New Pavilion DV7/DV6 available this spring unveiled!

I really want to know how people got the idea that this would get a high-end card. We're lucky it's getting the 6770M...

Anyway, I recommend not making any predictions. They'll come when they come.

 

What's the difference between the 6770M and whatever the envy has?
currently the envy 17 has a 5850, is the 6770M better or worse (and how much)?
I'm assuming the new envy will have a better card than the 6770M tho, but is the 6770M even that bad?

 

the 6770M is actually a decent card that can run almost any game on high settings. The 6850 is in another class performance-wise... it has something like 320 more shader's. (for reference the 6770 has around 480 shaders, the 6850 has 800... don't remember the exact #'s)

 

The 6770M is fairly good, but it's still a midrange card. At best, it's on-par with the 5830. So, it's around 40% worse than the 5850 depending on the resolution. It doesn't like gaming at 1080p and higher.

Also, the "new" Envy 17 is already out. It has the 6850M, which is really just a renamed 5850 with slightly higher clocks.

 

the "new" envy, does it have switchable graphics? and what does switchable graphics mean, that it switches to GPU when it needs to and goes to CPU when it can (to save battery)? do the new dv's have switchable graphics? some of the older dv's do, but not the quad editions

 

I'm not sure if it has switchable graphics.

Switchable graphics means that you can (in this case manually) switch between your dedicated graphics card and the IGP (Intel HD Graphics in this case). Switching to the IGP saves a lot of battery life.

 

does anyone have automatic switchable graphics?
and is the manual switch upon bootup (bios option) or something can be actively switched in windows?
how well does IGP compare to dedicated graphics?

 

Yes, the newer models of the Nvidia lineup that has the "Optimus" feature is basically automatic switching.

I personally much prefer manual switching, because I can command the laptop when to save power and when to use the GPU. I really don't want the GPU to turn on by itself just because I'm watching a 1080p video clip. On my current laptop (MSI) with ATI HD 5730, I can basically press a button and it will switch for me in Windows (not bios).

 

Want to buy it now?

Well you might be in the wrong country, but this link shows it is any day now:

Here is the DV6-6001TX

 

'The various elements of content on the ordering page appear to be managed by different unsynchronized groups/individuals. From past experiience, I've noticed two HP behaviors:

• The product demos (at least recently) tend to appear before the product releases, giving us a description of what is coming before it is actually orderable. It can be irritating, yes, but I've come to appreciate this, actually,as a way of learning the specs of the future
• If the ordering page appears before the overview or even the specs page are updated, it means one can order the new product before pre-built models are available in the retail channel. In this case, the orderable product is the one described on the product demo.

HP has been ubundantly clear the the Envy 17 3D has switchable graphics, but one must be careful about assuming what this means. on-chip graphics won't support DX11 or 3D. Over in the Envy threads, there is some technical speculation raising doubts around how automatic this is, and the exact situations where graphics switch and how effectively it does so, but nothing has been substantiated because no Envy 17 3Ds are yet in the wild.

 

Well the best probable way to check if it has switchable graphic is to look into their graphic driver that contains a single driver installer that contains both amd and intel drivers.


From looking at the new dv6/dv7 6000 intel series drivers, it has switchable graphics.
I'm pretty sure they are using the old manual switch as the 3000 series.

As for the newer Envy 17, switchable graphic with intel is not supported.

[Devices]
PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_6760= "AMD Radeon HD 6470M"
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_0116= "Mobile Intel(R) HD Graphics"
PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_6740= "AMD Radeon HD 6770M"
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_0126= "Mobile Intel(R) HD Graphics"

 

I've a good news and a bad news for you guys, depending on how you take it.

Bad News : New DV6/DV7 might take as long as first week of April to appear at the Online Store. This has something to do directly with the USB 3.0 stocks. I don't know how are they configuring it in the Envy 3D then? Maybe different supply chains.

Good News : Backlit Keyboard and Touchscreen are almost 95% confirmed for the new DV6. 5% depends again on the stocks. It's not there in the Product Brochure just because it's meant for the Asia Pacific and Japan Region *only*. ( The PDF didn't mention any backlit touchpad either, if m not wrong? )

Another Good News : Hp is deciding on a bonus feature to add in Dv6/Dv7 at its release. I don't know if its the Cool Sense or Beats Audio or anything else? ( Anyone for the FHD? )

Another Bad News : All this came from a Hp Sales Rep.

