HP DV2 Initial Impressions (Pics 56K warning)

How can you tell if it does come with Bluetooth?
Went to STAPLES and looked under device manager and could not see it listed.
Well the STAPLES web site and it does state it DOES NOT HAVE BLUETOOTH, so maybe there version does not come with it.

 

i had the n10j-a1, sold it when i saw this was on sale. the n10j is smaller, but i just hate the 1024x600 res screen. although the new xp drivers are out supporting 1024x768 on it. hoping there will be an overclocking solution for the dv2 down the road.

 

The only thing I don't like about dv2 is the cap lock is too close to the 'A' key. I am a touch typist, I hit the cap lock when I hit 'A' key sometime and I also got all kinds of typing error because the keys are smaller. So I am returning the dv2.

 

I picked up the white version of the dv2 from Best Buy in Toronto today for $700. I have been looking at the dv2 ever since it first came out, and I've been looking at all other alternatives, and finally came back to this one being what I wanted. Then I saw the white one at Best Buy yesterday, and it looks so nice.. imo much nicer than the black one, the chrome doesn't stand out as much, and it looks cleaner.. They only offer the lower end one tho, but I had basically decided I was going to get the base one anyways, so I'm pretty happy with it!

 

I'm a touch typist, and I have no problem with the A button being too close to the caps lock.. the only small problem I have with the keyboard is the tall enter key, and the small left shift key, but I've had it for about an hour and I'm already getting used to it, so I don't see how that could be enough to make you return the dv2 unless you have really fat fingers or something...

 

Did you happen to see a white one for the version with the discrete graphics card?

That's what I'm waiting for as it seems there is black for both 1044CA and 1028CA and white 1028CA. (I'm assuming yours is 1028CA by the price and BB website listings.)

 

yes. all one needs is a bit of practice.

 

No, so far Best Buy only has the 1028CA. Future Shop got both of their models at the same time, so I don't know if that means Best Buy will only get this one, or if they'll get another model later, but I'm pretty satisfied with this one.

 

I've ran Windows 7 and Vista, neither show the battery time gauge when it's unplugged. Is it just me or is it everyone? I've never seen a laptop do that before.

 

Running factory installed Vista. Mine shows the battery gauge.

 

I'm currently running a fresh install of Vista SP1, I'm going to try to install the HP Quick Launch. I have one device in Device Manager unknown, maybe that's the problem.

 

have you installed the HP hard drive shock protection drivers?

 

Yeah, I did install the hard drive shock protection, although it won't do anything because I'm running and OCZ Vertex SSD. Still no luck on the battery time, even RMClock won't report it.

 

How does the dv2 perform with flash based streaming video output to an HDTV via HDMI? Any stuttering?

 

Does anyone know if HP is planning on releasing the DV2 with an Intel processor? Any time frames?

Also, are there any plans on releasing an Enviro Battery for the DV2?

Thanks!

 

Not sure if its flash based, but ESPN360 stutters horribly on my Vizio 52 inch LCD tv. It runs fine in the "Large" size, but full screen stutters pretty bad. This is running at the native resolution for the TV which I guess is too much for the CPU to handle when doing video.

 

from experience i'd rather take the lower voltage and quietness over getting a couple hundred mhz. by default its not the hottest unit out there, but coming from a Sony CN-220 it can be a lot quieter/cooler.

 

I've bought them all and changed them.

FutureShop:

2gb ramm
b/g wireless
no bluetooth
X1000 integrated
Black Finish

600$


BESTBUY

Same as futureshop
BUT WHITE (nice looking)


COSTCO.ca

4gb of ramm
B/G/N wireless
no bluetooth
external CD DVD writer
HD3410 512m Video Card
Black Finish

800$ ( i bought it at 700$ today at costco on special)


The computer runs well, what is is Vista installed on it.

Out of the box i tried to play Youtube HD, it stutters

I uninstall Norton (crap) and other useless programs from HP and it works like a charm.

But, I was still not happy with the speed.

I installed Windows 7 64bit RC2 and it works GREAT!!!

