*HP HDX16 Owners Lounge*

For those of you that find the text too small at 1080 res, just right click on the desktop and notice you can change the text dpi to whatever you want. I find the preset option for 120 dpi to be just fine - the default is 96dpi.

You can also change the icon size quickly by holding down the cntrl key and rolling your mouse wheel up and down.

 

That's an idea... The ViewSonic has a DVI and RGB input, But the Acer has HDMI and is about the same price.


Andy C

 

Thanks! I've tried doing that w/my 1680x1050 17" screen before, but sometimes the text would get cut off on dialog boxes & smaller windows as if there isn't enough room for the larger text (I adjusted it to about 112 dpi). Do you have that problem?

 

how do you get them to price match? I assume call them and order via phone?

thanks for the info!

 

Hello all, seems like you have a nice thorough thread going here.

So--I received my HDX 16 today, after using a zd8000 till the thing started just losing power every 15 minutes (battery long since unable to charge beyond 0%). . .

On the whole, it looks like a very nice machine. However, I'm experiencing a few issues which are potentially serious concerns, which I haven't seen anyone else mention in this whole thread:


1) SCREEN FLICKER/CANNOT HOLD BRIGHTNESS LEVEL: The screen seems to flicker/change brightness sporadically. This is especially true when running on battery, at a lower default brightness--it's often quite noticeable, but it's never that the screen turns off completely--the brightness level simply seems "unsteady," and it sometimes reminds me of the old days when one would look at a CRT after being on a laptop and notice the refresh flicker.

2) SPEAKER QUALITY: The speakers sound muffled to my ears, and indeed seem to peak or almost fuzz at any louder noises, even on relatively low volume--even the cheesy little HP registration/video introduction crackled quite a bit, on initial startup. I also seem to get some (lesser) distortion through the headphone jacks, using very nice Etymotic IEMs.

3) POWER INDICATOR: The LED beneath the "lightning bolt" which I assume is intended to indicate that the computer is running off of plug power never lights up, though the one on the side by the connection does. Not a huge issue, but I wonder if anyone else has seen it.

4) 45-50% PHYSICAL MEMORY IN USE, NO PROGRAMS RUNNING: With no programs running, and only the default services (70+!!!) and AVG Anti-Virus running in the background--Task Manager reports 50% of 3GB memory in use! Now, I'm new to Vista, but my old zd8000 running XP with only 512MB of physical memory would idle at <15%. So this seems a little silly! I need to run Revit 3D architectural modeling software on this machine, so what is eating up 1.5GB of memory on idle?!? Something called "HPSmartMenu" uses 56K+ (can't find anything with Google); "Desktop Window Manager" is using another 70K; even running Firefox seems to use considerably more memory than it did with XP (125K+ and climbing constantly). . . CPU usage runs from about 5% and climbs with time to above 10%.

5) KEYBOARD FLEX: Specifically, when using the numerical pad--nothing major, and the rest of the keyboard feels pretty good, but I do seem to get a good deal of bounce and flex across the keyboard when using the numerical pad.

6) RESTART FROM HIBERNATE: this takes over 80-90 seconds! My four year old zd8000 generally resumed fully within 15-20 seconds from a hibernate. For a good 60-80 seconds of this time, the computer sits on an empty DOS-like screen with a single underscore cursor blinking in the upper left corner, no other visible activity. Is this normal--perhaps one of the things people hate about Vista?


The brightness/flicker issue is especially disconcerting to me. Do I simply have a faulty machine? Anyone else seen this? When it's at full brightness and no flicker, it looks fantastic (full HD). . .

Many thanks for ANY help or advice!

 

Have not noticed that on dialog boxes. One website I know of (yahoo sports) seems to display overlaping aand cut off text, but I was able to manipulate that in IE without changing the system DPI back to 96.

 

I'll get mine today and post my initial impressions. I sure hope if blows away my DV9700T!

 

I would check the user reviews on those 2. ViewSonics use to be really good when they had the CRTs, I dont really know about them now. I haven't been shopping for a monitor for past few years or so.

Congrats on the new HDX.
This is windows automatically dimming the LCD screen when the computer is on Battery Saver mode. Click on the battery icon in the system tray, and click "performance mode". You will no longer have the dimming screen, but you will get lower battery life.

I have noticed crackled audio as well. I can't figure out what it is. My previous HDX16t also did it and the replacement is doing it as well. Weird.