Okay don't rule out the above statements just because it came from a HP Rep, i posted it here, just because he was the first HP rep who seemed to know about what is happening, and seemed quite credible to me. ( But don't get your hopes too high, until we get any official confirmation! )
If the new DV6/DV7 doesn't appear with the G-Series this weekend then, the this HP Rep is not wrong to me.

 

backlit keyboard depends on stock? I dont think so.... its either designed into the product or it isn't.

USB 3.0 stocks? thats silly. USB 3.0 is either supported by the internal hardware or not, and the number of ports they design into the product is determined by the external real-estate (room) and the internal bus design. Its not like some buyer has to reach into a box and look for enough 3.0 ports to go around between Envy and DV.

 

I am just shocked you got all this information from an HP rep. Did you save the transcript from the chat or email and if you did, if it's not too much trouble, could you post it?

 

Well, gee, I'd wait until summer for a touchscreen and a backlit keyboard, but I'm not getting my hopes up...

 

Nope ... the backlight is just part of the keyboard ... exactly the same as with the current dv6. As for the USB 3.0, I know for a fact that the ones on the Envy have problems communicating with certain devices ... so much for certification. Far more probable a delay issue ... but clearing old stock makes even MORE sense.

 

Well, I removed my responses from the transcript to keep you guessing on what happened. It isn't that difficult to figure it out though.

It's still a lot of speculation but better than nothing.

 

I"m not saying it wasn't. I'm saying that this choice itself was a strategic decision made long ago and not likely part of a supply issue. Unless you are suggesting that the backlit keyboard was part of the design all a long and then oh dear all of a sudden just before product release we don't have enough backlit keyboards so lets give them all to the Envy? that I doubt.

As for USB -- accepting that the USB 3.0 ports on today's Envy are having problems communicating with certain devices, that doesn't create a "supply of USB 3.0 ports" issues where there is not enough ports to go around, or even a "lets clear out all the 3.0 ports to make room for better ones" situation.

 

I meant only for the Touchscreen stocks. Read the transcript above this post.
And there can be a lot of other reasons for shortage of USB 3.0 on DV6. No idea about it though!

 

hopefully the "bonus features" will be a 1080p upgrade

 

I think it might be more likely a decision, to work down old model stock (that don't use the usb 3.0) than to compound a known issue by rushing out new models, that may or may not have the problem resolved. Any shortage would involve one of Not having a working solution... whether it be silicon or firmware.

 

Customer: you don't know what you are talkin about?
Agent: no sir, we do, we do.
Customer: how about a date, you seem stupid enuff (breathing heavily into the phone).
Agent: (click!)

 

+1
I only need a high res screen. I personally don't need any other "bonus feature" that I would never use anyway, such as finger print scanner.

 

It won't be a higher resolution, I am almost sure of that.

 

well yea -- look at the future product description in the product demo, which appears to reflect the product yet to come. it clearly says HD+ and that is 1600x900. there are no hints whatsoever regarding a full HD panel, and the weight of evidence is strongly in favor of an HD+

 

Thanks, at least is better than 1366x768

 

The dv6 is still stuck with 1366x768.

Personally, I'd like 1600x900 better than 1080p, since the graphics card is too weak for effective 1080p gaming.

 

If that DV7 has a backlit keyboard.....I will be all over it stink on...yeah.....

 

the 6770 that weak for 1080 gaming??

I don't see much difference with my avg fps from what i can push in 768 in 1080 on my 5650.

However, I do like to fit as many text on the laptop screen, very useful in coding where a 2nd monitor is impractical.

 

Which games are you playing?

The 6770M is probably 50-60% better in 1080p than the 5650, but it'll only take a few months for it to be overwhelmed by new games.

 

SC2, arma 2, mw2, aoe3, bc2...plus many many more older games .
But of course, fps dips drastically once I go over 1080

 

Just curious, what FPS do you average in SC2 on 1080p? What are you other settings? I assume from your sig that you're playing from a dv6 so you must be using an external monitor right?

 

My avg fps on SC2 / High / 1080;external monitor is 38 fps.

 

Greetings all.

