HP Spectre 13T-3000

My wife let me order one! Finally a coupon worth using. I hope the free screen upgrade isn't HP clearing stock for a new model which makes this look bad by comparison!

 

I got this laptop for my wife two months ago. She likes it, except that she complains that the exhaust from the laptop smells like dill (the spice). Has anyone else experienced this fascinating issue?

 

I've been searching for a good sleeve to go with the laptop. Does anybody know of a leather sleeve that leaves the charging receptacle open so it can charge while still in the sleeve?

 

Never thought about it as being cheeky but I did the exact same thing when I got mine. I tried to change the order the day after I made it to get the i7 config and it was too late. No issues with just calling them up and sending it back. Don't remember who paid the shipping back. I actually had both of them at the same time before I sent the first one back. BTW, I'm glad I made that call. This laptop really fits my needs! Good Luck!

 

In the US at least HP always pays the return shipping. Even if you receive the laptop and don't return it until day 20.

 

Previous $250 off coupon is no longer valid as well as the free upgrade to the QHD display

Valid now is a 20% off coupon with code PCQD20. FatWallet cashback is now back to 3% (from 5%). Enjoy!

 

Hi everyone!

I just ordered this puppy on March 30th using the power250 code. I'm really looking forward to getting it but also extremely apprehensive.

My build:
Your customized HP Spectre 13t-3000 Ultrabook (ENERGY STAR) includes:
• Windows 8.1 64
• 4th generation Intel® Core™ i7-4500U Processor + Intel® HD Graphics(For 8GB Memory)
• Onboard 8GB DDR3 System Memory
• Free upgrade to 13.3-inch diagonal Vivid QHD Infinity LED-backlit Display (2560x1440) Touchscreen
• 128GB Flash Solid State Drive
• 802.11 AC WLAN and Bluetooth® [2x2]


As you can see, I'm concerned about the IR problems with the QHD and with the 128GB (kicking myself for not getting the 256GB). I figure I could get one of those nice SDXC high speed cards to store my media and that should help.


Can we get some posts from people who really like their device? Sometimes the only people posting are the ones with problems, so we don't get an accurate representation of the happy owners.

 

Mine is delivered to my brother in Philly - he's having a great time with it and really enjoying it! No issues with bleed or wonky keypads as some have described earlier in this thread. My concern is getting him to hand it over when I get to Philly! He particularly likes how fast and light it is (i5/8GB/125/FHD configuration) I bought an external USB3.0 HD 1TB of external storage should see me right for a while!

Oh and it arrived complete with a neoprene sleeve - which I didn't order but will happily use!

 

This is something I'm very interested in. I wonder if they're shipping all new ones out with sleeves now. I certainly hope I get one! My ship date is supposed to be April 11th. We shall see.

 

Anyone?? Someone who has opened his spectre? May be good info to know if we can upgrade this in the future

 

I adore mine and have no IR on my QHD. The only complaint I had - and I mean ONLY - was the flying cursor from the touchpad. Read a post on an HP thread and they recommended uninstalling the keyboard driver (specifically not the touchpad) and letting Windows re-install it on re-boot. It eliminated 90% of the cursor issue and otherwise I love the trackpad - and absolutely everything else about this notebook. I would like it just as much had I paid list price - but it shore is nice getting the best premium ultrabook made loaded to the gills for $1,150.

The only complaints I've read other than a few one-offs regard the screen - backlight bleed and IR. I don't have either on mine - and I've really tried to replicate it - but I consider a small amount of backlight bleed at full brightness to be almost a characteristic of a very bright IPS LCD. I don't know what to make of the IR, though I have seen it come up in a lot of product forums, so I'd guess it also is a byproduct to a degree of high brightness IPS screens, as I've only seen it raised in the past year and that's how long high res IPS screens have become universal.

If you have any problems, simply return it within the 21 days. I know one person who had a bit of backlight bleed on his first one, sent it back and got a replacement and the replacement was worse! He did the swap one more time and is happy now. Moral: if everything is working well and you have a slight bleed or IR issue, you may be best off keeping it and not worrying. Good luck.

 

Well, I have the IR problem on mine, as well as some backlight bleed, but I still love this thing. This thing is what an ultrabook should be... a true high quality laptop. Fast, very portable and light, and good battery life. Even with the screen issues, the QHD still looks amazing and I'm very satisfied with my purchase. I've had mine since January by the way and would definitely buy it again.