Go into Bios, and change the "First Boot Device" to HDD, and see if it still does it. By default it is set to boot form CD/DVD if there is one in the tray. So it will look for a CD/DVD whether there is one available or not. BIOS doesn't know whether your computer is starting form a hibernate or cold boot.

 

Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately, even when set on "performance" priority, with screen brightness at full, the screen continues to sporadically flicker--it doesn't merely dim to a set, dimmer level--it clearly "pops in and out" of full brightness for no apparent reason, and when it's "out," it flickers, like a visible refresh rate. . .

 

To fix the audio, try uninstalling the IDT audio driver and installing realtek HD. The bass/treble buttons will no longer work, but that's possibly the cause for the crackling sound.

 

my hdx16t didnt come with a blu ray drive...i just purchased a bc5500s installed it and cannot play blu ray.....says unsupported format! is media smart different for blu ray and non blu ray machines?

 

Ok, I would call that a defect. If it continues to go in n out, then its not normal. I know my laptop goes to a dimmer brightness level. I increase it and then drops down low again after few mins, but thats expected.

 

Ok--processing a return/exchange right now.

Tech support was helpful and courteous, and so far the return/exchange people have been the same. The telling point will be, of course, whether all of the existing discounts I had at the time of purchase do in fact get credited--the fellow has stated they will be without question.

Sucks to have to wait another 2-3 weeks. . . I really need the computer now. But at least so far they don't seem to be hassling me about it.

Anything I can do to get further discounts etc. based on receiving a defective unit?

 

hey i was just wondering if there are any students here, im a student at university and want to get a laptop that has good specs but can be carried around easily at the same time, it looks like a not so big or heavy laptop. also about the screen is it LED or LCD? theres no mention of this on the hp website. thanks

 

Oh man. So after I posted that, the poor fellow said it wouldn't allow him to do the credits--so the price for the machine I paid $1375 for was now $1622. I told him this wasn't acceptable; he spent 30 minutes talking to people, me on hold; he then said they would allow him to use a %-based coupon to get the price to $1419.

In the meantime, I found a stackable coupon for $250, which when added to the current deals configuring my original computer came out to---$1375. So he advised that I simply do a return of the original purchase, and start from scratch purchasing the new unit online.

Technically, this results in an upgrade of the HDD to 320GB, and with a 12-cell battery rather than a 6, for the same price. But it still really sucks that it's going to take another couple weeks to get the replacement--and of course there's still a chance that the HP e-financing I used will screw up and try to charge me for both computers or something like that. . .

Sigh. If there were another brand that I could get the same specs for anywhere near the price, I'd probably go with it.

 

Do you have a link to the realtek hd drivers? If so, please post it and i'll give it a shot. thanks

Vista drivers work fine, yea the mute button doesnt turn orange, and bass/treble doesnt really work anymore.

@manireik
Atleast you are getting a bigger hdd and bigger battery for same price. Actually refunds are pretty easy. Make sure you log into your hpshopping.com account and check on the credit. It will say "Awaiting Return/Pickup" for a day or to, and then will change to "Credit Complete"

If it does not change, call them and they will do it.

 

Typically how long did it take for you to receive your order or at least until it ships? I placed it yesterday and it says estimated ship date is on 11-24, which seems like an awfully long time. I received my customized Vaio from Sony Style within a week of when I placed the order.

 

took me about 2 weeks. got it today, it rocks. very sweet. The blu ray is amazing to watch.

 

Hello iam looking for some opinions performance wise form the DIR-655 router as i just received my HDX16 and iam looking for something really reliable with good speed and excellent distance.This is my first time useing a laptop as ive always used my desktop so its a pretty big change for me.Hopefully everything turns out ok for me.Some of the specs on my HDX16 are 2.80ghz 3GB DDR system memory and 320GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive.

Dont know if this will help my router/internet speeds on my laptop but i have 8Mbps from comcast with an extra burst of speed up to 16 Mbps when you’re downloading large files like videos and games.Please let my know if iam good to go or if iam missing anything.

Thanks. Adrian

 

You will most likely get the laptop delivered on the "estimated ship date" That's if they don't mess up and hold your laptop in the warehouse. Mine was held for 4 days, for no apparent reason.

 

Exteme571 anythoughts on my questions on the DIR-655?