I almost pulled the trigger on a dv7tqe this afternoon, until I found this forum. Now I think I should wait...

 

Hands-on: Slick HP Pavilion dv6 and dv7 Sport Brushed Aluminum Designs, Beats Audio with Quad Speakers

looks like backlit touchpad, with no backlit keyboard


not sure how accurate this vid is, he did get the date wrong lol

 

Yeah, I've seen that before. I love how bright the trackpad is and how dark the keyboard is

It's just so illogical. Why would they get rid of a backlit keyboard after having had it before? So dumb...

But seeing that again almost makes me want to get the HP, regardless of whether or not it has a backlit keyboard, it is a damn good computer in all other respects...

 

As I said before, they're just too lazy to make a new backlit keyboard, just like they were too lazy to make one for the current dv7. (Hell, it looks like they're using the current dv7 keyboard in the new models.)

 

Soooooooo many of your posts are about the backlit keyboard. It's more than likely going to be put back in the customizable options for the dv6 (never been a dv7 option). They aren't going to put it in quick ship / demo's, so don't get discouraged and be patient.

 

Since the new dv6 and dv7 both use the same keyboard, chances are that either both have it or neither has it.

 

The guy knows what he wants...lol.

If it had backlit keyboard and an OPTION to upgrade the screen to a 1080p display I'd be all over it. However looking at the pics the laptop itself didn't look quite as good as those press sshows made the laptop out to be...

As of now I'm just waiting for March 14th. I'm hoping the Envy line is totally revamped at the same time. As it is only the 3D is available and the new Clickpad isn't even in it according to "HP Nate".

 

personally I actually prefer the current silver aluminum look over the black umber look, i think
is this just me?
backlit keyboard is probably not going to happen, i don't think it's a dealbreaker for most people (and HP probably thinks the same way)
Is this delay all intel's fault? it seems that the cougar point issue is what's holding HP back, rather than HP's incompetence

 

They're about the backlit keyboard because as I've said before many many times, this is the one thing that'll help me decide between this computer and the Dell L502x (or possibly Toshiba). The Dell's already out and based on the Toshibas that were out in January, I already know what they're going to be. So this is all I'm waiting on...

And my problem was, as City Pig stated, it looks like the current dv7's keyboard (with no backlighting) is the same as the one in the new dv6 and dv7. So that's what makes me think it might not be there, but of course it could be and I've been waiting for a new laptop for almost 6 damn months now, so I'm getting sick of all the not knowing and waiting!

 

Again, keep in mind that that is the regular DV6 and not necessarily the Select Edition, which had the options for the backlit keyboard and touchscreen in the 3000 series.

On the other hand, if they are simply using the same keys from the dv7 which didn't have that backlit feature, then perhaps it is gone. They would have no need to find a manufacturer to produce a backlit version, and thus save money.

I still am hopeful, because I would like the backlit keyboard and the touchscreen.

 

No, since they are selling SB laptops. This is all on HP clearing stock.

 

Now HP is offering a 30% coupon on the dv6QE that, according to Dealigg, expires this weekend. With the current $300 coupons that also expire this weekend, again according to Dealigg, the release date has to be soon. I can't see all these coupons coming out unless the release was within a couple of weeks.

 

correct, but remember that Intel stated the fixed Cougar Point chipset won't be ramped up to full production capacity until Aprill. So -- just to be precise, they are taking orders for customizable laptops. no SB's have actually been shipped and none exist in the wild or in brick and mortar stores. My read is that the SB Envy was to ship in mid to late Feb, but what happend, in my opinion, is that the SATA disease set them back, so that (SB Envy 17 3D, for example) can be "pre ordered" well in advance of the actual ship date.

 

Anxiously waiting..

 

Over in the Sager forum it looks like people who had pre-ordered back in January are seeing their machines go into production earlier this week and possibly ship this week as well.

So it looks like the updated chipsets are out there and will be in consumers hands very soon. The first people who ordered the Dell XPS w/ SB should be getting theirs next week or soon after based on the ship dates when they first were available, around 3/15 I believe.

 

Looks like the new notebooks have just launched in Taiwan.

Taiwan market: HP launches Sandy Bridge notebooks

 

The new DV6's aren't available on the Taiwan HP Store yet.