HP Pavilion DV7T Review (LOTS OF PICTURES)

Great review, I really liked the comparison to the dv9700. In my view, the design of the new dv4/5/7 is a step forward and extremely sleek.

 

thanks for this.

any chance of a bit more info regarding games performance?

 

fantastic job Infamous22. I was eagarly awaiting a review of this unit, and you basically covered every base I cared about

 

I know!!! Freaking awesome! Thanks btw.

Well...it took three trys (first two were with the wrong department), so I finally just asked for a rep and they redirected me. The final lady was pretty nice and she looked over everything and told me I could get about $175 back with the new coupon. The coupon is NB6997 if you want to use it, just make sure to tell them specifically you want this coupon.

 

will u post a video of the laptop. i am probably one of the only people that posted that did not even see it close up

 

What was the right department? Just so I know what to ask for and save myself some time...

Thanks a lot man. Hopefully it works out...

 

In game performance was an improvement!

In Rainbow Six Vegas 2, I only had a 18 FPS constant at 1024x768 with the 8600m GS (DV9700T). That was with AA off. With the DV7T (9600m GT) I was able to achieve a 45 FPS constant on 1024x768 with AA x4. On 1680x1050 and with an aspect ratio of 16:10, I was still able to maintain 26-30 fps.

As far as COD4 goes, I always kept a fps around 30-70. It may not seem like a big improvement but the in game texture and quality is significantly better.

Overall, I would never ever turn back. The DV7T is like 2-3 times better than the DV9700T in every aspect.

I'm limited on games. Sorry if that didn't help Tory.

 

Sorry, the rep that redirected me didn't say which department it was. She just told me she was transfering me to a collegue who could help me with this kind of thing.

 

^ i called a few minutes ago and spoke to someone in the phillipines... then i was redirected to music which i listened to for about 20 minutes w/o an answer....

i too was not told the dept.

so im going to call HP in the morning and demand that they apply this coupon code.

my machine, which i ordered at 11am today (aug 12), came out to $1860 (before taxes) so having whatever ($175 to $400) removed is more than welcome!

i will let you guys know what happens.
- tsd

 

If I made a video, what would you all want to see in it?

 

Nahh, thats all good ....

thanks for posting

 

Yea, do it during the day is better. That's usually when you get the American HP sales reps and they tend to be much better about price changes and more understanding (afterall they're getting paid about 10x the amount the poor shmuck is getting in the Phillipines). My first call got routed to India and the guy there had no clue what was going on, plus the connection was bad so neither of us could understand each other very well (accent aside). He told me they couldn't do anything, so I kept calling til I got someone who sounded like they knew what they're doing. Hint: if you want something done, just go straight ahead and ask to speak with the supervisor, they're usually the ones with the power to do anything anyways.

 

I just called and they told me that since my order is already in production, I can't use the coupon code. Is that true?

 

H E double hockey sticks no. My dv7t's already been shipped and I still got the money back. Call during the day, you are more likely to get the American HP reps than the overseas ones. Trust me, the American ones are much more understanding and more likely to give you money back. Just inquire about the HP price protection guarantee.

 

Yikes... Call a HP Case Manager. They are borderline corporate if they aren't already.

1 877 917 4380 EXT. 94
MON - FRI 8AM - 11PM EST

 

Guys, lets post config of our machine and 3dmark06 result?

For me (2,5 cpu, 4gb ram, 640gb 5400rpm, 9600gt ddr 2 512 mb, windows vista HP sp1 64) i've got something about 4400 score Same as my laptop written down here.

I'll try on fresh install of vista, and then i'll try to overclock gpu, may be it will help...

 

me personally would like to see the laptop running some applications, games, and the outside of the laptop.

 

What do you think about the screen of the dv7t? PC World wasn't exactly crazy about it. And you said that sound quality was great right? I would think so too since it has a sub woofer. PC World wasn't too happy about the sound either, but they did give it a 91 (Superior) Rating so I think they liked it overall

 

I love the screen. It's noticeably brighter than the DV9700.

The sound is full and clear. The Sub woofer enhanced the sound drastically.

I'll probably get another DV7 with the infinity display. I'll take comparison shots.

 

I called so many different HP numbers to get my rebate put through and none of them went anywhere!

The numbers I called:
866 300 3339
877 917 4380
888 570 6418
888 388 5710
866 749 9132

I was fwd' to Canada and the Phillapines. No one was able to help me. They told me the only thing they could do is refund my purchase and that would only be done after I recieved the unit! wtf!!!

So, since they were unable to apply the refund, I am going to recieve the unit, not open it, and send it back for a full refund. Then I'll wait for another rebate of this to come around - or any type of rebate.

HP really ****ing sucks. They can take your order and take your money within a minute, but for returns, they have to transfer you all around the world and frustrate the **** out of you.
- tsd

 

OH! I forgot to put the extension. I'll send you a PM.

 

Pm Sent Tsd!

 

woo!
My computer's in Shanghai right now. The estimated delivery is this Friday! That's like 4 days before estimated build date. ^_^ It's definitely looking like it's a birthday present to myself.

 

charon... That's awesome.

When you get it you should wrap it up and film yourself with fake emotions of joy when unwrapping it lol

 

Infamous - thanks for the PM. I called and the BEST they could do is that they would give me an additional $250 refund but they can only give me the refund after I recieve the unit - which I thought was a little odd...

I told them okay, but I have this gut feeling that it is complete BS. They said that once I recieve the unit, to call back and that is when they'll credit me back $250...

I think I will wait until I recieve the unit then contact them again about my $250 refund. I think, in the end, I probably won't get it and I'll just be screwed....

