*HP HDX18 Owners Lounge*

I'm very interested in getting this laptop.

If I buy this laptop with only a single drive am I going to need a hard drive kit (usually and/or adapter to protect the pins on a HD, sometimes a sleeve as well) kit/adapter for the installation of another drive? Or does it come with the equipment to do so?

If it doesn't come with the hardware that's a PITA. I tried looking up the kit on the HP PartSurfer to no avail. I may try calling the parts 800 number tomorrow or get them to throw it in with the purchase on the phone. Not sure how far I would get with that.

I don't want to purchase another drive with the notebook just to get the adapter as that would be a total waste.

I was looking to buy 2 aftermarket drives to replace the OEM one. Either a 320gb 7200rpm and 500gb combo or a 64gb SSB and 500gb combo.

 

I was also hoping to do the 320/7200 and 500/5400 combo- and I'll be calling the parts department tomorrow as well

The 500GB notebook drives aren't considered the greatest yet, but the Samsung SpinPoint drive looks decent, and I believe there's a model with an accelerometer.

I'd definitely recommend the Seagate Momentus 320GB/7200RPM, it appears to be the best of the options.

I really hope we can get our own brackets - that way after I set up my machine and find dust behind that **** infinity glass I can send it back for replacement without the OS that I worked hard to set up

 

Since there aren't any HDX laptops, Live Search is offering 20% cashback for HP purchases.

To do this:

Go to Live.Com
Search for 'HP'
At the top under 'Sponsored Sites' click 'Live Search cashback' under HP Offical Store

 

Wow, that's quite the deal... I am curious, however, why Live.com doesn't ask for anything other than an email address when you click through. Guess I'm just used to FatWallet.

I might make a purchase today and just hope the Live.com thing works.

 

I've never used the Live cashbacks before, so I'm not completely sure; I saw that they were offering it and thought the people here would be interested.

[EDIT]

They E-Mail you the rest of the information for the cashback.

 

How does cash back work though? Do you pay the full amount or something and then they issue you a rebate check or something like 3 months after you've bought it?

 

It takes 60 days I believe.

It's so you don't return it after you get the cashback I think.

 

Well, I decided to place an order and hope no amazing coupons come out tomorrow.

I got the Quad-core processor and the lowest options on everything else, even though I meant to get the Bluetooth I think I'll live without it... I never use it.

Total laptop price with APP discount and 5% coupon (NB3089) = $1,573.67

Price for 2 320GB 7200RPM Drives, an external eSata enclosure and 4GB of 5-5-5-15 PC6400 RAM (NewEgg): $300

Cashback (eventually): $314.73

Total after cash back: $1558.94

Not bad eh? And the hard drives & memory I ordered are better than what HP offers.

I hope I can get that second bracket! lol. And I hope that screen is blind-me bright so I can live with the Infinity display.

 

Uhh, sorry to bust your bubble, but I think that if you use a coupon with the purchase they might cancel the cashback (or at least that is what I've heard, you should search around to make sure).

 

Well, I honestly doubt that considering I just got the cashback confirmation e-mail, and if they did that then they would probably remove the cashback for anyone who got the APP or EPP discount as well.

Is there any documentation that agrees with what you are saying? Maybe somewhere in the terms & conditions page?

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=297142

#4th Reply.

Obviously not any hard evidence, but you should definitely check the TOS or contact them just to be safe.

 

Yeah, I just finished checking the TOS, and the 5% coupon does indeed jeopardize my cashback

Thanks for the heads-up, now I need to decide if I am going to cancel my order or not.

 

Just cancel it and reorder it with cashback only, it wont be much of a difference in price.

 

Meh, I'm going to take a chance. There's a good possibility I will send this HDX18 back anyway, which won't be a hassle with the extra hard drives on the way. If I do keep it and the cashback gets canceled, I'll just make a claim with FatWallet, as they accept coupons and I'll at least get another 3% (or is it 5% still) from them.

 

Does anyone know if any coupons or "cashback" will work when configured and purchased through costco.com?

 

No kaymack.

 

Does the live.com cashback calculate the discount from the HP instant rebate total? In other words, HP has an instant discount of $200.00. If you use the 20% live.com discount, does it exclude the instant discount? If you still receive the 20% and the instant rebate that is a great deal.

