Review HP Compaq Presario CQ58-350SG Notebook and battery life

Case

The CQ58-350sg uses the same case as the CQ58-148sg. For this case HP uses black plastic. The backside of the screen as well as the palm rest have a shiny surface. The rest of the surface is in matte black. The shiny surface is especially susceptible to fingerprints. The cases of the Samsung and Aspire computers are also completely made of plastic. ASUS Eee PC 1025CE Battery

The base-unit only gives in slightly under pressure. However, around the touchpad it can be bent. For a laptop of this price segment, the torsional rigidity is also more than acceptable. While the base-unit is solid, it is a different matter with the lid. It can be noticeably twisted. Especially in the middle it can be pushed in to a point where image alterations can be observed. The hinges keep the lid tightly in its position. It is not possible to open the lid with only one hand. ASUS Eee PC 1015 Battery

Performance

 

The AMD APU used in the CQ58-350sg is not designed for high performance, but for low energy consumption. However, the processor can handle daily tasks like internet communication, editing, internet browsing and playing videos. Even Full HD videos (1920x1,080 pixels, H.264-coding) can be watched. The integrated decoder (UVD3) carries out the main part of playback. We have tested playback with the DXVA Checker tool and established a CPU usage of 10%. ASUS Eee PC 1015B Battery

The CQ58-350sg is currently available for about 340 to 400 Euros (~$443 to $521). HP sells countless more models inside the CQ58-series – with Intel as well as AMD technology.

Processor
Inside the CQ58-350sg is an AMD E1-1200 APU. The CPU part of the APU consists of a dual-core processor which runs at a speed of 1.4 GHz. There is no turbo available.

The results of the Cinebench benchmarks hold no surprises: The CPU runs through all tests at 1.4 GHz, which causes the results to fall into the expected area. The CQ58-350sg scores lower in the CPU tests than the Samsung laptop (AMD E2-1800, Radeon HD 7470M) and the Aspire (Pentium B960, HD Graphics). This is due to the fact that the HP notebook is fitted with the weakest CPU. In the GL tests, the HP notebook again cannot keep up with its competitors. The only time it can keep up with the Aspire is in the GL test of Cinebench R11.5. Owing to its dedicated GPU the 355E5C always leaves both competitors far behind. ASUS Eee PC 1015BX Battery

System Performance
Basically, the system runs smoothly. It only starts to struggle when the built in APU is overtaxed. This happens, for example, when too many browser windows are simultaneously open. You always have to keep in mind that the advantage of the AMD APU is low energy consumption and it is not classed as a powerful processor. The result of the PC Mark 7 Benchmark lies where we expected to find to after numerous tests of this specific APU. Once again, it is no surprise to find the 355E5C (AMD E2-1800, Radeon HD 7470M) and the Aspire (Pentium B960, HD Graphics) ahead of the HP computer. Both laptops are equipped with more potent hardware. ASUS Eee PC 1015C Battery

Gaming Performance
Those looking for a gaming notebook should avoid the CQ58-350sg. The integrated AMD APU is not suitable for playing current 3D games. The games do not even run smoothly with a low resolution and on low quality settings. Even a game like FIFA 13, which has very low hardware demands, cannot be played. Unfortunately, fitting a second memory module would not increase the frame rate, because the memory control of the notebook only supports single-channel mode.

Those looking for a low-priced and gaming-grade 15.6-inch notebook should have a closer look at the Acer Aspire E1-571G (Core i3-3110M, GeForce GT 620M) or the HP Pavilion g6-2200sg (Pentium B980, Radeon HD 7670M). ASUS Eee PC 1015CX Battery

Communication
The WLAN-module of the HP laptop is from Ralink and supports the WLAN-standards 802.11 b/g/n. The WLAN reception varies tremendously. Even within a close distance (about 3 meters) of the router, the Windows WLAN display swings between two and five bars – depending on how the notebook is positioned. The reason is found inside the laptop: HP uses only one WLAN antenna for its cost-effective notebooks – and this is also the same for the CQ58-350sg. At least two antennas should be used as standard. HP also fails to shine in the area of cable-supported networks, because only one Fast-Ethernet chip was fitted into the CQ58-350sg. A Gigabit-Ethernet chip ought to be included by today's standards. The webcam delivers slightly washed-out pictures up to a resolution of 320x240 pixels. ASUS Eee PC 1015P Battery

Accessories
Accessories are limited: Beside a quick-start poster, you will find a list of worldwide telephone numbers for HP support and a short manual for Windows 8.

