HP Pavilion
| Company type | Product line |
|---|---|
| Industry | Computer hardware |
| Predecessor | HP Vectra, OmniBook (business lines) |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Founder | Hewlett-Packard |
| Successor | HP Omni (rebranding from 2024) |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Desktop computers, laptop computers |
| Parent | Hewlett-Packard, later HP Inc. |
HP Pavilion represents a series of consumer-focused personal computers initially manufactured by Hewlett-Packard and subsequently by its successor, HP Inc. Launched in 1995, the Pavilion brand has encompassed both desktop and laptop models aimed primarily at home users and small office environments.
Following HP’s acquisition of Compaq in 2002, the company marketed consumer computers under both the HP Pavilion and Presario brands until 2013.
History
The debut of the HP Pavilion line occurred in August 1995 with the release of the HP Pavilion 5030, an IBM PC–compatible desktop tailored for multimedia applications and household use. This model was equipped with a 75 MHz Intel Pentium processor, 8 MB of RAM, an 850 MB hard drive, a quad-speed CD-ROM drive, and Altec Lansing speakers, and it came pre-installed with Windows 95. This launch marked HP’s strategic move into consumer PCs designed specifically for multimedia functionality.
Prior to introducing Pavilion, HP concentrated on business-oriented systems such as the HP Vectra desktops and OmniBook laptops. Concurrently with Pavilion’s rollout, HP developed infrared transceiver technology that allowed wireless data transfer between devices like printers and ATMs. Additionally, Dave Packard authored The HP Way, which detailed HP’s corporate culture and management principles.
After acquiring Compaq—famous for its Presario consumer line—in May 2002, HP maintained sales of both its own and Compaq-branded consumer machines until 2013.
In May 2024, HP declared intentions to phase out the Pavilion brand along with others such as Envy and Spectre, streamlining its consumer product lines under a revitalized Omni brand including names like OmniBook, OmniStudio, and OmniDesk. This rebranding revives the OmniBook name that was discontinued following the 2002 Compaq merger. The new Omni series places a strong focus on incorporating advanced AI capabilities within its computing devices.
Desktops
As of 2012, HP’s portfolio includes approximately 30 customizable desktop models featuring various categories: 5 standard HP Pavilion desktops, 4 Slimline versions, 6 High Performance Edition (HPE) units, 5 "Phoenix" HPE Gaming editions*, along with 5 Touchsmart and 5 All-In-One models.
The early 2020s saw the introduction of the HP Pavilion Gaming lineup aimed at cost-conscious gamers through both desktops and laptops, effectively succeeding the previous "Phoenix" HPE Gaming brand.
Current desktop offerings
(Note: Information accurate as of November 2012)
- HP Pavilion: p7m, p7z, p7t, p7xt, p7qe
- HP Pavilion Slimline: s5m, s5t, s5z, s5xt
- HP Pavilion HPE (High Performance Edition): h8m, h8t, h8z, h8xt, h8qe, h8se
- HP Pavilion HPE Phoenix (Gaming): h9-1100z, h9-1120t, h9-1150t, h9-1170t, h9-1135, h9-1200ex *(non-customizable)
- HP Pavilion Wave: 600t
- HP Touchsmart PC: 310z, 610z, 610t, 610xt, 610 Quad
- HP Omni Series (All-In-One): 100z, 100t, 200t, 200xt, 200 Quad
Former desktop models
Notable past desktops released under the Pavilion brand include:
- HP Pavilion: a255c, a445c, a1740n; a6560t/z; a6510t; a6400z series; a000 (Panther/Jaguar), a1000 (Mojave/Gobi), a6000/p6000 (Venus/Venus2)
- HP Pavilion Slimline: s3100n through s7350n series
- HP Pavilion Media Center: a1330n to m8200n series
- HP Pavilion Elite/HPE: m9000 to m9400 series including d5000 and e9300z variants
- HP Pavilion Ultimate: d4999 series
- HP Touchsmart: iq770t up to the 600 Quad series
- HP Pavilion All in One/Omni: from 23SE to MS220z series
Model number suffixes
Suffixes attached to model numbers reveal the processor type or target market segment:
- t: Intel CPU
- z: AMD CPU
- qe: Quad Edition
- sb: Small Business Series
- se: Special Edition
- y: Configure To Order (CTO)
Country identifiers include:
- us: United States
- ca: Canada
- br: Brazil
- la: Latin America
- ap: Asia Pacific
- Various other codes designate European and Asia/Australia markets
These suffixes help distinguish products by region and configuration.
Overheating problems
HP Pavilion Slimline desktop models employ small form factor chassis, which restricts internal airflow, often leading to rapid temperature increases.
Notebooks
HP’s Pavilion series also encompasses laptops, with some units marketed under the Compaq Presario brand until 2013. Customization options for Pavilion notebooks are limited to the U.S. market, whereas internationally diverse configurations are available.
Previous notebook models
- 20.1 inch: HDX9000
- 18.4 inch: HDX18t / dv8t
- 17.3 inch: ENVY 17 3D / ENVY 17 / dv7t / G72t / g7
- 17.0 inch: dv7 / g70t / dv9000 / dv8000 / zd8000 / zd7000
- 16.0 inch: HP G60-445DX
- 15.6 inch: Compaq Presario (CQ60/CQ62z), dv6t / dv6z / dv6zae (Artist Edition 2), HDX16t, G60t, G62t, G62m, g6, m6, along with multiple 15-p and 15-r series variants
- 15.4 inch: dv5 / dv6000 / dv5000 / dv4000 / zv6000 / zv5000 / zx5000 / ze5000 / ze4000 / zt3000
- 15.0 inch: ze2000 / ze1000 / zt1000 / ze5170
- 14.5 inch: ENVY 14
- 14.3 inch: dv1658
- 14.1 inch: dv4t / dv4z / dv4tse / dv2000 series / dv1000 series
- 14.0 inch: dm4t / dm4x / G4t
- 13.3 inch: dm3t / Voodoo Envy 133 / dv3t / dv3z / dv3500t
- 12.1 inch: dv2z; Tablet PC models include tx series / TouchSmart tx2z / tm2t
- 11.6 inch: dm1z
HP Pavilion x2
The HP Pavilion x2 lineup features various models spanning several generations of Intel processors.
