*HP dv7t (1XXX series) Owners Lounge*

I am set on ordering the DV7t but i had some questions about the specs.

1. Is it worth it to upgrade from a 320GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive to a 320GB 7200RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (160GB x 2) for $100 ?


2. is it worth it to upgarde Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor P8600 (2.4 GHz) to a Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor T9400 (2.53 GHz) for $100?


3. Should I get the FREE DESKJET D1560 PRINTER (after $70 rebate)?
Is the rebate usually just in cash form? or do you think it would be HP dollars?
If its its cash form I might just sell it on ebay

 

1. If you have the money, go for it. 7200rpm will dominate 5400 =). I think it's pretty worth it

2. IMO, probably not, unless you actually are gonna make use of the extra 3mb L2 cache the P9400 comes with. For an average user, the P9400 will cause extra heat without significant gains. However if you find yourself doing a lot of processor-heavy work, maybe with photoshop or something, it could be a worthy investment. I'm not sure about this but I read something about diminishing gains in performance as the L2 cache gets bigger. Anyways, it's undoubtedly going to be better, but it probably isn't worth it unless it's something you're actually going to be using.

3. This I'm not too sure about. I'm pretty sure the rebate comes in the form of real money not HP money =). But you might want to check that before you go ahead.

You'll probably want to look into this a bit more, as at least the first 2 it's more a matter of preference. That's what I think you should do though

 

so my dv7t just became an american. it has departed anchorage, alaska does anyone know how these are being shipped?? i mean im assuming it was via plane from china but now are they trucked to our locations? i guess i dont really care as long as it gets here friday morning but i was just wondering lol

 

okay so heres one possible build of my laptop... the price comes around $1850.



* – Upgrade to Genuine Windows Vista Ultimate with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
* – Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor T9400 (2.53 GHz)
* – 17.0" diagonal WSXGA+ High-Definition HP BrightView Infinity Display (1680 x 1050)
* – 4GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
* – 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
* – HP Imprint Finish (Mesh) + Microphone + Webcam for HP BrightView Infinity Display
* – FREE Upgrade to Intel(R) WiFi Link 5100AGN and Bluetooth(TM)
* – No High speed 56K modem port
* – 320GB 7200RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (160GB x 2) with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
* – SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support
* – No TV Tuner w/remote control
* – 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
* – Microsoft(R) Works 9.0
* – HP Color Matching Keyboard
* – HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope


Now I could save $100.00 by downgrading the Hard drive to 320 gb 5400 RPM. Should i do it?

 

Get blu-ray drive.

Hard drive upgrade is nice... I know from experience with my xps m1730.
Also 7,200 rpm hdd and blu-ray is GREAT for resale. The "blu-ray" brand really makes your laptop stand out,

 

why blu ray? i dont rly watch blu ray.

 

anyone else have any input?

 

doesnt matter.

he speaks the truth, get the Bluray drive

 

This is the configuration I think I'm going to go with when I order mine in August. Anything I could change around to make it better or is this good?

Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor P8400 (2.26 GHz)
17.0" diagonal WSXGA+ High-Definition HP BrightView Infinity Display (1680 x 1050)
3GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm) ; will upgrade later
512MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
HP Imprint Finish (Mesh)+Microphone + Webcam + Fingerprint Reader for HP BrightView Infinity Display
FREE Upgrade to Intel(R) WiFi Link 5100AGN and Bluetooth(TM)
No High speed 56K modem port
320GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support
HP Integrated HDTV Hybrid Tuner
8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
Microsoft(R) Works 9.0
HP Color Matching Keyboard

 

My HP is on the truck for delivery!!!!!!!!!

 

wow nice! mine just landed in my state this morning

 

Remember to take pics when you receive them guys! TIA!

I wish it was August 20th already so I can order mine.

 

is the 7200 that much better than the 5400. What kind of performance difference should I expect? I was going to get the 250gb 5400rpm hd, is it worth $175 to upgrade to the 360gb 7200? I dont need the extra space, but could if performance will be a a big difference.

 

mine is also!! but does this mean that it will be delivered today?? i mean its in my hometown right now!! surely they arent gonna let it sit on that truck until tomorrow and then deliver it right...that would be no bueno

update: just found out that my computer is sitting at my house right now!! too bad im at work its going to be hard getting any work done knowing that ive got a new laptop at home. hopefully i can get some pictures up and see how hot this thing runs cuz everyone on the dv5t forum is saying their new laptop runs really hot even at idle temps.

 

Mine is currently sitting about 2 miles away in a Fedex facility. Certainly hope they decide to deliver it today.

 

can you not just pick it up??

