Deciding on a HP HDX 16

Ok, im looking at the retail version of the hdx(bestbuy or newegg) and have a few questions.

1. Ive read that HP will usually use cheap memmory for gpu's thus leading me to believe that they use ddr2. Is this correct?

2. The retail comes with a tiny 1366x768, which i cant stand and i see the only other option is the 1920x1080 which i think is extremely high for a 16inch screen. What are the thoughts on the two resolutions and is there some middle ground, like a 1600x900 option through third parties?

3. Can someone post some links of the hdx with the 130m gt gpu benchmarks?

4. Finally, for owners, do you really like it?

5. Ok, maybe one more... hdx or studio 16?

 

Come on people! With a quickness! I see you veiwing it!.... jk

 

1. Yes they use ddr2 but there is not a significant difference between ddr2 and ddr3.

2. I have the higher resolution. Although it makes everything look small like websites and text, you'll get used to it. Plus you can have 2 windows open at once.

3. Nope.

4. Yes, mine is 4 months old and I love it. Be sure to get the backlit keyboard. Kills every game I play on it.

5. It was between the hdx16 and xps16 for me too. I read thru their thread and hella people complain about blue screens of death and over heating, to the point of burning your palms. That and the fact that the similar spec'ed hdx16 was $1000 cheaper with the 30% off coupon, made me buy the hdx16. Some things hdx16 has that the xps16 didn't: TV tuner, and better GPU, and full number pads. Yes the xps16 has more advanced technology such as ddr3 and red led screen but when it comes down to it, having bsods and heat issues all the time makes those things irrelevant.

edit: I saw you said the dell studio 16, not xps16. Those are different machines.

 

Plus the hdx looks a lot nicer than the studio, imo. Ill probably roll with the hdx, i think my mind is made up and im just double checking before i pull the trigger.

 

Well the studio xps 16... which i believe is the only 16 inch model that dell currently offers. I had at one time thought of getting the xps m1530, but never did. Bought a macbook instead. I assume that dell, if following current trends, will put a xps 16 eventually. They will have to pull the sales up on alienwares side of the house for that to happen though.

 

Consider the 18 as well the pricing with coupons will be similar... I have an HDX 18.. I moved from a 17" HP and the screen is plainly FANTASTIC!

But you will be happier with HP serivce and warrenties than with Dell by a Longggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg shot.

I might add that buying from HP and using the coupons will save you a ton of cash.. or spend the same money for twice the hardware.

Coupon Code: NZR91524 Expires: 8/13/2009

http://www.logicbuy.com/deals/coupon-HP-Pavilion-HDX16t-16-in-1080p-Blu-ray-Laptop/8259.aspx

Or search for a new one if this one does not work.. you could wait the 1 week for the next one to come out.. Think of it in an HDX as adding a quad core for free.. or a 1gb video card DDR3 for free plus..

Be well and good luck, JW

 

Thanx for the input, but a 16inch is as big as i want to go. You do however bring up another question. The hdx 18 can be configured with ddr3 system memory. What are the chances of a refresh of the hdx 16 line to support ddr3? Anyone hear anything?

 

The 16 is smaller and would benefit from half the heat produced by the DDR2 config... But the 16's don't have Quads and DDR3 for some reason.. The q-9000 runs on the same 479 PGA as the 3ghz available in the 16 so I am at a loss..

I would recomend buying what you are going to be ultimately happy with.. If you want to spend a couple extra bucks on hardware.. the chip I would bump up and then I would start thinking about one (1) SSD for read only.. maybe a raptor for write..

I have 8gb of DDR3.. (more money that sense) which I have never (with 5 windows in IE8, Adobe Pro and Microsoft Office Running with Tunes in the background Jamming) ever come close to 100% use on my Ram.

The Quad is a Mac Truck not a Ferarri.. for multitasking.. it eats up the work not so much as a flinch.. The one thing lacking for me is the SSD, once again in a read only for the OS and apps..

I hope this helped you have a different perspective from an owner verse a commercial..

My best and be well, JW