*HP dv7t (1XXX series) Owners Lounge*

That's true, I didn't take that into account. I have never seen/used an Ultrabright screen in person, so I don't know how much of a difference it makes. All I know is that I will never purchase an Infinity screen based on what I saw in the store, because the reflections are out of control. I love my NC8230 & NC8430 which have the anti-glare screens on them. I don't understand why HP uses anti-glare screens on the business models, but then they put these shiny ultra-reflective screens on the consumer lines.

Same thing goes for the finish on these laptops - I absolutely hate the super-shiny fingerprint-magnet finish on my dv7. Sure, it might look nice on the shelf in a store, but it's just not practical at all. I've only had this thing for 2 days and I've already have to wipe the cover down twice because it gets so covered in finger and palm prints from carrying it around the house. I have had my NC8230 for 3 years, and there is not a single fingerprint or smudge on the entire case (because it is a high-end magnesium alloy casing which does not attract dust or fingerprints, unlike the cheap shiny plastic finish on this thing). I can only assume that the people who developed this finish were in a lab wearing white gloves the entire time so they didn't notice the fingerprint issue.

Bottom line: too much of the design of the dv7 is aimed at the "oooh, ahhh" factor, rather than being actually useful in the real world. I think I may go for a Dell XPS M1530 or M1730 from the Dell Outlet, because I can get those for the same (or less) as what I paid for this thing, and the finish and screen are both much more user-friendly.

 

Well here I thought that they might lower the price of the dv7t a little once they launched the HDX18t, and if I ended up keeping the dv7 (which is looking doubtful at this point) I was going to see about getting some money credited back to me for the price difference. But get this - the HDX18t just launched about 2 hours ago, and they did change up the pricing on a couple of options for the dv7t as I expected, but they actually RAISED the price on some stuff!

I just configured the same system that I bought 2 weeks ago, and instead of being $1,814 it is now $1,898. W T F ?? Why would they raise the prices of their old model when they release a new model? I still find it ridiculous that the upgrade from a P8400 to a T9600 is $400 on the dv7, but on the HDX16 or 18 it is only $150.

At the current prices you can get a fully decked out HDX18t (including a Core 2 Quad Extreme QX9300 CPU) for the same price as a fully loaded dv7t, even though the HDX18t starting price is $600 more. That's messed up. Now if only the coupon codes would work on the HDX line....

 

I'm aggravated as well over the pricing changes with these notebooks. jleonard711: I also just got my dv7 two days ago, and I'm still debating whether or not to send it back, wait for a coupon and get a better notebook for around the same money.

Btw, I don't have any problems with the Infinity display (yet). I usually use it at night and when the computer is on, the glare is hardly noticable to me. However, I could use a brighter screen... and that's another reason to consider the HDX line.

And on my specific notebook, there seems to be a couple small indentations or shallow dents near the touchpad. I can't tell if it was a flaw in the manufacturing or assembly, or what. Anyone notice anything like this? I may end up sending it back just because of this - a brand new laptop with dents.

 

question,

I'm wondering how this notebook handles games like Warhammer and Age of Conan.

the specific notebook/specs I'm considering:

HP dv7-1025nr
* Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor P8400 (2.5 GHz)
* 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT

For those of you who own one, how well does it handle gaming?

I don't need the most badass gaming rig.... just a PC that can run most games reasonably well.

I apoligize if this has been already discussed

 

wait a minute - doesn't the price of the hdx come out more expensive anyway because it's a newer model? the base price of the hdx16 (without options) is higher than the dv7t and when you tack on the t9600, yeah it's only $100 added to the price, but that price is higher than if you just add the t9600 to the dv7t.

the numbers dont mean a thing in the sense that the t9600 upgrade can be $1 but if the model itself is $1500, that doesnt mean the processor was actually a $1. the base dv7t is $950 and the starting hdx is a couple of hundred dollars more...

i just added the t9600 to both an hdx16 and a dv7t - the price for the hdx16 with the t9600 was slightly higher, like $25 more.

 

You are correct that the starting price of the HDX18 is $600 more than the starting price of the dv7, but that starting price already includes a ton of upgrades. The base configuration of the HDX18 includes a P8400 CPU ($150 upgrade), WUXGA Ultra Brightview Infinity Display ($125 upgrade), 9600M GT 512MB video card ($200 upgrade), Webcam+Fingerprint Reader ($25 upgrade), Blu-Ray Drive ($125 upgrade), and 8-cell battery ($39 upgrade). Once you configure the dv7 with those options, it actually comes out to $1,613 which is MORE than the base price of the HDX18t. So once you start with identical specs, then you can see why the huge difference in upgrade pricing is so ridiculous.

