*HP dv8 Owners Lounge*

unboxing video... it does look exactly like the hdx 18
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9CEc1EUSi4

 

Oh yeah, I had to wait some time after my initial order. Couple weeks I'd guess. But once it shipped from Shanghai, it only took 4 days. I got it on a Monday, so fedex was moving it all weekend long.

 

You're lucky they moved yours over the weekend. Mine shipped Friday and it looks like today it just started moving out of Shanghai.

 

OK so I went to PCWorld today and got one. With 2x320 7200 HDDs simple as that

 

So Can somebody please post their experience with the Geforce 230 card

how about any benchmarks tests ??

Thanks

 

what kind of benchmarks do you want? Also tell me where to download 'em, never did one before (all my previous machines were pretty much hopeless)

 

So far, LOTS LOTS of artifacts in Borderlands (game) in 1920... I'll try a lower res tonight.

 

3dmark 06 would be nice, from http://www.futuremark.com/

also some pics would be lovely im so torn wether or not to buy this lappy or go for the acer 8940g with the higher graphics card

cheers

 

Does anyone know how the DV8 compares with the recently announced Acer Aspire 8940?

 

looks like the only major difference is the graphics card. the press articles i've read also say that it is the i7 720... no support for the i7 820 like the dv8 offers.

 

Ok so my first impressions if someone cares. The keyboard gives in too much when pushing buttons on the right, especially num pad. That is very noticeable and can give some people sleepless nights (not me). This is really strange, because on the left side the keyboard is rock solid. The upper left corner is pretty warm, no matter idle or not, obviously because exhaust is there, but the rest part of the chassis remains pretty cool. "Enter" button often gives a squeaky sound, if it tends to get worse then it can become a problem.

 

no squeaky sound here.

keyboard GIVE test:

5555884448adfdsadfwer23r3rewerfsdf63634656546897987*//*

hmm...there is a give. first i've noticed.

now if you wouldn't have said anything...

 

As far as the keyboard "give" is concerned, it's the same on the HDX18 as well. But not really a big deal. You shouldn't have any problems w/ it.

 

i didn't notice with 18t. either way it's no big deal for me.

 

It might be not big deal technically, however for a laptop of such a price range I would expect much better. The keyboard looks like a total crap when it flexes like this.

EDIT: it's kinda funny, but the problem is so simple, that it makes you wanna unscrew couple screws and put something under the flexing spot to fix the problem. On the other hand one can start wondering how and why the frack HP missed it.

 

in speaking of terms of graphics only the aspire will beat it, but i can only see hardware terms.


but if the dv8 has the more powerful processor it could make up the difference.

 

New hp quick touch drivers released. Download now.

If you like what I do for the scene, please add rep! Thanks

 

Well, I've tried pretty much all routine software that I use on this machine and it didn't even break a sweat. Obviously HDD is the only bottleneck so if you wanna hit the nitro button you gotta get SSD. In my opinion - HD movie watching - that's where this animal really shines

 

Loving my dv8 so far (though I really dislike the placement of the home, end, page up, page dn keys), but wondering one thing:

I ordered the HP Long Life NoteBook Battery (the more expensive option), but how can I tell if I got one (as opposed to the regular battery)?

My battery is labeled as an "HP Enviro Notebook Battery" and says "replace with 516916-001".

I'm assuming they gave me the right battery, but it's always nice to confirm.

As I said, otherwise so far so great!

 

"Enviro" is the old name of the Long Life battery, so you're good.

They seem to have realized that people care much more about the fact that they get longer battery life than that the battery is better for the environment because you don't have to replace it as much.

So glad you're loving your dv8!

 

Well, I just returned my new DV8. I really liked the unit, but it kept crashing when trying to run the Windows Experience Index. Tried fresh install (including reformat of the hard drive) of Windows 7, no luck. Windows 7 is not happy with a unrated system, and periodically starts running the assessment program on its own, causing a crash (Display Driver stops working). One time I got a BSOD, and decided it had to go back.

Since no one else has reported this problem, I'll have to assume its an isolated hardware problem, probably a defective graphics card?

I may end up re-ordering another dv8.

 

Would that be too much to ask to post HDTUNE numbers from the SSD? I am considering ordering the exact same and we have the same tonebook, so your numbers would very nice to see.... Thanks so much!

 

My video driver has crashed a few times. This likely isn't a problem with the video card itself, just the driver. I would go and get the dv8 back

 

Got my DV8 delivered today. So far I really love it. It's got a really nice, sleek design to it. The screen is great and I really like the seemless glass for the screen. That will make cleaning dust off of it a lot easier. No dust hiding in the cracks at the edges of the screen anymore. I really liked the look of the backlit keyboard the HDX18 had though. I'm also seeing the keypad having some give, but I don't see that being a issue for me.

 

Yeah, that's what you'd expect from a brand new line of laptop. Going to have those issues for a while, until HP updates all the drivers to fix those problems.

----------------
Now playing: Shinedown - Sound Of Madness
via FoxyTunes

 

Rock on!

 

Anyone take a 3Dmark score yet or see an "official" review somewhere?

 

You wouldn't be so tolerant if your computer crashed every 30 minutes.