 

My fiance has been using the Spectre and I've not had any complaints, so I consider that a success. I was incredibly tempted to order another one for myself with the $250 off with FW 5% CB. I still want a Spectre for myself... coolest laptop I've used.

The only problem with the sleeve is that it smells pretty bad. Probably smells just like neoprene, but neither of us care for the smell.

 

I agree on both counts - though the first, that this laptop is awesome - was in my previous post. As for the sleeve, keep in mind that you can get your pick of them for around $10 on Amazon and, yes, the HP one does have an unpleasant odor.

 

Did anyone have their custom build ship sooner than the estimated date? Mine is the 11th but I do recall in the past my orders shipped sooner, doesn't seem to be the case this time around.


Also-how long did the actual shipping take? Mine will be coming to Ohio, and I know if it goes through the west coast it might take a while :|

 

mine shipped one day earlier than the day they estimted and the shipping was ond day earlier too (to Philadelphia).

 

Hey everyone, after reading 100+ pages of this thread, I finally ordered my Spectre 13t-3000 on March 31. Used the power250 coupon on an i7, 8GB, 256GB SSD, QHD, regular Win8.1, and Wireless AC. I'm excited to get it, and in the meantime, I went through more pages and notated all of the problems/fixes that everyone has posted. I wanted to thank everyone in this thread for taking their time to analyze and ultimately fix most of these problems. Now, a newcomer like me, can quickly check and fix any of these issues.

I do, however, have one other question that I was unable to find in the pages I've read. Can I run 2 monitors using the external HDMI and mini Display Port outputs at 2560x1440 for each screen? Also, is it possible to run all 3 displays simultaneously, even at a lower resolution? I currently have 2 external monitors running 1600x900 each, and it would be nice to use the laptop screen as a third.

 

I don't really know, but if I had to guess I would say.... probably not. Driving that many monitors requires memory and processing from the GPU, and I don't think the Intel HD4400 will be able to handle that

Buuuuut, you can try when you get your Spectre delivered just to be sure

 

Yes, and please do report back. FWIW, I vote yes, it should work, especially when the two external monitors are relatively low res. (But that advice is worth what you paid for it .

Any other opinions?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

 

Congrats on the order and the awesome price! The unit I ordered is max spec'd as well and comments in the thread certainly helped in the decision. While I've copied and pasted a few helpful lines into a doc, it is in no way a complete list of fixes for potential problems. Any chance you could post what you've created here in the forum? I'm sure veteran and future users alike would be stoked by the convenience of a comprehensive doc!

 

I've noticed that Chrome dev channel (and probably beta channel now too) have taken out the highDPI setting in chrome:flags, making the browser look terrible again on the QHD screen. Has anyone else figured out how to restore this so that web pages look like and crisp like Firefox and IE? I've tried the compatibility setting and that does nothing except make the Chrome program itself scale poorly (e.g. everything is tiny).

 

I don't see where you have pasted the lines of copy you refer to in your email above, but I can tell you - as a veteran of this thread, and a very, very happy 3-months owner of a maxxed out Specter 13t - that you needn't expect any problems because those who experienced any were a minority of all the owners posting to this thread. That said, a few weeks ago - possibly a bit longer - someone did make a pretty complete list of things to test out when you receive your new machine. I've done a quick look to try and find it, but I'm very short on time and couldn't. Perhaps another forum member, even the author, can point this out, but you will probably find it if you scroll through from, say, 6 weeks back to the present.

Best of luck,

Jeff Bellin

 

I'll just quote myself...

 

Oops. Sorry I meant that i had copied a few fixes out of the forum into a doc on my PC. Thanks for scanning past posts. I now see the list of tests posted by oryan_dunn below that I'll give a go once the new unit is delivered. Good to hear most owners to have received problem free machines!

Cheers

 

Thanks for that! -much appreciated!

 

@Oryan: Thanks to you, first for creating an posting this very useful list, then for responding to my clarion call for "someone" to find and re-post it. An overdue +1 rep for you (anyone else agree, anyone can rep him )

 

Hey everyone. I am posting similar messages to this in the forums for the spectre 13, Sony VAIO pro, and Acer s7. I am doing this because I am looking for a lightweight ultrabook for my first year of university in the fall (electrical engineering) and these are the three I have at the top of my list. Note: I have not had time yet to go to the mall and try out any of these systems.

