All models of Hewlett Packard brand devices, like other eminent manufacturers, are presented in different series, as well as modifications designed for individual market segments. The premium category includes the Spectrum, Envy and EliteBook lines, and the middle one includes Pavilion, Folio and ProBook. In the budget segment, Compaq, Presario and Essential models are presented.
The hero of our review, the HP 655 laptop, is just the last line. The reviews about it are mostly mixed, so there’s something to be dealt with. It is also worth noting that the model won several awards at venerable specialized exhibitions. In addition, the technical characteristics of the HP 655 laptop with a stretch can be called budget. And the appearance with ergonomics is far from the weakest link in the model. But first things first.
So, we present to your attention a review of the HP 655 laptop. The characteristics of the model, its advantages and disadvantages, user reviews, as well as the appropriateness of buying in certain cases will be considered in our article. The model can be found at the official distributors of the brand and on popular Internet sites, so there should not be any problems with “feeling”.
Equipment
The device comes in a massive and heavy box of cardboard. The design was minimalist, so there are no beautiful pictures and inserts here. Stylistics can be identified with one simple expression - black on black mixed with gold.
On the front side you can see only the HP and AMD logos, and on the back there are brief technical specifications of the HP 655 in the form of a tabular specification. The interior looks a bit chaotic, but the accessories do not “swear” with each other, and each lies in its place.
Contents of delivery:
- laptop HP 655;
- specifications, instructions and other information on booklets and books;
- laptop carrying bag;
- accumulator battery;
- charging cable;
- Power Supply.
There is nothing superfluous like stands or a headset here, only everything you need. You can use a laptop “out of the box”, so there should be no problems with getting started. Judging by the reviews, the owners especially warmly responded to the branded bag. It is well tailored, comfortable and also looks nice in any hands. Also, users note a detailed specification, which shows absolutely all the characteristics of the HP 655 in expanded form. This brand approach will come in handy for those who want to upgrade a laptop.
Appearance
The exterior of the model can be defined as strict and conservative: the classic color scheme of the brand in black and bronze can not be called fun. All corners of the structure are rounded, and the embossed company logo flaunts on the lid.
The brand itself, in view of the special structural characteristics of the HP 655, positions the model as a business class, but nevertheless it is also tending to ordinary consumers. Black color can be seen only from below and on the working area, that is, on the keyboard and display, and everything else is decorated “bronze”.
The black part is matte, including the screen itself, and the gray is rough and very pleasant to the touch. Fingerprints, dust and other dirt are not collected by the model, and if something gets on the case, it can be easily removed with a slightly damp cloth or cloth.
Assembly
Judging by user reviews, the design specifications of the HP 655 are impressive. High-quality and durable plastic provides the model with good rigidity, as well as protection against physical impact. Of course, you should not sit on it, but you can lean on it calmly, without fear for damage to the case.
All elements of the dense are fitted to each other and there are no any backlashes, gaps, including creaking, here. The cover is fixed to the main unit by means of tight hinges and provides reliable fixation of the display at a set level. An opening angle of 135 degrees with the head is enough to perform ordinary tasks.
Interfaces
On the front of the device there are only a couple of speakers, and the rear is completely devoid of at least some interfaces. The main part of the ports is on the left side: VGA and HDMI output, RJ-45, two USB 2.0 connectors, a pair of 3.5 mm mini-jacks for connecting a headset, as well as a card reader.
On the right side you can see two more USB 2.0 ports, a Kensington lock with an optical drive and a power connector. The lower part is reserved for ventilation grilles and three removable compartments. Two of them will be needed to upgrade RAM, a hard drive, as well as to access wireless modules, and under the third is a battery.
Users in their reviews separately thanked the manufacturer for the opportunity of almost free access to the necessary "stuffing". Here you don’t need to disassemble everything and everything in order to, for example, reset it or “go hot” into the BIOS of an HP 655 laptop. Even with upgrades, such solutions greatly simplify the lives of ordinary users.
Input Devices
The keyboard has traditionally rounded keys that are located at the edges of the workspace. In addition, the latter is deepened by a few millimeters inland. There is no separate digital block, so the keys are located without hesitation, which is ideal for printing using the blind method.
