*HP dv8 Owners Lounge*

Just ordered my DV8 yesterday!! But I was wondering the same thing. I'm not scared of opening and modifying it when the time is right, I just want to know what is possible to upgrade in this machine and what isn't. The graphics card has got to be my least favorite part of this laptop, so if someone knows if it's upgradeable please let me know.

 

Coupon ends today, I think so act fast! I just ordered mine.

1) I didn't, yet I'm poor and was trying to get the cheapest deal for what I need; I will upgrade to 7 Ultimate soon after I get it, but I'm getting my copy from a friend.
2) I usually don't get the ram or hdd upgrade at point of sale, because you can usually get a better deal on newegg.com and save a lot of $$$. But I'm assuming the 6Gb upgrade uses one 2Gb and one 4Gb stick(?), in which case DDR3 4Gb sticks are $200 anyway. Bottom line is, it's a good deal, but do you need it? If you're going to be watching blu-rays and using photo shop while browsing the interwebs, 4Gb is plenty. I plan on using linux in virtual machines, and I will upgrade to 6 Gb or 8 eventually.
3)Yes.
4)Not worth the extra $400; the 720 is fast enough for most in turbo mode, and is more cost effective anyway.
5) If you're upgrading the hdd from them I'd get the two for the sole reason of the casing that comes on the second hdd. I didn't order a second hdd from hp, so when I upgrade mine in the near future I will need to buy the $40ish casing or it won't work. Just a thought.
6)I definitely took the upgrade here. i use Bluetooth a lot for syncing my phone and tethering. But there are many reasons Bluetooth is a good thing to have, like wireless Bluetooth mice and keyboards!
7)I took the tuner also, based on the recommendation from someone else in this forum. I didn't think I would use it at first, but the more I thought about it, i don't own a TV, and I love dvr, thus making this something i would absolutely learn to use and love once I tried it. Plus it bumped my machine to the even price of $1099!

Hope this helps!

 

I hope this wasn't covered here yet, but does anyone know anything about Psystar's Rebel EFI? (see here http://wiki.psystar.com/index.php/Rebel_EFI_Wiki )

It's new software used to install normally incompatible OS's on variable hardware, like Mac OSX on a DV8 (and has very few issues with drivers, unlike many hackintosh methods which already exist).

My question is, will it work with DV8? I read initially that Rebel EFI would work with Core i7's, but I don't see DV8 listed on the compatibility list. I don't even see the mobile core i7 on the list at all. And I don't want to completely take that as a "no" answer, seeing as how many platforms haven't been tested or posted to the wiki yet, and both the software and the DV8 are relatively new.

Anyone think it will work? Don't criticize me for wanting to use OSX on my HP, I need some OSX programs for my job.

Thanks!

 

Thought it expires on 11/16?

 

I'm not 100% positive, so don't hold me to that statement. The site I got the coupon code from said the 11th.

EDIT: Actually, this site says it expires on the 12th: http://www.logicbuy.com/deals/hp-pavilion-dv8-18-inch-laptop/14626.aspx

If you want it, I'd buy it soon to be safe, because that $500 off is way better than the $200 they're usually doing. The coupon was the dealmaker for me.

 

Use chrome, and download xdntweaker, install, go to the internet explorer page (inside xdn) change it from 10 connections to 25.

 

Says it will expire after 1350 uses.

I have seen the 16th and 12th as well, but I have seen the 1350 uses on all.

 

I had a refurb Gateway Fx for about 6 months before the motherboard died, so I put in my order for a dv8t yesterday. I have been looking through the thread and haven't seen any gaming benchmarks. If any of you guys have been gaming on it could you give me some impressions?

 

Ordered my dv8t 2 days ago, and was told by the rep that it's a limited number of coupons, but didn't ask how many. So the date is flexible, apparently.

[by the way, what does the "t" mean after dv8?]

Also, the coupon is the maximum discount -- if there are already rebates for components on the HP direct site, you only get a total of $500, not $500 in addition to the other rebates or discounts.

Now, my turn to wait . . .

 

The coupon no longer works.

 

I know, that coupon was a dealmaker for me too like someone else said. And from the website I got the coupon from it said it would expire on the 30th of nov. This is pretty depressing.

 

They will have another coupon out within a few days. They always do. Keep checking the coupon sites. Just be patient and you will get your deal.

Larry (Ocean)

 

You will have a nice computer.

 

IMHO...

