*HP HDX18 Owners Lounge*

^ LOLOL. use it as a coaster because besides that, its worth nothing!

 

I've dowloaded both HWMonitor and Core Temp.......both work as they should.....what's interesting is that the CPU Temps shown in HW Monitor are always exactly 5 degrees c less then those shown by Coretemp. Also, don't know if this is true for HDX18, but both only show a static snap in time temp for each cpu core........HW Monitor will monitor your whole session with min, max and current temps for your GPU, Display and Hard Drive but not the cpu cores. I'm told that this is limited by the bios.

 

Everest is arguably the best system information tools available. The free version can be downloaded here.

http://majorgeeks.com/download4181.html

 

Sweet! Thanks for the reply! I finally pulled the trigger and ordered one. I got the 320GB x 2 @ 7200 RPM option. That should give me enough room, but it's always great to know that I could do the upgrade down the road.

Thanks to all of you for the help, I can't wait to get it! It's estimating a March 3rd build date, but I hope it's sooner!

 

As I said in a previous post, Device Manager shows mine has an AVerMedia intenal tuner. And I'm convinced it does not support QAM. And it does a poor job even at what it does do! I tried an external AVerMedia USB tuner which does support QAM, and it has a much better picture -- even for analog cable.

Perhaps HP ships different tuners day-to-day, depending on what they have in stock, or whatever is cheaper for them to buy that week.

 

Finally got my box.

I tested digital QAM option and I can confirm that HP TV tuner based on AVerMedia card has QAM.



You can either use HP Media TV or Media Center. It work in both but I prefer media center. It works better.

HD over ATSC looks great (I'm not sure what problems with quality other people had).
Antenna reception is great for all major stations like NBC / CBS / FOX etc. and with better antenna positioning you can get smaller stations in good quality.
Cable works as well. I did manage to setup my card with Comcast but wasn't sure which location has HD lineup so I didn't see HD via cable yet. I need to test it more after I install all my soft.

.....so after all, I guess TV card is well worth that $75

 

^ excellent quality. i wound up getting a happauge 950Q card and i absolutely love it.

 

I was surprised with quality of this thing. I've seen people complained about reception and quality but all I see is 1080i very clear transmission, without any artifacts or delays (signal from major stations NBC / CBS / FOX).

DVR feature via Media Center is very close to what I had from Dish and works very well.

Comcast cable worked right from the spot. SD quality is as usual - SD. I didn't set up HD channels over QAM yet but Media Center gave me at least 12 different options for cable services, so I need to play more with it.


as far as software , I upgraded to Ultimate 64bit and loaded some Adobe programs.
Except Photoshop CS4 all other Web collection apps (Flash, Dreamweaver, SoundBooth etc) installed in 32bit folder (yes ....install creates separate folders for 64 and 32 bit apps).

I was under impression that all new CS4 apps are 64bit... well I guess not


now it is time to get at least 256Gb SSD and some solid bag for travel

 

I couldn't find the answer anywhere. Does anyone know how to disable the sound that happens when you open and close the lid?

Thanx!

 

As I stated in a previous post, I can verify this also. I have tried it with cable HD and it does work.

 

I got my HDX18 this afternoon. Been playing with it all day. I think Im in love. I popped Battlefield 2 in the tray and set everything on the highest possible. It didn't skip a beat even on multiplayer. I was going to return this laptop and get the MSI GT725 instead, but I just love this thing. For what I paid for this and the fact that Im not a huge gamer, I can't justify spending another $500.00 just for a faster graphics card. Watching Harry Potter Blu-ray right now...awesome!!!

 

Glad to see another HDX18 owner feeling the love so many of us have for this machine. Enjoy!

 

At my work we do HP authorized service work, I was chatting with a representative today and he let me know that a hard drive bracket/cable kit will be available shortly for this laptop. Here s a cut/paste from the chat.

The link you can visit is here; http://h20141.www2.hp.com/hpparts/S...=Search_Results.asp&SearchCriteria=561549-001 and the part number you will want to search is 536519-001. If you are going to search for the parts locally as well, just make sure to visit a specific computer parts store.

He pointed out that the parts are apparently all generic parts, even the sata cable. Unfortunately we don;t have a good laptop parts supplier where I live or I would head down and find the parts needed.

Hope this is of some help for some of you I am looking forward to it becoming available in a month or so.

 

The funny thing is when I changed my hard drives to the Seagate 7200RPM 500GB drives I thought the parts HP used seemed "generic".

 

Oh well eh

But in regards into getting the Q9100 processor instead, if you are referring to me installing the upgrade...maybe (but I dont think you meant it that way).

