Glossy finish on Pavilion notebooks - problem or not ???

I have read alot of reviews where people have commented that due to the glossy finish of the Pavilion notebooks, it's hard to keep it fingerprint free. Is it really that bad and noticeable and hard to keep clean (rather than wiping it down every time you have finished using it) ? How annoying is it ?

I currently have a notebook with a matte finish and I am sure there are fingerprints on it, but they are unnoticeable.

 

They have fixed the issue with almost all of the newer DV Series....

Its safe to get any of the dvx7xx+ series's...

 

My 9700t has glossy finish that collects a lot of dust. The screen has glare when used in front of the windows and gets fingerprints really easy.

On top of that, my computer that I just opened 1 week ago is locking up and shutting down constantly. I need to take it back to the store.

I've had enough of it.

 

Those are all very circumstantial reasons...

Every single notebook will collect dust... its inevitable, and if you have a pet it will happen twice as fast. This is not an issue if you properly maintain your notebook, most people think that their notebook should always be working for them and not them working for it.... The thing is notebooks are very fragile and are meant to be taken care of...

For example, what do you do after you get done with a knife you used for dinner... do you bent it in half and throw it in the trash, do you put it right back into the drawer, or do you clean it so it will be ready and usable the next time you need it?...

These days all the LCD screens are glossy, that is the most efficient way to make the screens work in a variety of different environments... Most of the new screens(I know almost all the HP's) are polarized to reduce glare, the problem is they have it put it between glass and plastic(to keep the Liquid crystal material from coming out) for the EU's protection. If you used the old 'Mute' screens you would never say anything bad about the new LCD's...



For the shutdown issue, I can't count how many times people say "My notebook randomly shuts off."
When I turn on their computer and look at the battery and its at 2-3%. People need to remember... laptops aren't desktops, they can't stay on all the time, and they need to be charged frequently.

People do not realize that when a computer has a low battery, It can't make you plug it in, windows will tell you a couple times that you need to plug it in... after you ignore it a couple times its not going to tell you anymore, its going to do what it need to do to stay operational(alive)... That means it will shut itself down if you aren't going to listen to it.

** NOTICE: The reason they have this is because, if the notebook shuts down without; saving and/or closing Critical Operating System functions there is a change it could cause one or more of the following:

• Corrupt Operating System.
• Corrupt Drivers.
• Corrupt User Data.
• Corrupt File System.
• Damage RAM.
• Corrupt Hard Drive Sectors.
• Damage CPU.
• Damage MAX chip.
• Damage Super IO.
• etc.

**

 

For me, it has not really been much of a problem. In fact, I never removed the oem plastic sheet from the lid (and it is almost a year old now).

As for the inside, the silver Imprint does not look any "dirtier" than the flat silver paint on my other HP. The black keyboard shows more dust, but that is to be expected......

 

It can be annoying at times.

 

It can be annoying cleaning it daily but it does look very good.

 

To clean the screen use a alchol pad and a micro fiber cloth

 

I also have never even removed the plastic cover on the lid of my notebook either. What does it look like under there lol???????/

 

What's the point of having the glossy finish if you aren't going to take off the protective sheet, and show it off?! The units all comes with a microfiber cloth to polish. I do a "mainenence" every month... I used to polish it everyday, but I'm so active that I just got tired of it. I don't really care anymore. It is a finger print magnet (like Ipods), but that's how things are made these days... aesthetics over quality! We live in a visual world... unfortunately, we are animals who produce oils and crap on our skin... there's nothing that can be done.

Every month or every few weeks I use compressed air to remove all dust. Than I have an LED cleaning solution that I use on the entire shell. It removes all grime and fingerprints. Than I polish using the microfiber cloth. But usually by the next day it's back to where it was. It's not a big deal... you just get used to it.

 

Wouldn't that dissolve the anti-glare coating HP put on the screen?

 

I understand your point, but getting the Imprint finish was not an extra option. It was something standard that I could have done without.

 

Do you also put 'Glad Wrap' or 'Cling Wrap' over the keyboard and palm rest area also ? LOL

 

How about we all invest in a pair of gloves when using the notebook so that no fingerprints are left ? LOL

Also, just like they have Car Wash places, perhaps they should have Notebook Wash places where they can clean and buff the notebook. You can request the super clean deal or the keyboard only clean deal....