I wanted to ask how you have found your purchase and is the spectre still a worthwhile purchase when compared to the current offering. I also seem to see a lot of comments on something called IR. What is that? Also if there are any good user reviews within these 188 pages that you could point me too it would be appreciated. I have read almost every professional review but I am looking for something different.

Anyways I hope I'm not asking for too much in trying to research my purchase. By the way, do you think that it is likely to be put on sale here in Canada for back to school season?

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

 

It is now in the registry.

https://groups.google.com/a/chromium.org/forum/m/#!topic/chromium-dev/U_K1NHuMLic


Sent from my KatKiss JB TF101

 

So I've had this laptop for 2 months now, and just wanted to post some brief thoughts. This laptop is serving as a word processor and photo machine, so I'm not stressing it by any definition. Specs: i5, QHD, 8gb, 256gb

screen - I have the QHD and love it. amazing color, resolution is only annoying in rare circumstances, and I haven't experienced any noticeable image retention (IR), even after multiple hours of having Lightroom on screen. I don't usually run my screen at full brightness, so maybe that's helping? Also, if I really look hard for it I can notice a small amount of back-light bleed, but only if I'm looking for it. touchscreen is fine, I don't use it that often but it's nice and accurate when I do.

battery/temp - hard to judge, I don't often spend more than an hour or two away from an outlet. When I have unplugged, it says 6-7 hours remaining usually from a full charge, and after a couple hours still says 5-6. So it seems pretty good. Doesn't get more than mildly warm, but again I'm not stressing the processor.

keyboard - spacing and travel wise it's fine, no complaints (although I keep hitting the wrong arrow keys due to layout). I usually disable the keyboard back-light since the light from the screen itself is enough to work by. the coating on the keys is weird...i think it's really good about not absorbing the oil from my fingers, so they always feel dry? I don't know exactly, it just feels very different from my regular keyboard or the Lenovo keyboard at work. Not necessarily bad, just something that I notice every time I start typing.

touchpad - I'm still getting used to this. It seems inconsistent in terms of how much pressure a button click needs. Sometimes a very light tap will suffice, other times it feels like I have to actually click the button to get a result. Maybe a driver issue? however, it feels very nice under my fingers, and the multi-touch for double click, zoom, etc works fine. I'm not using any Win8 apps, so I can't comment on the sidebar swipe stuff. The charm bar on the right appears as expected.

speakers - fine? If I'm listening to music I have headphones in, so really it's only the occasional YouTube video that plays over the speakers. For that, they're fine and much better than my Lenovo at work (of course, a plastic cup and string could give the Lenovo a run for its money, so that's not saying much).

other - usb 3 works fine for me with as-expected transfer speeds. I like the appearance of the machine, the color is actually much more attractive than I expected from pictures online. Weight is fine, I barely notice it in my messenger bag. Minor complaint, I occasionally struggle to get the damn thing open there just isn't an obvious spot to grasp and separate the lid from the bottom.

so overall, I'm really happy with it. For the price I paid, I can't imagine getting a better machine. Sure it has it's foibles, but there's no such thing as perfection.

 

Hi everyone. I've been reading this forum off and on since January when my wife and I purchased this laptop. In Canada it is sold at Future Shop stores (owned by Best Buy now) and sold as the HP Spectre 13-3018ca model. It has the Intel Core i5-4200U processor, 8 GB RAM, but only a 128GB SSD. We needed a small, light, yet well constructed laptop to take with us on a dive vacation. See, our previous laptop dies just before our trip. We like to review and process (ie Photoshop!) our photos from each day so that we don't have a hug pile to deal with when we get home, back to work and other responsibilities.

The laptop has been really good, but for 3 issues: Windows 8.1, 128GB SSD, and the Canadian English/French keyboard. We've gotten used to Windows 8.1 by booting directly to the Desktop and installing the Start Menu replacement "Start is Back plus". I always planned to replace the SSD, but M.2 format drives are only now starting to become available. Some are PCI-Express drives, but this laptop requires a SATA model. The keyboard is a pain. Our old laptop also came with a bilingual keyboard which I replaced with a US layout keyboard.

