*HP EliteBook 8530p/w Owners Lounge *

"Fan Always On when on AC" is a settable BIOS option; it's enabled by default.

 

I know that its enable by default. I was just asking if the nVidia graphics card causes more fan noise (nVidia GPUs tend to overheat).

Is the fan noise audible on your notebook?

 

With the ATI GPU, the fan is very quiet -- in fact, it makes less noise when playing Crysis than my old Gateway M685 did when idle on AC. Just last night, when I went off to bed after setting the laptop to "install updates and shut down," I observed that the fan noise from the laptop somewhere around 8 feet away became barely audible over the sound of the blood vessels in my own ears. =þ

 

hey dana, or to anyone who owns an elitebook, i have a question. did u get an accident warranty with your 8530w, or did you feel confident of its durability enough to skip it, saving cha ching? this has really made me question just getting a consumer laptop with one.

 

I bought it with ADP and computrace, because even though I'm confident it's durable, you should see the condition my previous laptop ended up in: Bashed (and missing) plastic corner of lid, center of lid cracked down the middle, and paint on the palm-rest (yes, Gateway PAINTED the plastic) worn off. Granted, that was partly poor construction on the Gateway, but I also was rather hard on it -- so I didn't want to take any chances. =þ

I do now wish I had gotten on-site service instead of pickup&return, because the Care Pack lookup tool to add the service now -- www.hp.com/go/lookuptool -- is broken. Just try finding anything for model KW950AV... in both IE and Firefox... and at several times of day.

 

Good to hear!

By the way, which display do you have? How is the screen quality? How are the viewing angles, contrast and brightness of the screen?

Thanks!

 

hmm, well i see an 8530p for sale on several sites for a little over 1300 usd, but it only has the 3 yr limited warranty. so should i just leave it? that put aside, is it really worth getting the 8530p for college since i grad this semester? what do you use it use yours for(if you dont mind me asking -.-)? if it is i have to find a reasonable way to explain to my parents why this laptop would be a better investment than a consumer with an ADP.+1 for previous answers btw

 

One thing you could cite: the review that talks about the "smacking the table with the lid and not getting a scratch" -- and the same for the 12" model's review.

Oh yeah, about the fan -- I wish I had a decibel meter. I might be slightly exaggerating the quietness, but it's unobtrusive, unlike the whiny secondary fan in the Gateway. It also depends on what you're doing, of course -- when idle, it's very quiet, and when under load, it's unobtrusive.

I'm a computer engineering student, and I use Linux as my primary OS. I like testing the development versions of Ubuntu, and when Xorg or kernel upgrades break binary drivers, the ATI open-source are far better than the NVIDIA open-source drivers. I also wanted to support ATI just as a matter of principle. Plus, I believe the ATI card uses less power. The only bummer is that the ATI card doesn't identify itself as a true FireGL -- same issue as Lenovo had: http://forums.lenovo.com/lnv/board/message?board.id=W_ThinkPads&message.id=1217

The 3D DriveGuard, ambient light sensor, and pop-out keyboard light are also handy. It will dim the display if you're in a lecture and a teacher turns off the light, or if you're riding the bus with the laptop and it goes from sunlight to shade. The array mic can also be handy for voice chat, and it happens to have holes on both the front and back of the lid -- so if you're interviewing somebody (using the array mic to record), it can get your voice and the voice of the person opposite you, while still doing the noise-cancelling.

Speaking of audio... the mute hotkey in the laptop actually does a hardware mute of the onboard speakers, in addition to the software mute of the onboard sound card -- so no matter what state the OS is in, you can count on the button always muting the thing.

Fan noise, battery life, and durability were the biggest for me, though. Just yesterday, I was walking through some door with my laptop in my "messenger bag", and heard a solid "clunk" as my bag (and the laptop) accidentally hit the metal door frame. I realized that that was exactly how I broke the corner of the Gateway -- and noted that that's exactly why I got the EliteBook.

As shown in my signature, I have the WUXGA (1920x1200) display with the ATI card, so I had to customize-to-order -- no preconfigured models offered those two together. Also, HP didn't offer the webcam option when I ordered it, but at least I don't truly need a webcam. The review of the 8530w laptop with the nvidia card has the same resolution LCD; HP Performance Tuning Framework indicates mine is an LG LP154WU1-TLC2. The thing is also bright enough to see when sitting in the shade outside... the Gateway was, ironically, dim enough that I was better off using reflected direct sunlight, rather than trying to see it in the shade. =þ Perhaps some time within a few days, I'll take a picture of it next to my Viewsonic P95F+ CRT.

