HP dv4t-5100 Video Tour and First Thoughts

I just posted a video on YouTube that offers a tour of the new Pavilion dv4t-5100 series:

HP Pavilion dv4t-5100 Hands on Tour and First Thoughts Review - YouTube

UPDATE Full Written review is here: http://www.laptopreviews.com/hp-pavilion-dv4t-5100-review-2012-07

It's nothing in depth, but it's at least 5 minutes of visuals to offer for this model that gives you a better idea of what to expect than what HP offers on their website.

I only just got the dv4t this morning so haven't had much time to work with it, but so far I'd say it's impressive in many regards with the one weak spot being the screen. The 1366 x 768 screen you get is as you'd expect, poor viewing angles with average color quality. Most disappointingly the screen wasn't even that bright. On the plus side, with the Nvidia GT 650M graphics card, a Core i5 processor, 7200RPM 1TB HD and 6GB of RAM the performance is very snappy. It's essentially a 14-inch laptop with gaming capabilities. Just as powerful as the dv6t-7000 Quad Edition, in a smaller package.

As far as design, I had no idea what to expect and knowing it would be a glossy plastic finish expected the worst. However, to my surprise the the finish is quite nice and definitely unique. I got the carmine red color and I love it, the color changes depending on the viewing angle. Sometimes it looks all black, other times all red. It's a neat finish. The build quality is good, there's little flex, only weak spot I could find was under the optical drive which is typical. I'll have more in depth coverage in the future but just wanted to post the video, pics and these first thoughts for now as I know some people were looking for feedback.

 

Cool, thanks alot man! I seen that you did a review of the envy 4t, and remember people saying that the keyboards were/are similar, being that you had/have both of them do you think a swap might be possible? (for backlight, although i rather doubt it will have the power for the backight)

Looking forward to hearing any more impressions, great job man!

 

sorry to double post for doing this for my phone would you recommend this for the dv6t? Im looking at a laptop for college to complimemt my i7 desktop and be able to take to class and do a bit of gaming too.

As I see it the dv6 has the awesome screen metal exterior thinner and keyboard backlite

The dv4 has batt life smaller footprint going for it.

 

I don't think you'll be able to swap so easily, I don't have the ENVY 4t to confirm but the dv4t is not being offered with backlight for a reason and I'm guessing they left out necessary power source. The key travel is also greater on the Pavilion dv4 for an overall better feel than the ENVY 4t, so there are other design differences.

I actually shot some video of the dv6t alongside the dv4t, here's the link: HP Pavilion dv6t-7000 Vs. dv4t-5100 Comparison of Size and Features - YouTube

Strangely the dv6 is thinner than the dv4 , though just by a hair. It's not noticeable really. The dv4 does of course have a smaller footprint and for that reason will slide into a backpack more easily. It weighs less, about .75lbs or so. The screen on the dv4t is definitely not as nice as the 1920 x 1080 screen on the dv6t. If portability doesn't matter so much, go with the dv6t. If you're looking for a portable gaming capable laptop, the dv4t might be the better choice. It's not a ton more portable, but that smaller footprint and lighter weight are meaningful if you're carrying this around campus for work. 15.6" screen laptops look a little silly on school desks.

 

Nice quick review. Even though the top surfaces are plastic, I really like the deep red color. Best thing about this is the GPU, that is a killer power for the size of the machine. It's crazy here in New Zealand is only one single HP laptop that has the 650M, which is a big dv7t priced at ~$2300 nzd. Last year we had GPU's with DDR5 powered HP laptops in everywhere. This year there is nothing to choose from with a decent GPU, hence why I went with an A10 offering for the APU and also only a bit faster 7730M when compared to HP's only offering 630M throughout New Zealand and Austrailia in every other product.

Would have to say, I likely kill for a dv4t with a 650M, as this is sure fire gaming on the go. Another reason why I brought the Envy4
Even though I don't need another notebook, and this notebook obsession I have developed over the last couple of years is not financially viable, I would try and put a few strings to obtain it anyway.

How is the temperature on the dv4t, is it hotter than the dv6t (even though the dual core will be cooler than the quad) or do they share the same cooling system, thus much the same?

 

Thanks for the feedback, that's too bad about the limited offerings in NZ for the 650M card. As far as temperatures go, the laptop as a whole stays pretty cool. The left palm rest gets warm when you're gaming/running benchmarks but no other area gets hot enough to mention (besides the heat vent on the left, but you wouldn't hold your hand there anyway). The processor cores got as hot as 70C when I was running PCMark Vantage but when doing other tasks such as web surfing it was down around 50C. I believe it uses the same cooling system as the dv6t, I don't know if I'd want a Quad core processor in the dv4t but with the Core i5 all is well for thermals.

 

Okay I have one more question for you...

I can get the dv4t for 700, or a sony s13 for 825. Pretty much same spec the dv4 would have bluray

Summarizing the differences the Sony is half an inch thinner and a pound lighter, smaller footprint by half an inch on each side and aluminum/carbon fiber construction and 1600x900. While the dv4t allows me to save some dough

As the use as a mobile companion to a desktop and note taking for class for the next 4 years well 2 years on the note bit. Which would you say would fit the bill better?

I just don't get the opportunity to get a laptop that often and don't want to get one or the other with later regretting not getting the other. I know for the most part it boils down to personal preference but I would still appreaceate any input...

