Boasting an AMD 64 bit X2 Processor and 2GB of RAM, the new Vista powered DV6500z entices the big-box-store-shopper with its inexpensive multimedia capabilities.

The idea ofusing a laptop with their home's entertainment center might notbe mainstream just yet in the States. People with fancyhome-theater setups might tap into a laptop's multimediapotential, but the average user is still happy watching DVDs ontheir laptop on long flights rather than in their livingroom. TheHP Pavilion dv6500z might go a ways to change that.

Starting ata mere $649, the new Pavilion beckons the big-box-store-shoppinggeneral public with its affordable multimedia capabilities. Ofcourse, once you shop a little deeper for the HP, you realizethat, to actually get some value out of this HPPavilion, the price tag might need to be raised toplus-$1,000 with the necessary options.

For that extra change, you get the dedicated graphics card-annVidia 8400M GS-that, along with the nVidia nForce 630M chipset,AMD Turion 64 X2 Dual-Core TL-60 microprocessor and 2 GB of RAM,can really let the Windows Vista Home Premium work its multimediamojo on your high-def television, DVDs and even gaming.

It also helps in the home theater front that the HP Paviliondv6500z has a HDMI port, the premier hookup for HD devices. Andfor the rest of your devices-HD or otherwise-the Pavilion isaccessible to most anything. It comes with VGA and S-Videooutputs, as well as a 5-in-1 media card reader, three USB portsand an Expresscard slot.

Of course, even at that price level, you can't expect a blazingfast gamingnotebook. But we're still talking mainstream, where the HPPavilion dv6500z holds its own.