HP Pavilion Media Centre M7510.uk review

Gather the family to watch TV on a budget media centre PC

The package we reviewed doesn't include a monitor

TechRadar Verdict

The price is certainly attractive, but this doesn't mean there aren't sacrifices to be made

Pros

  • +

    Superb value

Cons

  • -

    Weak hardware

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

No, it's not a mistake, this really is a Windows Media Center system, complete with digital/analog TV tuner (see www.comet.co.uk). This isn't quite the bargain it seems, though, because the package we reviewed doesn't include a monitor.

Whether you opt for the with-monitor package from Comet (£699) or take control and pick the display of your choice, it still should be a very reasonably priced system.

The low price and excellent TV tuner aren't the only selling points. The 16x dual-layer DVD writer includes LightScribe technology. It's a slow process and you need special (and more expensive) media, but it does give your discs a stylish look.

The Pavilion is also supplied with a thoughtful range of bundled software. Works 8.0 handles simple home office-type requirements, a 60-day version of Norton Internet Security keeps you safe online, there's various recovery software to help recover from any disasters and extras such as the Google toolbar come preinstalled.

This is all very useful, but there's is a price to pay for this and after using the system for a while you begin to realise what it is.

Very basic hardware

The M7510.uk scores highly on family-friendly extras, but doesn't do so well when it comes to hardware. The CPU is a basic Pentium D 820, which is slow by modern standards. There's only 1GB of RAM (the minimum needed to run Vista), a smallish 200GB hard drive and a single optical drive.

The 256MB GeForce 7300LE graphics card represents the most serious problem, because it only scraped 1,562 in 3DMark 2005. That's just about enough to play 3D games, but you'll have to reduce resolution and quality settings to achieve an acceptable frame rate, and even then the results may not be impressive.

Overall, the M7510.uk isn't a great performer, but it does just well enough in every area to be acceptable. Furthermore, the inclusion of the TV tuner makes this a handy entertainment PC for the whole family.

TOPICS

Tech.co.uk was the former name of TechRadar.com. Its staff were at the forefront of the digital publishing revolution, and spearheaded the move to bring consumer technology journalism to its natural home – online. Many of the current TechRadar staff started life a Tech.co.uk staff writer, covering everything from the emerging smartphone market to the evolving market of personal computers. Think of it as the building blocks of the TechRadar you love today. 

Latest in Pro
Representational image of a shrouded hacker.
Adapting the UK’s cyber ecosystem
Isometric demonstrating multi-factor authentication using a mobile device.
NCSC gets influencers to sing the praises of 2FA
Sam Altman and OpenAI
OpenAI is upping its bug bounty rewards as security worries rise
Context Windows
Why are AI context windows important?
BERT
What is BERT, and why should we care?
A person holding out their hand with a digital AI symbol.
AI is booming — but are businesses seeing real impact?
Latest in Reviews
Product shots for the Xiaomi Poco X7 Ultra review
I spent a month testing the Xiaomi Poco F7 Ultra, a top-end mid-ranger that masquerades as a flagship
The Kiwi design K4 Boost Battery strap being worn by Hamish
I test VR headsets for a living, and this affordable headstrap is the first Meta Quest 3 accessory you should buy
Both Kiwi design G4 Pro Performance Controller Grips
I thought VR controller grips were pointless until this Meta Quest 3 accessory proved me wrong
The Kiwi design H4 Boost Halo Battery Strap
Want to upgrade your VR headset? Look no further than my new favorite Meta Quest 3 headstrap
WithSecure Elements EPP and EDR main image
I tested the WithSecure Elements EPP and EDR - read how I rated this Endpoint Protection for small business
The RIG M2 Streamstar.
I wanted to love the new RIG M2 Streamstar, but this pricey gaming microphone fails to deliver