*HP HDX18 Owners Lounge*

Could I ask why the Duo over the Quad? I'm looking for a processor that will keep up down the road.

Also, how well does the backlit look? Could you put a photo up or give details?

Again, ANOTHER EDIT!
I know that I could get faster clock speed with a duo. But I also know that games in the near future will have Quad support, as well. Crysis does not currently, but I'm sure that with what the Q9000 has, it shouldn't make a big enough difference. I'm also going to be coding, I'm getting this laptop for programming, as it's my major. xD

 

If anyone has changed to the back-lit keyboard and wants to sell their old one cheap shoot me a PM. They have some on ebay now $24

 

Well normally most games right now (and programs) are for Dual Core right? Also a 2.8 Ghz Dual Core would be in terms "faster" than a 2.0 Ghz right? There is also the point that a 2.0Ghz Quad Core will not keep you in good condition later on. Unless you're going for the QX9300, I would recommend the Dual Core, not that I am an expert and you are of course, entitled to your opinion.

Also a quick question of my own. I know HP overestimates their shipping dates for their laptops to "please" their customers; however, how long seriously does it take to plop a processor and video card into a pre-built laptop that costs over 2.5 grand? Seriously, it should only take 3-4 days.

By the way, try using Google. I found it for you this time but... Always check Google first

 

Well, that's just beautiful.
I know about the processors. But I'm trying to get what's best for later on down the road. Once Quad is being utilized more, it will be the better choice. But again, even things that are only using two of the cores, I'm hoping it won't be all that big of a problem for the Q9000

EDIT:
Quick question. Could anyone tell me how smoothly overclocking this laptop's CPU is? I'm of course speaking in the Q9000 aspect. I've been searching everywhere for this answer. >.>

 

Can't over clock and it won't run Crysis on settings higher than low.

 

Really? Are you sure? I've heard from people that have a Q9000 and 4GB of DDR2 RAM with just a 9600M running it on Med just fine. Also, I'm not really going to buy the game or anything. This is just for the demo. I'm just content on seeing it on that and fiddling around, to basically see the sheer beauty. Haha. My main gaming won't really be shooters. More like DMC4 and a variation of MMORPG's (Excluding anything made by Blizzard). I guess to quench the thirst I have is to just play Crysis on high settings, with or without good frame rate. GTAIV, maybe, too. But I keep getting mixed answers on whether or not that utilizes Quad or not. That and Far Cry 2 would make sense if they did, though.

 

I know you didn't ask, but I overclocked my GPU and can play Prototype @ 1080p and MED settings great. I played around w/ Crysis Warhead and I believe I could play on MED as well.

Games like Sniper Elite, Sniper Art of War, NBA 2k9, MLB 2k9, NHL 09, Madden 08, all on HIGH.

Need for Speed Undercover almost all the way high. I turn everything on high except for car details and it plays great!

 

What type of GPU is it? Also, type of RAM and Processor?

 

See sig

 

AH! Why didn't I think of that? xD

 

Technically speaking doesn't isn't the 1GB Nvidia GeForce GT 130M better than the GeForce 9600m GT? Seriously, I don't expect this Laptop to play crysis on Enthuasiast but seriously, over 2 grand and it can't play it on High? I know HP doesn't support overclocking like Dell does (dell has their own easy program for overclocking) is there ANY WAY that we can overclock?

 

Has anyone gotten there finger print scanner to work on Windows 7 RTM?

I followed the steps that were posted earlier in the thread to get the finger print scanner working and the driver installs but digital persona says that no finger print scanner is connected but the device manger shows it as a working hardware.

Any ideas?

 

Yeah, from all the debates about the two GPU's, I am pretty satisfied in saying that the 130m is about 18% better in gameplay than the 9600m (which I have).

I am also confident that I have increased my gameplay by @ least 18% once I overclocked my GPU. So, esencially I have turned my 9600m into the 130m.

You are right about overclcoking the CPU, I don't see a way to do it. HP locks down the BIOS pretty bad. It's a shame really, but that's just the way it is.

