Couple questions on 8540w before buying

I am used to thinkpad but wanted to try out HP after reading some reviews. Have a few questions reviews did not get into.

1. Does it come with rimmed pointstick or only softdome I see in pics?

2. Will I even be able to see text with FHD display? Won't it be microscopic? Which display is nicest?

3. Does audio work when using a display port to HDMI coupler? Or do I have to plug TVs into audio jack too?

4. Does machine open 180 degrees for when I give speeches?

 

1: softdome, but buy a pack of domes for thinkpads .... they work better and for a couple dollars have your choice of all 3 styes and spares are good if you like the trackpoint like many of us.

2: easily ... text is scalable in wndows 7 no matter how bad your eyesight is. thank goodness because 1080 on a 13" is harder.

3: audo over HDMI works ( well 99% sure as I have the 8740W )

4: not quite, but very few open to 180. 160 is about the closest

 

Wow great answers and quick! Hey, is there a recommend display here?...seems like there are 4 to choose from...

Also, if anyone has or can find a pic of maximum open I'd sure appreciate it. I open my thinkpads to 180 quite regularly in the past..

 

depends on what your doing and how much you value your eyesight. I LOVE the dreamcolor 2 IPS option but its a pricey one. it DOES give you the BEST display of ANY laptop on the market though and calibrates up to par on my Eizo external displays.

and depending on what your doing dont bother with the quadros go for the firepro card ( not sure if the 8540 has it ) to save a few bucks and a few headaches

checked .. firepro 5800 GPU and the DC2 panel would be my recomendation uness you want to do heavy gaming or need Nvidia's CUDA tech for anything.

 

Audio over HDMI works ONLY if you buy the right DisplayPort to HDMI adapter. 8740w's don't have a native HDMI Port.

 

my bad. I rarely use the DP on my 8740W forgot about the adaptor on my cable. thanks for the catch

 

Well I use a NEC 2490 on the desk so I like good displays. Paid over $1000 for it. Cost not an issue if it's good. Like warrants price increase. Thinkpads have pathetic displays like looking though a screen door. No gaming for me. LOL.

Anyone have all the way open shot?

 

if you want a good display ... GET the Dreamcolor 2 upgrade then. you will NOT regret it at all. and actually.... puts your NEC to shame.

heres a peek at the 17" version

http://forum.notebookreview.com/notebook-news-reviews/503121-hp-8740w-review-full-metal-jacket.html

the screens will look the same. and YES thinkpads have garbage displays unless you can get an old one with an AFFS screen. go for a trade off save 400 and get the FirePro GPU and add on 450 for the top notch display, that photographers and pro designers beg for.

 

Sweet! And you answered my question about fully open too as linked thread has pics. That's good enough for me. Thanks for all your help. Are there any discounts besides the CTO 24%er?

rep'd

 

call a rep and see what they can do. Aiikimox, Chaz ( Charles Jeffries ) and myself managed to get that 20% or more off that way. I think the record is 28%

 

Wait, in addition to or in lieu of?...

 

@crazycanuk,

Lol, M8, I wanted to add something but you've completely covered all the important topics! Great advice for Zebo.

@Zebo,

If CUDA isn't the first priority, - DC2+M5800 FTW

Try configuring from scratch, then apply a 25-28% OFF and compare to the CTO 24%. I think you'll still slash a few hundred.

 

Thanks Pal, its hard to think when I have my nieces running amok here tonight. FYI now thats its not too insane up here I will try to catch you for a beer end of next week if your around.

it wasnt at all.

thanks for wording it better than I could. for some reason brain block kicked in when the wife started cooking.

 

You guys still confuse me on the calling rep thing. If I call can I get 20-28% + CTO or in lieu of it?

Also why do I need M5800 graphics? What's wrong with default 880M? All I do is office work, net, and watch movies.

 

the M5800 is a cheaper and a FASTER card than the 880M it is the pro version of the Mobile radeon 5870 and not marked up as extreme as Nvidia's Quadro counterparts.


if you call a rep directly and have them do a scratch build and appy 24% off and compare to the website CTO and customizations - 24% ...you can wind up saving a few hundred ( atleast for us with the 8740W's )

 

OK I'll call tomorrow unless you think they are open now.

Would you mind critiquing this build?

Configurable - HP EliteBook 8540w Mobile Workstation Dual Core

Alternate OS
FreeDOS (I have corporate pro win7)

Intel® Core™ i5-520M Processor (2.40 GHz, 3 MB L3 Cache, 1066 MHz RAM - turbo boost up to 2.93GHZ)

Mobile Intel QM57 Chipset

Intel vPro Processor Technology NOT Supported

15.6-inch diagonal LED-backlit FHD DreamColor 2 (1920 x 1080) Antiglare w/Camera - ONLY available with H/W kit 150W

Webcam Integrated 2.0MP Only Available with and required selection for Display w/Camera

ATI FirePro M5800 with 1GB DDR3 video memory

2 GB 1333 MHz DDR3 SDRAM (1D)

250GB 7200RPM SATA 2.5 Hard Drive

DVD+/-RW SuperMulti with Double Layer LightScribe Drive

Full- sized keyboard with numeric keypad and dual pointing devices (touchpad and pointstick) with scroll zone

No Wireless Bluetooth device

Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 (3x3)

56K v.92 high speed modem

Integrated Fingerprint Reader

150W Hardware Kit 8540w - Must be selected if Dreamcolor panel is selected

8 Cell 73Whr 8540w Battery ( 1 year warranty)

Limited 3 year standard parts and labor warranty (3/3/3)


$2,503.00

Update
$2,503.00

 

I say looks like a winner!

... I assume you will upgrade your RAM yourself. I do think 4 GB is about minimum you shoud run nowadays ( but it is ALOT ) cheaper to get ram and Hard drives yourself an install than to get from HP.

 

Horse power is not the reason I am buying this. But durability, workmanship, good screen, & watching movies when I travel which is a lot is about the most horsepower I will use...

Yeah $30 @ newegg vs $125 @ HP.

I will also put a intel 160GB SSD in it. I will never use a mechanical HDD again.

Pulling "old" SSD from desktop so it's "free" and I'll upgrade my desktop to newer sandforce controllered SSD and bigger.

 

install the second 2 GB module yourself .... trust me its worth it.

 

I think crazycanuk means
the FirePro M5800 in the 8540w is close to the Mobility Radeon HD 5730.
(The FirePro M7820 in the 8740w is close to the Mobility Radeon HD 5870.)

Review: HP Elitebook 8540w Notebook (ATI M5800) - Notebookcheck.net Reviews

 

yes I do and thank you. I keep having my brain on the 8740W models Aikimox and I have and not the 8 540W. but as the OP doesnt want it for games not a big worry and still better than the entry quadro.

 

I have another question regarding the 8540w... Anyone has an older 8430 or 8510 and 8540w?

Can the older batteries (p/n PB992A) be used in the 8540?

Electrically speaking, the batteries have the same number of cells, same voltage and almost the same capacity. Judging by the shape, they seem very much alike, although the battery connector and latches may be different...

HP's specs don't say that it will work. However, if I recall correctly, HP also said nothing about using some (very) old 82xx batteries in 85xx series and that did work.
!

I already know HP changed the dock connector so I'll have to get a new docking station, but at least all of my old chargers should work. Since I have to get a new battery for my old laptop, I'm curios whether I'll be able to reuse it in 8540 I plan to get later.

So if anyone may clear this, I'd be very grateful... Thanks