Laptop Thoughts: HP's Pavilion dm1 Refresh: Better Than the Original

"A few weeks ago when I got my first look at a new, updated version of the HP Pavilion dm1, I was really excited. The original dm1, which came out at the beginning of the year, was one of the first AMD Fusion ultraportables and more than half a year later it continues to be among the best. The form factor, design, performance, and price all balanced nicely in an 11.6-inch package."

Available in less than two weeks (September 21, starting at $399, more details to follow), the 11.6-inch, next-gen 3.5-pound dm1 (above, left) sports a more streamlined design, better battery integration, and is less apt to suffer from fingerprint smears by virtue of an optional 'soft touch' cover. The comfortable keyboard has remained virtually unchanged, and the original clickpad has been replaced by a more traditional touchpad. HP's CoolSense keeps everything cool, and ProtectSmart technology protects the hard drive from bumps and jars.Sound quality with Beats audio is good. Modders rejoice, as bottom cover removal allows easy access to many components. With three AMD Fusion processor options, performance and graphics are rated as 'good.' Looks like a leader in its price/performance class.