*HP EliteBook 8460p Owners Lounge!*

Hi,

I'm considering to buy the 8460p now in favor over the T420.
I have still some questions though. I hope some users actually using the machine can answer them.

1. What battery life can I expect from a 6 cell Long Life battery with a i7 and HD+ screen?
2. The ventilation is on the right side which seems stupid to me. I don't like the fan to blow warm air continuously on my hand while working with the mouse. Is the air blow really greatly noticeable?
3. Is the big touchpad hindering during typing?
4. What are your biggest annoyances with the 8460p?
5. What is HP's advice on battery usage? With my current notebook (Samsung X11) I always removed the battery when working on power. I also could hot plug the battery. Lenovo apparently suggests to keep the battery inserted.
   

Thank you in advance!

 

Too late ;-)
I got a all new 8640P LG745EA for a very low price of 850€

I'll try to answer the questions myself.

@1:
Can't tell yet.

@2:
I'm currently converting a video and the CPU is at ~80°C. The fan is blowing quite loud but the air blowing on my hand isn't a big issue for me since the fan is located at the back.

@3:
The touchpad can be easily de/activated with a double tap on the left upper corner.

@4:

• The power connector is straight instead of a right angle. I can already see it becoming defective like with my old laptop.
• The fan is almost always on despite the relevant setting.
• I'm using a bluetooth mouse and the bluetooth connection often get's very choppy as if the CPU load is very high but it's idle.
• Whole lot of bloatware.

@5:
I still don't now yet what's HP's advice. But I'm removing the battery when connected to the power outlet.
Hot plugging the battery is working.

I'm going to add an additional 4 GB memory module and probably switch to a bigger HDD.
I also want to install a clean Windows.
There's just so much bloatware installed.
First I need to get familiar with the tools and find out what's really necessary or useful.

 

Does anyone know how to sroll down and scroll up via trackpad on Elitebook 8460p? (double clicking on trackpad, etc.)

 

Stroke with two fingers up and down.

I would like to know how to scroll with the pointstick ;-)
Similarly to Lenovo.

 

ok, i don't own this machine, but can give you some advice.

[1] n/a

[2] if you are brave enough, change the cpu paste, the default paste on most laptops is shin etsu, not the best. on my elitebook i get 76c max temps, so you aren't far off.

[3] n/a (you should be able to disable the touchpad in the bios/hotkeys, but it varies with model)

[4]

Code:

[a]The power connector is straight instead of a right angle. I can already see it becoming defective like with my old laptop. 
[b]The fan is almost always on despite the relevant setting. 
[c]I'm using a bluetooth mouse and the bluetooth connection often get's very choppy as if the CPU load is very high but it's idle.
[d]Whole lot of bloatware.

[a] You can get a right angle adapter for the power connector. hp do have some weird ideas where their main jacks are. I have one for my elitebook, because i am a left handed mouse user.

the fan issue is annoying, but check power settings on gpu/cpu and ensure you have on your 'power saving' profile everything set low, if i'm browsing the web i don't need the notebook to be hardcore, and nvidia cards upclock on multi displays, just bear in mind

[c] hp's bluetooth stack sucks with high cpu, there is a fix for it but it's a registry hack. i'll see if i can find it later.

[d] yes, there is, i always wipe and reinstall when i get a new hp machine.

[5] Battery

I leave mine in 99% of the time because the motherboard doesn't charge them, you will see your battery sit at ~94-100% all the time, because the notebook will trickle charge to prevent damage.

if you are going to store the battery outside of the laptop make sure it is at ~60-72% battery life. if it is at 100% it will self discharge, until it gets to this value, but it ruins the battery calibration the notebook does.

As for the hp tools.

if you want to go 'commando'

you only need quick launch buttons.
and maybe support assistant, for driver updates and suchlike.