1.) No. The main difference is security tools intended for businesses. VPN, etc. Everything else is the same.
2.) If you need the horsepower now, then go for it. you're not going to find it any cheaper on newegg right now. if you can wait to upgrade the ram for another 6 months to a year, then you might save some money. (and if it means taking on less credit card debt, then wait.)
3.) Not worth it. In one - two years your computer will be outdated. take that $180 and put it towards your next computer. and from other peoples posts, they've had to fight with HP with certain things to get them to cover it.
4.) A little bit faster... 720 turbo boosts up to 2.8ghz and the 820 turbo boosts up to 3.06 ghz. My thought is this is the one part that is may or may not be upgradeable in the future and will be expensive to do so. might as well future proof your machine a bit. you never know what the minimum system requirements will be for software/hardware that you buy a year from now. see turbo boost chart below
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2009/10/13/intel_clarksfield_turbo_boost/print.html
5.) Stick with one drive and backup to an external drive on a somewhat regular basis. First off, external drives are cheap (find one that uses an e-sata connection so it will be just as fast as if it were an internal drive). Secondly, if you loose your laptop, what good is it going to do if you have your important data backed up on the laptop? Thirdly, a single drive will run cooler and will be lighter than adding an extra component.
6.) YES! I use it with a bluetooth mouse so there isn't a trasmitter that has to be plugged into a usb port. i use this one and it is great (fairly inexpensive too!):
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Blue...2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1253913678&sr=8-2
7.) See my response at the top of page 36...
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=426674&page=36

 

So mine didn't ship yesterday as promised. I got an automated message from HP apologizing and stating that it will ship one day later, 11/12 (today). And they sent me a $50 coupon to use in their HP store. NICE! I've had a bad experience with the ordering process thus far, but I'm impressed with this!

Just checked the status and it shipped today! Hopefully i'll have it on Wednesday of next week!

 

I have a second drive and it does NOT appear in the boot menu. Don't know why either. It is partitioned already as a primary partition.

 

So it is confirmed then. I'd like to point out that this is a real problem, especially for the people who want to shove linux or smth in the second drive and keep them two operating systems physically separated in every way.

 

I actually turned it down because the gpu sucks compared to what everyone else is giving. That and the fact that it wasn't upgradable.

I think they know that and they're trying to clear inventory and maybe popping a better graphics card into these soon.

They'll have another deal... and at that point it will be a battle between the HP and the ACER for me.

 

Sorry, but the second hard drive not showing up as a bootable device in the BIOS is PERFECTLY NORMAL for MOST computers!

All you need to do is install a boot manager on the primary hard drive so that you can select which operating system you want to boot off of on EITHER hard drive. I have several OSs on my notebook on BOTH hard drives - completely separate from each other as you have stated that you want.
When my PC starts up, it simply runs the boot manager showing me a list of the installed operating systems. If I select one that happens to be installed on the second HD, the boot manager simply passes control over to that particular OS, and it starts up perfectly normal, and completely oblivious to the fact that it is on the second hard drive.

Which boot manager am I using? Actually, I am using the one that is included with Windows as I am booting between several versions of Windows and Windows server. There are a bunch of third party boot managers out there in the world including some great ones from the Linux world (so I've been told - I can't personally name one for you)

So, don't worry, be happy!

 

And what happens when you take out or change the first HDD? What happens if your MBR gets messed up? I'll tell you what - you can not boot ANY of your operating systems at that moment, instead of just one going down. I use at least 2-3 operating systems and each of them are on separate HDD's. When I had a laptop with a single HDD, the rest of my OS'es were in separate USB HDD's, every single one of them having separate MBR. That's the way I like it and that's the way I want it. And just by the way - that's the SAFEST way.

 

I was told that the DV8T display was not LED backlit. Isn't it CCFL? Someone commented on an earlier page that it was LED.

I order mine a few days ago, but did anyone already receive there DV8T?

 

I was told specifically by the HP rep i did my order through that the screen was LED lit. The first question i asked was what type of back lighting it was. She said yes its defiantly LED backlit. after looking around most if not all say its not. If i get it and its not i will be returning it.

 

You can download the service manual from HP directly. On the last page, before the index, you can see how to take out the "backlight" which is the ccfl and remove the "LCD" panel.

NOT LED.

 

I use easy bcd to change the windows one

 

Easy BCD is the boot manager editor for vista and win7. Great program.

