*HP HDX18 Owners Lounge*

That's the nerve racking thing about HP BTO's....prices, options change weekly......I've been scoping out their website everyday hoping for a bargain. Eventhough they raised the prices $50 TODAY, the $250 discount today as well as the $200 instant, makes it a good deal...

They removed the free upgrade to 320GIGS from 250 and I love that option because it makes the BTO $100 cheaper and I am replacing my HDD anyway with a 7200RPM HDD...

They should always allow the cheapest config possible so that for people likes ourselves who know we will be replacing some parts, we can do so without having to pay extra....

Good luck on your new order. I will make my decision tonite if not tomorrow and most likely just go to Best Buy to get my 24" monitor.

I wonder if Circuit City will be having any good deals since they are closing 117 stores and the one by me is closing down....will they discount prices or just move leftover inventory to their remaining stores?

 

It can be and not just for this. I purchased a 320GB, 7200RPM Seagate HD from Wavtek (sp?) with a 25% cashback deal. End price was somewhere in and around $79.

For my purchase I needed an ebay account, a MSN Live account, and a Pay Pal account to get things going. Your experience may differ slightly as you wont need an e-bay account if you can apply the Cashback to an HP portal. Just follow the instructions and read.

The only real drawnback to Cashback deal is there is a wait in getting your money back.

Cashback FAQ

 

The one Circuit City by my house only has 10 to 20 % off certain items. I have been checking every couple of days but I haven't seen anything worth buying from them. I can still get better deals from other stores in the area that are not going out of buisness. Oh I live around Austin tx.

 

You know what guys, I think the lady I talked to today at HP actually tried to trick me. This is a serious allegation, but look at how this is working. She says she can't apply the 200 instant rebate until later.. .and has a reference number for it but can't give it to me, and she will give me a 39 buck credit for the 2 day shipping that I originally had, but no reference number for that either. She can and did apply the 250 off coupon. And oh... 'call us back when you get your laptop so we can be sure the rebates are all getting to you.' This smells like.. a con. I really want to think positive here but the smell is real strong.

I am going to call them and cancell my order, but I also don't want some other people to get tricked as I did (assuming I am correct). I am sure that if I call back, nobody at HP except the lady I talked with, will know what the hell $200 + $39 rebate I am talking about 'getting later on'. I'd just as soon drop this issue as it's not my job to be policing them, what do you guys think I should do.

Edit: Ok I called them, and they know about the rebates. Aparently the systems wasn't working right and they couldn't apply it earlier.

 

There are 23" 6:9 screens coming out soon, Samsumg and Dell, about $350. 2048x1152.

 

I will take a look, thanks for the link.

If I can take advantage of this LIVE account and get more things with it, then it will be worth it...seems like that's what you guys do around here..

 

Other than laying off QUALIFIED workers for cheap labor, I'm sure they just don't have the right people running CC....which explains why they are just about to shut the doors....

The one by my place, I've only been to maybe 10 times in my life? And the last time I was there which was last week looking for good deals, 2 employees were making out in the aisle with each other, and some others were pumping up the stereo and playing some rap song..

I was so disgusted with what I saw....I didn't even bother to complain, I just walked out...

 

So will you be cancelling your order still? It seems like what I found today is a bargain....

 

Holy cow, 2048x1152 resolution??? That's crazy! How much higher will it get? hahaha...

I thought 1080p was going to be the standard resolution?

And 6:9 is what we want right? Not 6:10?

 

Holy cow, I found another coupon that's better!!

$400 off any customized HP Pavilion order that's $1,299.99+

You can get a hooked up HDX18t with better components now!

I will see what my BTO comes out to now...

Coupon Code: NB4113

 

The resolution isn't much different from 1920x1200, it's just in a 16:9 for those that are into wide screen format. Anything above 1080, so long as it's 16:9 (if you'e into that) is fine.

Yeah, I will reorder with the price online today.

 

Sorry that coupon expired...