The key travel is understandable, and pressing is felt by a barely audible response of the membrane. Symbols are printed by laser, so they will only be erased with plastic. Judging by user reviews, typing on the keyboard is a pleasure.
Touchpad
Signature Synaptics touchpad turned out to be like a keyboard. The proportions are perfectly observed, and you can also easily work with him blindly. The mechanical keys, although responsive, are moderately tight, so accidental keystrokes are minimized.
The touchpad supports all the basic gestures that can be performed in the Windows operating systems of the eighth and tenth series. If you update the drivers for the HP 655 laptop to the latest version, you can get a lot of additional features for managing the platform for the "tens".
Display
The model is equipped with a proprietary AU Optronics B156XW02 display. For a diagonal of 15.6 inches, a resolution of 1366 by 768 pixels is enough. Pixelization is not visible, even if you look closely.
It is also worth noting that the screen received a matte finish, so the notorious glare does not bother even on a bright sunny day. Despite the fact that the matrix is ​​built on TN technology, viewing angles are at a good level, which allows you to watch a video or look through a photo in the company of one or two like-minded people.
The only thing worth clarifying is that changing the viewing angle along the vertical axis greatly affects color rendering, so when working with a laptop on your knees you will have to catch the optimal angle. In general, judging by the reviews, users are satisfied with the visual component of the laptop and they do not note any critical flaws.
Performance
The series comes in several versions. On sale you can find laptops HP 655 E1, E2 and T2. The latter is extremely rare and is intended mainly for specific needs (typesetting, complex rendering, etc.) due to the specific set of chipsets. In addition, the HP 655 T2 (1800 / 4Gb) laptop is noticeably more expensive than its more mundane counterparts.
The best option is the modification of E2-1800 with integrated graphics in the person of "Radeon" of the HD 7340 series. The chipset set cannot boast enviable performance, especially by modern standards, but the Windows operating system works quite adequately on it, as well as office packages from Microsoft.
Chipset Features
The data storage is responsible for the 500 GB Travelstar Hitachi Winchester series. It is enough for working with office applications, as well as for multimedia content. But if there are few such volumes, then you can always install more advanced options for 1 TB.
As for serious gaming applications, this model is simply not designed for them. Of course, they will start up, but they will not work in the best way. In many cases, resetting the graphic settings to the minimum values ​​helps, and in the rest you will have to abandon games.
Autonomy
At full load on the laptop: the maximum brightness of the display, the Internet turned on, watching video in high resolution, the battery was drained a little in less than two hours. If you turn off the Network and set the average brightness and view Full HD content, then the battery lasts about three hours.
When working with text in office applications such as Word or Excel, and again without the participation of the Network, the laptop will start asking for an outlet after four or more hours. It takes about an hour and a half to charge the battery. Looking at similar competing models, we can say that the autonomy of our respondent is at an average level.
Summarizing
Notebook HP 655 can be called a solid model. This is a medium format device at a very reasonable price. The device is not burdened with glossy components and got an attractive appearance. Design, despite the brand positioning the model, can be called universal. It will look great both in the hands of a fragile student girl and a respectable male businessman.
Separately, it is worth noting the build quality of the model. The company has always paid almost priority attention to this issue, and in the case of HP 655, it did not disappoint again. The design turned out to be reliable, so the device can be safely taken with you, as they say, to fresh air, but without extreme sports. Still, this is a household model and does not meet the high-level protection classes.
Judging by the user reviews, the laptop has no such drawbacks. Of course, here you can point to mediocre performance, but the price of the device does not contribute to its falling into the gaming category. In addition, games on it, and quite “fresh” ones, can be launched, albeit at low graphics settings.
The device has proven itself in all office applications and as a multimedia entertainment center. So, it is necessary to rely on the choice first of all for these areas, but not for serious and “heavy” games.
Advantages of the model:
- universal and pleasing to the eye appearance;
- full support for the Windows 8 and 10 series operating system;
- good screen matrix;
- ergonomic work area;
- productive wireless Wi-Fi module (about 100 Mbit / s);
- almost silent coolers;
- good indicators of autonomy in mixed operating modes;
- quite adequate price tag for the available characteristics.
Disadvantages:
- no support for modern USB-port 3.0;
- A modest set of chipsets in the basic version.