Everything else you can just install the driver for, and windows will do the rest. I run very little hp software on my elitebooks, with no issues. I don't use the fingerprint reader, so don't need the 25 running processes that protectools brings

hope this helps

Sio

 

with 2 fingers, but you can (and I did) put it back to the scrolling on thri right side, since the two finger scrolling really didn't work out for me. For that you need to have installed the trackpad sofware from hp, in the settings you can change it.

 

Thanks for your reply!

I think I stay so for now. Maybe another time.
When converting videos temp is ~80°C, max is 87°C though.

I can easily disable the touchpad with a double tap on its left upper corner.

I did find one one from bixnet. But I'm not sure it's worth the price incl. shipping. Maybe I find a cheap adapter on eBay.

It doesn't have anything to do with high cpu usage in my case. Apparently the lagging happens when there is no direct visual contact from the mouse to the laptop.
I mainly use the the bluetooth mouse at home sitting on the couch with the laptop on my lap ;-)
When I cross my legs I block the direct view and the mouse starts badly lagging. I didn't had the problem with my old laptop.
I don't think your registry hack could help in that case but I'm willing to try it out.

If you say so I'll probably keep the battery plugged in.
My old laptop had a BIOS option to calibrate the battery.

I have another tool called " HP Software Setup" installed on the machine that looks more useful than HP Support Assistant without being that much bloated.
It only restricts to minimal features like updating or selecting new software to install.
I can't find it though on HP's site.
The direct path on my machine is "C:\swsetup\AppInstl\HPSoftwareSetup.exe"


In the meanwhile I've stumbled upon another annoying problem.
When I listen to music through my headset and then start Skype the music suddenly starts playing through the laptop speakers and the Skype logon sound through the headset.
Same happens when shutting down Skype.
I've tried to play around with the settings in Skype but couldn't solve this problem.
Anyone else having this?

 

I think I updated this or some other windows update which fixed the issue

HP EliteBook 8460p Notebook PC- Essential System Updates for Microsoft Windows 7 - HP Business Support Center

 

Looks like HP is providing a new BIOS update for the 8460p.

Version: F.20
ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp54501-55000/sp54772.exe

IMPORTANT: After this BIOS update has been installed, previous BIOS versions can no longer be installed.

More information about this update is available from the BIOS thread - http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-...601489-updated-hp-business-bios-releases.html

 

The version jusmp seems a lot from the previous version F.08

Do we know what are the changes ?

 

Like all of the other F.20 releases, this is what HP has documented for this update.

 

Already in the official site. only thing noticed is the secure erase option ?


Version: F.20 (29 Sep 2011)
Enhancements
- Provides improved security for the BIOS flashing process. - Provides the Secure Erase option. NOTE: After this BIOS update has been installed, previous BIOS versions cannot be installed.


» Version: F.08 (26 Aug 2011)
Fixes
- Fixes an issue where using function + f4 keys does not retain the dual-monitor mode settings.

Enhancements
- Provides support for new display panels.

----------------------------------------------------------
Edit : Oppss didnt notice the post above me.

 

its your laptop's default resolution so it wont increase .it may decrease but cant increase.

 

The file is missing on FTP!!! Anyone got it?

 

The link is still working...I just tried it.

 

Good day everybody from Italy
I'm new in this forum, and I would like to share my experience as owner of this great laptop.
I got mine only 2 days ago, but I have to say that is a great device. Most of you already know that.
I updated the bios to F20, hoping it did something about the fan speed thing... but nothing. The fan stays on and at a quite noising speed (I've already change the option on bios about "always on...")
I really don't want to come back to my old nw8240 for such an issue, maybe some software or bios update can solve it, so please, as soon as you have updates or hints in order to slow down the rpm, post your ideas.
HP?!?!?!? Answer our requests... and do something soon.