 

The live.com cashback is calculated against the order total. I just found out FatWallet actually reported my 3% even though I didn't mean for it to... so I'll either get a double-cashback (not likely) or only get the FatWallet one. Oh well.

 

I just called the HP Parts Store and they won't sell me a bracket. Maybe I'll just receive mine "without" the bracket and tell them "somethings shaking around, sounds like the hard drive!" lol. That would be wrong, of course

I just noticed that they have 320GB 7200 RPM drives on the parts list... so we can expect some extra options soon!

 

I don't think that is true. I think it is calculated on the total BEFORE taxes and shipping. My cashback on an order this morning from HP was only on the item total, not including tax and shipping.

The Fatwallet thing got in the way with me once, also. I definitely clicked-through from a live.com link, and purchased, but Fatwallet got the sale, for some reason, from a previous click...

 

If you did not get your cashback email relatively quickly after your purchase, it probably didn't take. I ordered another HDX18t with the 20% off this morning, and I got my cashback email right away. I did contact the MS Cashback people, though, to inquire about the validity of the cashback with the INSTANT REBATE that HP is offering (even though it is a bogus rebate considering HP jacked up the price $200 just to offer a $200 rebate...isn't that illegal?), and the Cashback folks said it would be ok. It's only coupon codes that affect the cashback.

Cancel it and repurchase. That is TOO BIG a discount to miss out on!

 

Aw, it was pretty funny. I don't think it was at all rude. A bit of levity goes a long way.

 

Anybody here know if I can get the 20% with my APP discount through HP? Or do I have to order through the normal non-APP site?

 

Another topic.
Since I ordered it with Vista 64 bit, am I screwing myself with compatibility or is 64 backward compatible with 32 bit? Examples being WD External HD, Belkin F5U273 (the latter shows a 32 bit driver on their site)...

 

You shouldn't have any problems with "generic" hardware like hard drives, but something specialized like that docking station, I think you will have trouble with. Those 32-bit drivers will not install on 64bit Vista.

 

That's exactly what happened to me with FatWallet.

I guess I meant the total before taxes & shipping, but I never have to pay either with HP so I failed to mention that lol.

 

I'm wondering this same thing...

 

Not sure how the APP thing works, but to get the 20%, you have to click-through from a live.com link, and it automatically takes you to the HP HOME STORE. If you go to another site, it probably won't work, and/or if you have to use a discount code, it surely won't work.

 

Can someone full explain this 20% or 30% thing to me...

Does it take the money off right away or do I have to wait for something in the mail?

I'm kinda confused after reading the eariler posts...

 

I got the email but it's not showing up on my account yet. We'll see...

 

My cashbacks from today are both in my cashback account...i'd cancel the orders and reorder after restarting your PC and not going anywhere close to fatwallet!

BTW, I had to call HP and cancel the full price HDX18t's I ordered on 10/01...what a hassle. I even had to stay on hold while they called the factory to tell them to cancel!
For a moment, it sounded like they were just going to credit me 20% to not cancel, but ultimately, they just put in a cancel request.

Now, I have to wait 3 extra days...worth $365 I think!

 

What do you mean by "Cashback account"

And again can someone FULLY explain this deal you guys are taking advantage of?

Is it 20% of the full price or the subtotal that is given back to you?

 

The Live Cashback doesn't work with the APP site because you have to follow the link and it takes you the Home & Home Office page not the APP one. Sorry.

 

Well anyways I'll wait for a response but here's the system I've configured. I think I'm not gonna worry about the 7200 RPM Hard Drive since from all account's it's not a huge leap forward. I also decided on Vista Ultimate since this will be an important laptop and I would like to be prepared for the worst just in case...

My HP HDX 18t

• Upgrade to Genuine Windows Vista Ultimate with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
• Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad Processor QX9300 (2.53Hz)
• 18.4" diagonal High Definition HP Ultra Brightview Infinity Display (1920x1080p)
• 4GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm) $40 OFF
• 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
• 500GB 5400RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (250GB x 2) with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
• HP Imprint Finish (Fluid) + Microphone + Webcam + Fingerprint Reader
• HP Color Matching Keyboard
• Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card with Bluetooth
• Blu-Ray ROM with SuperMulti DVD+/-R/RW Double Layer
• TV & entertainment experience No TV Tuner w/remote control
• 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
• Microsoft(R) Works 9.0

Price without any coupons or the instant $200 is $2,518.99.

