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Trash Can PC on a BUDGET - HP Wave

Linus Tech Tips@LinusTechTips1.4M viewsFeb 18, 20177:43
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At around $600 for a decent spec, the HP Wave seems to be the top "budget" pick if you're looking for a "trashcan" PC. But is it?... Sign up for Amazon Prime: geni.us

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AI OverviewDefault language

The HP Wave is introduced as a budget friendly desktop designed to be visually striking yet compact, marketed as a modern trash can PC starting around 600 dollars. The host highlights its rounded triangular silhouette, fabric exterior, and the challenge of hiding the external power brick while noting the unit’s small footprint for a system with dedicated hardware inside. Internally, the Wave runs on a power optimized Core i7 with a mixed storage solution of SSD and spinning drives, and it includes a discrete GPU that is capable for light to moderate gaming. The cooling system uses copper heat pipes and a single blower style fan, which leads to noticeable noise under load and irregular acoustics that may stand out in quiet environments. HP also incorporates an internal speaker, which performs best at moderate volume but is insufficient for movies or rich audio when the system is stressed, and the review emphasizes upgrade paths for RAM and storage as a key practical consideration. Overall, the video weighs the Wave against higher-end options and acknowledges its strong productivity capabilities and compact form factor, while cautioning that it is not a high-powered gaming machine and that build quality and peripheral choices affect long-term value. The conclusion stresses that for its price, the Wave offers a compelling all-in-one package for those seeking a small, aesthetically pleasing desktop that can handle everyday tasks and 4K content with some caveats about thermals and noise.

Topics · technology · hardware · consumer-electronics · pc-builds

Questions answered

Can the HP Wave handle gaming at reasonable settings without overwhelming noise?
The Wave is not a high-end gaming machine, but it can run older or less demanding titles at 720p to 1080p with playable frame rates on less demanding settings. Expect reduced performance on newer AAA games, and be mindful of the cooling solution which can cause noticeable fan activity under load.
What are the upgrade options and potential drawbacks of the HP Wave?
Upgrades are possible for RAM and storage, though some upgrades like an M.2 SSD swap may be less straightforward due to the compact internal layout. A main drawback noted is the acoustic profile under load and the integrated speaker that is adequate only for background audio, not for immersive listening or movies.