*HP dv6t Select Edition (3XXX series) Owners Lounge*

Morx, have you personally tried out SSDs? I'm just curious as to how much faster the computer really becomes, and how much faster games run. Getting an SSD for me would be sacrificing both the big amount of drive space I need and money.

 

Below is my correct build configuration, for some reason it didn't have the HD 5650 in my last post.

HP Pavilion dv6t Select Edition customizable Notebook PC

* • Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
* • Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-450M Dual Core processor (2.40GHz, 3MB L3 Cache)with Turbo Boost up to 2.66 GHz
* • FREE Upgrade to 6GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)
* • 160GB (Solid State Drive Flash Module)
* • 1GB ATI Mobility Radeon(TM) HD 5650 switchable graphics
* • 15.6" diagonal High Definition LED HP Brightview Widescreen Display (1366x768)
* • TouchScreen with HP TouchSmart's intuitive multi-touch applications (includes HP TrueVision Webcam)
* • LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support
* • Intel Wireless-N Card with Bluetooth
* • Full-size island-style backlit keyboard with HP TrueVision Webcam + Fingerprint Reader
* • High Capacity 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (standard)
* • Microsoft(R) Office Starter 2010
* • $1! SAVE NOW!! Norton Internet Security(TM) 2010 - 15 Month Subscription (activation required)
* • HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope

Estimated build date: July 13, 2010

Instant discounts you received:
$300.00 Coupon
$150.00 Notebook instant rebate
Unit Price: $1,630.99 Extended Price: $1,180.99

 

Hi folks, I am on the HP Shopping website now configuring dv6tSE, and I am not seeing where you are all coming up with the $300 coupon in addition to the $150 instant rebate. I am sure it is right in front of my face somewhere , but help locating it would be appreciated. Thanks!!

 

Apply $300 Coupon Code: NBE725947 when you customize $1,399+

 

Ok. Great!! Thanks!!!

 

Wow I wish had that coupon when I bought mine.

 

On top of better figuring out what I really want, the coupon is a reason I'm returning my current Dv6t. I was able to customize a machine that better suit my needs, and then apply the coupon so in the end, I have a much faster machine that better suits my needs and only cost an extra $110.

 

I've read quite a few bad reviews about the hp 4520s touchpad which is, to my understanding, identical to the select edition's one. I am wondering whether those who have been using the new dv6 laptop for a few weeks now are having a problem getting used to the unusual touchpad design.

 

I would return mine and use the coupon but then again I customized it to the max and it cost me 2,367 in all so 2067 isn't that much of a difference to me to return and wait a whole 2 weeks or how ever long. But if it comes with any defects which I hope it doesn't then I'll definitely do it. Maybe get a 500gb external drive with my 160gb ssd.

 

The deal ends on July 7th.. so who knows what the next round of coupons will be

 

Oh, hey how do you all find these coupons? Is there like a sign up to have it sent to your email or something?

 

I'd like to know the answer to that, too.

Also, as I pointed out in the "What laptop..." thread, I specced and ordered one of these on Friday. However, I neglected to order Lojack theft protection. Is it at all worth it to add this in after the fact?

Second question: is there a "decrappifying" guide out there to get rid of the bloatware that HP will undoubtedly load onto the laptop, or am I on my own?

 

Yes, a uninstall list of the bloatware would be greatly appreciated.

 

@nbr: If you are going to be doing a lot of traveling and/or if you are using this notebook for college, the 4 year LoJack for $50 is a steal and a very good idea to have included.

 

Regarding the bloatware, I'm thinking of getting a Windows 7 Ultimate disk to perform a clean install on the laptop. I have a few friends who can get employee discounts so it'll be around $50. But would I run into any problems regarding drivers? And if so, would it just be better to uninstall the bloatware rather than going for a clean reinstall?

 

Clean install is probably the best, because then there won't be dead stubs in the registry clogging stuff up. But unistalling for right now and then manually removing the crap isn't much of a problem for me right now. Might take an hour or two and then I'll make a copy of my drive for backup.

 

Has anyone done any game benchmarks?

 

I found it on either gizmodo or the tech bargins website. For lojack, I didn't opt for it after reading the various reviews on the program around the web.

To get rid of all the crap, check the "out the out of the box" link that was posted earlier in this thread: HERE

 

Easier than that. Forum right here that will tell you all the great deals: Notebook and Tech Bargains

Again, right here on the forums: http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-...-hp-laptop-out-box-guide-2-0-windows-7-a.html

I'm sounding like a broken record.. right on the forums: http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-...3-dv7-gen-4-select-edition-envy-17-intel.html I had to use a lot of these because after the clean install there was a lot of stuff missing. To be honest, I still haven't bothered getting the finger print reader to work again on my laptop.

Take a look at this link. It gives you a pretty good idea how the 5650 1gb will perform in different games and on what settings.
Notebookcheck: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650 Graphics Card Review

 

Anyone know how much weight the 9-cell battery adds? By getting it, I can get the price to exactly $1,399 so it'll cost $949.99 before tax. But I don't think I need the extra battery nor do I want the extra weight.

 

Will there be a big/notable difference in terms of future performance between the clean install method and bloatware removal method? I just want to remove the bloatwares instead of having to reinstall windows 7 and all the drivers, but if the clean install proves to be that much more efficient, I just might do it, but I'd rather not.

 

Does it deliver from china using ups or fedex?

 

Keep in mind that there may be some programs you want to keep. For example, a webcam program or the dock or whatnot. Clean install would erase everything and wouldn't give you another opportunity to use those again. Personally, when mine gets here, I'm going to evaluate the included stuff and probably end up uninstalling everything I don't need. Also, a few months ago I found PC Decrapifier ( Welcome | The PC Decrapifier ) which will allow you to completely remove many programs at once but leave those you still want. It even gets rid of the stuff that sometimes doesn't show up on the Install/Uninstall Programs list.

