0 connectivity Lightweight, at under 5.5 lbs Numeric keypad for easy data entry into programs like Microsoft Excel HP CoolSense technology that helps to keep all of the laptop surfaces cool HP ProtectSmart hard drive protection to keep your data safe if you drop the computer
Affordability
The best and most significant feature of this laptop is its’ price. HP builds excellent computers with good components and build quality, and it is rare to find one at such a low price point. There are a few other Windows 8 laptops on the market at this price, but none of them will give you everything that this one does. The A-Series A6 processor is very speedy and power-efficient, and all of the advanced options on this machine, such as the USB 3.0 ports, Bluetooth adapter and HDMI port, will make it easy for you to hook into your existing home or work network, as well as your home entertainment system. Check out some reviews from other owners.
Performance
The AMD A6 processor is on the lower end of consumer-level processors in terms of performance, but is still more than adequate for most typical computing activities. If you want to browse the Internet, stream movies from popular services like Hulu, Netflix or HBO Go, then you will find this laptop to be more than up to the task. It is also capable of some light gaming and image editing, but is not ideally suited for playing the more resource-intensive games like Mass Effect 3. This is due to the AMD Radeon™ HD 7520G Discrete-Class graphics which are better than many of the other graphics options you will find among budget laptops like this, but falls short of the performance that you would get out of the dedicated graphics cards found in more expensive machines.
Connectivity
The HP Pavilion g6-2218nr includes the following ports and wireless connection options –
802.11 b/g/n WiFi 10/100 ethernet port HDMI port 1 USB 2.0 port 2 USB 3.0 ports Bluetooth Headphone in Microphone in
Portability
This is probably the area where this computer is lacking the most. It offers a respectable 3.25 hours of battery life, which is more than enough for most situations. However, it will not get you through a coast-to-coast domestic plane flight without access to a power plug, and it can only provide enough juice for a couple of note-taking sessions at school. For a 15-inch full-sized laptop it is very lightweight, at 5.46 pounds, but is not as easy to carry around as an ultrabook might be. So while you can easily take this laptop with you while traveling for work, pleasure or school, it is more ideally suited for an environment like a home or office where you have easy access to an outlet when you need it.
Summary
If you are looking for a Windows 8 laptop for less than $400, then this is definitely a great choice. It has all of the features and ports that most people will ever need, and it even has some extra bells and whistles that are great for showing off. The HDMI port is particularly useful for sharing pictures and videos on a big screen TV with a group of friends or family, as the process of switching from your laptop screen to the connected display is very simple. You will be able to use this laptop for years to come, and the strong build quality means that it will be able to take the standard wear and tear to which laptop computers become susceptible over a period of time. Compare the best prices on this laptop or see a full list of specs and features included in this computer. He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices. Read his full bio here.
