HP Pavilion dv3000 series 1st thoughts...

Hello all! This is a thread about the dv3000, which is yet to be released in the US or the EU. But is due in Asia for May...but really...it is out now, at least in HK as far as I know...

Firstly, I saw this in Hong Kong today (as I live there...but not much of the year.). I was pleasantly surprised to see this in an electrical store, especially it was reported to arrive in Asia for May but it is early April and its here! I am sorry that I have not got any pics but I will try to get a few as soon as I get my new phone lol! But I did pick up a leaflet for the dv3000 and took a picture of that, not a lot of point in doing so (especially because it is in Chinese... ) but I just thought I would hehe. It was in a crowded store so obviously there were a few things I couldn't test out. Here are the pics of the leaflet. (front and back respectively)




Advertised features
- Imprint pattern (just like the majority of the Pavilion line)
- A HP logo on the lid that lights up...its is in one of the corners (see the picture of the leaflet). It is actually quite bright...
- Altec Lansing speakers
- Expresscard remote
- ''HP 3D Drive Guard'' Which is basically hdd protection (also advertised with a 3-axis digital accelerometer)
- errr...Anti scratch paint on the keyboard... (well at least thats what it says on the leaflet)
- e-SATA/USB2.0 combo (dont ask me...I dont just realised this from the leaflet, I'll take a closer look at the notebook next time )
- HDMI
- Finger print reader.

The advertised and only model in store was the dv3022tx. It is listed as $8,980 HKD (Hong Kong dollars). I assume that is the official price in HK as it is a big name electrical store. The price is $1,152.61 in USD (as of today).

Specs...damit i cant copy and paste it....so I am gona have to type it all out...grrr!

- Vista Home Premium
- T5550 (1.83GHz/667mhz FSB/2mb L2 cache)
- PM965 (Santa Rosa)
- BrightView 13.3'' WXGA (Glossy)
- VGA webcam
- 1GB [1 dimm] DDR2 667mhz ram (Free upgrade to 2GB [2x1GB], as a promotional offer)
- 160GB 5400rpm hdd
- 8400GS with 256mb dedicated
- Intel Pro/Wireless 4965AGN
- Bluetooth
- 10/100/1000 LAN
- ITU V.92 56k Modem
- Double layer super multi 8x DVD+/-RW
- 1xExpresscard
- HDMI
- 2xUSB 2.0
- 1xUSB2.0/eSATA combo
- Fingerprint reader
- 6 cell battery
- 12.59''(L)x8.97''(W)x1.24/1.5''(H)
- 1yr international warranty
- Expresscard remote


My thoughts
- Keyboard's feel is exactly like the rest of the Pavilion series.
- Screen look nice...doesnt seem grainy (LOL)
- Touchpad worked fine
- Seem quite well build, it was side by side with a dv2700t. I can honestly say that it is better build, feels more solid, less flex in general (lid, main body, etc)
- Shiney...
that thing is bright!!! The silver parts you can see from pictures...it is very very very shiney like a bar of silver. Its like chrome sort of shiney-ness...



A few personal comments
From my 5 mins or so with the dv3000 I really liked it, true that its really shiney, but its is well build, and lots of ports. I would personally pick it over the MacBook (the only other 13.3 I have had extensive experience with)...



More details will be added the next time I go visit the store again.



2nd thoughts...and pics!

Right, this time I had a look at the following:

- webcam, quality is...ok passable nothing to write home about.
- screen ripples, alittle, wasn't too bad, in fact not bad at all..
- When DVD drive is pulled out...it feel abit flimsy.

Ok here comes the pics!


Lid...

Lid open...

Screen...looks abit reflective from the pic, but its not too bad in person.

From left (furthest out) USB, LAN, modem.

From the left...USB, USB/eSata combo, HDMI-out, expresscard slot and card readers.

Volume control, lights, etc. all touch control.

Trying to capture the... shiny-ness

12.1 Compaq that rahulnirmal was talking about (maybe a newer model) next to the dv3000tx.

 

Nice! Rep for you!

 

Awesome find Johnny! Thanks!

 

Thanks for your impressions they're really useful. Especially encouraging were your comments on build quality. Engadget said that the dv3000 was Asia only, but hopefully they just meant as of yet.

Next time you go in to the shop, you couldn't press on the back of the screen and see if it still makes ripples could you?

