Help: HP NX8220 dilemma

I'm pretty much set on purchasing an HP NX8220, but I am having a difficult time deciding which model to get. The specs for the two models can be found in this link:

http://www.hp.ca/products/static/notebooks/nx8220/models.php

The differences are between the models are:

- 40GB vs. 60GB hard drive
- 64MB vs. 128MB video card
- WXGA vs WSXGA+ display
- CD-RW/DVD vs. DVD+/-RW
- no bluetooth vs. bluetooth

I'm having a tough time deciding whether the better specs are worth the extra $450CAD (~$360USD). The main feature I want is the WSXGA+ display; the others I could do without. Is the difference between the displays noticeable from internet and video watching (I won't be doing much, if any, gaming). I'm coming from a 17" SXGA (1280x1024) monitor, so I guess text on the WXGA monitor would be the smaller than what I'm seeing right now. Is the WSXGA+ display worth ponying up for the higher model?

 

I'd recommend getting the 314 model rather than the 313. The overall additional specs you get will be a good balance to last you for a few years. You may not require those additonal specs now, but in a year or so, you're gonna want/need them since games/apps will become more demanding in the future. You also have to remember, most parts on a notebook are new upgradable, you're generaly stuck with what you buy. You can easily upgrade the system ram, HDD & possible the CD/DVD drive (new thinner 9.5mm format drives may be harder to find). The CPU will be a bit more involved, but still possible. That's about it. The video card & LCD is a permanent feature (can't upgrade video card & LCD is expensive to get a different one).

I recently got one of the 314 units and so far I like the unit overall, but I may be returning it soon (exchange for now & possibly refund). There have been some issues that have come up on mine and is warranting a change to make sure it's not the design itself, but rather the unit.

I have a couple posts regarding the problems I'm having:

1. High pitch squealing noise from left side of unit (possibly a capacitor/resistor making the noise)

2. Only 1 IDE channel that HDD & DVDRW drive connected to. Performance issues occuring & buffer problems when burning to high (2.4X or higher) speed DVD media (Sony brand).
http://www.notebookreview.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=17288

3. The newness factor of my notebook. Shipped from their returns facility & not from their standard warehouse. Finger prints all over the LCD cover & 2 on the LCD itself. As well as a dirty (smudges)TouchPad.
http://www.notebookreview.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=16052

I'll post updates when I have them, but even with these issues, I'd still go for the higher spec'd model. For an extra $450, you get a faster CPU, larger HDD, DVDRW, WSXGA+ LCD, 128MB Video & Bluetooth.

-Vb-

 

I also got a nx8220 that was shipped from the returns facility.

I had the 314 unit, but I sent it back because I didn't like the screen.
But it was a solid unit, well built, feature packed.
I almost convinced myself to keep it, but realized that I would
spend a few years looking at it, so the screen quality was a major
consideration.

 

What didn't you like about the LCD screen? Was it the lack of the Brightview option? Was the display resolution too high?Originally I wanted a Brightview display, but my desktop LCD doesn't have a glossy coating and I still like it, so I think i can do without the Brightview option. Also, since I will be looking at the WSXGA+ display from a closer distance than my current monitor, I think text and images will appear the same size.

The fact that your unit was shipped from the returns facilitiy is disconcerting though...

 

I have a glossy screen on my Gateway and a matte screen on my AVERATEC...to be honest, the difference isn't that noticable, although I certainly prefer the glossy, especially since it's a widescreen (although that's got nothing to do with being glossy).

--------------------
Gateway 7422GX: AMD Athlon 64 3400+, 1024MB DDR RAM, 64MB Mobility RADEON 9600

AVERATEC AV3270-EH1: AMD Mobile Sempron 2800+, 512MB DRR RAM, 64MB (shared) S3G Unichrome

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by miufahkiu

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Venombite

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by switcher_001
Just a question about the high pitch noise..just today when i booted up my nx8220, it started making big weezing noises, on from the optical drive side, there was a driver cd from my hp printer in there
amd kepte malking the noise after boot up....i removed the cd and it stoped, i had to run to work so i didn't check with other media inside the drive...but was wondering if this was you were talking about and if this is a potential problem.....thanks for any help.
<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'></font id='quote'></blockquote id='quote'>

Switcher,

Actually, this is not the noise I'm hearing. The noise is present on the left side of the unit, approx under the Shift key area, which is where the CPU is located. The problem is now inconsistent.

- Plugging in the AC will make the noise go away.
- Connecting a USB memory key or USB HDD to the USB ports will also kill the noise (until you unplug the device).
- Now, I have found out that if you enable Bluetooth the sound goes away, disable Bluetooth through the BIOS or s/w and it's back.
- But, here's another kicker, the same seems to be gone now after removing a bunch of HP's pre-loaded software/drivers. Even if I disable the Bluetooth, it's still OK. Well, so far it's OK, but it's too unpredictable, so I'm gonna get the unit exchanged to make sure it's not the unit itself that's defective.

The hissing noise you're hearing is the probably the actual CD itself that is rotating. During bootup, if there's a CD in the drive, it will auto rotate the disc to see if it's bootable or not and therefore will cause a hissing noise. Nothing to worry about.

-Vb-

 

Hi,

Is this the same high-pitch noise you refer to in another post in this forum, which you solved (?) via changing the USB hub power management settings? Is the problem back, or is it unsolvable?

I can hear the fan on the NX8220 when it boots up, but apart from that no other fan-noise. I can also hear a high-pitch noise from the Fujitsu Hard Disk (60GB, Model: MHT2060AH).

I have also been offered 2 replacement units for my HP NX8220:

a) Toshiba Tecra A4 (PTA40E)

http://uk.computers.toshiba-europe.com/cgi-bin/ToshibaCSG/product_page.jsp?service=UK&PRODUCT_ID=102108&toshibaShop=true

OR

b) Sony VAIO FS115Z

http://vaio.sony-europe.com/ShowProductCategory.do?category=VN%20FS%20Series&language=en&country=GB&domainname=vaio.sony-europe.com

They are similar to the NX8220, being SONOMA based, but they have varying memory (no DDR2) and graphics capabilities.

Anyone with any advice on which one to go for?

Should I keep the NX8220?

Regards,

Rob

Rob Jones
HP NX8220 (UK)

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Venombite

 

I've decided on the NX8220 PU314UA model as my first laptop. The complaints have been few in the first month of its release. I think it's the perfect choice for an engineering co-op student and I'm really looking forward using it.