Here was my post...

Hello iam looking for some opinions performance wise form the DIR-655 router as i just received my HDX16 and iam looking for something really reliable with good speed and excellent distance.This is my first time useing a laptop as ive always used my desktop so its a pretty big change for me.Hopefully everything turns out ok for me.Some of the specs on my HDX16 are 2.80ghz 3GB DDR system memory and 320GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive.

Dont know if this will help my router/internet speeds on my laptop but i have 8Mbps from comcast with an extra burst of speed up to 16 Mbps when you’re downloading large files like videos and games.Please let my know if iam good to go or if iam missing anything.

Thanks. Adrian

 

anyone had any problems with blue screen? Got the T9400 processor, with the 3GB of ram. I did replace the ram with 4GB of http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231156, which should be a good sit, solid ram.

Not sure what is going on, says something about memory when it crashes. Crashed about 3 times today.

 

You could have some bad memory from Newegg... you can try to pull one DIMM out at a time and test to see which DIMM might be bad.

There are memory test programs out on the web you can try as well.

 

hi ,,
i have an HP HDX 16 with a full HD display and when i want to look a Blue Ray Movie i find the picture qualtity terrible ,,, i use as a test movie I Am Legend Blue ray
the problem with the picture is the dark color is grey and the whole picture is like there is a grey all over to much light in the movie ! does have anyone here the same problem ? and how can we solve this ? maybe i think the reason is the HP Playback Software for BD movies in a Quicktime HD Trailer the picture is perfect ! perfect black in dark scenes etc,,, but in the BD movie black is grey...


sorry for my bad english but i hope you are understand the problem ! sure other people with the FULL HD display have the same effect

 

1. The DLink DIR-655 is an excellent router, draft N V2
2. The HP HDX16 has an draft N V2 adapter, Intel wireless 5100
3. They will work very well together @270 MHz if connected properly
4. Your Comcast broadband will NOT be limited either by the router or the HP

Enjoy!!!

 

LCD, and I'm a uni student... love this laptop for work and school! A good backpack laptop bag (I got a Crumpler) is also handy!

 

Well...husky beat me 2 it...and yes it will work great with your notebook as husky mentioned, given that you did get the wireless N upgrade on your hdx.

Try VLC Media player. I think it plays blu-rays...you can also try Nero Showtime or WinDVD. See if you get different results. You can download demo version of the software. If you get the same results, try a diff blu-ray. Most of this stuff is trial and error. I haven't played a blu-ray on my laptop yet as i have ps3

 

i think i read in this forum where someone said you should go into bios to turn up the volume setting. I really dont' see this in bios...does anyone know about this or did I read it in another place?

Also, with my crashing, I suspect it may be caused by software since my ram tested fine. I went ahead and reimaged it, maybe something with the software and 64 bit vista compatibility? so far so good on new image.

 

FYI, for those who want the 12 cell battery, there is $10 and a 15% off coupon for accessories with yoru computer, but it expires pretty quickly. Not a bad deal.

Does anyone know if HP puts thier accessories on sale at all?

 

in vlc you can not use contrast or other stuff to chance when you play a Blu Ray ! i dont understant why you can not made changes to contrast or color in blu Ray in an AVI you can change it but not in Blu ray

 

Hey guys,

I have been lurking around both the HDX16t and 18t threads. I noticed that some people have had audio crackling issues.

Let me see if I can offer any assistance since I DONT own any of these laptops but I do own a HP tablet PC from last year.

My tablet ALSO had crackling audio and we figured out that it was because of the way HP ran it's wires near the wifi/bluetooth that would somehow interfere with audio...

So my suggestion is to turn off wifi and bluetooth(BT if you have it) and then try pumping up the audio and listening for the crackling.

On my HP Tablet, the crackling went away right away when wifi was turned off and came back when wifi was turned on...

It is a poor design issue....at least for the tablet...

 

hey guys im about to pull the trigger on this one but im not sure about a few things. first is the laptop heavy? and also does anyone notice it has loud fan noises or it gets hot quickly? thanks, heres my config

HDX16-1050EE
OS: Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (64-bit)
Processor: 2.26GHz Intel Centrino 2 processor P8400
RAM: 4GB (up to 8)
GPU: nVidia 9600M GT 512mb dedicated up to 2302mb
HDD: 320GB 5400rpm
Disk Drive: BD-ROM +supermulti
Display: 16" Dual channel with BrightView Infinity Display (1920x1080)
Weight: 3.35kg

 

Weighs about 7 lb, it's not especially chunky or heavy, but it's em, beefy. Not a laptop I would want to lug around a campus.