 

Lol, easybcd can deal with that just fine. Your mbr on the 2nd hdd stays there, easy bcd adds the boot info of the 2nd hdd onto there.
If you have a problem with this, dont buy a laptop. i have never seen a laptops with boot from this hdd or this hdd option in the boot menu. Some special desktops seem to have it but i have never seen a laptop do that.

 

stupid HP sales rep will tell you what ever you want to hear in order to make a sale. don't believe anything they tell you. back when they were doing the windows 7 free upgrade, i was told that at the end of the ordering process, a link would pop up and allow me to order the windows 7 upgrade disks. that was a lie... i had to wait for the computer to be built and shipped before i could get the serial number needed to order the upgrade disk.

IF this computer were the latest and greatest LED backlit technology, don't you think they would advertise that?!? that would be a major selling point and would be listed on the overview page for the laptop.

if not having a LED backlit screen is a deal breaker for you, i would call and cancel your order. good luck!

 

Hey guys I was considering picking up a dv8 as a desktop replacement the next time they were $999 w/ coupon. I have a couple of questions first.

1. How long does the battery last? What is the best battery you can buy for this laptop?

2. Is 8GB the MAX for the RAM?

3. Does this have 2 hard drive bays (I will be adding an SSD once they get cheaper). If so, does it come with mounting hardware if you originally only buy 1 hard drive?

4. Can you hook up an LCD TV to this to watch Blu-Ray movies? Can you hook up an additional monitor to this unit for dual monitor mode?

5. How do you guys like the keyboard?

I am really looking for a semi-mobile desktop replacement for watching HD video and encoding, web surfing, general use, etc, so I dont really need the i7 or the powerful video card that this machine has, but I find it REALLY hard to justify getting a dual core machine with similar specs for ~$100 less than this beast. Great job HP! Thanks for answering my questions you guys!

 

Is it really that big of a deal? Why?

 

Have any of you have any problems playing Bluray movies on your dv8's?

I read, and I'm hoping its an isolated incident, that a user had his DV8 overheat and lock up at about an hour into watching a Blu-ray movie.

Comments?

 

Well it was between this HP and the Acer AS8940G-6865 which matches the specs of this hp but has bt and no hdtv tuner. It does however have a way better video card and a led screen. Dont get me wrong this hp is nice but for 100 more id rather have the better video card and led. The led in this case was the make or break.

 

My dv8t does not even come close to overheating. I run bluray movies and keep it working 8 to 15 hour per day. I check it regularly and no overheating. I watch at east 4 to 8 hours of movies at a time and no heat problems.

Great machine.

Larry (Ocean)

 

Yes, You can hook up to LCD TV and watch bluray movies. I watch them regularly and really enjoy it. This computer has a great screen.
I really like the keyboard. It is nice and responsive. I am also able to see the keyboard fairly well at night with the light off and even without the backlit.

Yes, 8gb is the max memory. The battery is respectable. You have a great machine for what you are looking fir. I thought about teh same thing concerning the power when comparing it to other units. It is the best deal.

Larry (Ocean)

 

I cannot speak for everyone, but I have not had good performance out of ACER's. HP is a better computer from the quality standpoint. Service is really where the difference is with lower end computers. Acer did not have good service.

The LED is not a big deal (unless it is for you) and the video card is acceptable. I really am impressed with the LCD screen. I watch incredible movies with such great pictures. The color and detail is wonderful. That is one of the main reasons I bought the HP dv8t.

I know some of our other neighbors here can better comment on the video card. Many of them are gamers.

For the money this is a hard computer to beat.

Larry(Ocean)

 

I just picked one up. Will my dv8t have the latest drivers or will i nee to update?

 

You should have everything you need to be fully operational upon arrival. This computer is very well constructed. Just open it and begin playing after some minor set-up procedures.

Larry (Ocean)

 

OK Larr, thanks for the response. I'm good with that.

Aloha brutha

 

thanks for the insight I do like hp and am more conformable with them(I currently have a HP dv6275us and never have had a problem). It just bothers me that the rep would lie like that. If the screen is as nice as you say maybe ill let them ship and try it out since I have 21 days to return anyways.

 

I always bought Dell. Laptops and desktops. Then I tried HP and never went back.

I love my HP HDX Dragon. Its coming up on 2 1/2 years that I've had it. Absolutely zero problems. Excellent performance, build quality and its just a sweet machine. I had a HP HDX 16t which I gave to my sister. Same thing. Well built, ran extremely well and very sweet.