I've been using it download the drivers, reboot it, go on internet since 4pm left it on idle for an hour and im still at 41% battery at 7h42pm

Vista eats up your battery and your performance.<

I have it and I can say its a great computer:


Upgradeable points ive opened it)

1 Pci-e slot (with WWAN Evdo & 3G antenna....i think)
1 slot ramm (4gb is 240$ new so it's really worth to get the higher model)
1 half pcie slot for wifi
1 slot next to the pcie (i think its for a small bluetooth model)
1 acces to HDD to change it.

This computer is light, cheap, fast, small and can be easily upgraded.

 

I just bought one of these, even though the dual core version is coming out soon, mainly because they were so cheap now and I plan to mostly use it to watch normal dvds (not HD), play some older games that are not mutli-core optimized, and take notes in class.

I just tested out Doom 3 on it and I was suprised to only get around 27fps (1280x800 both on high and medium). Everything on maximum power and plugged in with the latest ATI calatyst drivers (9.5) modded for laptops. I was just checking out CPUz when I noticed that the HD 3410 is only running at x8 linkwidth and the max possible is x16. The GPUz screenshot on the first page of this thread says his card is only at x8 as well. Does anyone know how to change the linkwidth to x16? I checked amd's site and it said the mobility radeon 3410 is a PCI-e 1.1 x16 card, so that confirms that it should be capable of x16!

I've read about people running UT3 at 1280x800 w/medium settings and getting good fps, but doom 3 is like 5 years old and should be quite playable! I think it might be CPU limitation, but the x8 PCI-E makes me wonder...

 

I bought the white version from Best Buy about 3 days after it came out for $700. Two weeks later, they dropped the price by $50, but they have a two week price guarantee, so I brought in my receipt and got a $50 refund. Phew! Then wouldn't you know it, like a week later, they drop the price another $50!! doh!! anyway..

One thing I haven't heard anyone mention is the SIM card slot, mine has one behind the battery, and I'm not sure what to do with it, if anything...

Also, I'd like to install Windows 7 on it if I can borrow an external dvd drive from someone.. mine didn't come with it. The one I have came with 2GB of RAM, is there any point to installing 64bit version, or should I just install 32bit?

 

Hey guys I just got this laptop (DV2-1043CA) from costco... I love it but a huge problem I cannot figure out right now...it seems like the FAN is running at FULL SPEED all the time, even at IDLE! (ie: desktop) It is VERY LOUD and ANNOYING! I checked BIOS (F.03) and disabled the FAN ALWAYS ON option, but to no success. Can anyone point me in the right direction to solve this? Is it defective??? I may have to return it, it's that bad. I still want to try and update the bios from F.03 to F.09, maybe that will help???

Here is a screenshot of CPUID's Hardware Monitor, the min stats are when I was idle at desktop and the max stats is when I was playing COD4 demo. Is it normal???:

 

I got the dv2-1024ca from futureshop on Friday.

2gb RAM
250GB HD
ATI X1270 graphics (64mb cache)
Wireless B/G

I had issues with the 5-in-1 card reader not working out of the box, a trip to hp.ca solved that by uninstalling the reader then reinstalling using the drivers from hp's site.

I also plan on upgrading (adding 2gb) ram for the machine. Beyond that, no real plans, aside from potentially installing 64bit Winblows Vista on it.

Also looking at getting a Samsung 8x external slimline DVD burner, but that's still undecided.
I got mine for $549 and got Futureshop to throw in the 2yr PSP ($169) for free. $611 taxes in.

 

Thinking of picking it up on sale at costco for 699 to replace my 1000h that's just to weak for some tasks.

Anyone know if it plays nice with Ubuntu? I willalso give win 7 RC a try.

 

Well I got win 7 RC x64 installed and seems to work fine. I don't seem to get the side scroll feature on the touchpad. Should I try and install the VIsta x64 ALPS touchpad driver?

Also, has anyone flashed BIOS in WIn x64? The utility seems to win Vista based, not command line or DOS based.

 

I'm using the Vistax64 ALPS driver with windows 7RC. Works great, although the back and forward gesture seem to only work in the file explorer and ie, not in firefox.

I also updated the firmware to f.09 with the vista utility, no problems.

