*HP EliteBook 8540w Owners Lounge!*

Can anyone explain precisely what Dreamcolor is? The HP materials on their website are very vague. If it's essentially a wide gamut screen, I don't want that, as it isn't suitable for my photo editing (for web viewing) purposes. But I see there is an "sRGB" mode to Dreamcolor, which perplexes me.

 

How long do you think is the battary runtime of the 8cell LongLife battery (68Wh) going to be? Is more than 3h realistic?
I have the following configuration:
Intel Quad Core i7 720QM 1.60 GHz, 8GB RAM, 500GB HDD 7200rpm, Blu-Ray RE-DVD+/-RW Drive, 15.6" HD 1920x1080, Quadro FX 1800M 1GB

 

How bright can the screen get, how many nits? I need something a lot brighter than the Envy 15 w/Matte cause it sucks outside.

 

Hmm.. I think your battery should last about 7-8 hours.

Nits? About a kazillion, although I hear in direct sunlight it doesn't appear as bright as it sounds.

NO ONE KNOWS THE ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS BECAUSE NO ONE HAS RECEIVED THEIR PRODUCT! Ha. People need to receive their product, then people, not HP, can tell us what they experience. Marketing literature prompting guesses doesn't for plausible make.

 

Can I install a second HDD in the OD bay on my own instead of pay $200 for a 500GB HDD in there? Would there be a part # for the bracket? I'd put in a 640GB HDD.

 

Here's the deal.. the max discount that can be applied is simply 28% . Know it going it. If you get higher discounts, let me know.

 

Im going to call their parts store and see if I can order the tray/sled/caddy or whatever else they're calling it. Basically, some chick in marketing decided that she could sell us a plastic trey for $200 bucks if she threw some technology in it that weighed something more substantial than.. just... plastic. Its bad enough that companies charged $50 for caddies, but now this? I doubt the parts department even has the item from which to indiscriminately allow their employees to sell at FMV what the SMB presently has a dibs to scam for. But, for their target audience, I'd imagine they get the -its and just buy it because its not worth the money they could save to go on a crusade to avoid spending the $200. I'll try to not think about it if I wind up having to bite it..

 

How does one get a 28% discount? The HP website gives a code (CTO8540w) for a 24% discount.

 

call it in...

 

anyone yet to receive a tracking number? Im eager to hear a review...

 

no i got a "oh we're sorry for lying you to and being idiots and stealing your money, but don't worry, we'll apologize again in 10 days if your laptop still hasn't shipped" email

I gotta ship the envy back this friday....who knows maybe my elitebook will arrive today...still says estimated arrival date of the 17th.

 

Sorry dude, no auto-generated tracking number, no shipment, certainly no arrival date. This year, the Chinese N.Y. starts on the 14th of February. They have ... festivisties preceding, and I think it is like a 1f5 day holiday altogether, although, according to wikipedia, for what that's worth, in mainland China, they only get 7 days off. lol. So, assuming its coming from China, as it does, and assuming its going to take about 7 days of transit from there to you, I'm going to say...... the 25th. I feel like the man behind the curtain.. now, how do we bet on this? Escrow? lol

 

i ordered probook 6440b on 2/9. i just got off the phone with the cust service and they told me that the laptop most likely won't be shipped until end of march...

 

the moral of this story...if one can avoid it, wait til april to order a laptop.....

 

The face that there would be a large delay in them shipping the Elitebook was the reason I decided to go another direction. Was like pulling teeth to get an approval for 4k for equipment and I didn't want them to change their mind .

 

who'd you go with?

 

Well, if the only difference between the displays is the gamut (backlight differences) then you'll see absolutely no color quality differences for web browsing and while viewing JPG's from non-SLR digital cameras because they all use the sRGB color standard (60% AdobeRGB) and thus the extra gamut provided by a high gamut display will not be utilized and may even have distorted colors if the viewing program is not aware of how to display sRGB colorspace photos in a AdobeRGB environment and doesn't do any RGB value remapping (A 100,100,100 24-bit RGB color value is a different color in the sRGB space than it is in the AdobeRGB space.) That's also assuming that HP has calibrated the screen for AdobeRGB, and by experience the Envy 15's screen is terribly off calibration from the factory (huge blue shift) I'm not confident in HP's factory color space calibration skills. Honestly, MS word and anything accessible through a web browser will not utilize anything outside the sRGB color space. (sRGB is the colorspace standard that the W3C set to be the standard for "the web")