And yes, the HDX18 should come out to be more expensive since it is a newer and larger model, but when you max them both out with all of the upgrades (except RAM and Hard Drive, which you can easily upgrade yourself for less $$), the HDX18 comes out to $1,848 and the dv7 comes out to $2,298 before coupons or discounts. That's what makes absolutely no sense at all - the HDX18 is newer and bigger, yet it's priced less than a dv7 with the same specs.

Here is a fully maxed-out dv7 (aside from RAM and HD upgrades, which as I mentioned above you can do yourself for much less than what HP charges):
– Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
– Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor T9600 (2.80GHz)
– 17.0" diagonal WSXGA+ High-Definition HP BrightView Infinity Display (1680 x 1050)
– 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
– 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
– 250GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
– [For BrightView Infinity Display] Webcam + Fingerprint Reader
– HP Color Matching Keyboard
– Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card with Bluetooth
– No Modem
– $100 OFF Blu-Ray ROM with SuperMulti DVD+/-R/RW Double Layer
– HP Integrated HDTV Hybrid Tuner
– 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
- PRICE: $2,298 - $150 instant discount OR $400 off coupon = $2,148 or $1,898

And here is an HDX18 with the exact same specs:
-- Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
– Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor T9600 (2.80GHz)
– 18.4" diagonal High Definition HP Ultra Brightview Infinity Display (1920x1080p)
– 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
– 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
– 250GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
– [For BrightView Infinity Display] Webcam + Fingerprint Reader
– HP Color Matching Keyboard
– Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card with Bluetooth
– Blu-Ray ROM with SuperMulti DVD+/-R/RW Double Layer
– HP Integrated HDTV Hybrid Tuner
– 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
- PRICE: $1,848! And then you can also upgrade to the Quad Core Extreme QX9300 for just $75 more, which the dv7 doesn't even offer.

HP needs to revamp their pricing on the dv7, because it makes no sense to have an older model cost less than a newer, larger, more powerful model. If they don't lower the price of the dv7 and adjust the purchase price for those who bought them recently, then I'm sure they will be getting a LOT of returns for people who want to exchange it for a decked out HDX18t.

 

I agree Ken. My research indicates that the UltraBrite will make the Infinity usable in bright daylight. However I'm hoping that the 18t will be available without the Infinity. What the H--- is HP thinking?

 

::crosses fingers:: I too hope that they come out with a non-infinty display!

Lucy (dv7t) is going home today, she is already boxed up and waiting to go. Today we part..

 

Does anyone know the best way of hooking up a dv7 to some Logitech z5500's? I'd like surround sound if poss, but is that possible by connecting it to the headphone out socket?

 

^ i have mine hooked up to my quickdock which is connected to my dv7t. i am having trouble though getting the digital audio (s/pdif) to work... so for now, it's still going through the headphone jack =/

when i look at sound devices, the audio is being output throught he s/pdif but the speakers say 'no digital signal' or something to that effect. i've cycled through all the different outputs and still no go.

 

I config'ed a matching HDX18 to our DV7T and it was ~$550 more - granted that gives you a little more screen (both size and lighting), but it definitely wouldn't have been enough to motivate me to spend the additional coin.

(For video we'll almost always use an external display anyway).



***

Has anyone used an external wireless/BT keyboard setup like a Logitech Mediaboard? I'm thinking of picking one up so we can just connect the DV to the TV and put it on a shelf in the media center, and then drive it from the couch! (I'd also use it on the PS3/LINUX for "fun").

 

I use dv7t for pro audio studio, will receive in 3 weeks or so. I will be using firewire audio interface. I need to know what chipset(who is manufacturerer ect) the IEEE 1394(firewire) has. I had Ricoh combo chip before, and that was supposed to be crap for audio and it turned out perfect. Texas Instruments (firewire chipset)is supposed to be best(NX has that). I suppose I'll wait till my PC arrives, go to system devices and it will give manufacturer and I could find all from that. Maybe one of you could look to see..I can't find anything on net.

I'm so relieved that XP can be put on this machine-au voir

PS- Is cpu upgrade hard...where is removal description-gracias TIA

 

I see that there are a new update from the Nivdia web site for the Geforce 9 series card (178.13).

Anyone had problems after install it?

 

Hmmm - Hi DT,
I compared my DV7t and HDX18t configs and discovered that the 18t was $215 cheaper!! DV7t = 2301.98. HDX18t = 2086.98! IMHO, that makes the 18t a no brainer - -*Except* I can't rid myself of the &*%$# Infinity screewed.

 

Can you drop a Q9100 quad core into a stock DV7T? Stock socket is P and so is Quad cpu.

 

Sorry about that, my post might have been a tad misleading - the price I PAID for our DV7T was ~$550 less than the HDX18 when I config'ed it up.