 

I've got the exact same issue. It also happens when I receive a message on skype when it's in the background (skype emits its warning noise through the speaker, and the music from the headset is also diverted through the speaker for about 1 or 2 seconds). I'm not listening often to music with a headset so it's not so annoying for me, but if anybody has a solution I would be glad to know about it. Not sure if it's a HP-specific issue, although I've never seen that with my previous laptops nor on my colleagues'.

 

Has anyone been successful in obtaining a reasonable quote from HP with the 16GB memory option for the 8460p.

Our rep just sent us back the quote and they are asking $Texas for an 8GB ram chip.

Our 8GB model with discreet video and warranty is $1150
With 16GB with the rest the same...$3400

 

lol get it elsewhere, 16gb 2x8GB of ram is about $600 tops now.

Corsair/Crucial etc, all work in the 8460p.

 

Hello,

does anybody have the problem with internal speakers? After I've upgraded notebook's firmware to the latest version (F.20), internal speakers stopped working. I can only use headphones to listen e.g. for the music.

 

Hi pepsik23, I upgraded to F20 and I have no problem with internal speakers. Did you try to uninstall/reinstall the drivers?

 

Hi,

Does anyone know if this issue with the "always on fan" appears in every configuration? (i5/i7 with and without AMD...)
A few times I read something like this:

"This can be regulated by changing the BIOS setting "Fan always on when AC", which is on by default."
e.g: Review HP EliteBook 8460p Notebook - Notebookcheck.net Reviews
Does it help?

I m also a little bit confused by the HP Web-Configuration (german online shop). It offer me different WLAN options:
802.11 a/b/g/n I2 WLAN Card
or I3, B2 and an a/b/g/n B WLAN Card.
4 Possibilities... the QuickSpecks lists 5 WLAN Cards and a "Technical Consultant" from HP mailed me that there are only 3 different Cards (Broadcom) an none from Intel. (also said that I would lose my guarantee by changing the HDD :>)

Well I thought that the "I" stands for Intel (2 or 3 antennas) and the "B" for Broadcom. Can someone proof this?

I also would like to know if someone was able to buy a Notebook from HP without a HDD or Ram (less money of course)?

Lots of questions I know...
thanks and greetings!
Znrl

 

5 WLAN options according to the worldwide ProductBulletin

in Germany there are only 4 WLAN Options available:

802.11 a/b/g/n I2 WLAN Card
802.11 a/b/g/n I3 WLAN Card
802.11 b/g/n B WLAN Card
802.11 a/b/g/n B2 WLAN Card


Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 (3x3)
Integrated support for 802.11a, b, g, and n*
3 transmit, 3 receive antennas
Up to 450 mbps data rate

Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 (2x2)
Integrated support for 802.11a, b, g, and n*
2 transmit, 2 receive antennas
Up to 300 mbps data rate

Broadcom 43224AGN 802.11a/b/g/n
WiFi Adapter
Integrated support for 802.11 a, b, g, and n
Up to 300 mbps data rate

Broadcom 4313GN 802.11b/g/n
WiFi Adapter
Integrated support for 802.11 b, g, and n
Up to 72 mbps data rate

Not available in Germany:
Atheros HB112AGN 802.11a/b/g/n (3x3) WiFi Adapter
Integrated support for 802.11a, b, g, and n*
3 transmit, 3 receive antennas


Regarding RAM / Harddisk:
Preconfigured models are always with RAM and HDD
Customconfigured (TopConfig) models can only be configured with the smallest RAM configuration (2GB) and HDD configuration (250GB)

You do not loose guarantee by changing the hdd.
Nice idea, though – sounds a bit like in the 90ies

 

Thank you!
A second mail from HP confirmed this a few minutes ago and I just ordered my 8460p, hopefully i will not be bothered by the fan.
It's an i5 without AMD graphics.

Seems that either the first guy got me wrong or didn't know it :/.

Znrl

 

Guys,

I've got a new 8460p with i7-2640m. I have the bad feeling that my CPU never goes over 20% of usage ( i can see in task manager). And the computer behaves slower as my dell e6420 with i7-2620 cpu which I have at work (compared using photoshop). How can I check if I do not have some issue like - cpu throthling and such?

