3. The Spaciousness Of A Luxury Car

The 17" display on the Pavilion dv8000z from HP makes a powerful impression.

Those who, for the first time, use a notebook with a 17" display on their laps or on a desk or table top in front of them will likely be overwhelmed. For one thing, displays of this size are atypical of a notebook PC; for another, the computer's peripherals-especially the keyboard-are sized and arranged just like those on a desktop PC. The sensation is like upgrading from a sub-compact car and driving a luxury car for the first time - minus the new car smell, of course. HP surrounds the keyboard and the quick start buttons immediately above it with a highly polished plastic composite material. At first, users can't help but feel like they've laid their hands on a Steinway grand piano. But this impression fades pretty quickly, once the keyboard deck reveals its extraordinary ability to pick up smudges and scratches.

The smooth, shiny surface surrounding the keyboard is far too easy to smudge and scratch.