*HP HDX18 Owners Lounge*

Has anyone considered an HDX-18 dedicated website? Searching this thread is a bear....

Does anyone know if any of the Nvidia CAD class cards will work such as the
NVIDIA Quadro FX 3700M? Is it possible to have a card like this work with DDR2 memory?

A sticky with Workable upgrades would be most cool!

Thanks in advance!

 

A quick question. Did your laptop come with the right touchpad? There was a post a few pages back by a user who had got a laptop with the wrong touch pad (HDX16).

 

^ Sorry....how do I determine that? (whether the touchpad is from HDX16?)

 

Please see post#3584 on Page 359. Thanks

Sorry..the page number is with default setting for number of posts per page

 

Hey SSingh1975, if you follow the painted design lines that go from the side of the laptop and thru the trackpad, they should match. If they don't (should be able to tell once you know what to look for) then you've gotten the HDX16 version.

 

Wow I've had this laptop for over a month and I never even thought twice about the lines not matching up on the touch pad. To think the looks were at one point a huge selling point for me.

 

You made me laugh.

Sorry you read this thread today then. I think you would have been happier not knowing.

 

What are you using to track your core temp and usage? Is it a sidebar gadget or just a prog that runs in tray?

 

I believe Adobe CS4 is multi-core optimized, so it really utilizes the quad.

 

Yes, I believe many of us have the HDX16 pad. Both of the 18t's I've had have the unmatched pad. I'm starting to wonder if it is really the HDX16 or just a bad design.

 

It is a sidebar gadget. The All CPU Meter With Temperatures, it has a good look. I originally found it through the add a gadget function, but found a better version here that allows for temperature with Speedfan rnning in the background.
All CPU Meter With Temperatures - http://addgadget.com/
Speedfan - http://www.almico.com/sfdownload.php
Both are free -
Looks like this (only shows dual core here, but I use it with quad and it shows all 4) It shows individual temperatures for each quad and then I set the temp next to the CPU for the GPU temp

 

I don't want to keep asking this, so I will just one more time. Then I'll just make a thread on it.

Can anybody tell me how the backlit keyboards usually work?

Since it is now an option on the HDX18, I'd like to know if there will be an option to turn the light on and off.

I think it would be a great thing to have as long as you could turn the lights off while say, watching a movie or something similar.

Thanks guys!

 

^ I borrowed my friend's Dell XPS16 (with backlit k/b) for a trial run before I ended up with the HDX18 and I recall it did have a toggle for the backlight ....its a nice feature but not a necessity for me.

And those concerned about Crysis, I downloaded the demo last night and it plays beautifully at 720p with med settings. I don't have FRAPS but I'm thinking I'm getting 30fps and game is completely playable with loading only when u reach new areas.

I actually played the demo all way thru and might pick it up as I haven't played Crysis before (console gamer here).

PS: Games scaled down to 720p look VERY good.

 

Thanks SSingh1975! Sounds like that will be an option I will add when I order mine then.

I also got some feedback on the HDX16 thread suggestion the same thing you did.

Great news about Crysis too. 720p would be fine for me!!

 

Hi,
I have been having one heck of a time deciding between the 18T and the Sony VAIO AW290 Premium.Two things that make me tend to go with the Sony are the 18T's comparatively poor quality and the @#$% Infinity display. I've looked, compared, and evaluated that display ad infinitum. Way too much glare and reflection. IMHO, you can still see the LCD frame so the Infinity adds nothing to the appearance. I'm not being sarcastic but I'd like to know what you like about the Infinity display. Perhaps I'm missing something. BTW, the Sony AW290 Premium has the best display I have *ever* seen *and* it has an RGB LED back light plus no complaints about quality. Unfortunately, it will cost about $1k more than the maxed out 18t. Could that that be the reason so many have selected the HP? As soon as I get my shekels lined up I'll pull the trigger on the Sony )
Ed F.

 

I was prepared for it to be an issue. So far, it has yet to be a problem. In fact, I am so impressed with what is on the screen that I completely forget that it isn't anti-reflective.

You do that, Slick. In the meantime, I am going to enjoy my kickass laptop and chuckle everytime I think of some Sony fanboy overpaying for technology that will be obsolete before the warranty expires.

 

So after much debate and packing, unpacking, repacking, and trying both bags with as much "stuff" in each as I could possibly fit....

I bought a 2XL Soft Cell and a Brain Bag from Tom Bihn. Shoulder-strap bags just are not my thing and as much as I liked the Super Ego, it just wasn't my bag. I'll post some pics of it later if anyone is interested.

 

I think u answered your own question there ..I've always had glossy laptops before and the HP is not worse than others. Plus in my kitchen/living room (my primary laptop areas), I don't get a lot of light anyway so reflections are not an issue for me. I still luv the Infinity screen and I had my friend's new XPS16 (with LED screen) for a day and the reflections on that was worse than the HDX.

For $1298 shipped, I really can't complain about my HDX18. I bought a Dell XPS Gen 1 several centuries ago and paid over $2k for it only for it to become outdated/outperformed in under 6 months and I learnt my lesson then, NOT to spend more money than necessary than needed on any laptop EVER! But that's me....milege may vary

 

The high-end system you bought wasn't offered in an upgraded config at a lower price while yours was in transit? You actually got to unpack it before a better cheaper one was announced?

You are one lucky person!

Nowadays you can almost expect a better cheaper one to be announced while the one you ordered is the build queue !!!

Now if they add a touch screen to the picture before I've got my first scratch on mine, now then I would be complaining right along there with ya!

 

Thanks for your research... Now that you've vetted it, I'm planning to order exactly the same online.