Btw i have latest updates incl latest bios installed via hp support assistant

 

It's not only your CPU that makes your notebook "fast".
Especially the HDD 5400rpm -> 7200rpm or SSD makes a big difference. As long as we don't know more about those notebooks we can not say if or what slows it down.

You should take some tools like prime
- Free Software - GIMPS
, CPU-Z (right click on the logo and you can see and choose between cores)
- CPU-Z - Info-Tool für Prozessor & Mainboard
and maybe Core Temp
- Core Temp
or whatever... (HWInfo32,...)
Use Prime to see the usage go over 20% and check the clock speed and temps with the tools.

edit: I heard about some throttling issues in combination with the AMD GPU. In the Notebookcheck.de Forum a guy said that is problem was solved by doing a "System TuneUp" with the "HP System Diagnostics Utility" (takes more than one hour). A HP technician said him to do so. But it was a AMD GPU "throttling" (bug?) not a CPU throttling.

 

This is exactly what i am experiencing - gpu throttling - HD video is throttling, 720p and 1080p videos on youtube are throttling. I mean what is wrong with HP?
Can you please post a link to a solution for this issue?

Thank you,
David

 

Test HP EliteBook 8460p Notebook

It's German.
Don't know if you understand this so in conclusion:
He had/has no CPU throttling!
His AMD GPU idled with something like 100MHz/100MHz as normal but...
it never went over 300MHz/300MHz even on full load.
- This tool could help to see: GPU-Z - Info-Tool für Grafikkarten und GPUs
So he chatted with a technician from HP who said:
Install the tool - HP System Diagnostics Utility - (google or download from HP website).
Use the function - System TuneUp - (it took 1h 40min for him and gave Information like: test xy passed,...)
First he thought that will never work but it did (for him).

Don't know if it's the same problem as yours,... hope it helps..

Znrl

 

How can i start the tool?
I installed it but i can't find a shortcut to start it...

 

I'm not sure because i didn't use it.
I just googled it and found a small tool which only collects some information:
HP System Diagnostics Utility - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

But there is another one:
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsuppor...943&swEnvOID=4058&swLang=13&taskId=135&mode=3

I don't have my Notebook so i can't try. But you can install this on a FAT (32) partition maybe an USB-Stick. It must have the name "HP_TOOLS". Reboot and hit F2 after it starts. but this is explained within the first window when you double click the .exe. (You can also click on "release notes" on the download page and scroll down.)

I'm note completely sure if this is it... but since there are some tests listed as HDD, WLAN and Battery (test and calibration) etc. it seems to be realistic.
If there is nothing like a "Tune up" function we would have to ask "mojoxy" the guy from notebookcheck forum, which tool he used.

edit: I wrote a message to him don't know if he will answer.
And I found an other tool:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...&dlc=de&docname=c00132083&lc=de&swlinkmsg=300
There is a "Tune Up" (and "Troubleshooting" maybe worth to try) function with the information that it can take several hours! So I think this is what you need.

 

I just ordered one off of ebay for cheap, I'm hoping the combo i5 2.3ghz and the integrated graphics will make for a cool running laptop.

 

My elitebook 8460p has a temperature of 118 F (CPU) and 106 F (HDD) when idle (measured by AIDA64 2.0). Is it normal for this machine? The temperature out there is about 83 F.

Thanks so much

 

well I got it yesterday.

First impression is that it is heavier than I expected. Secondly the fan is always on low, even on battery saver mode, and although not loud I can hear it.
The screen is not bad, it sucks compared to my Samsung monitor, but it is decent once you reduce the brightness and increase the contrast on the Intel HD properties.