If you mean when i have the laptop built, well, in Canada we have no customization; it's either you take it or leave it. poo! oh well

 

I received one of those discs today as well. I guess my computer from months back didn't include it. In the past HP included it, I guess they didn't install it this time. Not that it matters to me, I always uninstall Works. I have the full version of Office that I bought so I always use that. Works feels "cheap" when compared to Office or even OpenOffice.

 

I am thinking very seriously about buying the HDX18, now the only question is if i should choose the 1000 or the 1100, which one is better?

I wish i lived in the states so i could choose a bit more in what hardware the laptop should have, I live in Denmark so i am unable to custimize any settings other then choose from these 2 prefabricated models.

 

I just received what I guess you would consider the 1100 and I think its great. DDR3 memory and 1gig 9600m GT graphics. 1 sweet machine for the money.

 

Hey guys. I ordered my hp hdx about 2 weeks ago. I was just wondering if anyone knew the form factor of the optical drive so I can look online for another. I also heard the ram is expandable up to 8GB anyone know if this is true?

 

J,

Yes the memory is expandable to 8gb (running that myself.) What exactly do you want to know about the drive?

 

Well I didnt get the blu ray burner (I couldnt wait any longer to get the laptop) So I was wanting to look for one I can replace the reader with. I dont want to order a laptop burner and it not fit in the drive.

 

J,

I don't know how much this helps or if it will give you enough to go on but my drive (the bluray burner) shows up as a GBW-B10N. I doubt the other description wording matters but if it does: HL-DT-ST BD-RE

Hope that helps, I am going to dig around and if I get a better description I'll post it.

CC

PS. Here is a little more info on the acronym soup above,

HL-DT-ST stands for Hitachi LG Data Storage so the HL-DT-ST shows the manufacturer, and the model being "BD-RE GBW-B10N".

 

Thanks for your help.

 

No worries, hope at least a part of that helps. Make sure you check the PS in my post above in case it makes a difference.

CC

 

I was just wondering how can you diable the scrolling up and down on the touchpad? Its kinda annoying me.
Thanks

 

For anyone wanting to raise the back of their HDX for better airflow, I bought some amplifier rubber feet off ebay, 20mm high, put a little bit of double-sided tape on them (easy to peal off), and stuck them to the underneath of my HDX18.

 

What's the deal with the 4Gb Memory Modules. No one on the net seems to have them. Even NewEgg shows them as a "deactivated item". Are they in short supply or something? Anyone know who has them now?

 

Same with 8Gb modules. Couple of months ago they could be had on newegg for ~$300. Now, the cheapest I've seen are $530+. Now I'm sitting with an HDX18 with ONLY 3GB of RAM.

 

I think he is speaking of the 8 GB G.Skill kit (2x4GB) They must be in short supply because they were selling at such an awesome price everywhere. They should hopefully be back soon.

 

just to let you know

30% coupon is back

NB5463

 

You are the man. I had to return my first HDX18t for an exchange - too many problems. I really wanted to reconfigure it with the quad, but they wouldn't let me - my coupon was expired. They said a $320 part change was going to cost me $800. So, I was stuck. The new coupon allowed me to order a replacement with a quad and get it faster than the exchange! BONUS! Canceling exchange now!!!

 

See attached link:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2326060_disable-scrolling-hp-touchpad.html

 

Awesome! However I just did the live chat and they refused to credit the difference. I just ordered my 18T on the 20th and it has not shipped yet.

I am currently on hold with the 1-800 number. Any suggestions?

Thanks guys!

UPDATE: They are "requesting a specialist" to look at the order. Argh

 

I was thinking about Quad but if I would pull the trigger , I wanted the fastest one they had (I believe 2.53ghz). Going with lower speed quad, didn't make any sense for me since majority of the present software don't use extra cores. So I was left with chose between 2.8ghz Duo or 2.53 Ghz Quad. Unfortunately $1000 is way too much than I want to spend on CPU.... I would rather use my 2.8ghz till Quads will be used by all software, and then I will buy one for way less than $1K and replace my 2.8ghz (if necessary).

I tested Adobe collection (photoshop, dreamweaver, soundbooth, illustrator etc.) with 32 and 64 bit versions on 2.8 ghz , along with multiple windows open, skype video chat and media center playback in the background. CPU didn't come above 65~85%.

But the only upgrade I would choose is SSD 256Gb. Too bad HP doesn't offer that option

If you placed your order over the phone you can always say that you made a mistake. Otherwise you could place a new order and return current one.
But I'm sure if you talk to the right person you can avoid that and get your discount.