 

The HP has an option for a NVidia 650M, which is a relevant difference for gaming. If you are looking for a notebook without gaming capabilities, i would look elsewhere in general. (e.g. Lenovo, they are known for build quality)
Long term reliability is something where you should wait for a review of the HP book, but the Sony seems to have a a good case, keyboard and heat managment. Review Sony Vaio SV-S13A1Z9E/S Notebook - Notebookcheck.net Reviews

 

The Sony S13 is a more premium machine, no doubt. I don't put much value on blu-ray because I stream any videos I watch and don't need a laptop to second as a portable media player on a plane or train where wi-fi may not be present. If I'm a student carrying around a laptop all day and can afford the Sony S13 that has the same specs as the dv4t I'd go for the S13. Now, I've only used the last generation Sony VAIO S13 and I was disappointed with the screen viewing angles on it (very poor) but I still like the looks and thinness enough to jump for that.

 

Look like HP did it again, packing all those power into a small "affordable"(compare to most brand) machine with small vent hole and minimal size fan.

If you check HP site, they have i7 as a upgrade as well and I believe this will be smaller than a alienware.

msata slot aswell, configed with EEP now i7 +650m DDR5 is $950+tax now.( Comeon $400 or 50% coupon !.

HP is cutting dell in every corner. (at least in consumer products)

and Red color !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Edit: thunderbolt and this would be perfect but blah.

 

I agree HP really does offer more than Dell for price in almost every category. Just to note, the red color is nice but it's also a $25 upgrade from the standard black. I've posted a full review of the dv4t-5100 here just today:

HP Pavilion dv4t-5100 Review

Happy to answer any more questions here for anyone looking for more feedback.

 

This is a great little laptop. I have brought a pre-build model today on special. Even though the model number is 50XX and not a 51XX it is more or less the same. What I have seen is the 50XX models were pre-built models and out before the CTO models came along. Almost certain that all the 50XX models only came with a 630M, either 1GB or 2GB.

Due to my model being older, it is using end of last years processor, but sure is a fast one (2670QM) for a laptop this size, and is a i7 Quad! I only have the 630M 1GB in mine, and appears to have a very low clock speed of only 475MHz. I have overclocked to 900MHz, which is a 100% overclock, but are uncertain if it really is overclocking. Its going to need it at these low clocks.

What is impressive to say about this DV4, is that I was expecting bad cooling system, but it is excellent instead. The heatsink can be seen behind very large grill outlet, and it is big. This thing runs crazy cool compared to my older DV6 with i7-2630QM.

Another great thing is HP used 1600MHz memory, and actually runs at 1600MHz with the i7, even though Intel spec does not show it should.

High capacity battery is a nice touch, it is 62Wh (same as used on the current DV6 and DV7 2012 model), and it ships with a slim 120watt power adaptor as standard.

This is what I got for my $600, all the other specs are the same as Andrews, although mine is the black model.

•Processor: Intel Core i7-2670QM 2.20GHz (2nd generation)
•Graphics: Nvidia GT 630m 1GB
•Memory: 4GB RAM 1600MHz CL11
•Storage: 500GB 5400RPM HD
•Optical Drive: DVD writer
•Battery: 62Wh
•Power Adaptor: 120watt

Can anyone get/find the service manual for the DV4-5XXX models yet?

 

Does anyone have this laptop in the black finish? I'm trying to figure out if the black is glossy like the one the OP posted or aluminum like the dv6.

 

vtvman please read above, I have black.

There is no alloy with the DV4, and the plastic is glossy. The plastic will pick up finger prints, but is great at not showing them up, so what ever HP has done to the coating, it is damm good.

One thing is for certain, I am running the Intel Core i7-2670QM on battery at the moment browsing web pages, and checking emails, and is running super cool for a quad, temperture is only 32c, and the air coming from fan feels the same as cold air!

Battery is reporting a massive 6 hours remaining, I have only used 6% in the last 30 mintues. This thing has to be seen to be believed!

I would highly recommend the DV4, it is one sweet machine.

 

Hey guys , does anyone know whether it is possible to swap the mSSD for lets say , a 128gb m4 mSSD?



Cheers

 

That's a great deal. It is true HP continues to get a bad rap for laptop overheating for models they put out a few years ago when today their technology and efforts are much better. I agree the dv4t is a nice machine and kind of a hidden gem, if only they had kept the 1600 x 900 resolution screen option it would have been doubly sweet.

I didn't try it myself and no longer have the machine, however this is possible on the dv6t so I'm pretty certain it's possible on the dv4t as well. You should probably wait for direct confirmation.

 

I'm about to purchase the DV4T 5100 (i7Q, 650m) with the 4GB DDR3 RAM.
I was chatting with a sales representative at HP website about the RAM speed and she told me that it is only 1333 mhz.
Does the DV4T 5100 supports 1600 mhz RAM? I'm planning to buy an additional 8GB RAM so eventually i'll end up with 12GB.

 

It will support 1600, don't worry what hp said, it will more than likely be 1600 when shipped, the 4gb that is.
Processor requires to support the speed, in which all the Ivy quad do I believe. Older second gen i5 will likely not.
The second gen 2670qm i7 is not meant to support 1600 according to intel but it does
Mine cam with 1600 4gb out of the box, I just brought another 4gb online which is 1600, works well, all at 1600 in dual channel.

 

Thanx for answering.
Ordered the DV4T-5100
i7Q, 750GB 7200RPM, 32GB mSSD, 650m, 4GB 1333MHZ (according to HP) all in 1048$ after a 100$ labor day coupon.
Will get it on 9/21 when my gf will be back from the states.

 

Even is by chance you get 1333 (1600 is backwards compatable, that why is maybe qouted as such), then you could always buy a 2 piece kit of CL9 rated RAM for a matched pair. I have found from HP they are likely always at this stage will be using CL11 RAM.

When I took my RAM, HDD, Wireless lid off the back I could all 3, but there appear to be a 4th area right next to the wireless card the same size as a mSATA SSD that was empty in mone

When you get it and take the back off lid access to get to the RAM in, you check (or post a photo) if the mSATA SSD in the space I have mentioned above. Thanks.