Status Update: In May 2020, this machine was recycled. See this post for more info.
This computer brings back plenty of memories for two reasons. My first experience with modern (post-Win95) operating systems was with Windows XP. Our elementary school used Windows XP, which offered my first experiences with the internet and Microsoft Office (2003.) The other reason is my family’s first modern computer was an HP Pavilion, although it ran Windows Vista Home Premium.
Personally, I’m not the hugest fan of HP computers. HP computers are often filled with bloatware, such as WildTangent games and anti-virus programs you’d never want to use, therefore wasting space on your hard drive. However, their printers are excellent – but that is a totally different subject altogether.
I acquired the XPavilion from a client who wanted to have the computer removed. Sadly, the XPavilion has some bad capacitors, which is “normal” (unfortunately) for computers of that era. However, the machine still works fine. (In the power supply itself, there are some capacitors which hold onto a charge for a good minute.) I don’t believe that I’m going to replace the capacitors, as I’m not willing to invest the time or money into saving this machine. (I also feel that the XPavilion would be an excellent sleeper machine. I could just imagine the look on many peoples faces as you bring this thing to a LANParty. Game like its 2003?!?)
I think it is worthwhile to understand that the XPavilion is not being upgraded as it brings back memories from the days when I used Windows XP on a daily basis. It is a nice way to sit down and play 3D Pinball or use BMM. This is the core reason that most people, especially those who grew up in the heydays of personal computers (1980s and 1990s), collect older computers.
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XPavilion (HP Pavilion) Specifications
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| Processor | AMD Sempron 3000+ @ 1.81 GHz |
| Hard Drive (Storage) | 30GB hard drive (IDE) |
| Memory (RAM) | 384MB |
| Displays | VGA |
| Optical Drive | 1 (CD-Burner) |
| USB Ports | 6 |
| Other Ports | PS/2 mouse/keyboard ports, Serial, Firewire, etc. |
| Internet Connectivity | Built-in dial-up modem |
| Other special features | Piezoelectric buzzer, legacy ports |
| Operating System | Windows XP Home Edition |
| Usage | nostalgia trips and BMM |