Can't wait for my dv6t SE!

 

Thanx for the reply. Yeah, there are a few things here and there included in this laptop that I do want to keep, looks like I will be uninstalling programs with some of these softwares rather than doing a clean install.

I want mine very much too lol.

 

Yeah but how much better is this PC Decrapifier than doing a clean install, you can always download the stuff you need on HPs site im pretty sure....
I went to sams club today and saw a DV6 as a demo.. man that screen is such crap lol, good thing it won't bother me too much on my external, i'll get use to it I suppose.

 

The screen was crap in what sense--just kinda low-res, or what?

 

-.- don't listen to him first select edition has diff screen go watch vids on YouTube it's pretty clear looking if you higher def go to envy 14 nd waste more battyerynwith brightness

 

I've heard the screen res is not that noticeable, plus my 1080 (50) basement tv & 720 (62) living room do not seem much difference especially when not playing bray movies, maybe 4saken was talking about bloatware

 

Ok. I finally ordered mine. The fast, 160GB SSD sounded perfect for me since I don't store much stuff on my laptop. Thanks for the coupon tips!!

Operating system Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-450M Dual Core processor
Memory FREE Upgrade to 6GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)
Hard drive 160GB (Solid State Drive Flash Module)
Graphics card 1GB ATI Mobility Radeon(TM) HD 5650 switchable graphics
No TouchScreen
Primary optical drive SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support
Networking Intel Wireless-N Card
Keyboard Full-size island-style backlit keyboard with HP TrueVision Webcam + Fingerprint Reader edit
Primary battery 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (standard)
Security software $1! SAVE NOW!! Norton Internet Security(TM) 2010 - 15 Month Subscription

Total: $970.99 before tax

 

Why does no one see the possibilities with a touchscreen? Or is it just too much money?

 

ships through fedex

 

I didn't get it for a few reasons and the first and foremost was that it cost $150. I also know that I would be going crazy wiping it off after every time I touched it.

 

What are the possibilities? Would the touchscreen be more efficient than a mouse or touchpad in many instances?

I was planning on using my DV6tSE primarily as a desktop replacement, hooked up to a couple of larger monitors and a remote keyboard and mouse, so I didn't think about the touchscreen much.

 

I think it would be way more effective than the touchpad. I own the earlier version of hp's tablet pc and I have two fujisti tablets and the touchscreen is very cool.

 

I would also be going crazy with the fingerprints. I have a hard enough time with my iPod Touch.

 

Well sorrryyyyyyyyyyy, didn't know that the demo model would be different. It said DV6T so I just assumed that thats what I would be getting. It's not TOTALLY crap, its clear but its SMALL I should have said, my apologies to everyone who panicked. I got the touchscreen, its personal prefs, I watched a youtube vid and it seemed pretty responsive. It kinda a "I either want it or I don't type thing"

 

You have the laptop with you now? Does it have an edge to edge display
? I think only the touchscreen ones do. Also if you could take a picture of it that would be awesome.

 

Thanks for the info. Sounds like you are an early adaptor and I am about a ten year late adaptor. I never even had the patience to become proficient with a touchpad, and I still use a mouse with my laptop even when I travel. I also don't have a smartphone, so I don't have any touchscreen experience besides ATMs. LOL.

In your opinion, would it be fair to say touchscreen>touchpad>mouse in terms of chance for increased productivity? I have seen the guys on Bloomberg and CNBC TV do some pretty cool things with charts on giant touchscreen displays, moving them around and shrinking and expanding them for example. That might be something I would be interested in.

 

I would say it more like this, touchscreen with the right calibration and clean = mouse on a mouse pad, but both are definitely faster than using a touchpad in most cases. Sometimes the touchpad is better than the mouse but for gaming and other things I still use my mouse. For web browsing, email, common light tasks I will definitely be using the touchscreen. On an airplane in those small spaces unless you fly first class, you don't want to have to crunch to use your touchpad since the laptop is basically up on your chest in the first place ( little exaggeration but you get the idea) just touching the screen is way more efficient and effective.

 

Anyone know how stuff is shipped from china? I think they fly the packages over in the case of computers and small boxes etc. And if it's way bigger they use freight on a boat right? And flying should only take like 13 hours max right? And how long would a ship take?

 

Their shipping from China is surprisingly quick. My dm4t and first dv6z both arrived at my house 2 days after they shipped and second dv6z shipped on the 30th and is getting here tomorrow.

 

The touchscreen would easily be replaced by using a Wacom tablet. That's my plan for annotating PDFs or Powerpoints and not having to worry about touching that beautiful screen.

 

This might be a dumb question, but what output ports does the dv6t se have? Would I be able to connect it to an external monitor?

 

^ It has VGA and HDMI connections for external monitors. You've also got a bunch more according to: http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/series/category/notebooks/dv6tse_series/3/computer_store

 

When does the $300 off coupon expire?

 

^ July 6th I believe... or ~1300 uses.

 

How do you know July 6th where does it say!

 

I'd like to go check this laptop out at Best Buy tomorrow before buying because I know they have a floor model. Do you think its a safe bet this deal will still be open tomorrow evening? Thanks!

 

It's hard to say because ~1299 people may have already used the coupon right now... or ~129 people. You don't know so you take the risk of it expiring.

 

I understand the people count but why the specific date the 6th? I ask because I've seen people put 7th.. I wanna buy right away if this the case i was hoping to wait late July so I can really choose between the then reviewed hp envy 14 if it has better battery bc of slice or dv6tse' low price

Also which is better the amd or intel version? I want equal power on both so i5 450m on intel and 930 on amd

But I've heard it's possible to update switable graphics card driver only on amd not on intel...