 

Resale value.

 

Kinda like how you don't take your 'star wars' figures out of their original packaging...

 

Honestly, I'd rather see someone go to those lengths to keep their notebook looking nice... I've seen notebooks vomited on, poorly wiped down, and were still being used.

I have many disgusting stories, some things you wouldn't even dream possible...

So keep your notebooks clean people... if for no1 else, but my own sake.

 

I tried that this morning when I did my weekly notebook maintenance. It works very well as the alcohol evaporates not leaving any residue or streaking behind unlike Windex which is a ***** to get off the screen.

As for causing damage I don't know I had never thought of this and this is the first I tried it just to see if it was better and it was.

Anymore thoughts on alcohol? I never even thought about removing the plastic its no big deal. I thought well it will protect it and I didn't buy it to stare at it all day. I bought it to use. But I may go ahead and take it off now. I have had it for about 8 months.

 

Pavilion is meant to target home entertainment notebook market, so its glossy finish is meant to give that polished / luxury look.

There is no doubt that such surface attracts smudge and fingerprint easily; especially for those with sweaty palms or very oily fingers. I agree with you that a matte surface machine has less obvious stain-mark even though it is there.

For the screen, my ThinkPad has matte surface while my MSI is glossy. From actual experience, the matte screen really reduces glare from surrounding light sources. If concentration is key consideration, go for matte screen machine.

HP has a good range of differentiated notebook categories. Choose wisely; you may also like to consider the HP-Compaq Business series.

Click :
http://hpbroadband.com/(S(lux0a545v...MOWS1ZO&psn=notebooks_tablet_pcs/notebook_pcs


rgds.

 

A good thing to try using it 'Goo Gone'... Spray a little on a paper towel, wipe your screen down, then use a dry paper down and wipe off the 'goo gone'.

We use it to get super glue off screens. I've never had any issues.

 

From my experience, there is no such thing as resale value in computers. Once a newer model is released, the older ones are virtually worthless.

 

Well I just sold my old zv5348rs before I bought this 9500t and got 500$ for it. It was in great shape just the hard drive had completely blown. So I had a new one put in and sold it. I couldn't complain cause I had it for about three years, bought it back in 04 at Radio Shack and left it on all time. Even through the nights and didn't have the sleep like this one has or I never used it.

I think thats one thing that probably help shorten the life of the HD. This one is however extremely noisey.

 

Let me guess... that 200GB 7200RPM drive you're referring to is the Hitachi 7k200? If so, I completely understand what you mean by "extremely noisy"!

 

My compaq laptop has a glossy finish, and it is so bad, I try to ignore it. I am hoping me new alienware area-51 m9750 will be better. It has a stealth black, rubber matte finish. i have also had trouble with the dust.... (using a whole can of dust spray in the fans and keyboard...from normal use)

go here to find about a good matte laptop - http://www.alienware.com/product_de...SysCode=PC-LT-AREA51M9750&SubCode=SKU-DEFAULT

 

I have an HP laptop and I'm Getting A New one soon. I really like the glossy finish even though it does attract fingerprints. I just takes some time to get use to. I wipe mines down everyday and it's no problem. The glossyness just makes my laptop look and feel new.

Just like cars, do you often see people with matte finish cars? Would you buy a shiny brand new car or a matte-y new car? Laptops are turning into accessories, thats why many companies are now improving design. I think HP is doing a good job with design even though people are getting tired of HP just releasing new Imprints, but hey, there are some companies that are trying to copy HP, and theirs don't look as good as HP.

Some people may or may not like shinyness, and that's just their personal taste. I can't force someone to like a shiny laptop just because I do, and someone can't force me to like a matte finish notebook because they do.
The only problem I get with the glossy finish is when someone else complains about it. You don't have to tell me you don't like my laptop just because it's shiny.

 

Haha, I thought I was the only crazy guy that hadn't removed the plastic protective cover from the notebook lid, and so it seems there are lots of them.... hehehe.

It's ugly, full of air bubbles, but I like the idea that underneath it, everything looks just like new...