It stays cool if you have it on a flat surface, and it's especially cool on my zalman nc2000 cooler, the GPU never passes 60C (really cool).

 

The one that I ordered a while back and returned was pretty light in my opinion. I loved the design too. It just didn't seem big enough to me in terms of screen size. Hopefully the 18t isn't the exact opposite.

 

it weighs a pound or so less than the dv9700t that I have. Definately smaller in size, easier to carry, but not too small, in fact, I'd say perfect size.

I notice the sound volume is not great. it is OK, surely not loud.

 

I have owned it now for about 3 weeks. I use it for work and school (which means it's with me all the time). I was tossing up the idea of the 18 but the 16 was better fit. I paid about 1199.00 at Best Buy (I ended up paying about $950 after I used some rewards points that were about to expire). It's a GREAT desktop replacement- and it's super portable. I will venture to say it is the best of both worlds. I use it in school and the keyboard is quiet- little to no flex. I use OneNote which once i mastered it- is a key component in my studies. I have an external USB mic that allows me to record the lecture while i'm taking notes- and it records it along with my notes- and when i hit a hotkey- it will input an electronic bookmark in my notes to referrence a point in the audio. It's great. -ok- enough of the unsolicited product plug-

The first thing I did was order a Seagate 7200rpm HD and ripped it out and installed it (which was the easiest HD swap I have ever done-HP made this one very easy to do) I also ordered an external HD case (which is where I put the HD that came out of the laptop) It looks great- but for some reason it won't work using the eSata port. Has anyone else had this problem?

As far as noise- this is by far the quietest laptop I have owned. Every now and then the fan will kick on- but it's super quiet.

Also- I am using a Logitec mouse with it (It's the Vx Nano) that I love. it has a very small low profile USB receiver that I leave in all the time. A little pricey- but well worth it.

I will say that this is the best laptop I have owned (and I have owned several in my life) The quality is very nice. Even though the biggest complaint of it being "too shiney" and "fingerprint prone" doesn't bother me-I don't mind (I have an OCD anyhow about cleaning- so if it wasn't fingerprint prone- id still be wiping it down!)

The only upgrade I may consider in the future- is an SSD (once the prices come down)

The only issue I have had is with the eSata external HD. I'm wondering if I'm doing something wrong. I know eSata is still a "growing technology" so- I have been searching for an answer. If anyone had any ideas let me know. The unit works fine in the USB mode.

ALSO- How did you get that much memory on the graphics card? (did I miss something? Is that dedicated memory?)

In ending- you won't go wrong with this laptop- it's a great priced item- just look for the deals!

 

Actually for HDX16t, its not the interference. It's just the drivers. I uninstalled the drivers, and used Microsoft drivers pre-loaded into vista, and no more crackling sound.

I did the same thing, Ordered Seagate 7200RPM 320GB HDD, and swapped it out in the first 5 mins of getting my laptop.

For eSATA, you need to provide it power. eSATA port does not provide power. Depends on the external enclosure you got, it should've come with a power cable for the enclosure. Sometimes its just a modified usb cable, and goes into the usb port on laptop and drive, but it's missing some pins. This way it only provides power, and no communication is done via usb cable.

Others have a power cable like usb to 1.8mm or 2.5mm power plug like this

 

pls help me out guys

i'm plannin on gettin a hdx 16t....which processor is a better option for games?wil the p8400 support todays games?

 

i dont know about the memory i think its only 1791 but i took the specs of the hp website lol. im so confused between this and the dv5t i was about to pull the trigger on the dv5 after convincing myself that the 2.26ghz processor and extra weight were going to bother me but its such a great laptop i cant let it go!

 

The one I got was a coolmax (it's a really nice looking one) It's leather on the outside- real classy. This is my second one- because the first one did the same thing- not that this one is doing it- i'm going to say (but not rule out) that it might be something other than the enclosure.

It has 2 ports on it- on for the usb and the other for the eSata. It works fine in usb mode- however- when I plug the eSata cord into the Hd (while the usb's are still connected) I can hear the classic USB disconnect sound that Windows makes. However when I plug it into the eSata port on my HP I hear what seems to be some clicks from the optical drive then that's it. Windows doesn't see it on the "my computer" area.