 

Wow you had me scared there for a moment. The Quad Core isn't even out yet....

I would have been faced with a real dilemma there...

 

I have all but given up on getting a quad....who knows when HP is going to ever bring that back....

 

I heard that other companies have also had "stability" issues with the QX9300. I.e. Eurocom. Has anyone else heard anything more specific?

 

Anyone know when coupons are made available, all of the current ones seem to be expired?

 

awesome that clearly made a sizeable difference for me. I actually kinda liked the side bar though, the CPU clock and fast shut down feature adn eather was nice. Are there any more lightweight apps? I used to use Rocketdock which was awesome, maybe Ill give that a whirl.

Thanks
PureRide.

 

I get the same thing (svchost) and with my old DELL Inmsp 9300 running XP SP#, I also had this problem. If you terminate these they just pop right back up. Prob. not something to be messing with.

Shutting down the sidebar made a nice difference and sped up my boot times.

 

I have the WXGA and I find the fonts a bit smaller making a much larger relative screen size since things are so much smaller on the 18T.

 

I don't use the sidebar, but for Windows 7, the sidebar is....drum roll....


GONE!

I don't have anything against the sidebar, sometimes I use it for fun when I'm using my external monitor since screen real estate isn't an issue but I guess MS decided to just drop it..

The new Windows 7 is designed to work on netbooks so they shouldn't be so resource intensive as Vista is...

 

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

 

OK i almost pulled the trigger on these spec with the 30% my total would be 2030.80 for the following, should I pull or do you guys think there will be bettter deals in the near future?
FF286AV
– Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
– Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor T9400 (2.53 GHz)
– 18.4" diagonal High Definition HP Ultra BrightView Infinity Display (1920x1080p)
– FREE Upgrade to 3GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm) from 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
– 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
– 500GB 5400RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (250GB x 2) with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
– Webcam + Fingerprint Reader with HP Imprint Finish (Fluid)
– HP Color Matching Keyboard
– Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card with Bluetooth
– Lightscribe Blu-Ray ROM with SuperMulti DVD+/-R/RW Double Layer
– HP Integrated HDTV Hybrid Tuner
– 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
– $20 OFF Microsoft(R) Office Home and Student 2007
– Norton 360(TM) - 15 Months
– HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope
plus the docking station as well.

I only got the 3gig memory for now will upgrade from NEwegg and the small dual HD due to fact nobody seems to be able to get the carriers for them yet. Thanks for any help you can provide.

 

Thanks, that saved me about $30 more than my other coupon!

 

I guess it depends on how much time you can wait?

My patience is running out so that means I am going to settle with an HDX 18t without the Quads...

I guess the added software is what makes the config expensive?

My HDX is going to be a tad over $1200...I will post my specs soon if I end up pulling the trigger!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

How is yours a tad over 1200 when the base confif is 1349, or is that after you use the coupon? I have looked around trying to find a better deal on the software, but HP seems to have them beat. Even with my employee discount at the comapany I work for, it doean't even come close to HP savings. What do you recommend? As far as waiting I have a little bit. I would like to have it before christmas though. I dought I will be able to afford the quads when they come back out so that is not a big thing for me.

 

I went with the lease configs except I chose the 2.4 processor. Other than that it is bare bones. No TV tuner etc...

I don't think I even chose the Wireless card with Bluetooth since I don't even own any BT devices..

With the $200 instant rebate and 30% coupon, it comes out to $480 total savings!! Not bad!

I just have to fill out my CC and pull the trigger dammnit!!

 

Vistabad the 30% off will take the place of the 200 instant savings. It is one or the other.

 

I DID IT!!

Ok I couldn't pass up the $480 savings. No quad for me but I will be happy with the 2.4ghz....I don't really do any encoding anyways...

