*HP dv5t (1XXX series) Owners Lounge*

1. a. Instead of buying through CostCo, use HP's Academic Discount Purchase (ADP) to save some money, and also use the available 5% off coupon. Use the money you save from that to buy the 2 or 3 year warranty plan with the accidental damage protection.
b. For some reason I don't even consider causing something to loosen by traveling with an HP laptop using a rollerbag as something that shouldn't be covered using the Accidental Warranty. What you plan on doing with your notebook isn't like you intend to drop it from 3 feet off a table. I don't know how nice HP's repair service is, but if they have some bit of decency, I'd assume that a normal warranty would cover this. Your intended use is no different than saying... "a component got loosened in my notebook because I type too fast and too often..."---whatever similar cause, HP better/should repair that under the basic warranty.

2. a. I'm making the assumption that you aren't going to be gaming? Go with the P-series CPU (P8400) and the X4500 graphics card then, and that'll give you a lot more time on your battery.
b. According to Cisco Cheng http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2319455,00.asp

"The dv5t comes with a 55-Wh (six-cell) battery, which drained in 3 hours 12 minutes, according to the MobileMark 2007 test. Like its predecessors, it will have a 12-cell option, though these batteries will not be backward-compatible."

If you go with the high-capacity 6 cell battery they currently offer, that should extend your battery life by ~15 minutes. Or just buy an extra 6 cell battery, or use the standard 6 cell and wait for the release of the 8/12 cell.

 

Just curious what the pros/cons are between the 8400 and 8600 processor. How much extra battery life would the 8400 give over the 8600? Thanks.

Edit: Also, quick screen question: will the brightview widescreen be any less glossy than the brightview infinity? Also, will it still have the same "frameless" appearance? Just curious which one will be better.

 

Hey Chaz,

I bought a dv5z and bought that same bluetooth mouse to go with it. However since I installed the bluetooth mouse I am getting an error whenever I startup the laptop and get into windows that says "HID data has stopped working" It then searches for a solution, does not find one and just has a button that says "close program". The mouse does not stop working and is working great for me but that error message everytime I startup the laptop is getting pretty annoying. I know the error is related to the bluetooth mouse because if I unistall it then the error message goes away. Let me know when you get your laptop and setup the mouse if you have the same issue?

 

I'm thinking of purchasing 2 or 3 year subscription of LoJack for my soon-to-be-arriving HP dv5t. Anyone know if LoJack is compatible in the sense that it will safely install onto the BIOS/HD (so that it can't be removed by simple reformat)?

 

Wow, that's awesome. That is one beast of a machine, and for a great price. I'm not sure about the tuner. I suggest sending an email to HP sales . . . they should know.

I agree with Hooran, you'll want to stick with the integrated graphics and get the extended battery if you are going with HP. If you close the lid on the notebooks so the display turns off, it should last significantly longer. The display is the biggest power-user in the system.

Interesting error, I will keep my eye out. Did you do a clean install? I am planning on doing that when I get mine . . . doing that will take about as long as uninstalling all the pre-loaded junk and it will be cleaner in the end.

 

I have not done a clean install yet.

 

Thanks for your input and I will consider these options you pointed out. Will try to take my time and make the "best" choices for my situation. not to take off topic but I will probably go with 17" option again on a new laptop simply because of ppor vision not getting any better as i grow older. Would hav elike the lighter travel weight but not really feasable for me I don't think. Anyway, thanks again.

Gary

 

I'm also going to be looking for a bluetooth mouse. If anyone else has any better suggestions, let us now. Same with headphones - will this Intel AGN Bluetooth adapter work with headphones and OBEX?

 

What sucks up the battery life more, a bluetooth mouse or a wireless USB mouse?

 

How do you apply coupons to a system? I can't find it anywhere in my cart or during checkout.

Also, how reliable is the dv5t?

 

I tried configuring exact spec for dv5t at both HP.com and Costco.com. Costco is about $150 more expensive after HP's student discount/5% coupon. I don't think the "supposedly" cheaper Costco warranty justifies its price.

 

I didn't know Costco had the dv5t. I'm going to their store, today, to
see if they have it. The only one I've seen was at Best Buy, but it was
configured with Vista 64-bit, which I didn't want. I believe it was the same
preconfigured model as sold on the Hp site.

