Comparison HP Pavilion 15-cw1000 [15-CW1001UA 7KD45EA] vs HP 15-db1000 [15-DB1096UR 7RZ13EA]

The technology by which the matrix of the laptop is made.

Matrices of the TN+film, IPS and *VA types are most widely used nowadays; less common are screens like OLED, AMOLED, QLED, miniLED, as well as more specific solutions like LTPS or IGZO. Here is a more detailed description of all these options:

— TN-film. The oldest, simplest and most inexpensive technology currently in use. The key advantages of this type of display are low cost and excellent response time. On the other hand, such matrices are not of high image quality: brightness, colour fidelity and viewing angles of TN-film screens are at an average level. These indicators are quite enough for working with documents, web surfing, most games, etc.; however, for more serious tasks that require a high-quality and reliable picture (for example, design or photo / video colour correction), such screens are practically unsuitable. Thus, TN-film matrices are relatively rare nowadays, mainly among low-cost laptops; more advanced devices are equipped with better screens, most often IPS.

— IPS (In-Plane Switching). The most popular type of matrix for laptops in the middle and top price range; however, it is increasingly common in low-cost models, and for trans...formers and 2-in-1 devices (see "Type") it is almost a standard option. Screens of this type are noticeably superior to TN-film in terms of the quality of the “picture”: they provide a bright, reliable and rich image that hardly changes when the viewing angle changes. In addition, this technology allows to achieve extensive colour gamuts in various special standards (see below) and is suitable for creating displays with advanced features such as HDR support or Pantone / CalMAN certification (also see below). Initially, IPS matrices were expensive and had a slow response time; however, nowadays, various modifications of this technology are used, in which these shortcomings are fully or partially compensated. At the same time, different modifications may differ in practical characteristics: for example, some are created based on the maximum reliability of the picture, others differ in affordable cost, etc. So it's ok to clarify the actual characteristics of the IPS screen before buying — especially if you plan to use a laptop for specific applications where image quality is critical.

— *V.A. Various modifications of matrices of the "Vertical Alignment" type: MVA, PVA, Super PVA, ASVA, etc. The differences between these technologies are mainly in the name and the manufacturer. Initially, matrices of this type were developed as a compromise between IPS (high-quality, but expensive and slow) and TN-film (fast, inexpensive, but modest in image quality). As a result, *VA screens turned out to be more affordable than IPS and more advanced than TN-film — they have good colour reproduction, deep blacks and wide viewing angles. At the same time, it is worth noting that the colour balance of the picture on such a display changes somewhat when the viewing angle changes. This makes it difficult to use *VA matrices in professional colour work. In general, this option is designed mainly for those who do not need perfect colour accuracy and at the same time want to see a bright and colorful image.

— OLED. Matrices based on the so-called organic light-emitting diodes. The key feature of such displays is that in them each pixel is a source of light in itself (unlike classic LCD screens, in which the backlight is made separately). This design principle, combined with a number of other solutions, provides excellent brightness, contrast and colour reproduction, rich blacks, the widest possible viewing angles and a small thickness of the screens themselves. On the other hand, laptop OLED matrices for the most part turn out to be quite expensive and “gluttonous” in terms of energy consumption, and they wear out unevenly: the more often and brighter a pixel glows, the faster it loses its working properties (however, this phenomenon becomes noticeable only after several years of intensive use). In addition, for a number of reasons, such screens are considered poorly suited for gaming applications. In light of all this, sensors of this type are rare these days — mostly in individual high-end laptops designed for professional colour work and with appropriate features such as HDR support, wide colour gamut and/or Pantone / CalMAN certification (see below).

— AMOLED. A kind of matrices on organic light-emitting diodes, created by Samsung (however, it is also used by other manufacturers). In terms of its main features, it is similar to other types of OLED matrices (see above): on the one hand, it allows you to achieve excellent image quality, on the other hand, it is expensive and wears out unevenly. At the same time, AMOLED screens have even more advanced colour performance combined with better power optimization. And the low prevalence of this technology is mainly due to the fact that it was originally created for smartphones and only recently began to be used in laptops (since 2020).