 

Be quick I think the sale is over soon, it's not listed on the website anymore. but that doesn't mean it's not in stores.

I'm curious about ubuntu too. Windows 7 RC kicks compared to the vista install and my previous vista laptop.

 

Yeah I burned recovery discs than wiped that Vista sucker off.

Win 7 x64 installed without a hitch. ALPS driver installed OK. I still get an exclamation mark in the device manager for something listed as hpq0004.

Ubuntu 8.10 x64 installs without issues, and everything works fine (wifi, touchpad, webcam, sound, etc...)

Jaunty is a different story. It requires work to install, and more work to get sound working. But once finished it runs just fine, with the proprietary fglrx driver. I can even get suspend and hibernate working, as well as most of he Fn keys. For x1250 gpu owners though, I would stick to Intrepid. 3400 series GPU owners could go with Jaunty, but playing video in fullscreen with compiz causes a crash for me. I guess ATI needs a year to fix their sucky drivers.

Battery lifes sucks with Ubuntu. I'm getting two hours.

 

That's for the HP Protect Smart Hard Drive Protection. You can download that from HP's site and it runs under Windows 7.

 

It looks like the DV2 is going to stay AMD only. I believe that part of that logic is that the base model with the MV-40 processor has a fairly capable integrated GPU. Well, a lot more capable than what you would get with an Intel Atom.

HP now has 2 optional processors, the new 1.6GHz Athlon Neo X2 L335 and 1.6GHz Turion Neo X2 L625. Both require the optional ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD3410 discrete graphics chip. These CPU/GPU upgrade cost $75 and $125 respectively on the HP web site.

I would love to see some benchmarks of the the L625/HD3410 combo !

 

My DV2 is having problems resuming after sleep or hibernation. I';m runninf windows 7.

Anyone else having a problem ?

 

TommyGun88 try updating the bios to F.09... That helped reduce fan activity for me.

 

Did that awhile ago. I should also mention i'm undervolting my DV2.

I think the problem may be somehow related to my usb ports. I have a usb bluetooth dongle I keep pluged in, and my ipod. I have found that disabling the usb selective suspend has seemed to help.

I know windows 7 is still in RC, but I've got say I'm really liking it, and once the retail version is released i hope the bugs are worked out.

 

Has abyone run the BIOS flash tool under windows 7? Or can it be run on boot from a USB flash?

 

Yup ran the flash tool under win7 no problem at all.

 

That's what I would like to see as well, plus battery life info. Only 6-cell is available, so I am thinking that battery life is not going to be the greatest with AMD dual-core.

 

Actually it ended up being my unit!!! I returned it and got another one. This new one runs about 10^C cooler and the fan runs way quieter and less frequent. I knew I had a bummed unit.... I also started undervolting and it again dropped the temps another 5^C!!!

 

Anyone figure out the clock generator chip in this notebook? I'd like to give SetFSB a shot. For that matter, has anyone opened one of these notebooks up for some photos?


I decided to pick up a dv2 myself because I like little notebooks and wanted something that had a bit more gaming oomph and screen area than my tiny EeePC 900. So far I am impressed with this little machine. The discrete GPU is a monster compared to the GMA 900 of course, but I'm surprised at what it can run well. And a 1.6GHz Athlon is much faster than a 900 Mhz Celeron M (or even an overclocked to 1GHz CelM.) And, it boots USB sticks fast as hell!

One thing I don't like about the HP machines though is the dumb glossy finish. It turns into a finger print mess almost immediately. Oh well. Also, the dv2 does get fairly warm and the fan is quite audible. I accept these as inescapable properties for a machine with this hardware in such a small form factor. My EeePC 900 gets hotter than this when loaded down, actually.

I bought mine at Walmart. Best Buy here doesn't have them. Walmart has the dv2-1039wm for $700 w/ the Athlon 1.6, Radeon 3410, 4GB, 500GB, Draft-N and Vista 64 all in black finish. I didn't really care to pay more for an extra core because I don't think it'll make much difference for what I want to do with it and it's overpriced. The dual core is also going to be saddled with the same single-channel DDR2-667 setup and that will impair it somewhat.

