HP G56-130SA reviews: Laptop computer

Here’s a list of the questions other shoppers have asked owners of the HP G56-130SA

1. Does it have an integrated webcam? Specs say that it does, but I've seen pictures and there doesn't seem to be one.
   
   Emyr asked on 12 Feb 2011
   1. Yes it does - in the top edge of the screen. I have not had occasion to use it yet although I do expect to in conjunction with Skype.
      
      Hope this helps you?!
      
      Yours aye - Don
      
      Donald replied on 15 Feb 2011

       
   2. Apparently it does, haven't worked out how to use it yet though!
      
      Janet replied on 15 Feb 2011

       
   3. My son has used the webcam on MSN & Skype & seems to work fine - hope this helps?
      
      Su replied on 16 Feb 2011

       
2. A few people say that the battery life is "Poor". What is considered "Poor"? I know people with laptops that last only one hour, others last seven or eight. Can anyone tell me roughly how long the battery has lasted for them?
   (P.S. I know battery life is affected by activities - internet browsing using wireless will use more, audio and video will use more, etc. so I am just looking for a rough idea for day-to-day word processing / working sort of thing.
   
   Royston asked on 14 Feb 2011
   1. bat life approx 4hrs
      
      jean replied on 14 Feb 2011

       
   2. I agree with the above post. My battery tends to last around 4 hours and that's with wireless etc
      
      Amanda replied on 14 Feb 2011

       
   3. I would not disagree with Amanda 4 hours but I usually run on the mains chaeger as I'm in a wheelchair or bed most of the time.
      
      Aubrey replied on 15 Feb 2011

       
3. Is it worth the money? As I need a Lee laptop because mine is smashed but unsure because of the price.
   
   Rach asked on 26 Feb 2011
   1. Hi Rach,
      
      We use a number of these machines for business use and they are very user friendly and great for working with multiple applications at any time. They are easier to work with than the similar Dell or Samsung computers that we have in the office.
      
      I would definitely recommend it.
      
      Wayne replied on 28 Feb 2011

       
4. Does it come with any kind of warranty?
   
   Lou asked on 01 Mar 2011
   1. yes 12 mths
      
      jean replied on 02 Mar 2011

       
   2. I belive it does have a standard 12 month warranty but I would need to check the documentation to be sure.
      
      Mark replied on 02 Mar 2011

       
5. Hi,
   
   I'm looking at a laptop for gaming, namely things like Football Manager, Call of Duty, Flight sim 2004, Command and Conquer.
   Does this laptop suit high spec gaming?
   
   Kieron asked on 11 Mar 2011
   1. Hi Kieron,
      
      I use this laptop for casual gaming, but only for two and works great. Based on that, I imagine it'd be fine for you to play since this laptop has a large amount of memory, as well as a decent enough graphics processor. Not the best, but fair for playing.
      
      Saying that, if you're going to use this laptop day in day out for gaming specifically you're going to want something on the top range of gaming laptops but paying around £1000+
      
      I've heard great things about Acer Aspire 6530G laptop for gaming, excellent support system, big screen and high specification so you may want to look into that for better gaming results anyway. It's also at a great price!
      
      Hope that helped somewhat!
      
      Charlotte replied on 14 Mar 2011

       
   2. Hi
      
      I don't user the laptop for gaming as I have an Xbox but I do use it to watch catch up TV and I have to say that the clarity is super. The screen is very sharp and the power is great.
      
      
      Tracy replied on 14 Mar 2011

       
6. What is the sound/speaker quality like? Obviously I'm not expecting cinema quality or anything, but is the volume good? Not too tinny etc?
   
   Katie asked on 11 Mar 2011
   1. I have found the sound to be fine for listening to music/watching programmes etc. Sorry I am not much of an expert so I guess my standards for these things are very low. The volume doesn't go very loud, but is definately ok for general use. All in all I would say the noise is more then adaqute for watching TV/Films but less so for music - that said I have plug in speakers which I use for speakers so this is an option to improve sound quality.
      
      Amanda replied on 14 Mar 2011

       
   2. i have to reduce sound level to 20% of max for comfort & i am almost deaf . i'mvery satisfied with my g 56.it;s light fast.
      
      Aubrey replied on 15 Mar 2011

       
7. can you plug a television in to it
   
   mike asked on 11 Mar 2011
   1. yes i do it with mine but you need to buy the leads i watch films streamthe football ect ect
      
      jean replied on 16 Mar 2011

       
8. im looking for a laptop that is good at everything really as i need it for college work, web browsing and i also play games. so i want to know if you would recommend it and is it fast and are the aesthetics good eg: shell and buttons
   
   Ryan asked on 12 Mar 2011
   1. Hi, mainly use for work and really quick for my purpose, all good - the only downfall for me was that it's taking me a little while to get used to Windows 7, previously used XP.
      
      andrew replied on 16 Mar 2011

       
   2. Hi Ryan,
      
      It really is a great all rounder for the things you want it to do. The only thing, the keyboard is a lot smaller than most and the mouse buttons are a bit of a pain since they're quite stiff. I got a wireless mouse so not really an issue. Either way, it's very smart looking!
      
      Hope that helps somewhat!
      
      Charlotte replied on 17 Mar 2011

       
9. is it any good for putting photos / video onto dvd?
   
   rebecca asked on 14 Mar 2011
   1. Yes, I have put some photos onto a DVD and that was very speedy, no problems there, but I don't know about a video...
      
      Thomas replied on 15 Mar 2011

       
10. Im intrested in buying this laptop, from wht i checked in the specs and compared with other laptops it seems to be worth its money, buti wouldn't know unless i tried it .. What do you people think also .. hows the processing speed? its seems to have alot of programmes does it not slow it down?
    
    Cery asked on 15 Mar 2011
    1. You can run quite a bit without slowdown, but i guess that it depends on what the programmes are. I can run multiple internet browsers with windows media and skype open without any slowdown . Quite often i can run a full screen application games which are quite consuming with windows media player in the background all without problem. Ive had the laptop over a month now, and am still very happy with it. I think for what you pay for what you get its worth it.
       
       Hope this helps
       
       Andrew replied on 16 Mar 2011

        
11. Please Help... i am a music producer and was looking for a fairly high spec laptop with big memory and good RAM.. i found this one, and HAVE already placed an order..
    does anybody know, if this sort of laptop is good for using to make music and using many CPU intensive applications at the same time. and also how is the general internet conncectivity like speed-wise?
    
    JNp (also youtube me!)
    
    Asam asked on 19 Mar 2011
    1. Hi,Asam. connection to net is very quick, I have no experience re music.A.
       
       Aubrey replied on 25 Mar 2011

        
    2. I support Aubrey's view that I/net connections are fast. I also download MP3 music easily but have no experience of composing music on this laptop.
       
       Regards - Don M
       
       Donald replied on 11 Apr 2011

        
12. I have looked at the picture and can someone confirm if the built in mouse have a left and right click because to me it just looks like its one button.
    
    Andy asked on 23 Mar 2011
    1. Yes it's both. It is just one continuous looking button, but both sides are the corresponding clicks :)
       
       Leanne replied on 26 Mar 2011

        
13. I am interested in buying this laptop as it appears to have good CPU and RAM at a competitive price. My question is I want to use this when I am away from home so will have to use it with WiFi. This would be my first laptop and I know absolutely nothing about WiFi. Can anyone offer their experiences with using this with WiFi, also any advice on which dongle provider etc would be great. The place where I will use the laptop has free WiFi facility, it's on a caravan park in Wales so security is also a concern. Any advice most welcome.
    
    Terry asked on 14 Apr 2011
    1. It's a really good laptop for the price, it is fast enough and the wifi is like any other one, if you are going to use free wifi, you don't need any provider.
       
       Eric.
       
       Eric replied on 15 Apr 2011

        
14. I have orderd this laptop and i have recived it and there is a little light in the mouse pad in the top courner what is it for and how do i use it?
    
    monica asked on 22 Apr 2011
    1. Double click (tap) over it on the mouse pad and it imobilises the mouse. Tap twice again to turn it off and get the mouse to work again. No idea what the point of this feature it I'm afraid.
       
       Mark replied on 24 Apr 2011

        
15. i have loads of music and pictures.. how many songs/ pictures can this laptop obtain
    
    toria asked on 27 May 2011
    1. I download many songs from itunes and it handles them fine even with other complex tasks happening at the same time. If your question is how many songs/pictures can it hold,then my answer is I don't know as I use a portable hard drive to store my pictures and music. But I think as many as you can give it.
       Overall the pc is top quality and don't have any regrets.
       
       simon replied on 27 May 2011

        

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