 

I might, but in the past when i've tried picking up items they've told me they don't allow pickups until after the first delivery attempt :-/

 

Yea! My dv7t is finally delivered and I'm picking it up during lunch. Can't wait to plug her in...

 

Does it matter that the 7200 is 160GB x 2 opposed to the 5400 being 320GB in one?

 

That's correct, you will not be able to pick it up until after they at least attempt the 1st delivery...even if its just sitting there until delivery for tomorrow.

And one DV7T arrived this morning (901am) at my house Yea! for being on the WestCoast, boo for being at work!

 

lmao well that didnt help at all.

 

hey i just got this in and there are no vents where the hard drives are. pretty dumb move dont you think? also, why are there no mute or volumes buttons, etc. on the 64bit systems. thats not as lame as no vents for the hard drives. the 7200rpm drives are gonna fry this thing. im thinking about returning mine.

 

Just as I read your post the doorbell rang

Time to rip this thing open.

 

...are u serious..this is worrying me....should i be listening to this kid?

 

can you post some pics of where there are no mute or volume buttons?? i along with many others also got the 64-bit and that just doesnt make a whole lot of sense to me.

 

i am not joking. i am serious. go ahead and ask any others here that just got them. take a look.

 

im sure someone will post pics before i do, but im serious about this also. there is only one touch sensitive button, and it is the quickplay button itself.

if you go to hp's driver page, you will even see that they have an updated version of the quicktouch software that specifically says it removes on screen display of volume for 64 bit.

 

PLEASE chime in and let the others know that i am correct that the hard drives area on the bottom of the laptop (neither side, when configured with 2x160gb drives...and im guessing other configs of hard drives as well), DO NOT HAVE VENT HOLES.

 

I'll post some pictures in a little bit. I'm using the single 320gb HD.

 

you dont even need to post pics yet, but just tell the others about the vents please.

 

also, here is a pdf of hp's manual showing and indicating venting at the hard drives: http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c01482376.pdf its on page 17.

Here is a pic of the review of the dv7t.
http://www.laptopmag.com/review/newgallery.aspx?id=16453&img=11

HP better send free replacement covers for that area.

 

There seem to be a total of 4 vents. 1 located in the very middle of the laptop, another towards left center, 1 in the back left corner, and 1 in the far back left corner.

Edit: It looks like the image in the link dv7t posted.

 

Please take photos of box, laptop and everything you get with it, and post it ASAP

 

Hi I wantet to buy the 2.00 GHz Intel Centrino 2 Processor Technology featuring Intel Core 2 Duo Processor P7350

Version of the dv7-1000 series

Can anyone tell have that version is ?

Can you play Call of Duty 4 on it - even it is in low res. ?
Have much noise on full load ?
My 4 years old laptop is turned on 24/7 - been for 3 years
( only work at it about 8 hours aday though - Im allways on IRC )
Have is the tv on the low end screen for the dv7-1000 series - ok, bad, no good ?

Is it possible to compare the low vs the high dv7-1000 versions ?

 

that seems to be enough...and why do we need a button for volume? why not just go to the control panel and do it urself

 

DV7t - Have you ever owned a 2.5" 7200rpm HDD in a laptop? I currently use one (2 if you want to count my external) in older laptop that has no HDD vents and heat is a non-issue, plus its an older 7200rpm HDD. I get more heat from my GF6800.

I am not worried about this issue at all... if I were to be worried about heat, it would be from my two heat culprits aka CPU/GPU, not a 7200rpm HDD.

Now if you were to be silly toss the WD Velociraptor in there, I'd be worried about heat. (PS don't think about it, it won't fit, even with the HeatSink enclosure removed).

 

The point is that it would be easy enough and better to have it vented. it would run cooler, period. Besides that, hp has it schematicized like this as well, so i dont know what there exuse is except they have not manufactured the part yet and everyone ordering next month will be getting the hd's vented.

 

Step 1: Do you need to update?


Release Date: 2008-06-19 Version: 6.40.6.1 F

Description

This package contains the software that enables the Quick Launch Buttons on the keyboard and the external Easy Access Buttons Keyboard to be programmed for the supported notebook models and operating systems. This application enables menu control of various bezel buttons such as volume, internal/external display, and mute on/off; HotKeys, and Docked Events.



Fixes

- Fixes an issue that occurs in System Software Manager (SSM) installations where the Quick Launch Buttons are continuously reinstalled in an endless loop.



to me that looks like the driver allows the quick launch keys such as volume to function but i could be looking at the wrong thing...this is absolutely crazy! i too remember seeing the vents for the harddrive in one of the manuals!! does anybody think hp will ship alternate cover plates??? i really would like to see a pic of a 64-bit system without the quickplay buttons and the bottom vents if someone doesnt mind posting them. otherwise ill just wait another 4 hrs to look at mine for myself. absolutely crazy

 

Thought id mention im using the 64bit home premium version and the volume/mute icons are still there like in any 32bit version of windows.