And you guys are saying this 20% thing doesn't work with the $200 off right? So I would be paying 80% of that bolded price PLUS tax right?

Now if someone could explain to me payment options and how the money is refunded. Wait time, etc...that would be great...

 

Here you go!

http://search.live.com/cashback/faq

EDIT:

Just noticed this:

 

Actually...

I logged into my APP account then typed in live.com and searched laptops, it brought up the 20% link.

Once I clicked on the link, it brought me right back into the APP Store!!!!


Also if anyone is looking for a coupon code that works for the HDX18 instead of going the risky live dot com route, coupon code SV3352 is stackable with the normal APP discount!

 

I might just wait to order another HDX18 because there's a good chance I'll get mine and for some reason, the hard drive's bracket will be missing *wink*

 

Now I have a question regarding the HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection.

Is this a product of the laptop haveing the motion sensor or is it a matter of the harddrive having the sensor and protecting the data?

So in other words if I buy aftermarket HDs do I have to look for specific HDs with motion sensors or will regular harddrives do?

BTW, I took the plung and bought one today. I plan to upgrade to aftermarket RAM and HDs....

• Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad Processor QX9300 (2.53Hz)
• 18.4" diagonal High Definition HP Ultra Brightview Infinity Display (1920x1080p)
• 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
• 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
• 250GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
• HP Imprint Finish (Fluid) + Microphone + Webcam + Fingerprint Reader
• HP Color Matching Keyboard
• Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card with Bluetooth
• Blu-Ray ROM with SuperMulti DVD+/-R/RW Double Layer
• HP Integrated HDTV Hybrid Tuner
• Extra 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery

 

thanks! i am changing the order to the 32 bit (64 not worth the hassle to me at this point).
Is it easy to UPGRADE to 64 bit in the future once the drivers are increased in other hardware?

 

I wasn't sure about the ProtectSmart either. My best guess is that it's a driver that reads the status of the drive's accelerometer and turns the HDD LED orange if the drive is locked due to motion. Sounds silly, but I wouldn't be surprised.

The accelerometers are in the drives - here's what I got, and it has one that may not have a fast response but it's better than nothing.

I really doubt there's another accelerometer within the computer...

 

Hmm, odd. I tried that before my last post and it didn't work.

And that coupon comes up invalid.

 

No. I did read that you CANNOT do an in-place upgrade from 32bit to 64bit Vista. It's only reformat-city for you.

 

Oops I fixed it...The APP discount is SV3352

 

thanks! i am sticking with the 32 bit!

 

What does APP stand for?

And that discount is basically erased by tax so it doesn't do me any good....oh well...

 

Academic Purchase Program - if you're a student or have a university affiliation, get on the wagon!

 

What's up with HDX 18 customization... No more Quad cores, no Dual 2.8... ???

 

Yes, I noticed that too. They removed the higher CPU options. But then again, I thought something was wrong with the QX9300 being only $225 more, considering it is supposedly a 800-1000$ USD chip.

As for why they removed the 2.8ghz option? I have no idea. I was really tempted to get one, but the underwhelming 9600m GT was just a deal breaker for me.

 

I'm a student.

When I put in the code it took off like around 130 dollars or something. Which to me is nothing especially when the tax was even higher...

And they removed the Quad Core option as well as the T9600....

I think they're going to bring them back. Hopefully not more expensive but who knows. With my luck that will be the exact case.

Hopefully they'll be adding more options for other things when they bring those back.

 

Yeah the student discount generally isn't as good as the coupons that come out, but sometimes there are stackable coupons and then it has the potential to be a very nice deal.

I wonder if they'll put back those options they've taken away . . . and when. I noticed they dropped prices on some other models (dv series and the tx2500z) and added other options to those and the HDX16, while not necessarily adding back those they removed. HP is so weird sometimes.