 

Yes, this happened to me in the past. Just tell them if they can't help you, you will just cancel your order and reorder online with the new coupon. This will cost you time and them money, so let's just save some trouble and handle it now. Then they processed it for me.

 

From what I hear Windows 7 will make better use of quads and SSD's so my plan is to wait for 7 to come out then install it on my new SSD - at the same time, bump it up to 8gb ddr3 ram.

 

I am not sure if this will help anyone, but I found out some interesting things about the power adapter for my HDX. First, the tip size is that of my Inspiron 9300. My HDX power adapter will power my Dell no problem. I have not had the guts to reverse this yet, however. Powering my HDX with my Inspiron power adapter. This fact did allow me to do some power experimentation.

Going on the advice of this forum I purchased two refurb Kensington 120W power supplies. They were bought from two different dealers for under twenty dollars and each came with different tips that fit my HDX. Both tips N19 and N30 will fit and work just fine powering the device. Overall the Kensington is great, is slim, and works wonderfully in my car. My wife watched two movies powered by it on a long car trip we had this weekend. Excellent purchase, especially for the price.

 

For me it is matter of Quad CPU usage by production software (editing, web, encoding etc.) not OS . Adobe for example still have problems converting all their programs to use 64 bit They install on 64 bit fine, but only 1 or 2 actually use it.

Quad is a great upgrade but only at some descent speeds. 2ghz quad will be slower than 2.8 ghz Duo. So the only option for me is to get at least 2.53 Ghz quad, but at price of $1000, no way

I suspect by the time Win 7 and some Quad friendly apps are released, 2.53Ghz Quad will be around $200~300. $700 on CPU is way better saving than any available coupon from HP


As far as SSD ... yes this is the best upgrade you can ever do. I tested Corsair and Intel. Intel is a blasting fast but it cost a lot. I need to check G.Skill Titan as soon as they drop the price.

 

Wow - I have never experienced something like this on a corporate level. After talking over my options with the support rep, and the fact that I could just return the laptop that is coming and order another, she offered me $100. But the difference between the two, spec'd the same (because 3GB of RAM and 2 day shipping is no longer free), was $187.68.

I said "why can you credit me $100 and not $187.68?"

She said that $100 was the maximum refund she could give without a supervisor approval. Understandable, so I had her get the supervisor approval. She came back on the line and said that the supervisor would only approve $100 since the options on the laptops have changed, etc.

I said "well, then I guess I will just reorder a new one and return this one, but that doesn't seem very efficient, and it seems that your company will save expenses by fixing this now instead."

She said "okay sir, I understand, so I will offer you $120. Will you accept?"

HUH?!?!

I hope they build computers better than they do customer service, this is my first experience with HP and that was a strange one.

I took the $120 credit (to be credited when I receive the laptop) and ran for the hills. I am out $67, but what the heck, I was happy yesterday paying regular price without the coupon, so the $120 is a bonus I suppose. I am easy to please Just seems like an odd process/practice for a worldwide company with thousands of employees to bargain with a credit.

 

Hi Guys

I just cancelled my 17" MSI 725-074 order from XoticPC today and ordered the HDX18 as with the coupon, the HP (T9400, 3GB RAM, 7200RPM HDD) came out just under $1300 shipped, which is $100 LESS THAN the MSI.

I missed out on this the last time the coupon was around and decided to get the MSI and then saw the HP coupon on several coupon sites just in time!

Build date is March 3rd but I'm in no rush.

Later
SS

 

Hello fellow HDX18 owners! I just pulled the trigger and got the 18 (afer debating between that and the 16 with higher Ghz duo's). I finally decided on the following spec'd 18:

- tHP HDX18t Premium Series Notebook PC
- Upgrade to Genuine Windows Vista Ultimate with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
- Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad Processor Q9100 (2.26 GHz)
- 4GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm) - For 1GB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT graphics
- 500GB 7200RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (250GB x 2) with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
- 1GB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
- 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 with Bluetooth
- HP Integrated HDTV Hybrid Tuner
- HP Color Matching Keyboard
- 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
- No Productivity Software
- HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope

Laptop alone, after the 30% coupon and before taxes and extra warranty, was $1976.09 so I'm pretty happy.

Will I be able to upgrade my quads at a later date to a higher Ghz? or not? I just hope I won't be dissapointed. I'm coming from an HP Pavilion dv8000 with about a 1/3 of the above specs, but I really debated over the HDX16 and the above.

Hey SS -- Mine has the same build date. Will be interesting to see if you or I get it before! Keep in touch!

