Looking for new laptop (dv7-2185dx)

Am I missing something or do the specs on this machine look pretty darn good for the price? I guess the weaknesses are no bluetooth, no Blu-Ray, no Video out (HDMI/S-Video). For a workstation and occasional gamer this looks pretty good, no?


Product Height
1.7"
#
Product Width
16.2"
#
Product Weight
7.7 lbs.
#
Product Depth
10.9"
#
Processor Brand
Intel®
#
Processor Platform
Intel® Centrino® 2
#
Processor
Intel® Core™2 Quad
#
Processor Speed
2.0GHz
#
Display Type
High-definition widescreen with LED BrightView technology (1600 x 900)
#
Screen Size
17.3"
#
System Bus
1066MHz
#
Cache Memory
6MB on die Level 2
#
System Memory (RAM)
6GB
#
System Memory (RAM) Expandable To
8GB
#
Type of Memory (RAM)
DDR2
#
Hard Drive Type
Serial ATA (5400 rpm)
#
Hard Drive Size
500GB
#
Optical Drive
Double-layer DVD±RW/CD-RW
#
Optical Drive Speeds
Drive speeds not available
#
Direct-Disc Labeling
Yes
#
Digital Media Reader or Slots
Yes, digital media card reader
#
Graphics
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4650
#
Video Memory
1024MB (dedicated); up to 2815MB total available graphics memory
#
Personal Video Recorder (PVR)
No
#
TV Tuner
No
#
MPEG
Yes
#
Built-in Webcam
Yes
#
Modem
56 Kbps*
*Capable of receiving 56 Kbps downloads. However, current regulations limit download speed to 53 Kbps.
#
Networking
Built-in 10/100/1000 Ethernet (RJ-45 connector)
#
Wireless Networking
Wireless-A+B+G+N
#
Bluetooth-Enabled
No
#
S-Video Outputs
No
#
Audio
SRS Premium Sound and triple bass subwoofer
#
Speakers
Altec Lansing
#
PCMCIA Slots
1 ExpressCard 34/54
#
USB 2.0 Ports
4
#
IEEE 1394 FireWire Ports
1
#
Parallel Ports
None
#
Serial Ports
None
#
Game Ports
None
#
Laptop Weight
Standard (more than 5.5 lbs.)
#
Battery Type
8-cell lithium-ion
#
Battery Life
Up to 3 hours and 15 minutes
#
Pointing Device
Touchpad with on/off button and dedicated vertical scroll up/down pad
#
Operating System Platform
Windows
#
Operating System
Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit with SP1
#
Included Software
Microsoft Works, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Cyberlink DVD Suite and more
#
ENERGY STAR Qualified
Yes
#
HDMI Output
No
#
Blu-ray Player
No

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9375865&type=product&id=1218094582785

 

Has HDMI - specs on page wrong. Picked up yesterday after trying the ASUS 71 that clocks down. Still doing a clean install ....

Screen good, specs decent - prefer the asus gpu - but it dont work on the 71.

Cant find any info on this model - newegg has similar listed (2180us) for 1349...

 

Anyone know if an additional (empty) hard drive bay exists on this machine?

 

Yes there should be an empty hard drive bay. HP offers 2 hard drive configurations on their website.

However, did you check if the Best Buy version has a single 500gb HD or 2x 250gb HD's?

Also, if there's only a single 500gb HD, then you might have to buy the HD bracket/caddy in order for it to fit in the empy HD bay.

I would definately get this as HP does NOT offer Quad-core CPU's in the website for the dv7t's, which is a bummer.

 

I just had the guys at GeekSquad open the 2nd drive bay and yes there is space but I do not see a sata connector. There is a very odd connector type exposed but it does not look anything list a sata connector. Any thoughts?

 

This is what you have to buy...

Check you're current HD to see if this looks the same as the one you have now.

http://newmodeus.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=222

The SATA and Power Connector are at the end of this cable. The other end connects directly to the laptop. Plus it comes with the caddy to minimize vibration and hold the HD in its place.

$35.50 is a bit steep, but it's not bad. Buy you're 2nd hard drive online, as its much cheaper, especially OEM. You could get a 500gb 7200RPM for under $100, or 500gb 5400rpm for under $90 @ newegg or something.

 

sms, thank you, thank you, thank you for the quick info! That smaller connector looks just like what I saw when we peeked in the #2 bay. I think that seals the deal for me. That was really my only main concern with the machine as I wanted to have an additional drive for a linux distro. The assistance is much appreciated! Not sure if I can rep you but if so I will.