 

thanks a lot for your response. =D hmm.. i feel i have good explanation. now i need to make a decision about the ADP.

 

Thanks for the short review! I look forward to the pictures. The screen quality is particularly important to me.

Can you describe the viewing angles, contrast and brightness of the display?

Thanks again.

 

lol me and elite ask a lot of q's.

 

Can someone with Ati v5700 graphics tell me where to get drivers? I have read that graphics in 8530w is not the same as FirePro v5700 in desktops. I also found that the hard way, trying to install them.

So, are the ones that work, only the one at HP webpage?

 

To be honest u better off look at the w500 section with the ati v5700. loads of comments on it. thy all had the same problem with drivers as well and im prettyer sure that the dirvers would be no different because you have a HP.

And to think the Ati version is not noisey and the quadro is :'(
There could still be hope. To the guys that have bought an 8530w that have curvred lines on the adapter rather than straight. on the issues thread you say that the you had no problems with it. so is the quadro noisey compared to the other one with striaght lines then?

 

you cand download the video driver for all hp ati models here



http://rapidshare.com/files/181877449/hp_mobility_all.rar.html















----------------------

 

One of the things that really attracts me to this notebook is the durability and build-quality. Hopefully, HP will upgrade the hardware soon for those looking for more performance. If the new Core I7 processors (mobile platform), DDR3 Ram, SSDs, and the Ati HD 4000 series processors will become available on these models by the end of the year for a reasonable price, and HP actually sorts out all of this notebook's problems, the wait is definitely worth it.

 

I feel the elitebooks are ahead of the game build wise too, but i gotta be totally enlightened before i take the plunge like battery life and performance of the performance class. DDR3 would be nice, but what about usb 3.0 =D, hybrid graphics, and LED backlighting. If they had those 3 things, it would suck me in like a black hole.

 

Hi all,

I got one of first Elitebooks 8530w and I must say it's much better than 8510w.

Config (custom):
T9400, 2x2GB RAM, 320/7200 HDD (Hitachi), WUXGA (LG Display), Blu-ray rewritable drive (LG GBW-B10N), Vista Bus, 3G WWAN, WiFi+BT, webcam etc.

+++
:: First of all - LG screen is much better than the one from Samsung. It has higher brightness (much higher than Samsung) and colors are comparable.
LED backlight wasn't available at the time of engineering 8530w; Dell is the first one to offer 15,4" LED backlit displays and I have a feeling it is some kind of a special order. These panels have appeared only a few days ago and to be honest, besides a bit lower power consumption, I don't see any advantage of having LED backlight. LCD matrix is the same, uniformity doesn't matter that much (even LED backlight can be disasterous).
:: Pretty quiet. When docked, the fan is off or pretty quiet. Even under full load, the fan is pretty OK; 8510w is louder.
:: Built quality. Use of alloys all around the body (not only display lid) is good thing in my opinion. Much better than plastic chassis of 8510w.

---
:: Laptop can get pretty hot under full load. I don't recomment putting it on your legs or play games in bed.
:: LED diode is... not professional. I'd prefer having a fixed light that can be turned on by some keyboard shortcut.

To be honest, I'd prefer 8530w with low-end dedicated graphics or integrated graphic core. Those in need of large resolution display and excellent built quality, but not demanding huge computing power (= not playing games) have no suitable product in HP product portfolio.

 

Hey Guys,

I've been impressed with my 8510w and decided to purchase a new 8530w. However, after much searching, I gave up on finding any good deals (I wanted a T9400 and WUXGA for less than $1600, but I guess it's still too soon) and ended up buying a Gateway P-7805u FX just yesterday.

I know that Gateway isn't quite as reliable and sturdy as HP (especially Elitebooks), but the Nvidia 9800m GTS in the FX simply blows away the Quadro FX770m in the 8530w and the 2700m in the 8730w, especially when it comes to gaming. The only problem with it is that it only comes with a P8400, so I planned on switching it out for a P9600.

Anyways, I was surfing eBay today and happened to see this 8530w listed for a good price and I purchased it. So, how did I do and which should I keep? (I know there will be a slight bias, but I too prefer HP)

~Thanks All

 

Well, what size is the Gateway one? If it's the 17" one, watch out... the lid is just a thin, flimsy piece of plastic -- it doesn't have ANY sort of reinforcement. I managed to crack mine down the middle just by using it in my backpack. Try squeezing around the center of the lid, and you should see what I mean.

Edit: Note that my Gateway is/was an M685 -- the "Business" (hah!) version of the NX860 series. I've recently seen the newer models in retail stores, and the lid feels like the design likely has not changed.