 

^ Will do. I spoke to HP US sales directly after some initial issues with the coupon code not being accepted with my Paypal payment and the guy said the HDX18 sales were simply flying today with the coupon code. Since he was in San Diego call center (I'm in CA), we were chatting and he said he bought the DV7 last year and now he's thinking about selling that and getting the HDX18 for himself. Can't wait to receive this baby ...my last laptop was the gen1 17" XPS which served me well for 2 years before I sold it and I was 'laptop-less' for a long time till now. Glad the HDX18 is going to fullfil that spot .

On the same note, which BR software comes with the HDX?

Thanks

 

How long do these cupons normally last?

 

The HDX18 has the Cyberlink DVD Suite. The coupons usually only last a couple of days, if even. Once words gets out, they usually go real quick. I mean what other manufacturer gives %30 off a $2000+ laptop every couple of months.

 

Dell But yeah, they haven't got anything that compares to the 18T. These coupons are killer.

I just saw that not only did they not match the coupon price on my existing order (they gave me $120 back instead of the $187 difference), but the new orders also come with a $100 gift card.

I don't want to cancel the order (and can't anyway since it's in production), and by the time I receive it and send it back the coupon code will be expired. And I don't want to have double this amount missing from my bank account (unlike most I didn't use a credit card in this economic downturn )

Shouldn't they HAVE to honor this due to the following in the Terms?

The HP Home & Home Office Store reserves the right to change prices at any time. Should we lower the price of the product you purchased, you may call 1 (888) 999-4747 within 21 days of delivery date to request a credit for the difference between the price you paid and the current the HP Home & Home Office Store selling price. This excludes mail-in rebates, which are not part of this price protection.

 

Anyone have experience with Mushkin RAM?

For you 8GB fiends, check this out: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226047&Tpk=8 gb 200 pin

 

can you guys please help me with the coupon, im going to buy a laptop and i would like to use the coupon with i dont know how and where to put it. Please show me how. Thanks a lot

 

You have to enter your billing and shipping info FIRST. On the next screen, you can find the box to put the coupon in.

 

When you use the 30% coupon, you lose the other deals - so you would have to pay for the $100 gift card (or remove it) and you lose the $200 instant rebate. So for example lets say you computer specd for $2,000 then you got the 200 rebate and a 100 free gift card. Your price before tax is $1800 plus a free gift card. If you use the coupon you pay $1400, but no $200 rebate off that or gift card.
Take the full price before any discounts you would pay for you computer specd out online now - take 30% off with no other discounts. That is the price they should match. If they don't cancel and reorder. Be sure you have tried the coupon online though to make sure your prices are correct. The coupons can do strange things sometimes.

 

Well I just joined this forum. I have been reading this topic have a couple of quick questions.

First, I plan on buying a HDX18 soon, and I am a student at community college and I am using a student loan to get the laptop. Now I won't recieve my money until April 1st, so hopefully there are 30% off coupon's available then.

So I was wondering if I can/should join the APP program? I really cannot get the setup I want without the 30% off coupon and was wondering if being an APP member would hinder my ability to use the 30% coupon?

Second, how do the speakers sound on this machine? I currently have a HP DV6640US and it sounds great. I am guessing that the added sub on the HDX18 really sounds great. I listen to a lot of music, so this is pretty important to me.

My student loan will be for $1,750 and w/ that I can get the HDX18 @ Newegg linked here. Problem is, I'd much prefer to have the following setup which is $2,630 but with a 30% coupon would be $1,876 which I can afford.
HP HDX18t Premium Series customizable Notebook PC
FW314AV

* – Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
* – Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad Processor Q9100 (2.26 GHz)
* – 4GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm) - For 1GB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT graphics
* – 500GB 5400RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (250GB x 2) with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
* – 1GB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
* – 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 with Bluetooth
* – HP Integrated HDTV Hybrid Tuner
* – HP Color Matching Keyboard
* – 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
* – System Recovery DVD with Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (64-bit)
* – No Productivity Software
* – Computrace LoJack for Notebooks, One Year
* – HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope
Estimated build date: March 4, 2009
2-year Accidental Damage Protection Extended Service Plan for Notebook PCs
HP Deskjet D4360 Printer
CB700A#B1H

I really can't see paying nearly $2,000 and not having the built-in HDTV Tuner. Plus the 2 year accidental Damage Protection and Lowjack, along with a free printer is totally worth the extra $100 that I be paying if I bought it off HP.com instead of Newegg. Plus, I'd get a $100 gift card of some kind, so.......

I should add that I will be wanting to run Virtual Environments, such as linux ubuntu 64 bit inside Vista.

Anyway, thanks in advance for any help I get! I love this forum and thank you guys for all I've learned so far. Also, sorry for such a long first post.