The only people that *need* a high gamut display and can utilize the benefits they provide are those that do DTP or photo/video editing outside the computer standard sRGB colorspace... and that's a really small segment of the population. My rule of thumb is: "If you don't own a colorimeter and use it regularly, you don't *need* an 100% AdobeRGB display, a sRGB display is what you need." However, you can *want* anything, it's a free country and it's your money. Just remember that not all programs understand that they're not running in a non sRGB colorspace environment and because of that may actually display less accurate colors on a 100% AdobeRGB display. Also if configured properly, Bluray discs and HDTV signals will look better on a high gamut display since the ATSC colorspace is bigger than the sRGB colorspace.

However, if the screen is an 8bit IPS LCD as well, that's another matter. The colors will be better even if the backlight is a 60% AdobeRGB gamut backlight since the Envy 15's screen is only a 6bit TN screen.

 

More important to me than the gamut is going to be the vertical viewing angle... the size of the sweet spot. And, as well, its been a thorn in my lenovo side that some things downloaded have inadequate volume to be audible if AC3. And yes, I realize I could convert them in triplicate to get them audible, but that's work. As previously stated, I'm also hinging my order on the build quality; just as Lenovo's suck in a few areas, the keyboards really are best-in, and I do love the ultranav thingy. I'd like to know how much bloatware the win7 restore disk requires you install, and of course, the real difference in performance tests (not bragging rights) of the 880 vs. 1800 aside from $285. Most of all, I want to know about the irritants we can't even imagine until HP ships unit ONE, and we see where they said "fuggit, it'll be fine." I'm really pulling for this to be a stellar product; it's been my dream to have this type of mouse, 15.6" screen @ 1600x900, with number pad and a good keyboard for about 2 years now.

The moral of this story isn't to wait arbitrarily 'til April -- it's actually to wait until the product becomes more than vaporware to purchase. There's not a single critic who's received an advanced edition of any of the i7 models/elitebooks from which to suggest that the units are even IN PRODUCTION!! I like having a quote that's locked in at this 28% discount rate for the 30 days it's good for, but then again, I'm not convinced the product will materialize within that time frame. Let's hope.. Especially for those of you who've paid already.

PS -- In reviewing the 2 orders that have been posted here, I'm concerned that people are overlooking the value of the battery with the 3 year warranty. If I'm not mistaken, (and why would they warrant a product they expected to fail within the warranty period??,) this is the Boston Power Sonata battery as used in their consumer series, unlabeled as such. This battery retains its ability to hold a FULL charge for three years!! In addition, this battery is rated to last for more time in the first place. This to me is an understated value. I cannot understand not buying it for the menial price of $79. One of three things will happen within the 3 year period otherwise, you will buy another battery for about $79 or more, you will have a lightweight desktop (plug-in-only-system), or three, you will sell your notebook for less because it has a dead battery.

I guess that covers it for now..

 

so youre saying why arent people buying the 3yr warranty battery? they are lower capacity than the other one

 

You're basing that strictly off the watt rating. Its supposed to actually last longer in hours, in addition to years. And even if not, you're talking about 93.5% watt equivalent, so retaining that for 3 years is still worth it.

 

well thats what I figured so I got one.

 

That value is only available to those who pay the huge premium for CTO. At this point, I can only consider the pre-config. I'm willing to spend $2,000, but I can't get a CTO that low and I can't get pre-config that high. Anyway, I'd go for the 3yr battery, but it won't be an option for me.

 

Well, you have to call to get it for the 28% off.. but Im still going to try to swindle it to be lower than the CTO while still making a few mods.. Im thinking however you may be correct... the cost benefit of the 28% really demands that there be customizations beyond just a few cheap items, as Im doing. They do some how manage to stick us between confined choices and a big price jump. Fcukers.

 

looks like the speakers are ... underneath? so.. lift it up to hear it well? could be interesting.