Rob

 

Alright, pretty close to ordering, but still on the fence between the dv5z and dv5t. dv5t has better battery life and the tv tuner option, but with dv5z I'd save more money to upgrade other parts. Here are the two configs, advice is welcome:

dv5z-
Operating system Upgrade to Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
Processor AMD Turion(TM) X2 Ultra Dual-Core Mobile Processor ZM-82 (2.2GHz)
Display 15.4" diagonal WSXGA+ High-Definition HP BrightView Infinity Display (1680 x 1050)
Memory FREE Upgrade to 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm) from 1GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)!!
Graphics card 256MB ATI Radeon(TM) HD 3450 Graphics
Personalization HP Imprint Finish (Mesh) + Microphone + Webcam + Fingerprint Reader for HP BrightView Infinity
Networking 802.11b/g WLAN and Bluetooth
Modem Port No High speed 56K modem port
Hard drive 320GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
Primary CD/DVD drive LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support
TV & entertainment experience No TV Tuner w/remote control
Primary battery High Capacity 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
Productivity software Microsoft(R) Works 9.0
Keyboard HP Color Matching Keyboard

dv5t-
Operating system Upgrade to Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor P8400 (2.26 GHz)
Display 15.4" diagonal WSXGA+ High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1680 x 1050)
Memory FREE Upgrade to 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm) from 1GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
Graphics card Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator X4500
Personalization HP Imprint Finish (Mesh) + Microphone + Webcam + Fingerprint Reader
Networking Intel(R) WiFi Link 5100AGN and Bluetooth(TM)
Modem Port No High speed 56K modem port
Hard drive 320GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
Primary CD/DVD drive LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support
TV & entertainment experience HP Integrated HDTV Hybrid Tuner
Primary battery High Capacity 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
Productivity software Microsoft(R) Works 9.0
Accessories Mobile Stereo Earbud Headphones (1 pair)
Keyboard HP Color Matching Keyboard

non-gaming college student, engineering major.

I could always just throw caution to the wind and get a lenovo t61 too, but I feel like I'm just not getting the same value as I would be with the hp student discount, the 5% off code, and a free printer.

 

Is the DV5T available in the UK? I can't seem to find it on the HP UK site.

 

Good question. Off the top of my head I'd say the Bluetooth, but can't prove it. If you really need to preserve battery life, just use the touchpad.

On the first page of the checkout process, you will be able to enter and apply coupon codes.

It's not possible to say how reliable the dv5t is, considering it was just released within the last two weeks.

How much battery life do you need? I would go with the dv5z if you don't need more than three hours, and the dv5t if you need more than that. You're not going to notice a difference between the AMD or the Intel processor, and the notebooks are the same with the exception of the internal hardware.

I suppose it really comes down to how much you're going to spend. While the dv5t's TV tuner would be nice, would you use it?

 

Well, based on prior products, how reliable can you infer the dv5t to be? How is the overall build, cooling, and longevity of Hp laptops?

 

The HP laptops that I've come in contact with are all very nice. I haven't seen a dv5t yet but even the ones from last year and the year before that all have a brand name feel to them. I've heard criticizm of the quality of HP laptops on this forum but I say that HP laptops are comparable with dell, which are a step above gateway and acer. Thats just my two cents.

 

I ordered a DV5T, but wasn't aware of this 5% coupon (I used the academic purchase program).

Can I get a link to this coupon, and whether it works w/ APP or no?

Thanks

 

NB3089 <--- Coupon code. And it does work with APP.

 

my dv5t is in clearance delay ><. I wonder how long it would take

 

How is the heat on this laptop?

 

I'm not sure about the dv5t with the dedicated cards, but the dv5z runs cool 'n quiet:
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4486
I can't imagine the dv5t would be much different. I will post impressions on Wednesday when mine arrives.

 

Ok thanks.

 

I finally made my decision and I'm going to order this thing tomorrow morning. Going to do it ASAP as they added a lot of free upgrades that seem to change everyday.