We used that really amazong e-coupon which knocked off a pretty huge chunk. Plus I think the HDX upgrade to 4GB is a little more than the DV (might be faster RAM). I also got our Blueday drive for less than $90 (factoring in coupon + BD drive special when we ordered).

For reference our DV spec: 2.26MHz, 4GB, Bluray/DVD, Camera, Fingerprint reader, N-spec Wifi, Bluetooth, 320GB, 9600M, 1680x1050 (non-infi) - those should be all the things that effect the price. We got that spec machine for $1280 - woot woot.

 

i have a very annoying problem in my dv7 infinity display... 3 dust particles r stuck between the infinity overlay and the screen itself,... i cant remove them by any means ,...
anyone faced any of this issues? and is it possible to remove the infinity overlay glass... to clean it up?

 

Send it back to HP... that's all you can do. And expect them to scratch it up, because they can't handle anything properly

You'd be best off to get it replaced if your 21 days isn't up yet...

 

So whats the deal with the screen? I've used a 10 year old 50 pound moniter for almost my whole life. And now i've "upgraded" to a 15 inch flat screen from a garage sale...

Is it a quality issue? If so I dont think i'll notice.

Should I go with the infinity? Pros/cons?

 

Pros: Some say it's more "crisp," but that's debatable. It depends on how much an eye you have for that kind of thing.

Cons: Too reflective in any sort of light, especially for the generally low quality of the dv7's screen. It's unusually dim, and looking at it from different angles (up/down) will make the brightness issue more apparent- it drove me nuts when I was reading, I had to either move my head or the screen to get the best view as I moved down.

It would be a good idea to go to Best Buy and see for yourself.

 

Pros: None.
Cons: 1. Increases glare and reflections.
2. Decreases viewing angles both horizontally and vertically.
3. Inevitable (IMO) dust,water (or other liquids),foreign
matter,condensation, between the Infinity glass/plastic and the
LCD screen.

1 and 2 have been verified by a knowledgeable HP techie. #3 is my opinion based on a few complaints about dust particle intrusion. BTW, If HP can fixed the dust intrusion (by removing, cleaning, and replacing the Infinity screen, do you think they would remove it for those of us who don't want it? (of course not - probably too expensive).

 

Hi DT,
Where do you find those great coupons. There must be hundreds of sites and I don't relish spending hours each day. I'm waiting for a $500 coupon on the HDX18t so that I can launch. Of course as soon as I do HP will probably come out with the 18t sans Infinity. They could make *that* a $25 option and I'd go for it!

 

In my opinion DO NOT get the Infinity! It makes the design of the laptop sleeker but it also renders the laptop useless if you want to do like I do and sit outside on the deck or on the beach during vacation. Both cases the screen is useless as you can not see anything.

 

I've heard that a lot, so i'll take your word on it! Im not going to bother to goto bestbuy incase I really do like the crisp look

 

Hi Ed!

I'm on the DV7T right now down in the TV room enjoying some amazing mystery beverage the Wifey© made (so this might not be 100% coherent...)

I got the coupon code right from *this* thread! I was just randomly searching for something like "DV7T Coupon Code" and came upon this thread. Kind of glad on both counts: 1) the code was an awesome discount, and 2) got some great info from this excellent forum.

I was just going to order with the ~$100-something discount at the time which had some great upgrade pricing (like cheaper Bluray, free 2GB upgrade, free 250-to-320GB drive). So anyway, I used the coupon that was listed several pages back (NB8821 ) in this thread, and it didn't deduct the $100 but instead took off like $541 making the pre-tax, pre-shipping $1263.00. We paid for quicker shipping (not sure free was even available with the coupon).

I ++think++ that those coupon codes are limited by time AND limited by the number of uses as well (like 500 people can redeem). I did note that only 2 days later the coupon code wasn't active anymore.

I'd just keep a close eye on the HDX18 thread.

 

Just google 'HP Coupons' and you'll find current ones easily. The good ones [$500, 30%, ect.] aren't very common but it's worth the wait for one to pop up.

Unfortunately, you might be out of luck with getting a $500 coupon for the HDX18. The first day of the HDX16 release there was a $500 coupon that could be used, but all of the new coupons since then exclude the HDX series.

Who knows, maybe HP will throw in a coupon for the HDX18; personally I don't think there will be any for awhile, if ever, though.

 

Thanks Z -

 

Costco HP dv7-1023cl $1250.00 2 year warranty, normally 1399.00 expires in a few days.

cached costco ad

 

quick question for you all. is there a big difference between the P8600 2.4ghz and T9400 2.53ghz options for the DV7? I'm trying to see if it's worth an extra $87 to purchase the upgrade in the processor from Costco. I'll be using 3gig of ram and 512mb video card options along with the processor. Only games i'll be playing is Red Alert 3 and Warhammer Online.

