Return My New Dv3 for exchange to Dv4???

Hello,
I am kind of in a pickle and a I need some inputs from you guys. Recently I bought 2 X Dv3t laptops from HP. One of them is perfectly fine so I'm not gonna talk about. The one I want to talk about has a high configuration as followed:
P8700 (2.53Ghz/3MB L2) - 4GB - nVidia 512MB (105m) - 500GB 7200rpm -Backlit Keyboard - Intel BGN+BT - Finger print ( A must have for me) - Vista HP OS
After receiving the laptop I found out there is a problem with the graphics handling certain grids with very close colors (ex. Dark gray grids on black background) the lines would flicker. I found it only on one wallpaper that I have. after much research, it happens in pretty much all Pavilion with nVidia graphics (If it is intel graphics the grids shows up fine). Also to add to that, the hinge on this dv3t is looser than the other one that came with it(not bad but I consider it loose).
My question is would the Dv4t a better option since dv3t is not available anymore? I would probably get a higher end configuration for almost same price (using coupons) P8800 - 6GB DDR3 - 512MB (105m) - 500GB 7200 RPM - and Win7 Of course. The only 2 differences would be the missing backlit keyboard feature and the difference in the screen size 14.1" VS 13.3"
I know I'm kind of OCD when it comes to laptops and I have been kind of disappointed in HP in the past few years. Regardless I still like them and I enjoy their laptops better than any other manufacture.
Another option would be sending the Dv3t for repair service which saddens me because I just got it couple of days ago!
Please give me your input on what you think?

 

have you double checked that your nvidia graphics drivers are fully up to date?

 

Yes, After extensive research with other friends, the drivers has nothing to do with it. Even 2 different HDX16t that has an nVidia card have the same issue with this certain wallpaper. It is nothing that I would consider a defective unit. Intel graphics don't have this problem with this wallpaper. It is more the hinge that I'm kind of mad about.

 

For the price we pay for these things, I think everyone needs to be a little OC. Also JMO, but if your not happy with it now…. you likely never will be, so I'd say send it back.

As far as the DV4t, I can say that we’ve had one in the house now for nearly a year and that it has been (without exception) flawless. As you can see, the one we have is pretty basic but it runs cool, has 6- 7 hours of battery life with a 12 Cell, and does what we need it to do. My daughter even occasionally plays Zoo Tycoon on it (lol). The newer DV4t units available now have higher performance processors, DDR3, and also have the SmartBay Hard Disk Drive Kit available again as an option. Two HDDs in such a little unit is pretty rare and at $59 for an additional 320GB 7200RPM drive, I think a very good deal. Unfortunate though that HP dropped the LED display.

At-any-rate, you just never know how things will turn out from unit to unit. Perhaps dependability is inversely proportional to high end specs, but what ever the case.....we are very pleased with the unit we have.

Good Luck & Good Hunting

Just saw the $500 off coupon posted.... so if you're going to do it now may just be the time.

 

Thank you so much OldMajorDave!
I really think the same way like you said, if I'm not happy with it I probably won't be.
I went ahead and placed an order with hp customer care and got an additional 10% for what they put me through! Here are the specs of what I will be getting:
HP Pavilion dv4t customizable Notebook PC
* • Espresso Black
* • Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
* • Core2Duo Processor P8800 (2.66 GHz, 3 MB L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
* • 6GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)
* • 500GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive Protection
* • 512MB NVIDIA GeForce G 105M
* • 14.1" diagonal WXGA HD Display
* • LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW
* • Webcam + Fingerprint Reader
* • Intel ABN + BT
* • 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
* • Integrated 56K Modem
Final price after taxes and discounts was $899.99

As far as the second hard drive bay I don't have much use for it bc I use an external eSATA 500GB that I already have. And for the 12-cell battery, I don't have much use to it bc I'm plugged in all the time, plus I can always get it seprately. Like you said sadly they took out the LED display option. Something I'm trying to say to myself to make me feel better is even LED is much brighter and crisp, I think it's not durable enough to last a while in a laptop. I think it is pretty easy to get a dead pixel in an LED display comparing to regular LCD display. Correct me if I'm wrong!

 

Very Very nice config there Ghamzi. I hope it works out nicely for you. As far as the LED display goes, at the time we got the DV4t, LED backlighting was relatively new in notebooks. It cost significantly more but is more power efficient and in theory should be more durable. Anyway, I really wasn't sure about HP's ability to implement and I didn't want my daughters new notebook to be painfully bleeding edge, so I stayed with a known value.

Let us know how it goes.... and all the best.

Dave

 

How were you able to get that so cheap??

 

Thank you Dave. I appreciate your help and I will definitely keep you posted. I figured for the price and the config, you can't beat that. I know no LED but hey, one can't get it all Oh and also, I really think the flickering that I've noticed in the wallpaper I mentioned is related to LED with nVidia cards. I've seen it on 3 different types of pavilions.
Anyway, thanks again for all your help!

Jediistar, I used a $500 off coupon. The unit price was actually $1,449.99 and after $500 off the price was $949.99 + Tax = $1,006.99 then take out $107 (Additional 10% off from HP CC) final is going to be around $900
Note: I know it is stupid, they applied the 10% off after the taxes which worked for me.