For the record, I paid $1,100 for mine (after rebates) which included a free wireless printer. So, even though I can't play Crysis all Maxed out, I am still happy w/ what gameplay I can get out of this machine. I am more into VM's and the entertainment side of thing anyway. I just play these games because I can. Once the fall semester starts back up, no more games... lol!!

For those interested in overclock their GPU, I followed time4fun's Guide HERE, and it worked great.


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Now playing: BEASTIE BOYS - TOO MANY RAPPERS FEAT. NAS
via FoxyTunes

 

Check out this thread, it's all about W7 on HDX18!

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Now playing: 311 - Unity
via FoxyTunes

 

The 130M is better. It uses DDR3, instead of the 9600M which uses DDR2. And now that I know HP doesn't over clock, it's not a big deal. More will utilize Quad soon, so that's just fine for me. Plus with the 1GB already dedicated, that helps matters, too. I'm pretty sure with the set up I have I will be fine with Crysis demo on High, with OKAY frame rate.

 

Yeah, and if you get the 130m and then overclock that, you should be all good!

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Now playing: Gavin DeGraw - I Don't Wanna Be
via FoxyTunes

 

I'm inexperienced with Overclocking GPU, especially something like the 130M. Do you know of anything to help?

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=5180513&postcount=6364

That's for the 9600m, but it should be similar for the 130m.

 

All right, cool. Thanks a lot! Now I play the waiting game to get the laptop.............

 

When I said you will only be able to play low I was assuming you would be using some AF and AA. If you aren't using AF or AA you should be able to play medium at 30fps most of the time at least.

 

Please answer this

 

Not going to happen.. Bios is locked... I did a little research for a master key.. with no real luck.. the DV's keys (2) are floating around but nothing for the HDX18 I could find. The overclock for DDR3 130m GT is around but honestly I have not needed it for any reason.

Q9000. 8gb of DDR3 (Overkill, save your money for SSD(s)) 130m GT 1gb 2 X's 250gb 7200 rpm drives (shallow and fast)

The bios upgrade I would say load day one as well sp2 for vista 64.. you will also need the patch for your finger print scanner after your machine downloads IE8 without asking.. The finger print scanner was the problem more than any of the others..

My machine runs great, its super stable under load and I am very happy.. I will buy anohter when this one is done for work..

The down side is you / I can not upgrade our video cards or chips.. and / or oc the chipset we are married too. Maybe there are much brighter people that have a hack they are willing to share but I have not seen anything for the q9000 (in an HP format). Asus I think runs something that allows for the Ocing.. but I have read here that the ASUS numbers are phoney and the machine is unstable.. hence the w-2 or the new 18.4 config they are offering now.. I do not own an Asus and until today thought they where ok minus some of the services that HP provides.. search around in NBR and you will see what I am talking about.

I am lurking, stalking and or waiting for an 18.4 clevo that has twin video cards and an i-7... that will get me off the bench.. but I will work on my HP..

The Q-9000 with 8gb of ram and a 1gb video card is a Mac truck.. it is a heavy lift rig.. not the fastest but very, very did I mention how very stable it is.. but now I want the Bugatti.. which is the 18.4 clevo...

I hope this helped you understand what I wish someone could have said to me.. upfront, before buying..

My best and good luck, JW

 

I got mine 5 days earlier than the estimated arrival date.

Most are around the same. You should get it 4-5 days early.

 

I have the Zalman zm NC-2000 and it works great.. I paid almost $100 for mine but I know there are wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy better deals out there than that now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RU1Y-7xPjqQ

Mine is aluminum not black but this will give you and idea of what it looks like.

My HDX18 is 3/4 of an inch over on both sides.. but the good thing that I noticed after I bought it and someone just a couple days ago brought to my attention is that our fans are located where the hinge or screen is connected to the larger body of the laptop.. well the Zalman does not have holes back there so there is no forced air fighting the colling fan of our laptop.. I thought that was well thought out by Zalman.. the construction is aluminum and the plastic rails underneath.

I hope this helped even though it is a different kooler..

Be well, JW

 

Ditto.. mine was early... it was in Alaska (my time) at midnight and on my doorstep the next day and I am in Florida..

