*HP EliteBook 8540w Owners Lounge!*

The Intel site http://www.intel.com/Products/Notebook/Chipsets/QM57/qm57-overview.htm states that the Mobile Intel QM57 Express Chipset, which is used in the 8540w, supports SATA 3Gb/s. Therefore I doubt that the laptop will support SATA 6Gb/s.

 

does the 8540W support RAID? if so would I be able to use one 80GB Intel SSD in the main drive and one in a caddy and run myself a nice little RAID 0

 

Mine arrived today with this specs:

Prozessor Intel QuadCore i7-720QM
Cache 4 x 256 KB L2; 6 MB L3
Takt 1.6 GHz (Turbo Boost 2.8 GHz)
HD 500 GB / 7200 RPM
RAM 8 GB (4 x 2 GB, DDR-3)
Display 15.6" Full HD (matt), 1920 x 1080, LED
Displayformat 16:9
Graphik Nvidia Quadro FX 1800M
Batterie 8 Zellen Akku, Long Life d, 68 Wh
Laufwerk Blu-ray RE, DVD+/-RW
Gewicht 2.9 kg (inkl. Akku)
Betriebssystem MS Windows 7 Pro (64) Multilanguage
Installations-DVDs für Windows 7 Pro (64) und (32) und XP Pro (32) beiliegend

 

First GPU Benchmarks arrived.
According to PassMark, the new Quadro FX 1800 performs better than expected.

Code:

GeForce GTX 280M          912
Quadro FX 3800M           886
GeForce GTX 285M          868
GeForce GTS 360M          846
GeForce 9800M GTS         805
GeForce GTS 160M          802   (10% better)
Mobility Radeon HD 5850   783
Quadro FX 3700M           783
GeForce 8800M GT          766
MSI NX7900 GT/GTO         738
Quadro FX 2800M           738
GeForce 9800M GTX         730
Quadro FX 1800            720 <<<
GeForce GTX 260M          717
GeForce 9800M GT          712
GeForce 9800M GS          693
GeForce 8800M GTX         691
Quadro FX 2700M           688
Mobility Radeon HD 5730   665
Quadro FX 3600M           663
GeForce 8800M GTS         655
GeForce GTS 250M          641   (10% slower)
GeForce 9700M GTS         624
Mobility Radeon HD 5650   606
Mobility Radeon HD 4670   591
GeForce Go 7900 GTX       587
MOBILITY RADEON X1800     580
Quadro FX 2500M           580
GeForce Go 7950 GTX       577
GeForce GT 335M           571
Quadro FX 3500M           570
Mobility Radeon HD 5165   562
Quadro NVS 510M           531
Mobility Radeon HD 4650   522
Mobility Radeon X1900     520
Mobility Radeon HD 3850   512
GeForce Go 7800 GTX       511

* Passmark Score for midrange mobile GPU's

 

Do you think, that they only have forgotten the "M"? Me not. Maybe the mobile version is as powerfull as the workstation variante.

 

Please run some GPU benchmarks

 

Hey all, first time posting and its because I just received my new elitebook yesterday after having my first gen macbook ever since it was released. I think that's about 4 years. I was going to wait for the mac pro refresh but I realized that I used windows on my macbook about 90% of the time so it didn't make any sense to go with mac again. So far I'm loving the computer except for a few things. Its going to take me a little time to get used to the hinged touchpad buttons, which I am not a big fan of right now. But the biggest issue I have right now is that my pointing stick and touchpad buttons will only perform the same function. For example, if I set the touchpad middle button launch a browser and the pointing stick middle button to scroll. Both middle buttons will only launch the browser. I've tried disabling the touchad and reinstalling drivers, but nothin has worked. Any help? Thanks

 

Can you post GPU-Z screenshot to confirm memory type (GDDR5) and clock speeds?

 

A bit off topic, but I noticed your profile, and I am wondering if you attended of know of St. George's University?

 

Ups! Mea culpa. You have right, there is absolutely no warranty, that the M version performs equally.

Another interesting question is about possibility to access the Intel's IGP inside of i7 (arrandale). The QM57 Chipset should make it possible, but you never know...

 

I just ordered the preconfigured FN095UT from tigerdirect a few days ago - bing cash back was hard to resist (thanks to Telegan for the great tip!). I got the cheaper 120W advanced docking station for $180 also from tigerdirect instead of the 230W version that came with the HP deal, which from the spec is compatible with the 8540w. I am hoping it just takes longer to charge with this dock with no other downside.

It is slated for delivery Monday and I gathered from others that it comes with windows XP installed. I intend to upgrade to windows 7 64-bit as others have done (I have the ISO and will follow the tip from yuio to use the same license key - thanks yuio!).

I assume I need to do a clean/custom install. Any caveats/suggestions on the approach? I'd be happy to get rid of the bloatware, but I would like to keep some of the HP specific stuff like the quickweb, quicklook, webcam, etc. What process have others followed?