 

Yes, it's the 17" one. I already expect it to be nowhere near as sturdy as my 8510w is and the 8530w will be, but I'll have to try that when I it arrives (I don't actually have it yet).

 

I also noticed a pre-production 8730w on eBay for like $1250. But I guess that non-production prototype models aren't very good choices...

 

I agree with you in terms of the need of DDR3 Ram, USB 3.0, and hybrid graphics in that it would make the notebook more "future-proof" and much more "efficient" performance-wise.

However, it is also important to consider that this would require significant changes in terms of hardware.

HP has even hesitated to include a Dream-color display option for this notebook.

Screen quality is very important to me. However, the Dream-color display has a lot of color-calibration problems and it is hard to adjust. I hope that they implement an OLED display soon. That would truly be revolutionary!

 

I was looking through some of the earlier posts and came upon this one. Is it true that the display on the 8530w is an S-PVA? Can anyone confirm this? If so, that's way better than any TN display!

 

I have the samsung WUXGA panel and I find it very hard to believe it's a S-PVA. It is either just a better TN or a very very bad pva (color reproduction is nowhere near other pva panels i use daily).
That being said for a laptop it's a decent display.

 

NO.

All notebook screens are TN with exception to the tablets.

I made that clear pages back, perhaps you missed it.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=293308&page=16

 

Has anyone tried to use an HP 90W car adapter with the 8530w? I know the original adapter is 120W but the HP site lists the 90W one as compatible, still I am curios if there are no side effects (downclocking, slower charging etc)
Thanks.

 

I'm using the 90-watt AC adapter (the one that comes with an adapter for some of the consumer laptops), with no ill effects. It doesn't downclock, or anything. I can even play Crysis on the thing without it getting freakishly hot as I might have expected.

Edit: Note that I also have the 120-watt one for use at home; it makes a rather annoying high-pitched noise when not loaded (laptop disconnected or in sleep / turned off). I bought the 90-watt one to use up the rest of a Best Buy gift card, so now I have a small brick I can carry with me.

 

ok thanks for the reply. That's what the HP distributors also told me I just wanted a confirmation from an actual user. Thanks again

 

I have one piece of new HP 8530w in my office for every day work. For the price is not soo good. Keyboard are little cheep and shelly. Laptop sometimes doesn’t want to turn on and I have to repeat turning off/on procedure to start computer. Display mechanism for closing is too complicated and has clanking noise. It feel not so reliable and little clumsy. Fan is on loud side but can be set up in BIOS to work little quieter. Touch sensors is too much fancy but not practical. I don’t like them. Especially sensor for speakers is not at all sensitive and is hard to set right level of power. Speakers are poor and disappointing. Battery when set up in position in laptop is not fixed very well, and have little moving. Display is great, very sharp and I like it - 1680x1050 pixels. CD/DVD drive producing a lot vibration in max speed reading mode. In all I will rather bought some more compact laptop. I have at home Toshiba m30x old 4 years and is more compact, with great speakers, rounded body and construction more to like and friendly than this new HP 8530W. In all HP 8530W is good machine but not for that money. Expensive design with little gain in efficiency and ergonomics. I think it is just overpriced.

 

is the keyboard that cheap feeling?

 

The keyboard on mine does not have 'that cheap feeling", it has that broken feeling. The space key and the right shift key both made awful creaking noises and pressed unevenly. I should mention this is the second 8530w I own. First one was defective; it too had the exact same keyboard issue.
I went out and bought silicon grease and oiled the keys. They work fine now, still surprising I had to do that on a professional workstation product.
DVDRW drive is very bad. Mine won't read the included windows dvs, had to make copies to install vista. (first laptop did the same). There are some issues with the wireless hardware switch, and I think the cooling assembly on this laptop was not designed for Intel 35W CPU + quadro FX 770.
So yes, it has its share of problems, however it was the only brand name laptop I could find with decent videocard and a screen that's not WXGA so I'm happy for now.

 

do you think its a good laptop and you got a lemon? ....and do you think the same problems will happen to the 8530p

 

I forgot to say that my first HP 8530W was with flow and I have returned it back. Top cover of keyboard beneath LCD display was banded – bad seated with broken plastic placeholder. Also just one more funny note is that stickers on front side (Intel Centrino, Windows Vista, nVidia,… next to touchpad is placed carelessly and not straight – it is just sloppy. Maybe HP in countries which are not important for HP company selling this kind of sloppy cheap second class assembled machines. My colleague in firm have problem with right touchpad key – it must be pressed hard to activate. My unit is made in Chine. Today I had few more startup problem. New BIOS did not reaper problem. I have also notice that when computer is off and connected to AC adapter some fast clicking tiny noise coming from inside laptop. That happens when AC adapter is disconnected from the wall connector after some time (not immediately). I do not know what this could be. Also keyboard have some minor swelling in some area.