 

trust me, there are no vents there, and they better be manufacturing them eventually and shipping them for sure.

as far as quicktouch buttons, there is only 1 button and it is quickplay button.

as far as driver page, i made a mistake there. wrong model. but nonetheless, there are no other buttons.

 

I got my Laptop today!!!!!! It is awsome. I took pics unpacking and with zalman cooler, I will post them when I get back from work, in about 6 hours, sry guys. I love this thing. The TV tuner is awsome, came with an attena and coaxial to mcx cable, plus two remotes. Vents are like the one in the pic not the manual. With zalman cooler there is absolutally no hot air comming out of the notebook. can feel the air comming from under the notebook in all directions, and bottom of laptop is not even warm after about 3 hours of use. Have not tried anything graphics intensive, but all my vista expierence index scores are close to 6!!! I installed 4GB of RAM I bought seperatally and that all went fine. Sry guys but I gtg to work. c ya.

 

i have vista home premium 64bit with the hybrid tuner. perhaps then, they took them off this config, because it come with a remote control.

 

did you not see what griffin just said...he said that both the volume/mute buttons are on his 64-bit home premium version. i would be more surprised if they left that out than if they left the hard drive ventilation holes out especially if they can send me another plate.

yes...maybe its the hybrid tuner

 

for all those that have this, the funny thing is this, if you look at the quick setup/start color brochure that is right at the top when you open it, they have a nice quality picture of the bottom, showing the hard drive vent holes.

 

here is the thing though, i have not powered it up yet, and if the volume controls are somehow showing behind the mirror finish of that section, then my apologies, but there are no etchings on the outside saying plus and minus, etc.

again, at least with my config of the hybrid tv tuner. maybe the other guy with the tuner can tell us himself his lapptop.

 

Q1) The model number you linked to from the HP (of Canada) site is the dv7-1038ca

Q2) Yes, you can play CoD4 as you easily meet/exceed the minimum requirements.
CoD4 Minimum requirements:
CPU: Intel® Pentium® 4 2.4 GHz, AMD® Athlon™ 64 2800+ processor
or any 1.8Ghz Dual Core Processor or better.
RAM: 512MB RAM (768MB for Windows Vista)
HD: 8GB Free SPace
GFX: NVIDIA® Geforce™ 6600, ATI® Radeon® 9800Pro or better

Q3) Won't know until I get off work on the volume...

Q4) I'll defer the TV tuner question as I opted out and didn't get one

Q5) Looks pretty comparable to what I ordered - aside from these two features
- 2.00 GHz Intel Centrino 2 Processor Technology featuring Intel Core 2 Duo Processor P7350
- 17.0” diagonal WXGA+ High-Definition (1440 x 900)

I'd put it between the middle and highend of configurations. If you could get the similar one with a T8xxx series CPU and maybe the Infinity screen, that'd be a nice choice.

 

when i read the review on laptopmag it said you could only see the volume buttons etc. when the laptop is activated because they glow white so i would try that first. man you really got me upset over somethin that now seems like nothin lol and i guess im not too worried about the cooling issue because if hp releases those others panels with ventilation holes then ill get one. if not, well my zalman nc2000 cooler is coming in real soon

im on the phone with hp right now asking about whether nor not they have other ventilated plates that they will give to dv7t owners, but as most of you probably know talking to hp on the phone is no simple matter lol

 

Ok here are some pictures of my laptop:








As you can see it's kind of prone to fingerprints.

 

awesome! thanks a lot for that. it clears up a lot about the whole misconception of the quickplay buttons. phew! well im not worried about the harddrive ventilation right now. i just talked to hp and of course the people i talked to didnt really know what the heck was going on or probably even what i was talking about. but they said that as of now there is no solution to fixing the missing ventilation holes under the hard drive. maybe its about time i pulled out my faithful drill...just kidding lol well i think the dv7t looks awesome and im sure all this hype is just paranoia. hopefully everyone will find that their dv7t is everything(or almost everything) they wanted it to be

 

I'm trying to buy my first laptop. Hopefully to replace my 6 year old cp.
I just returned a Dell studio 17, its graphics card was so slow it would barely play WOW, and Oblivian was a nightmare.
Will this HP play my games and let me watch a DV movie without anything extra added on or without me having to adjust anything ?

They told me the Dell would play them, It was able to turn them on but the graphics were "choppy" and not worth it.

If answering please keep in mind that Im a 48 year old mom and very casual gamer who knows nothing about computers, It has to work for me out of the box.

Also, whats good about having a tv tuner? can you get cable t.v. on it?