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
dv9700t, T9300 2.5GHz, Ultra BrightView, 2GB DDR2, 512MB Nvidia 8600M GS
ImprintRadiance+FPR+WC, Intel PRO/Wireless 4965agn + BT, 2x160GB Hitachi
BluRay ROM w/ SM DVD DL & LiteScr, HC 8-cell battery, Vista Home Premium
Verizon FIOS, Xtra Speakers M-Audio AV-40 & Wired MS Intellimouse Explorer

 

Oh the alienware notebook is nice ... Looks like something from outer space expecially with the ridges on the lid. Maybe the alien from the Predator movies uses them LOL.

Hey...imagine if Hummer bought out a range of laptops ! Can you imagine wot they would look like LOL

 

go here to find out about a pretty, overpriced laptop: http://www.alienware.com/product_de...SysCode=PC-LT-AREA51M9750&SubCode=SKU-DEFAULT

I tried configuring one with the exact same specs as the one I have (except the 17-inch screen, 512mb graphics card, and a few little discrepancy like 2GB of ram instead of 3GB etc), and lo and behold, it came out about $1000 more.

Of course, if price is no problem, that's a laptop I would love.

 

I strongly recommend never to use such powerful products as alcohol on your LCD screen. It doesn't so much eat the screen a way, but it can turn the screen into this nasty yellow color after extended use.

 

I have a pavillion, it gets smudgy from time to time but I don't stay awake at night because of it or anything, I find it much easier to just give it a wipe down. I took the plastic cover off straight away, it would have been an injustice to keep that sleek finish locked away under a plastic sheet.

 

spray windex on some kleenux, wipe the screen, and dont ever touch the screen again. Not sure why your having a hard time with getting the windex off.

I hate the glossy finish on these laptops but i dont mind the fingerprints. The glossiness actually seems to be a rather resilient clear coat, which seems like it will protect the laptop from scratches pretty well. Why am i forced to get a laptop with a silly imprint design.

 

The only issue I have with my screen is collecting dust but other then that it's great and I would not want to trade my glossy in for anything else.

 

No I do believe the 7200 that came with mine is a Toshiba drive. I know the old one that failed was a Toshiba also.

I will try a Klenex with the Windex also. It just seems like the glossy screen the Windex streaks and dries on it really bad. It is hard to get it all off. You think you have but a second look while the moniter is off or black reveals all the residue left behind.

 

i kinda like the glossy finish because they look cool but i don't like (really hate) the smooth touchpad =(. they're too smooth IMO and its a PITA to use it when my fingers are sweaty

 

Yeah... I don't like the smooth touchpad either. I use an optical mouse at home all the time to avoid using the touchpad as mouch as possible.

 

I know you are righ , it is reverse value. But I did it like him too and I feel secured by it.

It's like an insurance.

I also put some plastic coating cover on my keyboard and touch pad to protect them from accidental scratches. Since I know I will sell it in a few months and buy a new one , I will have to keep it very clean.

 

Hmmmm....from people's posts, it seems like the glossy finish and the smooth touchpad are high maintenance and people are going to extreme lengths to keep it clean or avoid touching it altogether. Personally, I think it's a shame to go to such lengths and HP should design something that is easy to maintain. It all seems too "delicate" in my mind.

 

On the contrary I think its more of a low maintenance design. I have had my notebook ever since HP released the imprint finish back in mid 2006. I haven't used any sort of cleaning agent or any store bought liquid, just tap water and paper towels is all that is necessary, the imprint finish is still as good as it was new. Yeah, there are a couple of scratches but other than that there are no major wear issues with the finish which one can notice in regular paint finish(especially comparing around the palm rests and the touch pad).

As for as cleaning is concerned, you don't have to sit and polish it everyday, I usually clean mine whenever I have time - once a month, week but never daily. IMO, Thats just overkill.

 

This is so funny, because I am the exact opposite. Everytime I have had to use a notebook with a trackpad, I could absolutely not stand it. Of course I grew up using IBM trackpoints, so the trackpad felt very inefficient in comparison. If there was only a trackpad available, I had to take out a mouse to get things done.

But when I tried out the smooth trackpad's on the Special Editions at Best Buy, I was blown away by how comfortable the smooth texture was on my figures compared to the usual roughness. Same goes for the keys. The rough textured keys on most laptops just feel so cheap and hollow. The smooth HP keys feel sturdier and more like my desktop keyboard.