Here are my specs:

* – Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
* – Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor P8600 (2.4 GHz)
* – 18.4" diagonal High Definition HP Ultra BrightView Infinity Display (1920x1080p)
* – FREE Upgrade to 3GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm) from 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
* – 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
* – 250GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
* – Webcam + Fingerprint Reader with HP Imprint Finish (Fluid)
* – HP Color Matching Keyboard
* – Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card
* – Blu-Ray ROM with SuperMulti DVD+/-R/RW Double Layer
* – No TV Tuner w/remote control
* – 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery

TOTAL PRICE: $1,213.79

HDX will be built by Nov. 19th.....

I want this badboy before Xmas!!!

 

Right, but the calculations came out to my favor...

Last night, the $200 instant savings AND $250 coupon came out to $1246.00

Today, I used the new coupon and it came out to: $1230.79

good enough for me!

 

WOW here is a weird one. My price comes out to 2491.97. With the 30% couponI should be at 1744.38 right ? Wrong it is only giving me 27.1 percent off. My total is 1985.12. What am I missing?

 

That's way too much for an HDX18t....of course if you were buying Sony 18.4" you're looking at close to $3,000....

Let me do another config with your specs and see what I come up with.

 

I don't know what you're doing but I got $2041.99 with your configuration.

Once you check out and apply the 30% coupon, it should come out to around
$1428.70.

Also, do you really need the software? You can use AVG for free instead of bloated Norton. Do you really want the integrated TV tuner and Bluetooth?

My other laptops have BT and I never use it so I figured the hell with it...plus it would be one less "service" that would be running to hog my my system resources...I know that's nitpicking but you never know...

I assume you are getting the dual cage because no one can find these cages anywhere else after market right?

 

I ordered one just to see how it would look in person. I still want that quad core processor but for now I'll settle for seeing the laptop in person. I really want to see the laptop in person and determine whether I find it comfortable, etc. See if my sleeve will fit it.

Great coupon...horrible timing.

 

What do you mean by horrible timing?

 

if I had to guess, maybe because there's no Quads available for those that want them. Some of us were very lucky that got them.

 

Your wondering how mine came out so expensive I am wondering how your came out so cheap.......I even down grades stuff like the Vista, and the memory and what not. OK I can get by with out the norton. I do need the TV turner and Bluetooth. Yeah the daul because they can't be found. I was going to go with the 500 dual for 1 TB but went with the dual 250 instead. Please walk mne though how you go this so cheap. I have already pulled the trigger, but from what I have seen it shouldn't be hard to cance4l and reenter.

 

See below...

Bingo!

Anyways I ordered it with these specs...If the Quad does show up and a coupon miracously also is available and makes the HDX 18t a nice bargain I'll have to return it and get it with a Quad Core processor. But if the Quad Core turns out to be mad expensive and not worth the price IMO then I'm giving up and sticking with what I just ordered. Of course I'll have to switch out the Memory and hard drives...I got the dual hard drives just so I wouldn't have to mess with looking for the adapter/whatever else is required in order to replace the hard drives.

HP HDX18t Premium Series customizable Notebook PC

* Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
* Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor T9600 (2.80GHz)
* 18.4" diagonal High Definition HP Ultra BrightView Infinity Display (1920x1080p)
* FREE Upgrade to 3GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm) from 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
* 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
* 500GB 5400RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (250GB x 2) with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
* Webcam + Fingerprint Reader with HP Imprint Finish (Fluid)
* HP Color Matching Keyboard
* Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card
* Blu-Ray ROM with SuperMulti DVD+/-R/RW Double Layer
* No TV Tuner w/remote control
* 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
* No Productivity Software
* HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope

Order Subtotal Before Discounts: $2,149.99
Instant Discounts you received: $645.00
Order subtotal $1,504.99

Grand Total $1,606.58

And oh vistabad the current version of Norton is NOT bloated so really quit spreading that crap around. NIS 2009 is among the best products out there right now.

 

take a look at Casselineknights config, he was able to get $645 off his BTO!

You don't need to downgrade Vista, either 32 or 64bit is the same cost.

