*HP HDX18 Owners Lounge*

Way to take the high ground LC.





My apologies if anyone find the image offensive.

 

Thanks, lancorp. I'm returning my HDX18 QX9300 because of a speaker issue, but when I look at the system info, it says that it has 6MB of level 2 cache. Am I reading it wrong? Ultimately, I guess it doesn't matter that much, but I just got my replacement HDX18 today which is supposed to have 12MB of level 2 cache, and I want to make sure that the specs equal what I ordered.

I appreciate your help.

 

What app are you using to read the L2 cache? More than likely, it's just reading the L2 cache from one of the core pairs (since the QX9300 has 2 Core2Duo chips equalling 4 cores). There isn't a 6MB Qx9300, so I really wouldn't worry.

Just in case, something like CPU-Z or Intel's own Intel® Processor Identification Utility will help ensure you have the correct chip.

 

I'm using HP's System Information. I'll use the utility that you're recommending. Thanks again!

 

Well I'm done.
Just received my 2nd HDX18T from HP, and this one is a beaut. I think they assembled it blindfolded. How do you like the keyboard fit? This is brand new, never started up. Sweet.



Nice job. Going back and I'm done with HP.
Good luck with yours everybody.

 

I think if you push down on that with your finger it will snap into place and be just fine.

 

Nope. Tried it.
Pops back up with a loud snapping sound.
Would you accept a brand new laptop that came like this?
Not a chance.

 

Yeah I agree, you shouldn't have to deal with something like that. I've had to wrestle with that part when upgrading my keyboard to a back-lit one. It's not so simple to get out but fairly easy to put back in.

 

I got my replacement HDX18 today, and the backlight on the keyboard isn't nearly as bright as my old one that I'm returning: it's almost useless as a backlight. Is there a way to increase the keyboard brightness?

 

Same issue with my replacement hdx16. There is no way to adjust it to my knowledge. Hope someone finds out.

 

That Intel utility was just what I needed. Indeed, my orginal QX9300 has 12mb of Level 2 cache.

My new replacement is worse than my old one: the speakers are worse, there's a dent in the speaker housing, the keyboard backlight is so weak that it's almost unusable, and the keyboard has a gap on the left side next to the housing. My old one is in much better shape: the only issue was a slight buzz on certain tones, but I can live with it. I'm keeping the old one.

Thanks for your help.!

 

Gee, all of the evidence of poor QC is making me nervous. My HDX18t is at the UPS facility and I won't be home until the 07/21. My roommate is picking it up. I hope and cross my fingers that it won't have any of the cosmetic/speaker/kbd light issues from the last several posts.

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^Good Luck man and I mean it.

HP is an okay company. I want them to be great and I wish I could tell everyone that they're perfect and every laptop they build is excellent but that's hardly the case.

I had an epic struggle with them last year when the 18t first came out. And while I eventually got the laptop I wanted it as quite frustrating and honestly I almost said, "SCREW IT" and thought about going with a Dell or something.

However I'm overall satisfied with my laptop. It gets a little hot and the speakers aren't as loud or as good as I want them to be but I don't know how to fix that (if there's a fix for it). Oh yeah the battery life is horrible on these if you turn the screen up to it's brightest. Aside from those 3 issues I'm okay with having the laptop for another 2 to 3 years. Who knows what technology will be out by then?

Meanwhile I'm considering getting a cooler for the laptop or replacing hard drives with SSD's (which I hear run cooler). Hopefully someone with an SSD in their HDX 18t can tell me if they've noticed any significant differences. And then I'm still looking at those new eco friendly batteries that HP harps on about. I'm wondering if they will actually increase the battery life significantly but so far I don't think anyone on this board has tried the one for the 18t so no go with that one.

 

Actually, Haneyg has. He seems to think about an hour longer, though he said it's still early.

LINK

 

CassilineKnight, I knew all about the struggles you had. I actually read all the 612 pages of this thread in a week's time. There were many issues, starting from the price mistakes, and of course the 'funny' heat gun failed sticker removal process (not HP's fault).

My previous laptop was a refurb Dell 9200, until it was stolen over a month during my travel overseas. It was this loss that forced me to a search for a new laptop. I needed something powerful with plenty of space because I have lots of HD videos that I needed to edit and render. HDX18th seemed like a good choice. Obviously I went for the QX9300 with 8gb ram. I plan for this laptop to last me 3-4yrs. Hopefully I'll have a good start with it.