I was going to get the hdx18t, but that is more than what I want to spend right now.

 

It's an extremely minor increase in speed and you probably won't even notice the difference. Plus, the P8600 has been battery life.

Enjoy your dv7t. - I sure am

 

did you mean, has better battery life? Just checking.

 

I just got my DV7T in finally, really enjoying it.

 

congrats! i'll have a similar post soon!

 

Hi Senor,
The P8600 has a 3MB L2 cache while the T9400 is a 6MB cache. IMHO that's worth the extra bread. Is the P8600 a Centrino 2? If not I wouldn't consider it.

 

It is centrino 2.

You probably would not notice the difference between the two processors (other than battery life).

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/cache-size-matter,1709-5.html

 

thanks guys!

 

cosign - the higher spec procs are totally worth it. i have a t9600 in my dv7t and this thing rips apart anything i throw at it. i have not experienced any lag in any sense with what i've been using it for. I mean, i dont max out the cpu often or anything near that but it's nice to know that it will outperform many other machines. this machine is a desktop replacement for me and it truly does its job well.

 

My girl just got her dv7t the other day and it's a great laptop. The screen is beautiful and the build feels pretty solid. There was a crap load of bloatware but that was rectified with a clean install.

 

Hi Voung,
When you say "clean install" do you mean that you installed from a Vista/XP CD or did you execute the F11 restore? If it was a truly clean install did you have any driver problems e.g. the Fingerprint Reader drivers?
Ed F.

 

I just spoke to an HP sales rep and the HDX18t will be available *without* the cursed Infinity screen. He didn't know the timing but it would probably be before Christmas. BTW, the C2D extreme and the T9600 are no longer listed in the CPU choices but thats just due to availability - they'll be back. Kinda made my day!

 

got mine saturday. Have successfully wiped vista off of it and installed XP.

works great.

 

Do you know who makes the hard drive (250 gb 5400 rpm)?
And who makes the chipset for the firewire...is it the same "Richo combo" thi9ngy they used before?

TIA

 

As far as I can remember, most HP laptops have had TI chipsets for FireWire, which is generally a good thing.

Not sure about the hard drives.

 

Hi thanks for getting back....Yes the hi line nx uses TI but not the 9410us (17 inch amd 1.8 turrion. It uses Ricoh combo chip. I wish dv7 used TI. I think i finally have the hard drive ided...
fijitsu MHY2250BH SATA
Data Transfer Rate: 150MBps Maximum External
12ms Average seek time
Buffer size is 8MB cache
9.5mm package
Average Latency 5.56 ms
Seek Time Track to track 1.5 ms typ.
Average 12 ms typ. (Read), 14 ms typ. (Write)
Maximum 22 ms typ.
I'm gett6ing a pair. I checked the travelstar 7200 150 satat 200gb and its spec are not that much better than these stock hd we're getting.

Edit-Just found out-this 5400 drive is just `1 ms slower than my Momentous ata7200
on seek and read/write..maybe ill keep this 5400 after all.

 

How shiny are these laptops? Is it a valid concern or complaint?

 

I'm up-to-date with patches/SP3s/etc, but my IE7 had been clonking out - usually during a startup (or when a new window opened). Generally a close and restart and it was OK. Even opening a new page in a tab would on occasion (like once in 20 times) hang up (just show "Not Responding" and require a browser shutdown).

Anyway, I disabled the two HP Plugins under Tools >> Internet Options >> Programs >> Plugins and one extra copy of the Mobile Faves and everything has been working perfect since then! I'm not even 100% sure what those two HP plugins do, but I'm missing nothing, still have Nortons up and running and a few other plugins.

Hope this turns out to be helpful for someone else!

 

Maybe this is a dumb question, but is the keyboard and surrounding panel made of real metal/aluminum??? Or just something looks like metal?

 

It's plastic.

 

Thanks Bro! What is the mobile faves?

 

Hello everyone,
I am ordering my DV7t notebook this is what I came up with.

Upgrade to Genuine Windows Vista Ultimate with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor T9600 (2.80GHz)
17.0" diagonal WSXGA+ High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1680 x 1050)
8GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
512MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT

640GB 7200RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (320GB x 2)
with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection

HP Imprint Finish (Mesh) + Microphone + Webcam + Fingerprint Reader
HP Color Matching Keyboard
Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card with Bluetooth
Blu-Ray ROM with SuperMulti DVD+/-R/RW Double Layer

3-year HP Accidental Damage Protection with HP Pick Up and Return

I Was wondering about the 640GB 7200RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (320GB x 2)

Is there over heating with the 7200RPM?
And are the drives noisy?

Thank you, in advance