— MiniLED. Screen backlight system on a substrate of miniature LEDs with a size of about 100-200 microns (µm). On the same display plane, it was possible to increase the number of LEDs several times, and their array is placed directly behind the matrix itself. The main advantage of miniLED technology can be called a large number of local dimming zones, which in total gives improved brightness, contrast and more saturated colors with deep blacks. MiniLED screens unlock the potential of High Dynamic Range (HDR) technology, suitable for graphic designers and digital content creators.

— QLED. Matrices on "quantum dots" with a redesigned LED backlight system. In particular, it provides the replacement of multilayer colour filters with a special thin-film coating of nanoparticles. Instead of traditional white LEDs, QLED panels use blue ones. As a result, a set of design innovations makes it possible to achieve a higher brightness threshold, colour saturation, improve the quality of colour reproduction in general, while reducing the thickness of the screen and reducing power consumption. The reverse side of the QLED-matrices coin is an expensive cost.

— PLS. A type of matrix developed as an alternative to the IPS described above and, according to some sources, is one of its modifications. Such matrices are also characterized by high colour rendering quality and good brightness; in addition, the advantages of PLS include good suitability for high-resolution screens (due to high pixel density), as well as lower cost than most IPS modifications, and low power consumption. At the same time, the response speed of such screens is not very high.

— LTPS. An advanced type of TFT-matrix, created on the basis of the so-called. low temperature polycrystalline silicon. Such matrices have high colour quality, and are also well suited for screens with high pixel density — in other words, they can be used to create small displays with very high resolution. Another advantage is that part of the control electronics can be built directly into the matrix, reducing the overall thickness of the screen. On the other hand, LTPS matrices are difficult to manufacture and expensive, and therefore are found mainly in premium laptops.

— IGZO. An LCD technology that uses a semiconductor material based on indium, gallium, and zinc oxides (as opposed to more traditional amorphous silicon). This technology provides fast response time, low power consumption and very high colour quality; it also achieves high pixel densities, making it well-suited for ultra-high resolution screens. However, while such displays in laptops are extremely rare. This is explained both by the high cost and by the fact that rather rare metals are used in the production of IGZO matrices, which makes large-scale production difficult.

Number of USB 2.0 ports provided in the laptop.

USB of all versions is the most popular modern interface for connecting various peripherals to computer - from keyboards, mice and flash drives to very original devices. It can also be used to charge smartphones and other gadgets. The more USB ports laptop has, the more peripherals you can connect to it without using splitters. Specifically, USB 2.0 is the earliest version found in modern laptops. It uses regular full-size connector and provides speeds of up to 480 Mbit. In light of the emergence of faster and more advanced versions of USB 2.0, it is considered obsolete; more and more laptops are being produced that do not have such connectors at all. At the same time, this interface is still far from completely disappearing, especially since its capabilities are quite sufficient for many peripheral devices.

The number of USB-C 3.2 gen1 ports provided in the laptop (these connectors were previously labeled USB-C 3.1 gen1 and USB-C 3.0).

USB-C is a relatively new universal connector designed for use in desktop and laptop computers and other devices. It is slightly larger than microUSB, has a convenient double-sided design (it doesn’t matter which side you connect the plug), and also allows you to implement increased power supply and a number of special functions. In addition, the same connector is standardly used in the Thunderbolt interface versions v3 and v4, and technically it can be used for other interfaces; so in some laptops USB-C has a combined purpose — see "Alternate Mode" for more details. And in some models (mostly the most compact ones), USB-C can also charge the device’s own battery.

Specifically, USB-C version 3.2 gen1 allows connection speeds up to 5 Gbps. As for the number of such ports, it is most often small — usually 1 – 2. This is due to the fact that peripherals for USB-C are produced noticeably less than for full-sized USBs. However, in some configurations, the number of connectors of this type can reach 4.

The maximum number of monitors that can be connected to a laptop at the same time and shared.