The number 4 key is harder to press, causing a lot of hit and miss whenever I have to use that number. Wireless connection with the Broadcom chip was poor, it would disconnect me often at 35-40 feet from the access point. I had a spare Intel 6300 ultimate, and swapped them. The Intel chip uses the 3rd antenna that was unused in the laptop. Now without tweaking, I am not getting any more disconnects.

 

waiting for bios update to turn that fan off

 

Anyone helps me?

After 1 month using the elitebook 8460p, I'm most satisfied with the keyboard and the touchpad. Battery time is quite a good point. However, there are three things that make me unhappy:

+ Low viewing-angle
+ Fan noise
+ High temperature in compare with other multimedia laptop?!

I'm not sure about the temperature, maybe my laptop has some errors

P.s: I'm sorry if I've just made grammatical mistakes. English is not my native language

 

what is your CPU usage at idle? There may be some programs running continuously in the background...

 

Even after tweaking the fan (once the machine has been on for awhile) will pretty much stay on all the time. I've previously tweaked an 8460p to an inch of it's life, SSD, clean install, max battert, max CPU 10% and the fan STILL stayed on. Same for the 6460b.

Shame really

 

Well... I have another 8640p on the way (I'll accept that the fan is always on but shame on you HP)! A BB09 battery is next to me, along with a Crucial M4 SSD and 8Gb Hpyer-X ram. Wooo. (cc09 battery on the way)

i7 2620M
AMD 6470m
1600x900 screen

 

My Notebook without AMD graphics is really quiet and the fan is off most of the time. But my Notebook... I don't know how to say is "wobbling". I think the rubber feet are not completely even. Does someone know this problem? I read that this can happen and will disappear after a while when the feets are completely "pushed" in?

 

Managed to get it to boot from off to desktop in 16 seconds which is one second off of my record. Happy. Damn well hoping that the AMD gpu is faster than the HD 3000.

Also ordered a HP QC430AA Un2430 EV-DO/HSPA Mini Card.

 

There's a new Webcam Firwmare update to v15.0.

Did anyone install it yet?
After the update the camera video is lagging quite a bit for me.
Anyone else experiencing this?

 

Hi guys!,
My current AMD Video Driver and Control Panel version is 8.821.1.2, but HP Support Assistant just keep failing to update to the newer version.
Is version 8.821.1.7 any better? and should i update it manually? or i just stick with the current version?
Many Thanks!

 

I'm currently using 8.920.0.0 and didn't experience any problems yet.
I'm also playing Portal 2 now and then with the native resolution and relative high settings.

With 8.821.1.7 the GPU driver sometimes just crashed.

You can get 8.920.0.0 following the steps described here:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-drivers-software-forum/633028-hp-amd-drivers.html

 

I solved the problem for me with the very low FPS after updating the WebCam firmware.

The culprit was a setting in the HP WebCam software.
You have to deactivate the night mode setting!

That's too bad because this low setting greatly improved the video quality for me.

 

I wonder if the CPU is upgradable. Currently I have a 2540M inside and would like to upgrade to quad.

 

It is, I just re-paste my CPU and GPU. I took lots of pictures, and I'll post a guide a little later.

 

Might get a quad if temperature is reasonable!

I would like to know if the Wifi card can be upgraded to OEM Intel Wifi Ultimate 6300. Mine comes with Intel 6205 and I heard HP BIOS are locked and only supports HP wifi cards.

 

If they do lock certain wireless cards, it's done by brand, not model. So, basically any of the Intel 6xxx series should work, and more than likely the 5xxx series.

Here's my re-paste guide:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-...p-elitebook-8460p-cpu-gpu-re-paste-guide.html

 

This screen is making my eyes bleed I'm replacing it with a used LP140WD1-TLA1.

Found it used for $50 shipped: eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

EDIT: New screen arrives tomorrow, installation hopefully tomorrow night!

 

HP has released a BIOS update for the 8460p - version F.22.

Download - ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp55501-56000/sp55676.exe

More information about this update is also available here - http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-...601489-current-hp-business-bios-releases.html