Any advice would be much appreciated! Sorry if this has been asked before - please point me to the posts.

Thanks!

//Joe

 

You can see a list of available software for download at HP's 8540w driver page. Select the appropriate OS and you can see all drivers and software for the 8540w. For Windows 7 Enterprise 64-bit, which is what I installed on mine, I see quickweb and webcam but I don't see quicklook unless it's under a different name. I also did a clean install. No sense in doing an upgrade install when there's nothing you want to keep from the old OS.

 

Hi, finnaly back from holidays.

could someone give me links to free benchmark programs i should run?

Thanks.

 

First GPU-Z to see the clock frequency.

Then 3D Mark Vantage as benchmark (and please run it at 1280x1024 with no PhysX so the result is compareable to this list)

 

Above fx2700m

Graphics Score 2809

http://service.futuremark.com/home.action;jsessionid=63B025F74CDC494A053B104A82245A8B?resultId=2073805&resultType=19

N.B: i did set the resolution to 1280x1024 but test did go full screen (i have 1920x1080) and it did test with physx

 

The driver disk that came with mine was missing the wireless card driver and the video driver. Luckily I downloaded them before the machine arrived.
Other than that, the conversion to W7 went fine for me.

 

Thanks for the link! That is quite a lot of stuff. Are there any that are essential or recommended (for bug fix or just ease of operations)? What did you end up installing on top of the base OS?

Thanks!

//Joe

 

Hence it's above 3600M, 3500M and 2500M. Looks like DDR5 gives the performance boost!

With graphics Score 2809 it is in the top 20 of mobile GPUs.

 

For those that bought the FN095UT#ABA model from Tigerdirect recently, the price just dropped to $1599.99. I called them about it and due to their price guarantee, they gave me a credit of $25 for future purchases. It is a bit strange that the person said no indication will show up on my account online at the site, but it is in their billing system and I would have to call them to use the credit. I've not verified that this credit is legit, but I would assume so. Worth a call at least.

 

well the FX 1800 looks to be a nice card!

 

I skipped the BIOS updates--newer version shipped with my laptop. Did all the device drivers like chipset, WLAN, video, audio, touchpad, etc. Only installed applications I thought I'd use like the HP webcam software.

 

Yes, I am at SGU.

I believe HP has stated that it will not support it.

Weird specs for the FX 1800M. Slow GDDR5 speed, but definitely above what GDDR3 can do.

GDDR5 *should* give a big boost as it effectively doubles the bandwidth, making the 128-bit card more like a 256-bit GDDR3 card.

 

The person who did the benchmarks used the old 188 driver provided by HP, maybe they slow things down a bit?

 

Shouldn't change clock speeds.

 

Awesome, how is the place? I am about to attend AUC in a month.

 

guys, please use the private messaging for offtopic. thnx.

 

Sorry about that... but anyway, can anyone compare the performance between the 800M and the 1800M? Is the difference worth the extra couple hundred dollars?

 

Has anybody who purchased from TigerDirect been able to get HP to sell you the accidental coverage?

 

So far we only know that the 880M scores 2558 in 3DMark Vantage (according to notebookcheck) while the 1800M scores 2809 (although with very old drivers, some GT 330M users report up to 15 fps more in games with recent drivers compared to the ones that notebooks are shipped with).

 

I called hp and they claim if you buy at tiger direct. once you recive the laptop, go to hp.com and go to accessories then warenty (something like that) and add the accidental warrenty plan. They will ask for serial number and that's it ur couvered.

Sry for typos since I typed this on my phone

 

Man, this thing is beautiful.



The keyboard noise is very similar to the amount on the Dell Latitudes. They punch in very nice and smooth. The keyboard is actually quite similar to the Dell XPS 16 in my opinion. The XPS is slightly quiter/smoother, but they are very close. That's saying a lot, because the XPS keyboard is very nice.



The trackpad is slightly more indented than other laptops I've used recently. I really like the feel of the trackpad buttons. They feel rubberized and the clicking is very smooth.



The palmrest is comfortable and has stayed cool for me during normal use. My E6500 by comparison gets warm on the palmrest under the same load.

 

Thanks, just picked it up for $106 after tax. Awesome

 

Don't know if it is comparable and would apply to HP laptops not purchased there, but Costco sells the HP totalcare 2 year ADP and lojack for $99. See here:

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11378799

Seems to be a good deal - I have not called to verify eligibility though.

 

Hi!
I just wonder is there any difference between 1600x900 and 1920x1080 displays in terms of visual quality - brightness, contrast and vertical viewing angles.

I have to choose between them.

On paper FullHD (1920x1080) is much better but anyone seen them side by side ?

ALSO:
What is the black level of HD+ and FULL HD dispaly: When You switch on the computer and You look from above the display it becomes either light grey in stead of black ( like all cheap 1366x768 displays) or it stays black ( like DELL STUDIO XPS 16 FULL HD, DELL STUDION 1558 FULL HD and most of nice external S-IPS displays ).