 

My apologies. I had Norton Av last year and it just hogged up my resources. AVG was very lightweight and easy to use.

if NIS 2009 is better, great...I just didn't like my experiences with NIS and assumed that most programs get BIGGER not smaller so I didn't expect NIS to be better than what it was last year...

 

Yeah I didn't mean to explode or anything it just gets annoying hearing the same untruthful stuff all the time about certain products.

I'll admit that Norton has earned it's reputation with the products they put out in the past but I was in the beta for NIS 2009 and I honestly think it's a solid all around product. In fact I think it's amazing given all the low expectations I had going into the beta. Thanks to the so called experts who told me to stay away from Norton.

Anyways to each his or her own. I won't say that Norton is for everyone and that whoever doesn't use Norton is dumb.

But I will say that everyone should at least give it a try. Especially the 2009 version.

 

If you go with the Ultimate Vista then it is an addtioanl 160. I got around 675 off mine...I tried to rerun my config and it still comes out with the same price. Could this be a regional thing?

 

Regional? I doubt it...

Order the normal vista, then for $16 you can order the recovery disk for the ULTIMATE...save yourself $144....

 

My favorite version of Norton was 2001. It was very lightweight.

If NIS 2009 is good, I will have no problem paying a subscription for it...I will wait to hear back from other reviews on it...

 

CK is correct about Norton 2009. I've always hated past Norton products for being so bloaty and sluggish. Apparently, Symantec re-wrote NAV 2009 from the ground up and it installs in less than one minute, has a very small footprint on your HD, and claims to utilize hardly any CPU time.

I've installed it on all my PC's and I do like it. Better than AVG as a matter of fact.

You can find 3 and 5 PC licenses for NAV 2009 on ebay for real cheap.

I shy away from the Internet Security suites, though...I don't need more fluff. Windows has a firewall, my network has a firewall, and just the plain Norton Antivirus also includes Spyware detection, so that's all I need. Nice and lean.

 

OK, I'm a sucker for a good discount! That 30% off was screaming "PROFIT"!!

Picked up another '18t fully loaded. Took advantage of the already discounted 1TB upgrade and the extra 8-cell battery (net cost $50).

I figure I can use the 2nd drive caddy in my QUAD and the extra battery, and sell the remaining notebook at a profit.

HP HDX18t Premium Series customizable Notebook PC
FF286AV
– Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
– Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor T9400 (2.53 GHz)
– 18.4" diagonal High Definition HP Ultra BrightView Infinity Display (1920x1080p)
– FREE Upgrade to 3GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm) from 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
– 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
– 1TB 5400RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (500GB x 2) with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
– Webcam + Fingerprint Reader with HP Imprint Finish (Fluid)
– HP Color Matching Keyboard
– Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card with Bluetooth
– Blu-Ray ROM with SuperMulti DVD+/-R/RW Double Layer
– No TV Tuner w/remote control
– $30 OFF! Extra 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery

Total $1483 - $74.18 live.com cashback = $1408.

 

I love it when programs are rewritten from the ground up. Always feels like a nice cold clean shower...

My HDX is slated to be built Nov 19, 2008. From your experience, when should I actually expect it to be at my door?

Think I will have it before turkey day?

 

Dude, you are CRAZY hahaha....I can't beleive you bought another one!

****it, I completely forgot about the live.com account!!!!

Getting the extra 18t for the dual cage though is a great idea though!

Whoever buys your spare 18t won't care so much about that cage...

 

wait how can live.com be used on HP's website? i thought it was strictly on ebay? if i can use it on hps website then i am all in for my purchase of a 16t

 

Or the missing 500GB drive that went in it!

And, I already got my live.com cashback email!! I've never gotten a live.com cashback email from an HP purchase in less than days!

Cha-ching!

 

Mine, too, is slated for shipment by the 19th. If my HDX Dragon and HDX16t are any example, they will ship before that. I don't think any of the components are constrained like with the HDX18t Quads, and this HDX18t isn't new anymore...

My guess is easily before Turkey day...it's the 27th of November, yes?