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Review HP Compaq nx6325 Notebook

Trend Denier. Apart from notebooks with wide screen display hardly any other notebook models are available this time. You will just come across the nearly already unusual XGA panels at office notebooks. The decision for wide screen or not, depends on the planned usage and is also a matter of taste.

HP Compaq nx6325 Logo

Case

The HP Compaq nx6325 is regarding design and used materials e.g. similar to the Compaq nc8430 with robust plastic trough, specially coated hand ball region and a display cover out of magnesium. This combination seems to be in general good.

The nx6325's workmanship is passable. Regarding flexural rigidity of the base unit it rates average. If you pick it up at the front edge, you'll observe slight deflections and also quiet creaking noises.

Regarding pressure resistance, you can detect some problem areas, e.g., the  classic weaknesses near the card slots or the DVD drive.

The display is because of its magnesium cover relatively robust. Slight torsions  are especially near the top of the screen still possible.

Both hinges seem to be robust, but yet allow a slight, nearly negligible wobbling.

If closed, the display is locked securely and a ramshorn hook prevents an accidentally opening.

Even the order of the interfaces of the nx6325 is typical HP. Lan, display, and video interfaces as well as the power connector are at the back side or at both sides near the back. USB and audio are on both sides relatively near the front.

HP Compaq nx6325 Interfaces
Front Side: CardReader
HP Compaq nx6325 Interfaces
Left Side: LAN, VGA-Out, Fan, 2x USB 2.0, Audio, PCCard/ExpressCard
HP Compaq nx6325 Interfaces
Back Side: Kensington Lock, Battery, S-Video Out
HP Compaq nx6325 Interfaces
Right Side: USB 2.0, Firewire, Modem, DVD drive

The keyboard, which is designed according to the typical HP pattern, could convince. The size of the keys and the layout are good, and last but not least the typing feels positive.

Even after longer typing durations the keyboard is still comfortable in use. Typing errors are rare. Typing causes quiet clicking noises, which do not disturb at all.

The touch pad is like the keyboard comfortable in use, especially both buttons feature a soft and adequate travel. Unfortunately, the nx6325 does not provide a track point. Instead it comes with a fingerprint reader, which eases entering passwords.

Above the keyboard there are some additional buttons, e.g., a WLan On/Off switch and a volume control.

HP Compaq nx6325 Touch pad
Touch pad
HP Compaq nx6325 Keyboard
Keyboard

Display

HP Compaq nx6325 Display Measurement
Color Diagram

The display of the HP Compaq n6325 is a 15 inch1024x768 pixels display with matt surface.
A BrightView panel (reflection) with the same resolution as well as a SXGA panel with a resolution of 1400x1050 pixels is also available. The later might be more suitable for one or the other user, because it provides you with definitely more overview. Please read more about this in our article about: DPI (Fineness) of displays.

The maximum brightness of the display is 112.2 cd/m² at an illumination of 75.1%. Both values are clearly below-average.

The color diagram depicts a slight deviation of the red- and green color curve as well as a clear deviation of the blue color curve. Therefore, the colors appear to be warmer.

99.1
cd/m²
112.2
cd/m²
101.5
cd/m²
94.3
cd/m²
107.4
cd/m²
98.9
cd/m²
84.3
cd/m²
91
cd/m²
90.9
cd/m²
Distribution of brightness
Maximum: 112.2 cd/m² (Nits) Average: 97.7 cd/m²
Brightness Distribution: 75 %
Contrast: 179:1 (Black: 0.6 cd/m²)

The display's calculated maximum contrast is, because of a black value of 0.6 cd/m²,  acceptable at 187:1.

HP Compaq nx6325 Outdoors
Operation Outdoors

On the one hand the matt display prevents reflections even in very bright environments like outdoors. However, for comfortable work outdoors, a brighter display would be of advantage.

Regarding the stability to the vantage point the HP Compaq nx6325 has an adequate area of operation. However, especially vertically, when looking from to bottom one can observe that the contrast quickly diminishes and the colors change. Horizontally, you can also observe a reduction of contrast, if you are to far away from the ideal vantage point.

HP Compaq nx7400 Stability to the Vantage Point
HP Compaq nx7400 Stability to the Vantage Point
HP Compaq nx7400 Stability to the Vantage Point
HP Compaq nx7400 Stability to the Vantage Point
HP Compaq nx7400 Stability to the Vantage Point
HP Compaq nx7400 Stability to the Vantage Point
HP Compaq nx7400 Stability to the Vantage Point
HP Compaq nx7400 Stability to the Vantage Point

Performance

The HP Compaq nx6325 is one of the rare HP notebooks which is equipped with an AMD processor. In more detail it comes with an AMD Turion 64 X2 TL-52 CPU with a clock rate of 1.6 GHz. Although this CPU is clearly slower than the Core 2 Duo CPU if compared directly, but its advantage is the clearly lower price.