Be well Rage, JW

 

I ordered expedited. Does that change anything? The HP thing says "Your customized HP HDX18t Premium Series customizable Notebook PC will be
built by August 13, 2009" So I guess that would have meant that it ships on the 15th of August (if estimation was ever right) so minus 4-5 days and it should be here tomorrow or the day after tomorrow though I hope it's tomorrow.

Are smaller drives necessarily faster because they are "shallow" compare a 500 GB 7200 RPM HD with 50 GB in use with a 250 GB 7200 RPM HD with 50 GB also in use. Wouldn't they be the same? I'm asking because I ordered only 1 HD and I learned that HP does NOT include the cables needed for the 2nd one to just "plop a ssd in". Thank you for this information, it helped a lot. For an i7 Laptop try the Sager NP9280 and Sager NP9850 for 18.4 inch. Please elaborate on this sentence that you posted "you will also need the patch for your finger print scanner after your machine downloads IE8 without asking.." Thank you

Thank you. I might end up buying that cooler.

 

Well, it depends on how you mean that question. Literally or generally. Generally of course that would take a days work or of course less. But literally, they have to probably take many orders. So it taking what they claim isn't them slacking or not. lol
Also, isn't only over 2.5 if you get an QX9300 or all of the software crap? lol

 

What do you mean "Also, isn't only over 2.5 if you get an QX9300 or all of the software crap?"

 

Sorry, I meant 2.5 grand. I'm a tad sleepy at this moment right now. xD

 

I ordered mine on the 3rd and said should ship the 11th. Guess it's fast with everyone else but not for me.

Order in production
(Estimated to ship on August 11, 2009)

 

Same. If this this comes 4-5 days early, then I guess I payed for expedited for nothing because it got caught on the weekend.

 

Thanks, JW. I'm familar w/ and have heard good things about the Zalman cooler, and it's definitely high on my list. Just wondering how many degrees it lowered your running temp. I've heard the Thermapak get real world temps down by 10C, but it's a fanless conduction cooler that uses chemical crystals to absorb and remove heat. Was just wondering if anyone here had any experience w/ it.

 

Oh, just wanted to say that if anyone still hadn't ordered and was planning on using the 30% off coupon, it now looks like that coupon code is dead.

 

Yeah, I wish I could have advised you prior to your purchase. The expedited shipping is a big ripoff.

NOBODY has gotten their moneys' worth w/ that, at least that I know of.

 

Can we clear this up guys?

If you order 1 HDD then:
- You Can't add a 2nd HDD later because there is no bay.
or
- You Can add a 2nd HDD (There is a bay) but just need to get the caddy and cable.

Which is it?
The reason I took the single was because of the free upgrade to 500GB and wanted to add my own HDD later.
I read somewhere on here that it was possible but with the caddy/cable kit.

Just want some clarification.
Thanx!

 

Of course you can add the second HDD. Just need to purchase the caddy kit.

Others are just confused.

 

You Can add a 2nd HDD (There is a bay) but just need to get the caddy and cable. Same situation I'm in, except now I know I got ripped off for that expedited shipping.

By the way, my order tracking number says "Order in production
(Estimated to ship on August 13, 2009)" Does that mean it'll come probably tomorrow since (4-5 days early)? Shouldn't the status just say shipping or do they tell you that the order is in production until they ship it to your house and you are "suprised"?

EDIT: I am now in the process of talking to a customer service chat person trying to tell me it takes 2 weeks to put a processor and video card into a pre-built computer....

 

Patience is a virtue, you know! You're obviously excited to get it, but apart from you flying to China and putting in your own CPU and video card, it'll get done when it gets done. You will get a "it shipped" email with a FEDEX tracking number, at which time you can stay awake for 96 hours hitting the refresh button at fedex.com and using flight tracker to track the fedex jet from China.

Studies have shown that those who are the most eager, get their computers with defects and failures, while those with a life get the good ones.

 

I have a life :[ Its just that it kind of sucks that everyone gets theirs 4-5 days early and I get mine near the estimated shipping date. I even got the "Expedited shipping" and really, laptops should only take 3-4 days to ship because people need them fast (not anxious, but people w/ businesses and etc). I would love to see that study Lancorp, it sounds like something you would make up

By the way, if the laptop I get is defected, I'm going to be very mad (Not something small like the messed up paintjob on the mousepad)
Also I guess I am kind of more excited for this laptop because it is inevitably, my first laptop.