Simultaneous connection of several screens allows you to expand the visual space available to the user. For example, it can be useful for designers and layout designers when working with large-format materials, for programmers to separate tasks (one monitor for writing code, the second for searching for the necessary information and other auxiliary purposes), and for gamers-enthusiasts — to ensure the maximum immersion effect.

The resolution of the webcam installed in the laptop. Such cameras are usually placed above the display; Initially, their purpose was video communication (for example, via Skype), but other applications are also possible — recording videos, live broadcasts of certain events on the Internet, etc.

The resolution of the webcam in this case is indicated by the maximum video resolution that it supports. The most low-cost options give out only 640x480 and are not suitable for anything, except for the mentioned video communication; in the most advanced, this indicator can reach Full HD quality (1920x1080 pixels) and even Quad HD.

There are also laptops that do not have a built-in webcam. This solution allows you to protect the user from the threat of hacker attacks through the laptop's camera and minimizes the likelihood of personal data leaking.

The brand of the speaker system (speakers) installed in the laptop.

This item is indicated if the laptop is equipped with advanced acoustics, which is noticeably superior in quality to conventional speakers. Such information further emphasizes the high level of the device. At the same time, the characteristics usually do not give the full name of the speaker system, but only the brand name — for example, Bang & Olufsen, Dynaudio, Harman, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, etc.: even such information in this case is quite enough.

The presence of backlight in the laptop keyboard. This feature not only gives the device a stylish look, but also makes the keys more visible than in non-backlit laptops. The specific functionality of the backlight can be different, it depends both on the price category and on the general purpose of the laptop. For example, single-color lighting is found both in low-cost laptops and in ultrabooks for professional use. And game models can provide advanced RGB lighting and even the ability to sync backlight.

The backlight colour is usually chosen by the manufacturer, taking into account the general specialization of the laptop. So, white backlighting is popular in “office” devices — it fits well into a discreet business style and at the same time looks good on its own. Yellow (golden) colour is much less common — mainly among fashion laptops, although there are exceptions. In turn, among gaming models, the most advanced kind of backlighting is often found — RGB: it allows you to choose a shade as you wish, besides, a colour change can signal various game and system events. A number of top gaming laptops feature 4-zone RGB backlighting on the keyboard, or even custom per-key backlighting that makes the...buttons visually stand out from the rest. Gaming devices are also being produced with simpler, solid-colour backlighting systems — in such cases, the keyboards usually glow red, green or blue. It is these shades that are best combined with the characteristic design of gaming laptops; at the same time, the red glow is usually used in devices with a rather catchy and “aggressive” appearance (and in itself is an important element of this style), while blue and green are typical for a more restrained design.

Maximum laptop operating time on a single battery charge, without recharging. In this case, usually, the operating time in the maximum energy saving mode is implied: disabled wireless modules, minimum screen brightness, a small load on the processor, etc. Accordingly, the time of actual work on a charge is usually noticeably less than this indicator. Nevertheless, it can be used both for a general assessment of the battery life of a laptop, and for comparing it with other models. And choose work laptop ( from 7 operation hours) or with more powerful battery (from 11 operation hours).

The main material from which the laptop case is made.

Modern laptops can use materials such as plastic (mostly matte plastic), aluminium, magnesium alloy, carbon fibre, and even glass. These materials are found both individually and in various combinations; the most common case is aluminium with plastic, but more specific combinations exist. Here is a more detailed description of the most relevant options:

— Matte plastic. Plastic with a matte (not shiny) surface is one of the most popular materials for laptop cases today. This is due, on the one hand, to low cost, on the other hand, to good practical characteristics. So, such a case can be given any colour and any pattern can be applied to it. The strength of plastic is lower than that of metals or carbon fibre, but it is usually more than enough for everyday use. And the light weight is not only an advantage in itself — it also allows you to make the walls of the case thick enough; as a result, plastic cases are often found even among shockproof models. As for the matte surface specifically, it itself looks dimmer than the glossy one, but it is not so prone to pollution. In particular, fingerprints and palm marks are practically invisible on it; and the scratches that plastic is subject to do not stand out as clearly as on gloss. A bright a...ppearance of the device can be given due to other design solutions — for example, keyboard backlighting (see above).