If I try to shut down the laptop- It hangs up and never shuts down. THEN I thought- hmmm maybe eSata needs to be hooked up before you power up the laptop- still nothing. In fact it never boots.

I was just curious if I needed to set something up in the bios, or if I was doing anything wrong.

Also- do you ever notice your seagate "clicking" on your hdx16 when idle? it's almost rythmic

Thanks for the advice.

Where are you seeing this spec? everything I see is 512mb of dedicated ddr3 memory. Im not doubting you- I just can't find this.

I too was looking at the same two you are. I opted for the HDX. It has a few more practical uses- such as the ability to play blue ray. It might not be as sexy as a dedicated blue ray player- but I just hook up the HDMI to my Samsung 8 series 40" LCD HDTV and it's wonderful. ALSO- if I wanted to watch movies in 1080p on the laptop it's there as well.

I like the over all color of this one as well. I was able to compare the two side by side at BestBuy- which helped out a lot. The pictrures do not do this laptop justice. If you have a Bestbuy or similar store in your area- I recommend you compare them.

I thought the fingerprint read was kinda silly- but I use the HELL out of it. The only worry I have is that I may rely on it TOO much and one day it go out- or my computer crashes- and I lose the stored passwords- then I'm screwed- much like someone might be if they relied on speed dial as opposed to just dialing from memory.

Anyhow- I think it's a FANTASTIC laptop. I will say battery life isn't as hot as I wished- but hell- this is a desktop replacement. I'm sure I could change some of my settings and get some longer life- but that's like putting a hockey puck under the gas pedal of a ferrari preventing you from flooring it. Let those horses out!

 

After connecting eSATA, go into Device Manager and right click on any device and click "Scan for hardware changes"

It should then detect your eSATA drive. You would then see it in my computer.

I'm just writing from a similar experience with vista on a desktop. haven't tried to use esata on laptop yet.

EDIT: Yes it does make that rhythmic sound, I thought i had a bad disk, but ran few diff tests and everything tested ok.

 

There is a new coupon out there for 30% off, but it is not stackable. You get either the 30% off or you get the 200. Not both. The number is NB3434. Hurry only 1350 availble

 

OOoooh very tempting, with specs:

2.53ghz CPU
1980x1050 screen
2GB ram
250GB HDD

It came to be $1235for me. doesnt sound too bad. i dont think coupons will get any better than this around black friday and christmas, if anything they will discount their older models heavily rather than the HDX series and w.e else new thay have out.

thoughts?

 

Can you tell us how you did that? I thought my sound was great, now I do hear the occasional crackle...

Thanks,
Andy C

 

simply uninstall the sound driver that came with the HP laptop and restart your computer, then windows should pop up saying you need to install a sound driver or go through windows update and it should fix it. but dont install the same HP driver, if i understood in the post above yours the problem will still be there if you use HP's drivers

 

I've had same problem after clean installation. After reinstalling the original HP sound drivers problem gone. Enjoy your new laptops, guys!

 

I got same thing +Wireless N & BT for $100 dollars less than what you are coming up with, and I had used $500 off coupon on the day they released HDX16t, so I think its a really good deal as they havent had anything near what I got it for.

 

hey guys i am wondering something. i want to order more ram when i order my HDX16.

it comes with 2GB's. what should i do. Put in 2gb stick extra or completely take out the stock HP ram and put in 4GB (2x2) of Gskill? if i put just an extra 2gb stick then the ram wont be running in dual channel right since its 2 different RAM modules, or in laptops dual channel isnt possible?

can i get some help on that and which way i should go with, 4gb new altogethee or just an extra 2gb stick and call it a day. i dont want RAM issues which can happen in this situation

######Correction
The HDX deal now comes with 3gb, 1extra being free. i want to have 4 for obvious reasons in a 64 bit vista. scrap all 3 and get 4GB sticsk of Gskill or get 1 extra stick of 2gb and toss the 1gb extra they give?

 

I tired it- and it seem to have locked up the scan...

Has any one had any luck connecting an external HD to their HDX16 via the eSata port?

I may take this question over to the hardware section of the forum. I just wanted to make sure it was or was not an isolated issue.

Thanks for the help!