- 10.1 inch: HP Pavilion x2 Detachable (1280 x 800 touchscreen)
HP Mini
- 10.1 inch: HP Mini 1000 (Mi/XP/Mobile Broadband Wireless/Vivienne Tam editions), HP Mini 210, HP Mini 110 (Mi/XP)
- 8.9 inch: HP Mini 1000 (Mi/XP/Mobile Broadband Wireless)
Model number suffixes
Two- or three-letter suffixes appended to model numbers provide insight into processor type or market focus (e.g., dv----xx). Important suffixes include:
- t: Intel processor
- z: AMD processor
- ae: Artist Edition
- bw: Broadband Wireless series
- sb: Small Business series
- se: Special Edition (such as "Intensity" in dv4tse)
- qe: Quad Edition (featuring quad-core CPUs)
The HP Pavilion HDX line was exclusively offered with Intel processors but lacks a suffix; conversely, the Pavilion TX tablet PC line utilized AMD processors and ends with "z".
Regional suffixes specify the sales territory:
- us: United States
- ca: Canada
- la: Latin America
- br: Brazil
- ea / ee / [e + other letter]: Europe and Middle East regions
- eo / so / no: Scandinavia
- ec / sc / nc: Czech Republic and Slovakia
- au / ax: Asia/Australia - AMD processors (AU = AMD with UMA graphics; AX = AMD with discrete graphics)
- tu / tx: Asia/Australia - Intel processors (TU = Intel with UMA graphics; TX = Intel with discrete graphics)
- ap: Asia Pacific region
Additional suffixes identify retail channels:
- nr: no rebate models
- cl: club store editions (e.g., Costco, Sam's Club)
- wm: sold at Walmart
- dx: offered through Best Buy
- od: available at Office Depot
- st: sold via Staples
- tg: distributed by Target
HP Imprint
HP Imprint represented a high-gloss surface finish for laptops, developed in collaboration with Japan's Nissha Printing Co., and was unveiled in May 2006 alongside new HP Pavilion models. This finish employed sophisticated molding methods often used in premium automotive interiors and mobile phone casings, embedding durable and visually appealing designs directly into the laptop chassis.
In June 2008, HP launched HP Imprint 2, which introduced a liquid-metallic aesthetic along with a wider array of distinctive patterns, while retaining the original's cutting-edge molding technology.
Between 2006 and 2009, HP Imprint was applied to multiple models as follows:
- HP Imprint (2006–2008)
- Wave: dv9000, dv6000, dv2000, tx1000
- Digi Code: Compaq Presario v3000
- Trace: Compaq Presario v6700TX
- Radiance: dv9700, dv9500, dv6700, dv6500, dv2700, dv2500
- Influx: dv6700tse, dv6500tse, dv2842se
- Dragon: HDX9000
- Verve: dv2700tse
- Echo: tx2000z, tx2500z
- Thrive: dv6800tse
- Artist Edition: dv2800tae, dv2890nr, dv2990nr
- HP Imprint 2 (2008–2009)
- Meshy: dv7, dv6, dv5, dv4, dv3000
- Unity: Compaq Presario CQ20
- Glossy Black Finish: Compaq Presario CQ70/CQ50/CQ40
- Fluid: HDX18t, HDX16t
- Intensity: dv4tse
- Renewal: dv5tse
- Intersect: dv7, dv5, dv4, dv3500, dv3
- Swirl: HP Mini 1000 (Mi/XP/Mobile Broadband Wireless)
- Peony: HP Mini 1000 (Vivienne Tam)
- Reaction: HP TouchSmart tx2z
- Moonlight: dv7, dv4, dv2z, dv6
- Espresso: dv7, dv4, dv2z, dv6
Notebook artwork competition
In late 2007, HP collaborated with MTV to organize an international contest aimed at creating exclusive case artwork for a limited edition HP notebook PC. The event ran from September 5 to October 17 and received more than 8,500 entries from participants across 112 countries. The winning submission titled "Asian Odyssey," created by João Oliveira from Porto, Portugal, was showcased on the special "Artist Edition" HP Pavilion dv2800tae series laptop. A follow-up competition produced the design "Engine Room" by Hisako Sakihama of Japan, which was also featured on an HP notebook.
Specialized features
Certain Pavilion dv series laptops incorporated HP's Linux-based QuickPlay software that allowed users to start music or DVD playback swiftly—approximately within 12 seconds—with multimedia controls accessible via remote control. A version compatible with Windows offered comparable functionality. However, models shipped with Windows Vista discontinued QuickPlay’s direct boot feature due to compatibility limitations but maintained multimedia capabilities within the Windows environment. Eventually, QuickPlay was phased out and replaced by HP MediaSmart Software on all HP desktops and notebooks beginning in 2009.
Overheating issues
Several late-2000s HP Pavilion laptops experienced hardware malfunctions linked to overheating problems impacting components such as Wi-Fi modules, graphics processors, and system booting. HP acknowledged this as a hardware defect affecting specific models within the dv2000, dv6000, and dv9000 series and provided complimentary repairs. Some users resolved the problem by resoldering Nvidia GPUs because excessive heat caused solder joints to melt. Additionally, in 2009 HP issued a recall for over 70,000 batteries due to overheating hazards.