 

This paper has some official info on brightness and angles.

EDIT in repsonse to vazmuten's edit:
Two 8540w side by side? It's almost impossible to get you hands on one of these laptops right now (I ordered my 1080p 8540w more then one month ago and still wait for it), for someone to get a 1080p and 900p machine next to each other you will have to wait a few more weeks.

 

I am just about to order the "Best" preconfigured model here in Austria, Europe, but one thing really bothers me:
From the pdf's it seems the configuration with the FX1800 card ships with the 120W power supply, but the FX800 model only needs the 90W type. This is a difference in weight of about 1,2lb (0,7kg) and a huge difference in power supply size (which I carry every day!!!). Can some owners please confirm this? thanks.

 

Received my laptop March 31st.... Wrong damn screen. Part/model number both point to 8540w FHD but the screen is HD. HP has been jerking my chain again about when I will get the replacement. Promised 5 to 7 days, but still don't have an answer. So I wait two months for a laptop and then it has the wrong screen and apparently I have to wait in line again.

I love the elitebooks, but I may be switching to Apple, Dell or Lenovo after this. Just way too many promises broken over the past months.

We were on the verge of going HP for servers, desktops and laptops. Pretty sure that plan is out the door. If only they were upfront an honest from the get go.

What we should have been told: "We're not sure when your equipment will ship, probably in 6-8 weeks."

Instead of: "We guarantee if you order today you will have them in less than two weeks", "The Chinese New Year slowed production down", "The Chinese New Year created a very large backlog", "This is a very popular laptop and we're having problems keeping them in stock", etc.


Anyway, I'm just generally miffed that after waiting I get a bad unit. Maybe I shouldn't take it out on HP, but is there anyone else to blame?

 

I would like to ask if can somebody test 8540w with FX1800 or FX800 with two external displays (extend desktop) (2x DVI on dock station or VGA + DisplayPort). It is possible to have two external displays and LCD on notebook?

 

They have been shipping 120W AC adapters since the 8530W, a decision that I don't understand either. My older 8510p shipped with 90Ws.

 

Simple the power of the quad cores and the consumption of the gpu cause the need for it. if u used a 90w charger then ur machine could not utilize the power properly cos the chargers not giving it enough power hence the warning similar to "switch the charger as theres not enough power"

put it this way. if u are going on ur travels and have no intention of playing intensive games. bring the 90w if u got it spare otherwise u best off bringing the brick (120w-150w)

 

Please read the post I quoted. I perfectly understand why higher spec'd machines will need a 120W. But for machines with a i5 or standard C2D CPU + a mid range GPU, why bother shipping a 120W adapter? Why not ship a cheaper, lighter 90W?

For example, my 8510p has a Core 2 Duo CPU + a HD2600 GPU, the 8530p have P series or T series C2Ds (rated 25 or 35W TDP respectively), along with a HD3650 which is a die shrinked 2600, overclocked. Both of which uses a similar amount of power. So why bother shipping a 120W for something that can run on a 90W with no issues?

 

Take a closer look at the pdf. If you take a dual core and a 880m you get a 90W AC adapter. 120W/150W are only if you want a higher-end CPU or/and GPU.

 

ooo didn't see that for the 8540W. Thanks for pointing that out. Perhaps HP did realise that after the 8530p/w.

 

So, just ordered the 8540w from tiger direct through bing cashback (12.3% if you go to bing.com and search tigerdirect.com). On top of that I ordered a x25 intel ssd (80GB), and a caddy for a hdd or ssd from:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=457570&page=40.

I was wondering what was the best way of going about this, should I move my hard-drive (the stock 320GB 7200RPM HDD) to the caddy I bought, and put my SSD into where the hard-drive originally was...or vice versa.

The setup I want to have is operating system + a few applications on the SSD; my music, videos, documents,...etc on the HDD.
aka SSD-boot drive HDD-all my junk

 

Keep your HDD in the primary drive bay. Elitebooks don't have a technology that parks/freezes hard drives when falling in the expansion bay.

 

so if I put my ssd into the expansion bay, it will have the same performance as the primary drive bay.

------------------------------------
Thanks, SapienZ

 

yes. the same SATA transfer rate. 3 Gbit/s.

 

My 8540w has Core i7 620M w/ FX 880M and arrived with a 90W

 

AFAIK the video card only supports 2 outputs. I run DisplayPort + DVI at the office and DisplayPort-to-DVI + VGA at home. At one point while configuring displays I remember it recognizing 3 displays including the laptop screen, but there was no way to get it to output to 3 screens simultaneously. Makes sense anyway, as no consumer-grade video card had supported more than 2 simultaneous displays until ATI's Eyefinity-capable cards.

 

Thanks for the answer. How you run Displayport + DVI? DisplayPort on laptop and DVI on docking station?