I expect my Dv8t to be just as awesome. Look forward to burning some Bluray, watching some Bluray and some light HD editing.

 

more likely the security on the bluray, look up anydvd

 

The screen is nice. Need HD kit for the second HD or SSD. See my pictures at post# 285.

 

Hello all.

I just received my DV8 today as a replacement to my stolen HDX 18 and figured i would post the WEI rating as i haven't seen it posted for the I7-820qm with 8GB ram. So here it is.


Component Details Subscore Base score 5.9
Determined by lowest subscore
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU Q 820 @ 1.73GHz 7.1
Memory (RAM) 8.00 GB 7.3
Graphics NVIDIA GeForce GT 230M 6.4
Gaming graphics 4606 MB Total available graphics memory 6.4
Primary hard disk 246GB Free (283GB Total) 5.9
Windows 7 Professional

System
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Manufacturer Hewlett-Packard
Model HP Pavilion dv8 Notebook PC
Total amount of system memory 8.00 GB RAM
System type 64-bit operating system
Number of processor cores 4

Storage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total size of hard disk(s) 596 GB
Disk partition (C: 246 GB Free (283 GB Total)
Disk partition (D: 298 GB Free (298 GB Total)
Disk partition (E: 2 GB Free (15 GB Total)
Media drive (F: CD/DVD

Graphics
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Display adapter type NVIDIA GeForce GT 230M
Total available graphics memory 4606 MB
Dedicated graphics memory 1024 MB
Dedicated system memory 0 MB
Shared system memory 3582 MB
Display adapter driver version 8.15.11.8644
Primary monitor resolution 1920x1080
DirectX version DirectX 10

Network
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Network Adapter Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller
Network Adapter Intel(R) WiFi Link 5100 AGN
Network Adapter Bluetooth Device (Personal Area Network)

Notes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The gaming graphics score is based on the primary graphics adapter. If this system has linked or multiple graphics adapters, some software applications may see additional performance benefits.

 

Sweet. thanks. anybody run the wei with the i7-720qm? i briefly searched the forums and couldn't find anyones post.

 

I e-mailed HP at the beginning of the week to ask about ordering a Japanese keyboard compatible with the DV8 -- they have yet to respond to me despite their supposed "within 24 hours" service. This on top of lying to me and running me in circles. Good thing I'm not paying for the service.

 

I read that virtualization is not enabled on all processors or machines. Is it enabled on the dv8t? Specifically, does Windows' Virtual XP option run properly?

 

i don't have my dv8t yet, but for the hdx18, it was an option in the bios and was enabled by default. maybe someone with a dv8t can confirm.

 

It is disabled by default but can be turned on. I will attempt to try it out this weekend with xp mode and report how it performs.

 

That aint too shabby. Thank you

 

Here is the performance number for the i7 720 processor


Component Details Subscore Base score 5.9
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU Q 720 @ 1.60GHz 6.2
Determined by lowest subscore

Memory (RAM) 4.00 GB 7.3
Graphics NVIDIA GeForce GT 230M 6.4
Gaming graphics 2811 MB Total available graphics memory 6.4
Primary hard disk 403GB Free (450GB Total) 5.9
Windows 7 Home Premium

System
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Manufacturer Hewlett-Packard
Model HP Pavilion dv8 Notebook PC
Total amount of system memory 4.00 GB RAM
System type 64-bit operating system
Number of processor cores 4

Storage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total size of hard disk(s) 465 GB
Disk partition (C 403 GB Free (450 GB Total)
Disk partition (D 2 GB Free (15 GB Total)
Media drive (E CD/DVD

Graphics
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Display adapter type NVIDIA GeForce GT 230M
Total available graphics memory 2811 MB
Dedicated graphics memory 1024 MB
Dedicated system memory 0 MB
Shared system memory 1787 MB
Display adapter driver version 8.15.11.8644
Primary monitor resolution 1920x1080
DirectX version DirectX 10


Network
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Network Adapter Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller
Network Adapter Intel(R) WiFi Link 5100 AGN

Notes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The gaming graphics score is based on the primary graphics adapter. If this system has linked or multiple graphics adapters, some software applications may see additional performance benefits.

 

You really have a nice computer with the 8 GB memory. Did HP send you a seat belt with your computer? I thought very hard about upgrading to 6 GB, but decided to wait to keep the price down. I intend to upgrade it by next month.

You have a very nice computer.

Larry (Ocean)