What are your impressions on the keyboard, does there still remain flex in it?

I like the sound of the 13.3'' form factor and the screen's bright, sharp quality. The extra USB/eSATA sounds good if it can be used for both, or even just eSATA will be useful.

I'm just worried that the already quite hot dv2xxx will be even hotter given higher performing components in a 13.3'' chassis. Plus, a 12-cell battery for this model would be nice.

Keep us updated! Thanks!

 

Yeah I complete forgot about the ripples ''test''...although I did test for screen flex...lol how did I forget? Also about the keyboard, I completely forgot too...haha.

Heat wise, well i definitely felt it was cooler...in comparison to the dv2700t next to it, but that had a T8100 in so I don't know...

Thanks for the comments guys!

 

Good stuff.

HP managed to put the 256mb version of the 8400GS on a 13.1"

might grab one of these if i go HK this year

 

wow, nice find..if its out in HK, it should be coming soon to Singapore and Malaysia, will keep an eye....from the specs and your converted price...i more or less know that it will be priced the same as the previous 2700 series...

 

But mind you this is not part of the 14.1'' dv2xxx series...this one is 13.3''!

 

I also have this feeling this will never come to North America.
In Asia, there is a much larger market for smaller notebooks than over here.
I'm guessing this will replace the DV2000 over there?

I remember there was a nice 12" Compaq notebook announced in Asia in 2006 and it was never released outside from it.

 

Nice job

If that price transfers to the U.S., that'll be an amazing buy.

 

Hell yeah, except that 1.83Ghz 2mb Cache processor would have to be bumped up a tad bit to satisfy my (personal) needs. I'd easily buy one for $1200. Hopefully HP will think about this "Asia-ONLY" nonsense and get this bad boy over here for Summer. Then I can crank out one of those $500 Off $1400 coupons and score me a DV3000.

Although my hands are kinda big and I don't know how much i'd like a 13.3" lappy. The DV2700 seemed to work fine for me, an inch smaller shouldnt hurt ... much ...

 

Is the dv3000 thicker than the dv2000, or is it just an illusion? If it is thicker, I'd think it would be a bit better in the cooling department...........

 

At the front it might be (not by much anyway)...can't actually remember. But I did honestly think that the dv3000 was running cooler than the dv2700t which was sitting next to it in the store.

 

The dv3000 is already out in India, so it's not Asia only.

I think (and hope) it's just a matter of time before it comes to the U.S. I'll wait for the Nehalem to come out, though, before I get it. Hopefully it'll get a Blu-Ray drive option, too.

 

Interesting, I just heard about this model today and I came across to this forum/thread from google. I'm actually looking at a few 13.3" models. This new DV3022TX sounds very tempting, but I wish they would offer a better CPU, at least the T7250 or better yet the new 45nm T8300 would be great.

I've my eyes on the Lenovo Y310a also, similar specs with a faster CPU, but only 128 MB VRAM for the same GPU. Also, my ex had a HP DV series from last year, the keyboard is definitely very weak, nothing like a Toshiba or IBM keyboard, a few keys started to be less responsive after only 6 months of low usage.

I don't know why many people tell me do not buy HP laptops, including the sales rep, are they really that unreliable?

 

By the way, I just found something with better specs in similar price:

ASUS W7Sg

http://www.asus.com/products.aspx?l1=5&l2=23&l3=519&l4=9&model=2048&modelmenu=2



CORE2DUO T8300 2.4GHZ 800MHz FSB, 3MB L2 Cache
13.3" WSXGA+ COLOURSHINE
NVIDA GEFORCE 9300M GS/256M
802.11ABGN+BLUETOOTH

HK$9500.00

I wonder how ASUS's laptop quality is, never tried one before...

 

Mine's perfectly reliable. And this is a topic about the dv3000, not that Asus lappy

 

It'd need a bump in HDD, RAM and CPU FSB if I was to buy it, but it's the start of a range from the looks of it.

 

What's wrong with comparing or suggesting other laptops in the exact same size and category?

 

ayepecks, india is in asia....johnny, we're waiting for more pics and info

 

Yeah I'll try to do that ASAP...but I'll have to get my new phone 1st...

Also...:laugh:...Asia is pretty big you (Ayepecks) know...