I've ordered a replacement US keyboard (HP Part Number 743897-001) and a Crucial 480 GB M500 M.2 (2280) SSD. I plan to install these parts during the coming Easter weekend. I'll also replace the CPU's thermal compound with some Antec diamond thermal paste. If there is interest in my experience, I'll post photos here. Moving the OS to the new SSD should be fun. I plan to use Clonezilla unless there are other recommendations.

 

Out of curiosity, has anyone tried any Synaptics drivers besides the ones available on HP.com? I'm using manufacturer drivers for: graphics, wifi, rapid start, rapid storage, Bluetooth, and Management engine. I've been hesitant to try the actual Synaptics drivers, which is a newer version than available on HP. Just throwing a feeler out to see if anyone has tried this and if they noticed any benefit?

 

I am very interested in your upgrade, as I intend to buy the 128gb SSD and upgrade it in the future. Let us know please how the SSD change goes, from a hardware and software point of view (comment how easy or hard is to install windows, or clone the other drive for instance).
It be cool to know if a thermal paste can make the CPU run cooler and lower the use of the fan (as some have complaint makes a high pitch noise when the CPU is at full load)

Looking forward to your conclusions on the upgrade!

 

I posted here a few pages back about my problems with stuck pixels and such. Just thought I'd say HP support here in Sweden has been very easy to deal with and I was able to exchange for a new computer no questions asked.

I read somewhere in this thread that a few people were having problems with the touchpad rattling when tapping. My new machine is also having this issue. The touchpads resting position is slightly above the point where the button mechanism becomes engaged. This means that if i press lightly on the touchpad, primarily the bottom edge, it will depress a little before hitting the button. As far as I can tell this movement has no function besides causing the touchpad to rattle when tapping with very moderate force. I have been to the local big box electronics store and the demo model is about the same as mine. I guess I am just wondering, is the way these machines are built? I don't remember having this issue with the first one or even the first day of having this one. Can some of you check to see if you have a little give between pressing on the touchpad and engaging the click? Any rattle when using moderate tapping force?

I know its a small issue but it drives me crazy to hear that sound every time I tap. I will be sending it back if this is in fact a problem but would like to avoid the hassle if its just the way the machines are built.

For anyone having issues with the wireless AC card, the drivers provided by HP are older than the current offering on Intel's website. Seemed to clear up a few issues for me anyway although the cards speed is still a bit underwhelming.

 

Can anyone help me with this timetable for delivery? The spectre shipped on friday the 11th (shipping info sent to fedex the day before) and is expected to be at my home (ohio, US) by this friday the 18th.


I'm having a difficult time believing it will be on time, though. This is the tracking info so far below. The laptop is still in japan (i didn't even know it would go to japan) and it seems to be moving at a snails pace. I just got regular shipping, but in 2014 anything above 7 days shipping is just ridiculous.


Travel History
Help
Hide
Date/Time Activity Location
-

4/17/2014 - Thursday
2:50 am
In transit

SENNAN-SHI JP
2:37 am
In transit

SENNAN-SHI JP
-

4/16/2014 - Wednesday
7:01 am
At local FedEx facility

SENNAN-SHI JP
-

4/15/2014 - Tuesday
9:47 pm
International shipment release - Import

SHENZHEN CN
7:10 pm
In transit

SHENZHEN CN
6:30 pm
In transit

SHENZHEN CN
-

4/12/2014 - Saturday
9:00 am
International shipment release - Import

CHONGQING CN
-

4/11/2014 - Friday
1:46 pm
Left FedEx origin facility

CHONGQING CN
1:45 pm
Picked up

CHONGQING CN

Package received after FedEx cutoff
-

4/10/2014 - Thursday
11:17 pm
Shipment information sent to FedEx

 

Mine is in the same shipment and is also due to arrive here (Chicago) on Friday. I hope it arrives on time as well.

Remember, Japan is about 13 or 14 hours ahead of us, so even though it says it was in transit at 2:37am on Thursday 4/17, that's really only about noon today. It's probably going to be arriving on the mainland in a few hours. That's my guess at least.

 

I cannot hold back, and will tell you what HP support/shipping wont: your just ridiculous!

Standard shipping is just that, if you wanted next/2nd day air just PAY.

Wasting the threads time with these shipping delays & issues is petty and not helpful to ANYONE.

I believe it is time for me to unsubscribe from this thread; i listen to enough whining from my CHILDREN!