The option I have at that point will be to send the unit back for a full refund (up to 21 days to refund a laptop) which I may consider if I don't get the $250 back...
- tsd

 

Infamous, can I have the extension # as well, because I will be calling HP also in order to try to get some money back due to that recent coupon code for $400 off.

 

Here's the INFO:

1 877 917 4380 EXT. 94

MON - FRI 8AM - 11PM EASTERN

Let them know this is your first time calling in and that you were given this number by a fellow user of this site.

 

jpz - good luck! let us know what happens.
- tsd

 

Thanks everyone! Well, it went great. A little hassling but it was worth it.
I called that #, but was directed to someone else in the Sales Department. Anyways, at first she said we couldn't use that code cause the order has already been made, and she said I could cancel my order and redo it all but I said that'd be more work and would've also be pointless for them to redo the entire production. So I asked if she could give me any credit, and she asked her supervisor and they offered me $150. I then asked for $200 and she said ok after confirming with the supervisor. So I will get a $200 credit and I didn't have to touch my order. Pretty good, especially considering I used the 5% coupon originally with my order so I got 5% and $200.

Thanks everyone for the help and I'm looking forward to getting my dv7t!!! Between PC World's Superior rating of it, along with Chaz's awesome review of the dv5t, I can't wait!

 

lol, I sure will. I'll even post pics...if I figure out how to by then or if I care to make the effort.

 

I have to say, it's about time HP starting including better video card options!! :yes:

 

AMEN! It was because of the Intel Centrino 2 platform. Something that had to do with that.

 

Just wondering...
Is the NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT on the list of GPUs that are defective??

I don't think so because it seems to be the 8000 series but just wanted to check.


BTW - for those of you that don't know, I made a Computer Optimization Guide.

Check it out.

 

Niice. So you're saying you're planned to get yours 4 days before the build date?? That's awesome if i understand correctly. Because i just ordered mine monday night (aug 11) and the build date was aug 20. So if i could get mine before then, that would sweet cuz i wanna fix it up before i head off to school next week.

Well anyways man, congrats on the new laptop and happy bday when you get it.

 

Thanks.
Yea, I ordered my on the 1st and had an estimated build date of 19th. Now FedEx is showing a estimated delivery at around 11am on the 15th so it's 4 days ahead of shipping date and like 7-10days ahead of original delivery date(unfortunately I'll be at work til 5pm so no tinkering with it til then X_X). But this birthday is definitely looking up, especially with the new Star Wars film coming the same day (I know it looks lame, but it's not everyday you get a Star Wars film come out on your birthday).

 

Hey I just got my credit back from HP.
^_^
$177.25
I think I'll go buy a backpack for this beast and some games.

 

Here's the one I bought: http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/s...071&srccode=cii_9324560&cpncode=17-16087294-2

It's padded very well and the weight is evenly distributed. Believe it or not, but I barely feel the weight when I bike ride with the notebook. I have four 8 cell batteries for my DV7T so I will tell you how that feels lol.

Overall, after I bought that bag I came to realize HP isn't only good at making computers.

I bought it for $60 originally so the $40 is a fairly good deal.

P.S. It has a lifetime warranty lol

 

One More Day Charon! Are You Excited Or What?

 

Estimated delivery time : by 10:30am!!!!
AAAHHHHH!
I can't believe I still have work til 5pm.
X_X
I think I'm going to be speeding a lot getting home.

 

^ you're so lucky. no word on mine yet. then again, i ordered it like 2 days ago. LOLOL

in good news, i did recieve the HP bluetooth wireless mouse that i ordered with the unit........ only thing missing now is the $1800 laptop. LOL.

enjoy the unit!
- tsd

 

I'm waiting for another AV7T to arrive (probably around August 20th).

HP Pavilion Entertainment dv7t customizable Notebook PC
Upgrade to Genuine Windows Vista Ultimate with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor T9600 (2.80GHz)
17.0" diagonal WSXGA+ High-Definition HP BrightView Infinity Display (1680 x 1050)
4GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
512MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
320GB 7200RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (160GB x 2) with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
[For BrightView Infinity] Webcam + Fingerprint Reader
HP Color Matching Keyboard
Intel(R) WiFi Link 5100AGN and Bluetooth(TM)
No High speed 56K modem port
$100 OFF Blu-Ray ROM with SuperMulti DVD+/-R/RW Double Layer
HP Integrated HDTV Hybrid Tuner
8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
Mobile Stereo Earbud Headphones (1 pair)

This is the unit I will do the Infinity comparison with.

The headphones sealed the deal rofl lol

 

It'll probably ship early as well.
lol
I have the same experience right now with my OCZ 4GB of ram. It's looking soooo lonely sitting on my desk right now...but not for much longer.

 

The headphones sealed the deal? Not the HP Color Matching Keyboard?

 

I'm not sure if you mentioned whether or not you bought a 4gig stick or two 2 gig sticks?

I honestly don't feel like searching through 9 pages for the answer...

 

My gosh I am horrible at typing...it said AV7T lol

 

2 sticks, I don't think newegg has a deal for OCZ 1 stick 4 GB ram.

 

hmmm...that's weird
why did my notebook went from Memphis, TN back to Anchorage AK ?!?

 

Care to send the fedex tracking link? That's weird...

 

Don't worry about it. It is just a presentation glitch in the fed-ex tracking due to a time-zone issue. It definitely did not go back!

 

I'm sure it was. My friend had that happen as well, but I just wanted to see what it looked like on the actual tracking page. Just curiosity.