Besides the Turion X2 CPU a ATI XPress 200M video chip was integrated in this computer system. Regarding performance it is comparable with the Intel GMA 950 video chip and provides sufficient power for playing older games without demanding 3D graphics without problems or for running Windows Vista.

The Hitachi Travelstar 5K100 hard disk with a storage capacity of 80GB has average access times and transfer rates of an 5400 revs hard disk.

Further information about the video card can be found here or in our comparison of mobile video cards. Detailed information about the Turion 64 X2 CPU can be found here.

Please also look at our benchmark list of mobile processors or at our benchmark list of mobile video cards, in order to compare this notebook to other configurations.

HP Compaq nx6325 Benchmark Comparison
Benchmark Comparison PCMark
HP Compaq nx6325 Benchmark Comparison
3DMark 2001SE Standard
4441 points
3DMark 03 Standard
1312 points
3DMark 05 Standard
663 points
3DMark 06 Score Unknown Setting
246 points
Help
PCMark 04 Standard
4101 points
PCMark 05 Standard
2587 points
Help
80 GB - 5400 rpm
Transfer Rate Minimum: 13.7 MB/s
Transfer Rate Maximum: 34.2 MB/s
Transfer Rate Average: 27.3 MB/s
Access Time: 17.2 ms
Burst Rate: 79.7 MB/s
CPU Usage: 2.7 %

Loudness

The fan starts to run under load nearly immediately and keeps on running ever since. During idle mode the fan is also running most of the time, but, it is rather quiet (33.2db).
During office operation the noise is alright, unfortunately the nx6325's fan sometimes starts to run at maximum loudness without any reason, even if you use non-demanding office application only.
The noises of the hard disk can be heard even clearer during idle mode than those of the fan.

Noise Level

Idle
32.4 / 41.3 / 41.3 dB(A)
HDD
37.9 dB(A)
DVD
36.5 / dB(A)
Load
0 / 41.3 dB(A)
  red to green bar
 
 
30 dB
silent
40 dB(A)
audible
50 dB(A)
loud
 
min: dark, med: mid, max: light    (15 cm distance)

Temperature

After a while under load one can clearly observe  an increased surface temperature. The maximum of 37.9°C at the top side and of 40.3°C at the bottom side is, however, completely harmless.
The temperature increase can also be felt clearly at the hand ball's region, but it is within limits and not uncomfortable.

Upper side

palmwrist: 32.9°C max: 37.9°C avg: 31.1°C

Bottom side

max: 40.3°C avg: 32.3°C

Speakers

Both speakers are at the front edge of the notebook. Their sound is alright. They sometimes sound a little to decent, but if you increase the volume, their sound gets somewhat resonant. The maximum volume is alright, the basses could be louder at lower volume.

Battery Runtime

The battery runtime of the HP Compaq nx6325 mit 55Wh Akku is under load noticeable poor. The minimum runtime is hardly above one hour and also the runtime during  DVD playback of 1.5 hours is rather moderate.
However, at maximum energy saving settings (minimum brightness, WLan off, Energy saving profile) we measured a runtime of above 4 hours. Even in WLan mode with maximum brightness and  activated WLan the runtime was a little more than 3 hours.

Battery Runtime
Idle (without WLAN, min brightness)
4h 15min
WiFi Surfing
2h 55min
DVD
1h 35min
Load (maximum brightness)
1h 13min
Power Consumption
Off / Standbydarklight 0 / 0 Watt
Idledarkmidlight 21.1 / 37.7 / 38.5 Watt
Load midlight 54.5 / 53.1 Watt
 color bar
Key: min: dark, med: mid, max: light        
Currently we use the Metrahit Energy, a professional single phase power quality and energy measurement digital multimeter, for our measurements. Find out more about it here. All of our test methods can be found here.

Verdict

The Hewlett Packard Compaq nx6325 is in general regarding workmanship and quality of the used material as good as the more expensive HP notebooks. However, at a closer look we could still detect some smaller weaknesses regarding robustness and flexural rigidity, which are compared to other notebooks of the same class really small.

The input devices are also of the  usual HP quality and are well-suited for  long typing durations. Because of its small dimensions this notebook can be used mobile and unplugged without any problems - even the comfortable touch pad helps a lot here.