 

take solace however, my dear HP pre-paid customers... those over at Lenovo are probably in the same boat. Can you find a single review on the internet of a person having received a T510? No? They've been accepting money for them for at least 2 weeks now. lol

 

PS.. You see the external CD/DVD RW... they sell for 99$ ?

w t f !! is it?? Ha, looked everywhere...

Model # FS943UT

Actually though, I guess I could just keep my ext. blu-ray ROM for lenovo and put it in an external bay? Any reason not? Thoughts... Or maybe another, if you have a suggestion..

 

my company just got an updated shipping notice of 3/31. a call to the HP rep indicated it was due to the chinese new year. factories are closed until monday (22nd). we were told we would get a more accurate shipping date on monday from the rep.

i plan to wait until monday. if the date is way out, i will probably have to cancel and go with something else. what has everyone else looked at? i may go back to the Envy (if it is shipping!)

rick..

 

just got an email from the rep that i talked to yesterday. she said that my probook (not elitebook...) will be shipped on 2/26. i hope this is for real...

 

If its a 6540 or a 6440, i7 processor, it counts -- otherwise it doesn't. The other models could have been assembled already. Its the i7 systems that probably haven't been produced that expect the longest delays for.

 

well, for what its worth, mine had a ship date of the 12th, which was moved to the 5th then back to the 27th for an arrival date that moved from the 17th to the 9th to the 3rd respectively.

 

yeah, mine originally had a ship date of the 12th as well. at this point, i would take 3/3 if it was guaranteed..

 

That's enlightening (at least to the extent I understand). As a photography enthusiast (i.e., not a professional) who shoots with a DSLR and works in Photoshop and Lightroom, I had assumed I would get some benefit from the DreamColor 2 display. I'm a relative novice, though, so I'm happy to be educated. My thought had been that the standard FHD display, supporting a much narrower color gamut, might be incapable (even with color calibration) of displaying all of the colors that my printer would use. But if I will see no discernible difference in practice--or if, heaven forbid, the display would actually create more problems than it would solve--I would be happy to save the extra money. Is there any practical reason for someone in my situation to get the DreamColor 2 display, as opposed to a FHD matte display?

 

Does it not irritate anyone else that the images of this vaporware are either from far or of a 2" diameter? As soon as one of you gets one of these, PLEASE, post a ton of pictures.

 

If the DreamColor 2 display is a real 8-bit IPS, MVA, or PVA screen you'll see the difference between that and the standard matte screen which usually is a 6-bit TN display. I can't find any info about a dreamcolor display option for the 8540w on HP's site, so cannot confirm nor deny the features or availability of such of display.

My original post was in reference to people who think that greater gamut is ALWAYS better... it isn't if one only uses the computer for web browsing and for displaying pictures from point and shoot digital cameras.

If you shoot with a DSLR, you'll most likely benefit from a 100% adobeRGB capable display... but only if you shoot in adobeRGB and have everything calibrated. Most DSLR's have settings for their JPG's to either use sRGB or adobeRGB colorspace. If you shoot RAW, it doesn't matter, because your photo editing program will do the conversion. Since you use Photoshop and Lightroom, these programs are professional quality programs so will understand the differences in colorspaces of the picture and the display.

I didn't mention printers, but printers also have different color gamuts than displays and the programs you mentioned also will convert the photos to print properly on the printers as long as you have the ICC profiles loaded. However, you *MUST* color calibrate the monitor and the printer to get WYSIWYG colors.

If you don't own a colorimeter and don't calibrate your display and printer, then you should get one as soon as possible since you've probably spent thousands of dollars on your DSLR, lenses, computer, printer and software. Spending approx $400 more on a colorimeter like the ColorMunki to ensure that your prints have the same colors you see through the lens of your camera is a no brainer.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00169N0BK

 

Thanks. I have an Eye One Display 2 device that I've used to calibrate my current laptop. I haven't printed enough photos yet to confirm how accurately my calibrated screen matches my prints. From your description, though, it does seem that I would do well to wait for the DreamColor 2 display--or at least for more concrete information about it.

