HP's first 13.3-inch Pavilion vs. the competition

HP is shipping its first laptop with a 13.3-inch widescreen display. The HP Pavilion dv3500t series is already available on HP's site starting at $1,000, and a slightly higher-end configuration, the dv3520nr, is available for pre-order at Best Buy for $1,200. Other sites have reported that this model will be a Best Buy exclusive.

The dv3500t series has the same bronze metallic finish and glossy touchpad as other new Pavilion models including the Pavilion dv4 14.1-inch laptop and Pavilion dv7 17-inch desktop replacements. The $1,000 base configuration includes the following specs:

• 13.3-inch WXGA (1,280 x 800) widescreen display
• 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T5800
• 2GB DDR2 memory
• NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS with 512MB
• 160GB hard drive
• SuperMulti 8X DVD
• 32-bit Windows Vista Home Premium SP1

You can upgrade to an LED-backlit display for an additional $100. The dv3520nr has the LED display, as well as a faster processor, twice the memory and a larger hard drive for $200 more.

Many competitors already offer 13.3-inch models, but most of them rely on Intel integrated graphics. Here's how the dv3500t stacks up to the competition for similarly-priced configurations (I did not include the Apple MacBook Air or Lenovo ThinkPad X301, since they start at prices well above $1,000):

Apple MacBook	2.1GHz C2D	1GB	Intel X3100	120GB	DVD-ROM	$1,100
Dell Inspiron 13	2.4GHz C2D T8300	4GB	Intel X3100	320GB	DVD multi	$974
Dell XPS M1330	2.4GHz C2D T8300	4GB	Intel X3100	250GB	DVD multi	$1,000
Lenovo IdeaPad U330	2.0GHz C2D P7350	2GB	Radeon HD3450	250GB	DVD multi	$1,199
Sony VGN-SR190	2.26GHz C2D P8400	1GB	Intel 4500MHD	120GB	DVD multi	$1,300
Toshiba Satellite U405D-S2874	2.1GHz Turion X2	4GB	Radeon 3100	250GB	DVD multi	$950
Toshiba Satellite U405D-S2854	2.0GHz C2D T5750	3GB	Intel X3100	320GB	DVD multi	$950

[Via Laptoping.com]