A few questions about HP's dv6 Pavilions...

Hi everyone,

I have a few questions about the new dv6 series of notebooks from HP:

1. Are you able to disable HP QuickWeb entirely via the BIOS?

2.With switchable graphics, are you able to disable either of the two video cards entirely (e.g. disable the Intel IGP and use only the ATI adapter, or vice versa)?

3. What is the DeviceVM IO entry in the Device Manager (noted on a demo model, dv6-3037ca)

4. What hard drives are typically used in these notebooks? (E.g. Seagate, WD, Hitachi, etc)?

5. Can anyone who owns one describe the HP Stream design in Argento color?

6. Are you able to install the graphics card drivers *WITHOUT* Catalyst Control Center?

Thanks!

 

1) Don't remember... I did see something that you could boot order from Quickweb to boot windows first.

2) Yes, manually and automatically

3) Not sure... I look it up later

4) Hitachi for mechanical hard disk.

5) Don't Have.

6) Yes, if you select custom install.

 

Are you able to switch graphics cards without installing CCC?

 

I don't believe the graphics configuration option when you right click on desktop is available without CCC. There's probably a way to switch without CCC but that's how I've been doing it and it's been fine. It's an automatic switch to priority graphics depending on whether you're on battery or not too

 

Which is a better design... the black cherry color with HP Imprint finish, or the Argento color with HP Stream Brushed Aluminum design? They're both aluminum bodies, correct?

 

The brushed aluminum feels better and sturdier but the black cherry looks better, imo. All of the colors of the regular edition do to be honest but they are not metal finished, just plastic.

 

So the brushed aluminum models are "Select Editions", where-as the other dv6's are regular machines? I'm looking at the dv6-3037ca and the dv6-3077ca, the first being a black cherry colored model, the second being brushed aluminum with the stream design in argento color...

 

Correct. There is no difference internally between the two.

 

Which one would be the best to go with? I've heard some horror stories about the casing (warping, not fitting together properly, trackpad sticking out) on the select edition/metal chassis over the regular dv6s... any ideas?

 

What's everyones experience with the casing on the dv6t SE? Usually OK, or typically faulty to some extent?

 

I have only heard of 1 person having an issue with the casing of the select edition, something with the lid being concave and being an issue. I would reccomend the se because of the metal finish rather than the regular dv6 being plastic.

so the casing is "Usually ok" ... and secksy, I get compliments on my laptop everywhere i go.

 

cazper37, how does the ATI 5650 in your Pavilion perform? Is there any way you could post a screenshot of GPU-Z showing the specs and the temps of the card?