 

In my quote, I said that "I may be wrong": looks like I was wrong. Go with lancorp's info: he knows what he's talking about. Sorry if I misled you, but I thought that I'd read that about their being no second drive bay.

 

More than likely, because of recent and current sales, that the production line is swamped. Also, everyone orders something different, and availability of certain parts may be constrained. It's really more than just plugging in a CPU and GPU (which, btw, is part of the mainboard and not a pluggable item).

Truthfully, though, for as long as I've been on these boards, it seems more likely that those that show their eagerness wind up getting a "problem" unit. I'm sure there's some "law" named for it!

If it makes you feel any better, I've probably ordered at least 6 HDX18's and '16s and all have shipped when they said...not much less than a day early.

 

I understand that the CPU and GPU are different but the HDX18T is the same. Don't they just make the HDX18T's like bare backbone and plug in the customizations you want into it? Does being "uneager" at the almost-shipping phase of the laptop help void that "law" ?

Also, does the shipping status that says " Order in production
(Estimated to ship on August 13, 2009)". Does that mean that the order will be shipped to my door on August 13 or will it finish be built and shipped from China to me then with Expedited shipping? Thanks

 

For what it's worth, I was checking my FedEx tracking SEVERAL times a day, and I didn't fall victim to lancorp's law!! lol

 

You're a lifesaver Rageman. I was afraid of falling into Lancorp's pit of Notebook Doom!

Edit: Can you guys also look on this and post?
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=407227

Can someone answer these two questions?
#1) Does the shipping status that says " Order in production
(Estimated to ship on August 13, 2009)". Does that mean that the order will be shipped to my door on August 13 or will it finish be built and shipped from China to me then with Expedited shipping? Thanks
#2) The Zalman Notebook Cooler NC2000 I believe is good for the HDX18T. However, do any of you know where to get a free shipping coupon for Newegg? I'm trying to get the Alienware Orion Backpack with the Zalman Notebook Cooler NC2000 but w/ tax and normal shipping its $150 which is way out of my budget right now because I just bought a HDX18T. Do I really need the Zalman notebook cooler? Doesn't elevating the laptop work fine? I mean I'll be using this thing in bed with Microsoft Word and maybe some videos but most of my gaming will be on my Desktop ( I won't be putting it on my lap ). Would I really need to get the cooler if I'm watching a video for 2-3 hours/playing a game like Starcraft for 1-2 hours/doing word documents for 2 hours? Thanks.

 

The latter. HP cannot predict how long it will take to ship since it's international shipping that involves customs. Customs, in and of itself, is unpredictable. Some shipments (yes, they ship in "batches" all at the same time) get through customs in one day, other times, there are customs delays which can hold up delivery. That has happened to many of us.

As some others here have said, Expedited Shipping is meaningless, since everything comes via Air anyways. Free shipping and the costly Expedited are about the same. Customs usually happens in Anchorage, AK, then off to Memphis or Indianapolis (hubs), then to your final destination. There is truth to what I say...the more you anticipate, the better chance FEDEX F's-up and your notebook winds up in Barstow, CA. (no offense, Barstow-ians...)

 

Aw, no biggie Pip. Just like to know what I'm gettin' thanx for the reply though, appreciate that.

 

My notebook shipped......tracking info still doesn't show anything yet though...

 

Could someone please help me? I am trying to find out what firewire chipset is in the hdx18t. I want to use mine for music production and I'm hoping it has a TI chipset in it.

I can't find the info I need anywhere. Any help appreciated greatly. Thanks!

 

So is it like still in the Order in Production status? How did you find out that it shipped btw?

 

Mine arrived this Morning @ 11:30am (Eastern)

Remember, I ordered this before the coupon so I had to cancel & re-order to get the 30% off...
Guess what?
This is the original order that arrived and they are still shipping the 2nd order today! Idiots!!! :confused2:
Quite possibly the most inefficient company on the planet.

I still have my e-mail with the cancellation confirmation#
.......just WOW!

Going to open this baby up now and give it a whirl. Maybe an unboxing vid :wink: