HP DM3 with dual-core AMD and hybrid graphics – quick hands-on video

Got the chance yesterday to play with a dual-core AMD equipped portable laptop, the HP DM3 2040ea . Unfortunately, I only had it for an hour and did not had the chance to give it a proper review, although I would have loved to, as this is the first notebook with the new generation AMD hardware I get my hands on. However, I did managed to run a couple of synthetic tests and shoot a quick hands-on video.

Of course, the DM3 is not new on the market, but this version I had is. In fact, this exact version is only available in Europe from what I know, at least for the time being.

I’m not going to insist on aspect and design, the clip below will tell you more about this. I do have to say that this is one of the most solid 13.3 inch machines available on the market and the aluminum casing with a special design looks quite good.

HP DM3 - nice looks, solid built and ergonomic layout

Aluminum casing on this 13 incher

Also, the Full-Size chiclet keyboard managed to impress me in the short time I used it and the trackpad, although glossy, was not that bad either.

Keyboard and trackpad

Now, specs are what’s really special about this HP DM3. Like I said, it boosts:

• dual-core AMD Neo K325 1.3 GHz processor
• 4 GB DDR3 memory
• hybrid graphics: integrated ATI HD 4225 and dedicated ATI HD 5340 chips
• 500 GB hard-drive
• 4xUSB ports, external USB DVD writer
• Windows 7 Home Premium
• 6 Cell battery

Now, this config should be quite good. In terms of CPU power, the K325 ain’t that great and can’t be compared with Intel’s Arrandale platforms. But, those switchable graphics are nice, especially if you plan to try some games from time to time on your portable laptop.

Nice keyboard and an included external DVD writer

Still, there’s a big problem: you have to switch between cards manually, unlike on ION, where Optimus automatically and seamlessly picks the needed chip based on the apps your run. Theoretically you will not have to close all your apps when changing between graphic solutions, but sometimes that might be required.

Now, like I said, I had no time to test games on this one. Still, you should expect to play even some of the modern titles, as performances seem overall better than what we got on ION equipped machines with dual-core ATOM processors. Here are the results for the tests i managed to run:

• PCMark Vantage 64 bit – 2739 points
• 3Dmark Vantage – E3587 ( gpu 4671 points, cpu 2115 points )

That’s all i can offer for now unfortunately, hopefully I will get my hands on this DM3 again in the near future, but I highly doubt it.

Also see the clip below for more info on this HP, plus details on how you can change between graphic solutions.

Once again, sry that I can’t provide more thorough tests, the limited time I had with this dual-core AMD only allowed that much.

Like I said, this particular HP is available in Europe for now. In UK, it goes for around 570 pounds. Now, I do not know if HP plan to bring this DM3 to the States but hopefully it will and we should expect prices around 600-700 bucks, so it should compete with Core i5/i3 machines already available in the 13.3 inch class.

Tags: dual core processor, HP

Last updated: March 27, 2012 | Published: October 7th, 2010 | See the comments or add yours!