 

Whether or not you calibrate a wide gamut display, it is highly undesirable if, like me, you are a serious photographer but your photographs are displayed almost exclusively in srgb (web). Wide gamut can be great (or even required) for professional print purposes. I cannot have a wide gamut display. I'm interested to understand what HP "Dreamcolor" is. I assume, from the fact that the word "color" is in it, that it is part of the (in my view ill founded) wide gamut craze, in which case I don't want it. But it's very odd that I can't find any HP materials explaining what exactly Dreamcolor is. Is it wide gamut? If so, is that all it is? What is "srgb emulation" in a wide gamut display?

 

I've read in these forums that it has a better color output than the standard elitebook screen and is brighter, so even if one isn't a pprofessional artist there is still a benefit from getting it. I would prefer wide gamut for some of my hobby stuffs but its certainly not a deal breaker to not have it.

 

anyone know if the volume is decent at max on these?

 

Loud as bawls gurrrrrrrrinteed

 

ha. But seriously.. lenovo's are notorious for being quiet .. and this HP's speakers are on the bottom. anyone had a previous elitebook (I realize no one's had an i7) from which to estimate their concern for volume?

 

NO.. updated shipping dates??? c'mon.. that's what this Monday was supposed to yield.

 

I got an email last week indicating that the units should arrive in the US warehouse today. Expected shipping date 2/24.
We'll see.

 

just curious, what was your original estimated shipping date? mine was the 12th. the last updated notice we received indicated 3/31. still waiting for a response from an hp rep on our order.

rick..

 

My original ship date was 2/11.
That's about the time that I received the docking station.

 

i wouldn't wait. they have no incentive to give you accurate information at this point, beyond trying to hold on to a possible long term customer, which, unfortunately, I am certain, HP doesn't give 2 rats a** about the long term.

My delivery date is the 3rd...so it will have to ship tomorrow, but nothing has been updated on the build progress. I really dont have time to wait for this crap, I needed my laptop last week on the 17th when it should have arrived and if it gets pushed off again I'm buying the first workstation notebook by dell or lenovo ready to ship when I call in the order....

 

Well i lost a lot of respect for HP. The lies about the shipment dates is just plain ridiculous.

shopblt shows the smart buy as 3-14-10

http://www.shopblt.com/cgi-bin/shop...01000100U018_BCM6189P.shtml&order_id=!ORDERID!

I believe a lot of other sellers sell through shopblt. When the smart buys were first listed i believe it was ETA of 2/15/10 then up till today it was 2/25/10. So this is the 3rd time its been pushed back. There's some reason to delay custom but smart buy too...
CDW also changed their thing from ETA dates to CALL. And if i recall their first eta listed on within a week of the release.

A full 45 days since the "release" till they get shipped.

If it makes anyone feel better the back order number by shopblt went from 84 to 63 today.

 

Neither have even remotely equivalent machines! That's what's so frustrating, otherwise I'd have abandoned ship too. Lenovo has their 17" pig, that's just stupidly oversized. I bought one, received it, LAUGHED when I saw it, packed it up, and sent it back. Dell? Their equivalent, as in, NUMBER PAD, i7 processor, point stick, demands you switch to quad, which I think you were opting for, but WOW are they expensive. Admittedly, the M6500 looks like it just might be a nicer system, but its definitely not trying to maximize efficiency of footprint, weight and dollars. If you do decide to get the M6500, do let me know what you think of it.

It really is a shame no one with a stellar keyboard competes for the "15.6" + number pad" market space. Strikes me as absolute optimal efficiency.. and its unfortunate that HP, being the first to use Boston Power tech can't launch a product without disrespecting their customer base. They REALLY ought to compensate you guys, whether you stick it out or choose a different vendor. You did after all, give them a loan without intending to. Their merchant agreement requires they not charge a card holder until the product has shipped -- this information is readily available on the internet, if anyone needs it.

 

Got the bad news on shipping last night. New date is something later than March 22, actually now says shipping date is unknown.
I emailed rep and just heard back that they will build it rather than wait for it to be shipped in. I should expect it in no more than 2 weeks.
We'll see.

 

touche good sir. I will be calling them up when they fail to deliver. I will mention how it costs me money to F up like this, and I will be receiving compensation for this. It is bs to have my money tied up in a company that isn't following through. Certainly they weren't unaware of their actual ship dates.

 

I have a 8530p, the speakers are decent, not bad, but nothing to brag about either. I imagine the 8540p/w will be similar.