 

HD Tune: INTEL SSDSA2MH080G1GC Benchmark

Transfer Rate Minimum : 115.5 MB/sec
Transfer Rate Maximum : 162.2 MB/sec
Transfer Rate Average :
Access Time :
Burst Rate :
CPU Usage :

 

HD Tune: INTEL SSDSA2MH080G1GC Information

Firmware version : 045C8820
Serial number : CVEM9375011J080RGN
Capacity : 74.5 GB (~80.0 GB)
Buffer size : n/a
Standard : ATA/ATAPI-0 - SATA II
Supported mode : UDMA Mode 6 (Ultra ATA/133)
Current mode : UDMA Mode 6 (Ultra ATA/133)

S.M.A.R.T : yes
48-bit Address : yes
Read Look-Ahead : yes
Write Cache : yes
Host Protected Area : yes
Device Configuration Overlay : yes
Automatic Acoustic Management: no
Power Management : yes
Advanced Power Management : no
Power-up in Standby : no
Security Mode : yes
Firmware Upgradable : yes

Partition : 1
Drive letter :
Label :
Capacity : 100 MB
Usage : 0.00%
Type : NTFS
Bootable : Yes

Partition : 2
Drive letter : C:\
Label : 80GB SSD
Capacity : 76217 MB
Usage : 81.78%
Type : NTFS
Bootable : No

 

Awesome. Thanks.

Did you have to disable DISK DEFRAG? I hear it's not very good for SSDs... ??

 

yea, disk defrag is worthless on an ssd both performance wise and it wears out the flash cells (flash memory can only be written over so many times)

 

Hello Ragman,

Do you have the backlit keyboard? That is a feature that I would really love to have.

I really like my computer. This a very nice system. The one thing that really stands out to me is the sound when using the head phones. It is like being in the theater. Very base and great hearing all of the small sounds in the movie. However, when I take out the headset, the sound is not as strong as I would like it.

Windows 7 I was not able to open multiple tabs without have to goi through so many steps. I did figure out how to fix it by going to the options and properties and setting the home page to open new each time.

This a great computer!

Larry (Ocean)

 

Did anyone purchase the accidental insurance for your computer? I purchased the 3 year package. It was very expensive $350 after rebate, but I think it was worth it considering the price of these computers. The screen will cost $400 to replace. I think you can purhchase it for a while after you buy you computer.

Larry (Ocean)

 

A couple of pictures.

I installed the HD Kit to my WD500, the interior of the DV8 where the WD500 went in, a couple screenshot of the first time bootup.

One of the concerns I had was the heat generated by the i7 and the GPU. and HP reputation for running hot. Even with the new WD HD, this HP is cooler than my Gateway FX. The screen is narrower and longer than the Gateway 17". Frankly they seem to have the same viewing area. All my 17" sleeves and bags do not fit this 18.4" laptop.

Need a new cooler stand. Anybody knows of a good and solid one?

I have the long battery Enviro, DV8 on battery only last about 1.5-2 hour regular use, not game playing.

The HD kit is kind of costly for what you get. The connector to the MB is real small, easy to break.

I would recommend the WD HD blue 500GB. Runs fast and cool.

Keep your original Seagate HD it's a 7200 rpm drive.

 

Try Squaretrade. There are coupons to save even more.

 

I am seriously considering a DV8t but if won't run WEI properly then there are problems that I want to avoid.

Can anyone with a DV8 run the wei in windows 7?

 

The Windows Experience Index ran properly for me. I also was playing HL2 Deathmatch and Counterstrike Source for several hours last night without any issues.

 

I purchased it with my computer and it was $300 after an instant discount.

 

That's strange. WinSAT would not for me, at least not for long. When I'm launching it the window shows for a fraction of a second and then disappears. Anyone else have this problem?

EDIT: my OS is Windows 7, obviously (home premium :/ )

 

I'm running Windows 7 Professional, but I don't see how that would make a difference.

 

Okay, for people who need the 2nd hard driver's caddy and the connection kit, please contact me.

A long story short. I ordered the 2nd hard drivers kit for my dv8t-1000 directly from HP technical support and paid $60.50 for it. (I can show the receipt and by the way the right part number for the 2nd hard drivers kit of dv8 Quad Edition is nt Model number:483862-001)

However, this laptop has even more serious problem to me: I can't successfully downgrade it to XP and the headphone jack doesn't work. Certain programs I am using now require XP. I spent almost three days on this new laptop and can't get the issues solved and end up to return it.

There is no reason for me to keep the 2nd hard drivers kit any more, and I spent a hour, and tried to return it to the HP technical support dept with no luck.

If anyone would like to have the 2nd hard driver connection kit from HP (guaranteed to work in dv8t, since I used it for 3 days), I can sell it to you for 45 dollars including shipping - first class mail with delivery confirmation. (Paypal)

My contact e-mail address: [email protected]

Thanks

NOTE: Pending for payment now.

 

BTW: the HP link and description for this 2nd hard driver kit is as following:

http://h20141.www2.hp.com/Hpparts/S...38472&SearchIn=PartNumber&SearchPN=483862-001

Hard drive mounting kit - Includes cable with connector, 4 isolators, 2 brackets, mylar, and monting screws

 

Really? One person had a problem with this and now you're not sure about the laptop?

 

Yeah, I ordered the backlit keyboard off eBay and installed it myself (hdx18). It was easy as hell and looks great!!

 

I'm assuming you probably got Home Premium, but if you upgraded to Professional you can use Window XP Mode to run old programs. (It will run a Virtual PC of Win XP to run the programs).

 

any chance you want to try putting the backlit keyboard in your dv8? Does the keyboard look the same (color aside). How are the led's powered for the backlit keyboard? I wonder if the dv8 has the right connection inside.

 

I would, but I don't have a dv8.

I am sure somebody will do it eventually. The dv8 and HDX18 look exactly the same and I would assume the keyboard is the same on both models.

 

Yes, the OS installed is got Home Premium.

But, anyway, just received the RAM and the return shipping label.

Just last week, I was so excited of getting this laptop. Now, sadly ship it back to HP.

 

You could always do an anytime upgrade up to Pro.