Operating System and Recovery
HP delivers the CQ58-350sg with a preinstalled version of Windows 8 (64 Bit). A Windows DVD is not included. You can make a set of recovery DVDs with the HP Recovery Manager. Alternatively, HP offers the possibility to buy the corresponding DVD. The recovery DVD contains the operating system and also all drivers and preinstalled software. The price is currently about 38 Euros (~$49). The recovery medium can be ordered here. You need the product number of the notebook to order (which is stated on the packaging). ASUS Eee PC 1015PD Battery

In case of a defect, the operating system can be repaired with the help of the Windows 8 recovery system. To start it, you need to press the F11 key right after turning the notebook on. Besides repairing it, you can also set it back to factory settings or reinstall completely. ASUS Eee PC 1015PDG Battery

There is no support from HP if the preinstalled Windows 8 is replaced with Windows 7. HP only offers drivers for Windows 8. Many of the Windows 8 drivers should also operate under Windows 7. Only trial-and-error can show which drivers will work and which won't. Do not forget: Before deleting Windows 8, make a set of recovery DVDs.

Maintenance
The memory, hard drive, WLAN-module and BIOS battery are behind two maintenance covers. There is no access to the fans. ASUS Eee PC 1015PDT Battery

The CQ59-350sg is equipped with two memory slots. One slot is occupied by a 4 GB module. The memory can be extended up to 8 GB (manufacturer's information). Even with a second module, the memory does not operate in dual-channel mode, because the memory controller does not support it in this mode. It's easy to replace the hard drive. Only the fixing screws need to be loosened and the hard drive can be taken out. We had a 7mm hard drive in our test device. However, you can also use the common 9.5 mm hard drives. The frame of the hard drive can be attached to both types. ASUS Eee PC 1015PDX Battery

Warranty
Buyers of the CQ58-350sg have to be content with a 12 month bring-in guarantee. If a repair is required the owner sends the notebook to HP. Buyers of the Samsung or the Aspire laptop are better off. Both devices are equipped with a 24 month guarantee. The guarantee of the HP computer can be extended up to two or three years – including pick-up service. Extensions cost 60 to 100 Euros respectively (~$78 to $130). On HP's website all guarantee extensions are listed and can be bought in conjunction with the product number. ASUS Eee PC 1015PE Battery

Power Consumption
Since the HP computer only employs an economical AMD APU, the power consumption is rather low. During idle, we ascertain between 7.7 and 12.4 Watt. The power consumption of the Samsung notebook (9.7 to 15.3 Watt) turns out to be slightly higher, while the Aspire (6.9 to 12.8 Watt) roughly draws level with the CQ59-350sg. During medium load (3D Mark 2006 running) or full load (Prime95 and Furmark running), the HP notebook appears to be the most economical with 23.1 to 29.4 Watt. The Aspire (32.6 to 51.6 Watt) as well as the 355E5C (35.2 to 43.9 Watt) are less economical. ASUS Eee PC 1015PEB Battery

Battery Runtime
During idle, the CQ58-350sg achieves a runtime of 8:33 h. The 355E5C (6:07 h) and the Aspire (6:10 h) lie far behind. The runtime during idle is determined by the Battery Eater Reader's Test. The screen is running with minimum brightness, the energy saving profile is activated and all radio modules are turned off. Under full load, the battery does not quit until 2:15 h. This places the HP laptop behind the Samsung notebook (2:47 h) but far in front of the Aspire (1:13 h). We use the Battery Eater Classic Test to ascertain the runtime under full load. The screen is running with maximum brightness, high-performance profile and radio modules are activated. ASUS Eee PC 1015PED Battery

The more relevant WLAN test ends after 4:22 h. The 355E5C (3:51 h) and the Aspire (3:55 h) have to end their operations earlier. During the WLAN test, websites are automatically opened for 40-second intervals. The energy saving profile is active and the display brightness is set to 150 cd/m². One charge of the battery provides DVD playback time of 3:51 h. Once again, the competitors (Samsung: 3:24 h, Acer: 3:10 h) fail to keep up. The DVD test is conducted with activated energy saving profile (or a higher profile, if the DVD does not run smoothly), full screen brightness and deactivated radio modules. ASUS Eee PC 1015PEG Battery

The HP Compaq CQ58-350sg offers low energy consumption, low case temperature, moderate system noise and good battery runtimes. Despite those advantages, it is difficult to recommend buying this notebook. The low-contrast screen is not very convincing and neither is the twelve-month guarantee. Additionally, latest interfaces are missing from the device (USB 3.0, Gigabit-Ethernet). ASUS Eee PC 1015PEM Battery

If low energy consumption is not the main purchase criterion then there are better notebooks in the price segment of 300 to 400 Euros (~$391 to $521). For example, the Dell Vostro 2520 offers better battery runtimes and much more computing power. The Acer Aspire E1-531 is suitable for when a good display is needed. The Aspire's high-contrast screen is difficult to come by in this price segment. Anyone who prefers a matte screen should turn to the Samsung 355E5C-S02DE .