— Aluminium. From a practical point of view, aluminium alloys combine lightness and high strength; in addition, the metal conducts heat well, which improves the efficiency of cooling systems. Most of these cases have a characteristic grey tint, which looks quite stylish even without special coloring; and in some models, aluminium can additionally be given one or another colour. The main disadvantage of this material is a higher cost than plastic; as a result, it is used mainly in devices of the middle and top classes.

— Magnesium alloy. Such alloys surpass even the aluminium described above in strength, while they have a relatively small weight and excellent heat dissipation. However, this material is not cheap. Therefore, it is used quite rarely, and in its pure form — even less often; combinations of magnesium alloy with other, usually more affordable materials are more popular (see below for more details).

– Aluminium / plastic. Combination of plastic and aluminium elements in one housing. Usually, parts subjected to the greatest loads are made of metal, and the rest of the structure is made of plastic. These materials are described in more detail above, and their combination allows you to combine the advantages and partially compensate for the disadvantages. In particular, such combined cases are cheaper than all-metal ones and at the same time more reliable than plastic ones; in addition, they are easier to give a bright appearance than products made of aluminium or magnesium. This combination can be found even among relatively inexpensive laptops, although most metal-plastic models still belong to more advanced categories.

— Carbon fibre. Also known as "carbon". Usually, it is used in the form of a composite — a carbon fibre base is complemented by a plastic filler. Carbon belongs to the premium class materials: it is characterized by very high strength and at the same time low weight. A dark colour and a characteristic pattern on the surface give such cases a stylish appearance. However, carbon fibre is very expensive — much more expensive than even aluminium and magnesium, not to mention plastic. Therefore, such cases are a characteristic feature of top segment laptops. Also note that carbon does not tolerate point impacts; thus, and also to reduce cost, it is often used in combination with metals (see below for more details).

– Aluminium / magnesium alloy. Cases combining two types of metals. Usually, the main part of such a case is made of aluminium, and the individual, most important parts are made of magnesium. This allows some cost and weight savings compared to pure magnesium alloy cases, while at the same time providing greater strength and reliability than aluminium. A rarer and more specific variant is the 2-in-1 devices (see "Type"), where the top half is made of lighter aluminium (for easy portability) and the bottom half is made of durable magnesium.

– Aluminium / carbon fibre. Cases that combine elements of aluminium and carbon fibre. The specific set of parts from both materials can be different, but the upper side of the lower half of the device (where the touchpad and keyboard are) are most often made of carbon fibre. Such a surface not only looks good, but often also turns out to be more pleasant to the touch than aluminium. As for the general features, the combination of aluminium and carbon fibre can be used both for design reasons and for practical purposes — in order to compensate for the sensitivity of carbon to point impacts. In the latter case, the body elements that are most prone to such “troubles” are made of aluminium. In addition, replacing part of the carbon fibre with metal reduces the overall cost somewhat (but increases the weight).

— Magnesium alloy / carbon fibre. A combination similar to the aluminium with carbon described above, adjusted for the characteristics of magnesium alloys. Recall that such alloys, on the one hand, are stronger and more reliable than aluminium, on the other hand, they are somewhat heavier and more expensive. See also above for more details on the properties of carbon fibre. In general, this is a noticeably rarer option than aluminium + carbon: such cases are more expensive, while they have almost no significant advantages.

– Aluminium / glass. Quite a rare and even exotic option; in fact — the only case when glass is used as a material for laptop cases. It is found in certain premium-class models, including fashion ones. The aluminium case (see above) in such models is complemented by an overlay made of special high-strength glass — usually on the outer part of the lid, on the opposite side of the screen. Such glass resists scratches even better than a metal surface, and it further enhances the appearance. However, the practical advantages of such a combination, in fact, are limited to this, so that it is used mainly as an original design move.