* – Upgrade to Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
* – Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor P8400 (2.26 GHz)
* – 15.4" diagonal WSXGA+ High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1680 x 1050)
* – FREE Upgrade to 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm) from 1GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
* – 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
* – HP Imprint Finish (Mesh) + Microphone + Webcam
* – FREE Upgrade to Intel(R) WiFi Link 5100AGN from 802.11b/g WLAN
* – No High speed 56K modem port
* – FREE Upgrade to 250GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
* – SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support
* – No TV Tuner w/remote control
* – 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
* – Microsoft(R) Works 9.0
* – HP Color Matching Keyboard
* – HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope

Total comes to $1,068.84 with tax after student discounts and 5% coupon. I was very tempted to buy a Sager NP2096, but honestly I wasn't completely sold on it. For one it's $150 more. There was only a couple of pictures of it and it had this fingerprint reader awkwardly placed underneath the touchpad between the clickers. And unlike the HP I can't go to bestbuy and try it out before you order it. One question though. Do you think 2gigs RAM is enough for gaming? Should I upgrade to 3gigs through HP for an extra $50 or buy 4gigs through newegg and do it my self?

 

I cant wait to read the reviews, so we can know about any heat problem and video card memory type (DDR2/DDR3).

Is it worth to paying for the infinity display? (I dont live in the USA, so I cant go to bestbuy to check it)

 

I was at my local Bestbuy today and played around with their dv5t on display. I can tell you that the left palm rest was a bit warm---where the hard drive is located I believe. A decent notebook cooler can definitely fix this problem. Everything else about the laptop looked really nice, the keyboard was sturdy, bright screen, etc.

I don't think the Infinity display is worth it. All it is is an extra piece of glass that supposedly makes it look nicer. If you're watching a movie on your dv5t, typing a paper, or gaming, I'd find the extra piece of glass an eye irritant; the glass just creates more reflection... I don't even think I would've taken the Inifinity option even if it were free.

 

I for one will take the extra year warranty. More important, Costco has the 90 day return policy. After working at Best Buy for 2 years in both CPU sales and Geek Squad (ok, ok, stop laughing), I can tell you that most service plans and extended warranties are not worth it (Best Buy approximates an 85% profit on their service plans). The hoops you have to jump through, the extra $350-$400 is better spent on a new laptop in 2 years, although for the clumsy, Accidental Damage coverage is ok.

From all of my experience, any problems related to circuit boards, mechanical parts, etc., fail out of the box or within a day or two. After that, things are smooth sailing (hence why I like the 90 day return, as opposed to 14 days, 15% restock fee at BB).

It's like any insurance. More than likely, you never need it (how much have I paid for car insurance over the years, and never made a claim), but when you do need it, you're glad you got it.

 

i have a 6700 and have a question regarding the dv5t. Does anyone know if them memroy is still under the pad? I bought my 6700 with 2 gb of memory and upgraded via new egg to 4gb with the kingston hyper x performance memory but the pad gets very hot. If i get a dv5t with the standard 4gb from hp will i dtill have these heat issues?? Is it the high end memory or just how the system runs?

also is the consensus of the group here that the infinity display has too much glare and is not a good upgrade?

and finally, the hybrid tuner. Is it completely internal? Does it have an external antenna that connects to the lapyop? I really cant find much info on it.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help me out. Really looking forward to getting a dv5t. Love my 6700 buut cant resist the new nvidia card and the higher resolution.

Thanks again.

 

HP is giving away a lot of stuff for sure, you are getting a great deal on that system.

Regarding your RAM question, 2GB is enough to play most new games comfortably. Upgrading to 4GB will make resource hogs like Crysis a bit smoother. For now, I'd take the 2GB upgrade for free, try it out, and if your games don't run right, then upgrade.

 

ARGGGHHHH
They just instituded a new price-killing measure on the dv5t, so everyone who already ordered are left in the dust.
Quote from site:
$100 instant rebate
(new)- FREE upgrade to 250GB hard drive ($75 value)
- FREE upgrade to 2GB of memory ($50 value)
(new)- FREE upgrade to 5100AGN ($25 value)
- FREE shipping ($49 value)
-Get Microsoft Office Home and Student for $49
=(

 

Does the dv5t really handle heat well? The underside on the dv5z gets rather hot(118F on one spot, +100 in others). Should I get something to help cooling or not?