 

I picked one up on eBay. I took a chance because it was cheap and that the part number matches HP's. However, I'm not sure if it's the right one since the listing description states that it's a 47WH. I've wasn't able to conclusively determine whether it's 47WH or 73WH. I asked the seller whether it was a genuine typo, but the seller said that it's a 6-cell and that he didn't think it was a typo. Didn't the HDX18th's original battery a 8-cell, 73WH? Google and HP wasn't helpful in terms of the specs. There were conflicting specs out there. I have asked Haneyg to post the actual spec from his unit.

 

They don't.

 

does the hp hdx 18 get hot? and does it make a lot of noise (fan noise)

 

Inspect it very closely, you have 21 days.
I'm very disappointed in the QC, but others have been happy so it's a roll of the dice. I'm not giving HP another chance, not sure where to go from here. Thinking of maybe the Studio XPS 16 from Dell. Good luck with yours.

 

As you can see, I have a few SSD's in my notebook!

I can say that I do NOT see or feel any real change in temp from the SSD's vs. a traditional HDD. The HDX18t palmrests still get hot, and the fans are annoyingly on and off all the time...

So, unfortunately, no cooling advantage that I can see.

Of all my computers, the Dragon (HDX20) runs the coolest. You can use that for hours and it still feels cool. That was a well designed unit!

Dell SXPS 16 is hot like the HDX18t.

 

Yes, and Yes.

 

Lancorp, may I ask your thoughts on the XPS16 you own?

 

I bought mine on eBay. The seller essentially ordered my configuration. Once it reached his place, he shipped it directly to me. I'm not sure how the warranty work in this case. Return for a refund is not going to be an option. But I think the repair under warranty should be valid. Am I right?

 

The Studio XPS 16 is a very nice notebook. I like the size and weight and the design is very sleek and modern. I have the RGBLED 1080p display which is beautiful. Niceties like a flat keyboard and tons of hardware ports, plus the slot load drive (which I prefer to the clunky pop out tray style). Unfortunately, it only has a one drive capacity, and with a smallish SSD in there, I have to watch what I put on it (not my WHOLE music collection, for instance). That is where the HDX18t has the advantage of having TWO drives. SSD for OS and Apps and a big 500GB for data, music and files I use for work (lots of OS and app ISO files, which are big).

As you've read, the SXPS runs hot. But the HDX18t isn't much different.

Size-wise, the HDX18t is almost "just" too big to carry around. For instance, pop into a coffee/cupcake shop with Wifi to checkup on email and such, the HDX18t takes up the whole table. The SXPS 16 is more manageable there. If I had to keep one and sell the other (which I am considering), I'm not sure which I'd keep. When I use the HDX18t, I love it and know I would keep it--until I use the SXPS 16, then I like it! Tough love.

 

And the build quality of the XPS?
I have had and used Dell's in the past, kinda iffy build and creaky plastic feel.
This appears to be more solid, or is it just the heavy duty "look"?

Thanks

 

It is built very solid. No creaks or plasticy feel to it. One nice thing (which HP could take a lesson), is the whole bottom comes off in order to easily access CPU, hard drive, memory, wifi cards, etc. Makes for easy CPU upgrade!

 

Thanks for your help, I'm going with the XPS 16 this time.

 

Really? Mine is really quiet. Much more so than my older HP DV6000 series notebook.

 

Yeah, I am considering getting a netbook for situations like that.

 

Not knowing how loud a DV6000 is, quiet is a relative term. Mine, with a T9600 CPU, is constantly turning the fan on and off except when it is idling, then the fan comes on only occasionally. The fan is not quiet, when it does come on, and the repetitive on-off-on-off cycling is annoying. But, I still love it!

 

Yes, I carry around a Dell Mini10v also, and it fits the bill most of the time, but the small, lo-res screens in those things aren't the best for remote desktop sessions, etc...

 

really i thought that it would be pretty cool because of its big size,
what about the dell is it the same or hotter?

 

Thanks for all the replies everyone....Reviewing everything and I'll let you guys know if I get that battery.

Sad about the SSD vs HDD though...

 

Interesting. Mine is very quiet. I mean, there is little to no noise coming out of it. My temps are all at or under 50c unless gaming.

I think my fan is always on. I say this because of an update that I did to the BIOS. Also, I last time I was in the BIOS the Fan ALWAYS ON was selected. I never changed that of course.

I do need to get a cooler pad for gaming (especially in these hot months).

 

Hi Guys

I haven't posted here for a while now and enjoying my 4 month old HDX18.

Anyway, I'm starting to have a weird issue with the HP sound panel+wifi.

I'll be using the laptop and the volume would automatically start adjusting itself (that on-screen vol indicator would come on/down as if I'm manually adjusting the sound!) and at the same time, my wireless connection would drop (blue light on wi-fi indicator would turn orange).