The XGA display with resolution of 1024x768 pixels serves its purpose, but I would personally prefer a 1400x1050 pixel panel, which helps gaining more overview. Brightness and illumination are rather poor, but are yet sufficient for working in moderate bright environments.

The performance of this notebook matches well moderate demands of users. The advantage of the AMD Turion X2 CPU is rather its price than performance. For standard office applications, like  Word, Excel, Internet, and Mail the performance of the nx6325 it is sufficient. It should even be possible to run Vista.

Regarding noise emissions, the notebook rates not so good. The fan runs most of the time without disturbing noises in the background, but sometimes it starts running without apparent reason at maximum revolutions.

The battery runtime is partly below-average (under load or during DVD playback), however, if the energy settings are optimized and the brightness of the display is turned down, the runtime can exceed 4 hours.

In total it is a reasonable office notebook, which benefits regarding materials and input devices from the HP knowledge, but has to cut back regarding hardware components and robustness of the case.

Hewlett-Packard Compaq nx6325
Hewlett-Packard Compaq nx6325
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Hewlett-Packard Compaq nx6325
Reviewed: Hewlett-Packard Compaq nx6325

Specifications

HP nx6325
Graphics adapter
Memory
1024 MB 
, DDR2 PC4300 SDRAM (533MHz), max. 2048MB, 1x1024MB
Display
15.00 inch 4:3, 1024 x 768 pixel, XGA TFT Display, glossy: no
Mainboard
ATI Radeon RS480
Storage
80 GB - 5400 rpm, 80 GB 
, 5400 rpm, Hitachi Travelstar 5K100: 80GB, 5400rpm
Connections
PCCard Typ I/II, ExpressCard, Mikrofon, (Line Out), 3x USB 2.0, VGA-Out, S-Video Out, Firewire, Kensington Lock, LAN, Modem, Docking Connector
Size
height x width x depth (in mm): 31 x 329 x 267 ( = 1.22 x 12.95 x 10.51 in)
Battery
, 55Wh (5100 mAh) Lithium Ionen Akku
Additional features
ATI RS482M, HDD: 80GB, 5400rpm, Hitachi Travelstar 5K100, AD 1981 HD Audio, DVD +/-R (DL) Pioneer DVR-K16,
Weight
2.74 kg ( = 96.65 oz / 6.04 pounds) ( = 0 oz / 0 pounds)
Price
800 Euro

 

HP Compaq nx6325 Image
The Hewlett Packard Compaq nx6325...
HP Compaq nx6325 Image
There are no anomalies regarding surface temperatures.
HP Compaq nx6325 Image
In general the fan is alright, but sometimes it runs at maximum revolutions with no apparent reason.
HP Compaq nx6325 Image
...which can not really compete with Intel CPUs.
HP Compaq nx6325 Image
An AMD Turion 64 X2 works inside...
HP Compaq nx6325 Image
The display is a matt panel with low brightness.
HP Compaq nx6325 Image
The keyboard is alright.
HP Compaq nx6325 Image
...and the order of the USB ports on both sides near the front.
HP Compaq nx6325 Image
Also typical HP is the Cardreaders at the front side...
HP Compaq nx6325 Image
...regarding pressure resistance and flexural rigidity.
HP Compaq nx6325 Image
Still, you can detect smaller weaknesses...
HP Compaq nx6325 Image
...high-quality materials and magnesium parts.
HP Compaq nx6325 Image
These are a good keyboard...
HP Compaq nx6325 Image
...the typical HP advantages.
HP Compaq nx6325 Image
...has despite of its low price...
HP Compaq nx6325 Image
The provided 55Wh battery provides a runtime of up to 4 hours, if the energy settings are optimized.

Pro

  • High-quality materials
  • Keyboard comfortable
  • Good touch pad
  • Non-reflecting display
  • Acceptable temperature emissions and speaker
  • Good maximum runtime and good runtime during WLan usage
  • Contra

  • Slight deflections and creaking noises possible
  • Low resolution, brightness and illumination of the display
  • Moderate performance
  • Fan runs most of the time
  • Low battery runtime under load
  • Similar Notebooks

    Price Comparison

    Ciao HP Compaq nx6325

    Bewertung

    HP nx6325 - 08/31/2007
    J. Simon Leitner

    Chassis
    80%
    Keyboard
    90%
    Pointing Device
    94%
    Connectivity
    84%
    Weight
    79%
    Battery
    70%
    Display
    68%
    Games Performance
    52%
    Application Performance
    85%
    Temperature
    74%
    Noise
    80%
    Add Points
    86%
    Average
    79%
    81%
    Office - Weighted Average
    J. Simon Leitner, 2007-02-18 (Update: 2013-05- 8)