I formatted it and put XP on immediately. Well, I was going to make backup DVDs but it took way too long to get going so I said screw it. I'm going to dual boot with Vista or 7 eventually. XP is best for these machines though IMO because it's less demanding on everything. Unfortunately it appears that you end up with 2.9GB RAM available, probably due to a lack of BIOS remapping. Not a big deal though.

I almost immediately loaded up RMClock and undervolted. I was stunned to see that this CPU doesn't even change voltage at stock. It's at 1.05v whether idle at 4x multi or loaded at 8x multi! I'm guessing this is AMD trying to maximize yields on what is probably a very low profit sale for them. My old eMachines 6805 w/ A64 130nm ran lower idle voltage than this. And as everyone else has found, you can achieve major improvements in power savings and heat reduction by undervolting. 0.675v min / 0.850v max here.

 

I installed Vista x64 SP2 on here now alongside XP 32 SP3. I've run 3DMark2001SE and found that I score almost 300 pts more in XP.... In XP the score was 11,161 while in Vista I get 9,903. That's a rather significant difference.

For XP I am running modded Catalyst 9.6. In Vista I installed HP's latest official ATI pack which is from 4/09. Not a big difference in date there. Both OSs are fully updated and I installed the DirectX March 09 runtime.

I suppose gotta just chalk this up to Vista being heavier on the hardware. I haven't bothered with newer 3DMark editions. I almost want to give XP x64 a shot on here but I'm not really convinced it has any real advantages aside from seeing all 4GB. Drivers might be tough to find too.

 

It's probably due to running Windows XP, since it's a 32 bit os. Windows Vistax64 and Windows 7x64 both show 4 GB or ram.

 

Oh yeah of course a 32-bit OS won't show all 4GB or more than that.

However, depending on your mobo chipset and BIOS, you will see varying amounts of available RAM in a 32-bit OS. Some boards remap device memory addressing to >4GB and allow you see up to about 3.75GB system memory.

 

I just ordered a new DV2.

Black
64-bit Vista
Turion Neo X2 L625 (1.6GHz, 1MB L2)
4GB DDR2 RAM
320GB 5400RPM HDD
Radeon 3410
Extra 6-cell battery
4 years of LoJack

Estimated build date: August 3, 2009

Total was $759.87 with the current specials and HP's academic discount. Very compelling price.

Would it be possible to get a DV2 Owner's Lounge? We seem to be outgrowing this thread.

 

Is that a US$ price? Where did you get it. I live in Canada and wonder how i can get the dv2, they seem to be rare outside of BB and FutureShop.

Guys, i'm planning on getting the DV2 1024CA (549$) from FutureShop, do you think i should wait til august maybe they'll release new versions? It seems the dude above me got a Turion and not an Athlon..

Any new refresh coming up?

Will the 1024CA be able to play 1080p x264 and how stable is it multitasking?

Merci!

 

wHAT'S THE difference between the 1024CA (FS) and teh 1028CA (BB) ?

Thanks

 

wait few more weeks. DV2z should be out by then.

 

That's the US price, ordered from HP's online store and with their academic discount program (which took off about $75).

 

Don't know, but Staples has their own version too.
Sometimes FS gets their own model number to prevent price matching.

You can also try Costco.

 

There are a ton of dv2 models. Each major retailer seems to have its own model. Just go to HP's site and search dv2. This is not a new thing for HP to do, either.

 

I used to be a manager for Staples, and that is the reason for different model numbers.

There seems to be 3 main model types:

One with 2GB of ram with the x1250 Graphics with 64mb or ram.

One with 4GB of ram with the x1250 Graphics with 64mb or ram.

One with 4GB of ram with the x3400 Graphics with 512mb of ram.


Those are the only types I have seen for sale in Canada.

FYI....

I picked up the 1043ca model from Costco for $699, it ha 4GB of ram and the x3400 graphics with 512mb or ram.

That seems to be the best deal going.

 

i think some models have bluetooth and some don't.

 

I had to return my second dv1043ca from costco b/c I just couldn't stand the heat and noise of the fan. the ATI HD3410 card makes it run waaaayyyy to hot and loud.