Its been fun all, if anyone has any REAL issues or questions regarding my linux install PM me...

good luck on your 'shipment issues', just remember only one company ships PRIME!

 

I'm not sure the outburst or rudeness was called for, but for future reference, it's you're*.


To update-the package is now in Memphis and completely on time, as I had hoped!

 

Just had mine delivered. Its an i7, 8gb, 256gb with the 2560x1440. Seems like the panel is perfect, keyboard and track pad are working fine and no defects I can see so far. Going to run through the list of known issues noted before I give a final review. I got the neoprene sleeve as well, but it seems hardly useful as it's so very thin.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

Boo you!

Do you really think we care where your (spelled properly!) computer is, now or ever? Dam straight we do. Waiting for your "baby" to arrive and reporting it's progress is a time-honored tradition on NBR! And when it arrives, how the unboxing goes and how you like it once you've taken it for a spin! If you can't obsess about this stuff here, you'd lose half the members!

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

Congratulations! I've had the same config for three months and it's been pure joy. Don't be too disappointed if you don't find anything wrong with it - other than it's a computer and none are perfect

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

So far so good. I've only noticed two small issues: one when held vertically at the hinge the lid will hang slightly open (I guess there's no mag latch?), not a deal breaker but annoying as the machine is so well built otherwise. Two; I believe my machine is also throttling. I've yet to see it go above 1.7ghz even when stressing the cpu. And it won't throttle down either when idle... Still trying to figure that out with the advice given in this thread. Again neither a deal breaker as the machine is plenty fast and great looking, especially compared to my janky old ASUS .

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

Hmmmm? "Sent from my Nexus 7..."?:hi2:

 

Quick update: just installed the latest windows 8.1 update AMD the throttling issues seem resolved. Its still maxing at 1.8 on battery but its going down to .77 when idle

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

Hello to all, I dont have the model 13T but I have the model sold in México 13-3010 FHD screen and core i7 (its more an less the same as 13T) and I had the same issues about CPPC driver; usually when I receive a laptop I do a full wipe and install the OS by myself as I did with this too, I installed W81 update 1 plus all the updates till today , uninstalled CPPC (It was installed the first time installed W81 but with the errors in the eventlog so I uninstalled), after uninstalled CPPC I saw that Turbo Boost was not used (did a check with ThrottleStop), so I did this, from the device manager, I went to the only hardware with exclamation sign (CPPC), right button on it and choose update driver and went to the CPPC folder and it was installed, now Turbo boost is working fine and on idle the cpu is on 0.7Ghz (not more fixed at 1.6 as the first time installed the driver with the exe files), watching videos is between 0.7 and 1.2 more and less, if I run a benchmark, the cpu go to 2.9 or something like that...
Seems if I install CPPC with the installer, it gives issues to me, without the installer and going though the device manager seems to solve the problem.
I'm very happy with this laptop as I think today is the best laptop in the market, I tested most of the brands before buying this one, and all have some kind of big issue, generally I dont like so much HP quality, but this time seems HP did a better job.

 

I was intending a bit of irony: the member said he would be checking "all known issues" and, at least for me, none of those mentioned - particularly screen issues - were problems on mine. Often if you look hard enough you can find something that doesn't "seem" quite right. I just wanted him/her to know it is perfectly acceptable to post "all is well." That said, please take note : do not decide to suppress concerns that bother you thinking they are too "trivial, " particularly during the 21-day full refund period!

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

I was trying to be sarcastic. You love your HP-13t, but your post indicates you used Tapatalk on a Nexus 7 to post.:hi2:

 

Ha ha ho ho. And now I'm on my cell phone. Screen name aside, I don't only love laptops - eg, my wife is not a laptop, or a device of any kind. I love her the most but I still love my Spectre 13t

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

 

What is best way to ck CPU speeds ??? Do I need a 3rd party program? If so, what do you suggest??
thanks
tom

 

Task Manager, performance tab works just fine.

Jim

 

When I uninstall the CPPC software from Programs (Control Panel) and restart the machine my "exclamation marked item" is an "Unknown Device" that won't reinstall or update to any CPPC driver. When you uninstall CPPC are you doing it from Programs or just doing a driver uninstall from Device Manager? Also, did your solution get rid of the errors in the System Event Log? I thought that was a BIOS issue that HP hasn't resolved yet.