 

I'm just saying this is a first thoughts thread for the dv3000... there's no reason to change the topic. Make another one for that

My bad guys, I had a brain fart. I know where India's located, I just never really consider Pakistan and India as part of Asia since what most of us would consider Asians don't really live there... yes, I know that sounds weird. lol

 

Minor update...I now have my new phone...Nokia 6500s...woot! So pictures should come within the next few days, stay tuned!

 

they will be much cheaper in the US when it is out there, I am sure about that so I may get it in California when I go back there in July.

But I dont think it is a good value considering its LCD quality , weak graphics compared to the NVIDIA in the ASUS F8SN.

I think its build quality is great but should be cheaper.

Also, I 've heard that Dell will put NV9300GS into the XPS M1330.

So personally, I think the Dell is the best buy in this category.

 

Have you seen its screen? Also...the F8Sn is a 14.1'' you know? And we are talking about a 13.3'' notebook over here.


Also...not everyone in the world needs dedicated graphics you know...

 

9500gs in the 1330...hmm...i think that card produces a lot more heat than the 8400gs currently in there....i doubt it might come...if i am not mistaken, the 9500 is similar to the 8600..which is found in the 1530 as well, and i dont think they will put something significantly better than that in the 1530...

look forward to the pics

 

I have the HP Pavilion dv9000, I think it's a great laptop.

Basics:

2 GB RAM
2.16 GHz AMD Turion 64 bit Processor
2 x 120 gb hard drives @ 5400 rpm
Webcam w/ mic
Full keyboard, with num pad
17" widescreen display
Remote
bunch of ports
5 in 1 memory card reader
Vista home premium

That's what it is basically.

 

No , the NV9300GS, not the NV9500GS.

 

So maybe you should go edit your post! :wink:

 

HP needs high resolution screen options like Dell has , if HP business had high resolution screen options like Dells and Lenovos, I would think it more seriously since they are great laptops as a whole.

But unfortunately HP never offer this option when we CTO it, it is sad.

 

Sorry for the confusing post.

 

err why are we talking about business notebooks here? Back on topic please.

 

johnny,

how many models of the dv3000 they hv in HK?

 

I only saw the one in the shop and also the leaflet only listed 1 model which was unusual...

 

on the newspaper today i saw the HP equivalent of the Asus EEE. Any signs of this there in HK?

Gaming on a 13.3" wont be that great. A 256mb 8400GS is way more than enough for a tiny notebook

 

No idea...have been to any computer stores since...

 

i want more pictures!

 

yea its pretty unusual..here in malaysia they have 3 specs...every model/revision that comes in replaces the previous ones at the current price.

 

I found more pics if you guys are interested. I must admit, it's very tempting... only thing I worry about is the keyboard...









14.1 vs 13.3

 

Here is one from flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/webleon/2400933290/

 

daNg!!! dv2700series and 3000 releases'sof the hOok!!!! better these models, dnt think of buying 6700's and 9000's .. they will just spend more time sent and resent back to HP for wireless crap and left hinge defect... trust me gUys.

 

They need to bring out a high spec dv3000 over here in Europe, based on the comments here I'd buy it.

I can't wait for your pics!

 

i am only afraid that the silver paint might fade off in time and start to look ugly...

 

It's not paint, it's the same type Imprint finish injection that is on the current Pavilion line.

 

Doubt that.. Seems the ultra portable market is pretty hot one. Lots of 1330 dells sold in North America. What about all the asus Eee portables? Personally, I don't see the value on 14" size... I'd rather go little more and get a 15". But at 13" size this is quite a bit smaller form factor then a regular 15" and would be much more portable. I think 13" would be a great size at wxga resolution.

 

Wow guys! Thats great! Many thanks for the pics! Great stuff! Rep for you both!

 

nice pictures thx!

 

is it? i thought the palm rest was painted...anyway, googled hp imprint finish...got this from a dv6700t write-up:

"HP's glossy "Imprint Finish" on the lid and palm rests remains one of the key design features of HP Pavilion dv6700t. HP's "Imprint Finish" isn't just paint, it's actually a complex process that starts with the molding of the plastics. The swirling design and glossy coat on the HP Imprint Finish is actually "inside" the plastic it isn't just a top layer that scratches off"

interesting stuff...

 

Pics posted!!!

 

Nice pix man. Damn, that thing is SHINY as hell. It's like coated in platinum or something. I, personally, think it would look more badass in metallic black.

HP should really start offering multiple color options, even at a price. Free works too, haha.