Did you get any of the add-ons or were there any that you thought could be cool?

 

What's the latest and greatest way to get 8 gigs of DDR3 RAM as an add-on for the HDX18t you already have?

I think I saw 8 gigs from Crucial for $689... is there a better way?

 

I got the snake charmer to hold the various cords and a wallet in a matching color. Make sure you get some zipper pull cords, the cloth overlap is good for keeping splashes out but it effectively hides the zipper pulls. The 2XL sleeve could probably hold two of these laptops back to back, so don't expect a snug fit.

Tom said he's designing a new size for the Brain Cells so hopefully there will be something available that fits a little better in the near future. In the meantime, I will lay down another layer of neoprene from a scavenged wetsuit on the bottom of the laptop compartment to give it some more protection when setting it down.

What isn't going to happen is a Tristar option that will fit the HDX18.

 

I've been going through the same turmoil as you. I have been bouncing between the HDX18, Sony AW Premium and Dell SXPS 16. Still have not decided yet. The price/performance on the HDX are clearly the best. I personally don't like the fluid design (would prefer plain black), but I with a 30% coupon you can get so much more with the HDX. I saw the AW premium screen at a Sony store, and it does kick butt...I have a 1080p matte screen now and prefer matte. But again, the AW premium will run at least $2300 (base config) and for that the HDX would walk all over it spec-wise. Now that HP has refeshed the specs, I am seriously re-considering the HDX. It's a tough time to be buying a laptop (isn't it always!).

 

Does anyone know if there is a way, when you have your HDX hooked up to a 2nd monitor for external display to stop the Main Display moving over to your 2nd screen if you close the lid?

My main screen has my windows bar, desktop buttons and sidebar.

When I close my lid, or close it only enough for the LCD to shut off - Vista moves everything over to the 2nd monitor.

Thanks!

 

Guys, let's bug the guys at this site so they make custom covers/protectors for our HDX18's!!!
http://www.protectcovers.com/
No advertising intended but I just came across that site watching screen protector reviews on youtube and that company seems to be flexible when it comes to customizing their products, though I might be wrong.

 

Mind digging up this link? In the meantime I am going to look around but if you have it available, please do share!

 

I just sold some on ebay for $585.00 Have you tried looking there?

 

I took another look at the video here: http://video.google.com/videosearch?hl=en&q=HP HDX X18&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wv#
I think I'm mistaken about all of the keys being lit up. It looks like just some of them are, not all of them. Anyone have an answer about how tall the screen is on the HDX 18t?

 

The actual viewing area of the screen is 9 inches tall.

 

hey thanks edreamerz for the screen height. Do you know if the HDX 18t has 2 hard drive slots? I ask because I got the 250GB, and wanted to know if I can add another later. I did see someone answer this in a later post, but the answer just said you need the cable, it didnt say yes or no.

 

There is a second hard drive bay but you will need the cable plus the caddy. I think you can still get all this from NewMode Electronics. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong with this information.

 

How do I find out what cable and caddy I need from this site for the HP DVX 18t? Do I just type in the make and model number for my notebook and the info will come up? Also, I have a newbie question for this thread, how come my PC specs dont show up under my quotes when I post like everyone else?

 

This is the the link for the cable and the caddy: http://newmodeus.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=213

As far as your specs showing up you have to set your own signature under User CP.

 

You know, i found this out after reading a bunch of stuff online. Go into the sdevice manager and under the System Devices section, locate ACPI Lid. Now you can't just remove it, or it will be reinstalled, but we can point it to something else. So right click it and select Update Driver Software --> Browse my computer for driver --> Let me pick from a list. Uncheck "Show compatable Hardware and then find at the bottom of the list "Volume Manager". Install that instead and when you close your lid, it won't swap displays but your primary will still turn off as normal.

 

That's not the backlit keyboard, it's just the international edition with all the special characters not found in the english language

 

I PM'ed you SMAN.

 

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

 

Yes, thanks for setting that straight. However, I know I saw the HDX somewhere online before I placed my order for one. I remember because the user was showing it in the dark. I'll have to keep searching. Can someone tell me on the HDX 18t, are the headphone jacks on the side or the front of the Notebook?

 

edreamerz,
Thanks for all your help and making this a great place for newbies!

 

very nice! Worked like a charm!

 

Right Side, towards the front.

 

The winner of this contest made my screen protector, no problem, not too expensive, don't have to worry when I clean the screen.

http://www.gottabemobile.com/2008/08/19/screen-protector-shootout-results/

 

Right, that's the shootout I was watching. In my experience my HDX18 gets mighty dirty so if we had something to prevent that like keyboard covers it would help lots, just like macbook pro's do, companies sell keyboard protectors for those lappies.

Also, has anyone successfully purchase a skin for the HDX18? with or without HP logo cut out, please share :3

 

Am I the only one who feels that a laptop with a shiny reflective silver keyboard needs a back lit keyboard like a honda accord needs 22 inch rims?

 

I don't know, I think I will be getting the backlit keyboard when I order it.

 

The backlit kb is called the 'bling-bling' factor and a little bit of 'cha-ching'

 

Also, what GFX drivers are u guys using for the 9600GT? (Vista 32-bit BTW).......I'm using whatever windows installed for me by default.

Just wondering if there better optimised GFX drivers out there that I should be using instead.

Cheers
SS

 

179.48 Beta for x64. They seem to work fine. They are also available for x86. I have to use the nVIDIA drivers because the ones that came with the notebook wouldn't allow me to change the resolution of my secondary monitor to 1680x1050 (Samsung 226BW).

 

You mean a Honda accord doesn't need 22-inch rims???



Just kiddin'....