 

do you wish you gotten a more suitable laptop, or your going to get a new 8530w from warranty or repaired.

 

I was told by HP that while the 90-watt adapter should be used for infrequent travel only, as this goes beyond what it was designed for and the adapter's life will be shortened if used often for the 8530w due to overheating.

 

Which notebook is generally better: the HP Elitebook 8530p/w or the Dell Precision M4400?

 

I was told by HP that the 90W adapter works just fine, the only difference being that the battery will recharge slower. Somehow I tend to believe 90W should suffice for this laptop but I will get to test this when my adapter arrives in a few days.

 

With a T-series processor and FX770, I don't think a 90W adapter is sufficient.

CPU Max power: 45W
GPU Max power: 35W

So that leaves you with 10W for all other hardware. You will probably get limited performance and the adapter gets very hot.

 

TDP is 35W for both the CPU and the videocard. That makes 70W. But TDPs are somewhat maximum theoretical values. That leaves 20W for the rest of the system plus battery recharge. I'd say it's close but probably enough.
The DV5t can be configured with T-series processors and a videocard that is practically the same (ddr2 vs drr3 power consumption can't be that much lower) and it comes with 90W adapter.
Anyway the 90W adapter is listed as compatible with the 8530w on HP site. I will see how it fares shortly and report

 

You are right about the processor, but you cannot compare with the dv5 because the tdp of the 9600gt ddr2 is only 23W. I don't know why the quadro fx770 is 35W. I think a maxed out dv7 with 2xHDD should have a 120W power adapter.

 

Hmm, what's the TDP for a P8600 CPU and the ATI video card?

 

P8600: 25W TDP
Ati 3650: 30W TDP (according to notebookcheck)
Ati V5700 is unknown but probably the same.

 

Then the 9600GT probably has a lower efficiency. Having tried out the DV5T and the 8530W, the 9600gt runs a lot hotter when both are playing Crysis.

 

It's normal for the 9600GT in the dv5t to consume less than the quadro due to lower ram frequency. I didn't know the difference was this big though. Anyways I am somewhat unsatisfied with the thermal performance of my 8530W. I don't regret not getting ati card (as it is much slower) but still I do not think it is acceptable for a laptop to overheat (or come close to overheating) at normal room temperature when used on a flat desk and with no obstruction to the vents.
Does anyone know if opening the laptop (in order to apply thermal paste) voids the warranty?

 

I aint going to mess with all that as i have 3yrs warranty, but i have noticed that it seems that heat doesnt get away properly on flat surfaces, plus on top of that it gets noisier. its much quieter and cooler on your lap...Try it.

 

What temperature exactly do you mean as overheating? I've heard about people gaming for years on a laptop with 100-105C GPU, so as long as 3 years haven't past it is HP's problem isn't it? I would rate the cooling just mediocre as long as the gpu stays below 95C. Some Dell M4400 seem to have better cooling, but that notebook has other weaknesses.

 

Some chips are easier to overheat than others so there is probably no exact temperature where the chip overheats. But usually you will have system errors once the chip starts overheating. This may cause visual artifacts, a fuzzy screen, weird lines and colors, disappearing WLAN card, and in some cases, a complete black screen.

The chip gets so hot that it desolders itself from the mainboard, but it can sometimes be fixed with a heat gun (i.e. the infamous Xbox 360 heat gun fix).

 

Both of them are great notebooks and designed for the same purpose.

I prefer the Dell Precision M4400 since it has the option for a RGB LED Display, among other advantages.

After reading your previous posts on this thread, I agree with you that HP should really offer a better display on their Elitebook 8530p/w notebooks. They only offer a regular LCD display, which is disappointing.

Hopefully, they will update these notebooks soon to give us more options to choose from.

 

It would be nice if the 8530p/w had something like an RGB LED Display or at least an option for a Dreamcolor Display like the 8730w. I hope they update this model soon!

 

My 90W Air/Car/AC adapter came 2 days ago. I've been using it since. When I plug it in the computer quicklaunch says to connect a more powerful adapter for full performance. However I have tested thoroughly and nothing is downclocked, the notebook works just fine (just as with the original 120W adapter). The 90W brick gets warm after an hour of gaming but it stabilizes and does not get hot. So it seems to work. I also tested it in my car and it hasn't burned the fuses (yet :d)