19. Service & Support

HP offers a one-year parts and labor warranty on all dv8000z series models, including return of equipment to HP, as well as authorized service provider options. The warranty also includes one year of 24x7 toll-free technical support in English or Spanish, plus one-hour e-mail assistance and real-time chat through a Web site that integrates right into Windows XP's built-in Help and Support Center. There is also a supporting Web site that offers fast and convenient access to product diagnostics, FAQs and other information. Then, too, those willing to spend more for peace of mind can buy an HP extended service (express repair) plan for a one-, two- or three-year period. These plans can be purchased with or without supplementary accidental damage coverage.

Not every problem requires a call to the help desk, however. Driver problems may often be handled using only the capable, friendly and somewhat unique to Hewlett-Packard laptops and notebooks HP Software Update utility.

The HP Software Update utility makes updating drivers a snap.

We assume that you have a working Internet connection. In that case, you only have to click the F1 key while Windows is running. This pops up a window giving you access to HP's web-based Service and Support area. Because HP makes higher bandwidth available to those who connect to its download servers, updates are not only easy, they are also quick - provided, of course, you have a broadband connection.

Drivers for Pavilion dv8000z notebooks are easy to find on HP's Website.

In our own testing, we were able to download drivers very quickly from HP's Support Website.