 

Hey do you think this HP dv5t notebook has good specs? I'll be using it for school work (I'm a sophomore in high school), watching movies, internet, etc. so I'll be using it for basically everything except gaming

*Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (32-bit)

*Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor P7350 (2.0GHz)

*15.4" diagonal WXGA High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1280 x 800)

*FREE Upgrade to 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm) from 1GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)

*Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator X4500

*HP Imprint Finish (Mesh) + Microphone + Webcam + Fingerprint Reader

*Intel(R) WiFi Link 5100AGN and Bluetooth(TM)

*No High speed 56K modem port

*FREE Upgrade to 250GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection

*LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support

*No TV Tuner w/remote control

*High Capacity 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery

*Microsoft(R) Works 9.0

*HP Color Matching Keyboard

the total cost is $911.97

I should be ordering one like this within the next month or so

 

If you're ordering next month or so, I'm pretty sure the price will go down a bit more.

 

well concerning the 100 dollar instant rebate, you only have to e-mail them and they offer a 21 day price protection, so you get that credited back to your account when you receive your laptop. As to the number of free upgrades they added, I just e-mailed them because I ordered the 250gb hard drive and I'm wondering if I can get that $75 back under the price protection deal as well. I really don't know about the wireless card however, I went with the cheaper 802.11 with bluetooth and am totally regretting it now. Oh well, I don't even know what the difference is, I'm just pretty sure the 5100agn has to be better lol .

 

Thanks for mentioning the price protection - I found the clause on their website where they offer it:
http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/terms.do?jumpid=re_R329_prodexp/hhoslp/split/termsofsale

I called that number this morning and they are going to credit $100 back to my account. Anyone who purchased this notebook and didn't get the $100 instant rebate, you should call.

 

on the contrary, i actually configured the dv5t on costco's site and on hp's site. costco's price for the laptop was more than like $200 cheaper than HPs site (even after taxes and everything and having them both have the 2 year warranty). idk how it is over $200 cheaper at costco. can anyone explain?

 

I used student discount + 5% coupon. I'm guessing you added 2 yr warranty on HP.com (which is usually about $100+) while you didn't do that for Costco? (2nd yr warranty already included).

Because when I configured exact same spec for dv4t, HP had $1350, while Costco had about $1540 or something like that.

 

Well, I just checked the status of my order and its been shipped! Hopefully it's here by Friday, not sure how long shipping from China will take.

 

Congrats! In my experience with HP in the past your laptop will arrive in 2-3 business days regardless of whether you ordered with 2 day shipping or not. Basically anyone that orders 2 day shipping is just wasting there money because FedEx gets it to you in the same time regardless.

 

This has been my experience as well.

 

Mine was/is supposed to ship today... been checking HP site all morning, and so far "Order in production (Estimated to ship on July 28, 2008)". Knowing my kind of luck, they probably won't ship it for another day or two. I wouldn't be this antsy if it weren't for the fact that I have my previous HP notebook down at their Houston repair center right now... (which btw, was delayed because Fedex messed up and shipped it elsewhere, so HP didn't receive it until 3 days later. And now HP is delaying because they ran out of parts...). Been using the Dells at work to visit the forums these past couple of days.

 

Wooooh!!!! it finally shipped! Not really though. "Package received after FedEx cutoff"... delays again.

 

Thats not actually a delay as such. happens to pretty much every HP laptop shipped from China.

 

when did you order yours?

 

yes! expected delivery by july 30 before 10:30 am

 

I'm about to purchase the dv5t, but wondering if it's worth adding the Blu-ray rom for $200. I doubt I would care about watching blu-ray movies on the laptop itself. I'm more interested in hooking the laptop up to my HDTV via HDMI. Anyone know if this works well or if there are problems?

I've read mixed reviews on trying this from other sites. Some say there are all kinds of copyright problems and software required to get around it. Also some playback issues. Any advice or links to advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

im wondering about this too... anyone know how well it works using the laptop as a blu-ray player for your hdtv?

 

Ordered mine on the 22nd. Was supposed to ship on the 4th. But just got shipped!!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

I haven't seen them in person but I'm not kinda worried about the infinity display. Hopefully it doesn't **** me off or give me headaches.

 

Mine too i ordered mine on the 23rd and was supposed to ship on the 5th and it just got shipped as well, this is epic im so glad I didn't go with dell.!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

 

LOLipop.
According to FedEx, my 5t is in Alaska for some reason.