HP Pavilion dv3z

Over a year ago, we called the 13-inch screen size the new sweet spot for notebook buyers: although highly portable, it’s still large enough to work comfortably and even watch movies. Sure enough, we’ve been seeing more 13-inch budget systems recently, including the HP Pavilion dv3z, HP’s first configurable notebook of this size, which starts at $679 (our review unit was priced at $1,043). It boasts a stylish design, above-average graphics performance, and excellent Wi-Fi performance. We also like the Altec Lansing speakers. However, mediocre battery life and a few other drawbacks keep this machine from earning a higher rating.
HP’s latest 13-inch notebook offers a sleek design and good performance at a reasonable price.