If I hit the volume buttons again, then the indicators go away but then I have to turn the wireless back on.

Since the wi-fi button is on the same pad as the audio buttons, does this mean this is a hardware failure of some sort. Or is it software driver issues?

Thanks
SS

 

LINK. Check out Intersign's post.

 

Still no luck with HP's Windows 7 upgrade website. It still doesn't like the Product # NK625AV. I called again and got the usual 3-5 day run around. Hopefully they get this fixed before Oct.

 

Thanks Rageman

Will give that a shot this night!

SS

 

can anybody tell me how to put the backlit on on the keyboard

 

Fn & Space Bar Keys

 

My HDX 18 blu ray drive is very noisy while playing music CDs but palys blu rays quietly. Any one having the same experience while playing music CDs?

 

Ok, I was able to register my user account and password to my fingerprint, and logging onto it works just fine. I also tried registering my gmail and yahoo e-mails to my fingerprint as well. I swiped my print at the sites and entered the information and then signed out. Now when I swipe my print on either site, all it does is prompt me to add another online account, even though I have one for the site. It won't log me on - does anyone know why?

Also, I don't know how to use the webcam, i searched help and tried installing Cyberlink Youcam Software but i get an error when i try installing it?

Any answers are appreciated

 

Would you recommend this or the hdx16t for a college student who will take it the library, class, etc?

 

HDX16t. The '18 is just a bit too big for desks, etc., and a bit to heavy to lug around all day, assuming you could find a backpack that it would fit in and still have room for books, etc.

 

As disappointed as I was with my two units that had to be returned, I must give HP kudos for their extremely quick refund policy. My first defective machine was credited back to my card in 24 hours of it's arrival back to HP. Well done.

 

Depends on you...I'm sure most people will say the 16t but I myself have an 18t and I'm a senior in college. It's not light as a feather but it's not impossible to carry around.

And my bookbag fits it perfectly and allows me to carry a textbook and a notebook.

To me there's no right or wrong answer. I think the 18t is a nice laptop and it gives me plenty of working room in the library. I take notes on it everyday for certain classes and I definitely bring it with me to the library each time.

 

Hello, I just joined Notebook review because I was thinking about buying a HDX18T laptop and this forum popped up in my Google searches. I was thinking of buying my HDX18T in August when I predict it will be on huge sales. My current specs for the laptop are....

*Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
*Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor T9900 (3.06 GHz, 6 MB L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
*4GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm) - For 1GB Nvidia GeForce GT 130M
*1TB 7200RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (500GB x 2) with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
*1GB Nvidia GeForce GT 130M - For DDR3 Memory
*18.4" diagonal High Definition HP Ultra BrightView Infinity Display (1920x1080p)
*Lightscribe Blu-Ray ROM with SuperMulti DVD+/-R/RW Double Layer
*Webcam + Fingerprint Reader with HP Imprint Finish (Fluid)
*Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card
*No TV Tuner w/remote control
*Full Size Backlit Keyboard
*8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
*No Productivity Software
*HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope

I was also thinking of getting the HP 20" Roller Case for Notebook PCs from the accessory side of the HDX18T for $59 after rebates.
( http://www.shopping.hp.com/store/product/product_detail/KD853PA)
I was wondering if you guys could check up on my config just in case somehow something is wrong. Also, I was reading the posts in this thread and I've read about someone who wanted to buy a different Wireless card for their HDX18T? Would buying a different Wireless card then the included one (Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card) get better performance and if, could you provide the name and link of one that does amazing? I'm looking for a wireless card that will provide the best performance for my "to-be" laptop; however, I'm sorry to say I don't really know much about wireless cards because I have never had my own laptop before. Also, my router that I use is from Verizon Fios and is pictured here ( http://www.actiontec.com/products/product.php?pid=189). The final price for my HDX18T laptop and 20" bag W/ tax/shipping & handling is $1,910.98 at the moment; however, I hope to get that price down in August. Thank you all for your help again.

-Jason

 

Hey my HDX 18 just came in recently and I'm loving it so far. Everything is in perfect condition and I can't seem to find any sort of flaw on it. Now I was wondering where I could get a backpack for this massive laptop. I'm taking this to college so I need a backpack that can hold this laptop + a book or 2. No rollers please Any suggestions?

 

see this...
~
EDIT: Forgot to post link lol
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/...etail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=A1636886
~
i dont have it but someone posted bout this here..

 

Check these out, they have all been evaluated by HDX18 users:

Mobile Edge MEBPP2

Alienware Orion Backpack

Targus BackPack City Gear

Targus TXL617 17 XL Notebook Backpack

TOSHIBA Black with Silver accents 18.4" Gaming Backpack