Pavilion dv4t, dv6t, HDX16, HDX18 REFRESHED!!!

HP just updated several notebook models with some new features and options on their US website. I've posted a brief summary of the changes below, with those in bold as considered major. Feel free to leave comments about these new changes or let me know if I forgot something in the list below.

dv3z:

• Full-size back-lit keyboard ($25 upgrade from standard keyboard)
• 80 GB Solid State Disk drive option ($350 from 160 GB base option)
• Slot Load Super Multi 8X DVD+/-R/RW w/Double Layer Support ($10 from tray load)

dv4t:

• Espresso Black color option
• Moonlight White color option ($25 upgrade from Espresso)
• 512 MB NVIDIA GeForce G 105M ($150 upgrade from Intel GMA 4500MHD)
• Removed NVIDIA GeForce 9200M GS graphics option
• Removed onyx and bronze color options

dv6t:

• Espresso Black color option
• Moonlight White color option ($25 upgrade from Espresso)
• 512 MB ATI Mobility Radeon 4530 ($150 upgrade from Intel GMA 4500MHD)
• 1 GB ATI Mobility Radeon 4650 ($300 upgrade from Intel GMA 4500MHD)
• Removed NVIDIA GeForce 9200M GS graphics option
• Removed Intel Core 2 Duo T9400 option

HDX16t:

• Intel Core 2 Duo T9800 - 2.93 GHz ($650 upgrade from Core 2 Duo T6400)
• 1 GB NVIDIA GeForce GT 130M ($100 upgrade from 9600M GT)
• Full-size back-lit keyboard ($50 upgrade from standard keyboard)

HDX18t:

• Intel Core 2 Quad Q9000 - 2.00 GHz price drop to $200 upgrade from Core 2 Duo P8700
• Intel Core 2 Duo T9600 - 2.8 GHz ($400 from Core 2 Duo P8700)
• 1 GB NVIDIA GeForce GT 130M ($100 upgrade from 9600M GT)
• 2 GB DDR3 memory configuration with NVIDIA GeForce GT 130M ($20 upgrade from base option)
• 4 GB DDR3 memory configuration with NVIDIA GeForce GT 130M ($70 upgrade from base option)
• 6 GB DDR3 memory configuration with NVIDIA GeForce GT 130M ($270 upgrade from base option)
• 8 GB DDR3 memory configuration with NVIDIA GeForce GT 130M ($470 upgrade from base option)
• DDR2 memory configurations limited to notebooks with NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT; DDR3 memory configurations limited to notebooks with NVIDIA GeForce GT 130M
• 660 GB (160 GB SSD + 500 GB HDD 5400 RPM) option ($650 from 250 GB base option)
• Full-size back-lit keyboard ($50 upgrade from standard keyboard)

 

The HDX18t confuses me. DDR3 and DDR2 don't even use the same pin layout, so are they really swapping out mobos dependent on the GPU choices?

Otherwise, it's nice to see them do all of them at once.

 

Is any of the refreshed versions 16:10?

 

I want to know what SSD they are using on the 18. I am shocked it took them this long to offer an SSD/large disk combo. Hopefully they are not using some old stuttering SSD.

 

The dv4t continues to use the 16:10 ratio format (1280x800).

I think this might be very well be the case.

 

I agree, it's a pity they rather follow the lead than lead.

 

I have a feeling that the dv6t with the Radeon 4650 will thrash the HDX with the GT130m.

 

Unless they gimped the 4650 with DDR2 memory, i don't see how the HDX16t is premium over the DV6t.

The only advantage the 16HDX has is that it can be configured with a 1920x1080p resolution screen.

 

I just recv'd my refreshed dv7t and the 1gb 4650 does have ddr3

 

How is the heat on the dv7t during gaming? Any chance of a review? The dv6t has got my interest.

 

Nope. You won't see that aspect ratio again for an "entertainment" PC.

 

GT 130M = 9600 GT. Only 130M slightly higher clocks and now 55nm. Hopefully it will run cooler for being 55nm instead of 65nm like the 9 series.

Nvidia and their naming games.

 

Can someone post photos (taken by user) of HP pavilion DV4t.

What is the difference in build quality of Old ONYX and Espresso black DV4t?

 

Doh! I ordered two weeks ago and the dv4t is on it's way to me... the non-refreshed version.

 

Still no backlit keyboard on the DV4? Dam.

Douchers.


- Build quality should be the exact same, just a different color?
- Return it. Don't you have two weeks after you receive it to return it no questions asked? Return it to the douchers and order yourself a new one. They have F'D us 349029432890 times with the 8400 cards, be nice to see some of us F them back.

 

I was thinking the same... darn, no backlit keyboard for the Dv4. The video card is supposedly around 30% faster according to benchmarks posted here than the one they replaced. Apparently, the old card the 9200M GS uses 13watts max while the new one G 105M uses 14watts max, using the same 65nm fabrication process. I guessed more power to the faster GPU.

Benchmarks here:
http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-G-105M.13790.0.html
http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-9200M-GS.9453.0.html

Since I've already returned one, the special edition, two weeks ago and got the current one instead, I think I'll just keep it. It was a little bit cheaper with the coupon I used, with the price coming out to $1000, versus the $1100 now if I were to get it. It is currently leaving China.

The special edition now is $800... but they took off the BD drive.

Cheers,
Gnimble

 

I did the same check as I have also ordered a dv4t and it's on its way from China (non refreshed version)....one thing I noticed in these comparisons of the card is that the 9200 linked page shows 256MB for max memory when the one I ordered (and probably you as well gnimble) was 512MB, so I wonder if the stats on the link you have are truly those of the 512MB card we're getting...I'm hoping performance differences are nominal to non existent. Yeah, guess I could return it once it arrives and re order, but not sure it's worth it for a different color (I got bronze, looked cool in stores, no worries about color of keyboard for me there) and a different (but maybe not meaningfully better) graphics card...

 

just old nvidia cards with new names

 

Here is a comparison of the speed differences between a 256MB versus a 512MB card: http://www.pureoverclock.com/review.php?id=33&page=1
(Note that it is the 7800GT, a much older card).

I got the silver colored one although I preferred the nice simple graphics on the special edition version. I kind of like the graphics on the graphite one that is available right now.

Cheers,
Gnimble

 

But the options now cost more! I bought my HDX18 a few weeks back with a $50 upgrade on CPU from P8XXX to a T9400 but now it appears the T9400 is not even offered anymore and the upgrade to a T96XX costs $150!!

My shipped total came out to under $1300 (without backlit k/b) and now a similar system (with T96XX) comes out to over $1500!!

So basically, no significant upgrades but high premiums...Win-Win for HP, I su'ppose.

 

Gnimble, what is it you like regarding the graphics on the espresso black model now? Not sure it's much different performance wise than the 9200 card...

 

Kraven,

I should clarify... I mean the print impressions on the laptop casing... the artwork that is. I kind of like the design of the waves in the special edition I used to have and also the new circular patterns on the graphite laptop casing. Regarding the video card performance, it seems like the new graphic cards have a faster memory bus and few other improvements; but not enough to warrant a return. From the links I read of similar cards with just 256MB memory, it should be 30% speed improvement between the old and the new.

Cheers,
Gnimble

 

the espresso black and black keyboard is pretty sweet looking

 

http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/14/hp-pavilion-dv6t-laptop-gets-a-quiet-upgrade-new-paint-job/

Look who they are thanking