Thumbs up or down for 15.4" nc8430 with Ati X1600?

anything bad to note about it?

 

Looks good to me, but I haven't seen one yet. HP does have a return policy if you want to try it out.

 

I have had one for 2 days now. Been playing with it a ton.

Although I havent had time to write up a formal review, it is without a doubt the best laptop I have owned or used bar none. (I have owned other HP's, Compaq's, Sagers and IBM's)

A brief summary (I will post a more formal summary this weekend) -
Specs - T2600 CPU, ATI X1600, 2 GB DDR2 667 (didnt come with 667, I ordered from crucial and installed myself), 7200 RPM 100GB HD, wireless, bluetooth, DVDR/RW, etc....

Screen is perfect - no dead or stuck pixels. No appreciable leakage and screen is bright and crisp at 1680 x 1050.

Notebook is VERY slim and lightweight. I am coming from a Sager 9880 monster, so this is an absolute pleasure to carry around. It also feels very rugged - similar to the T60's I have used. Contrary to what I have read on the forums concerning HP keyboards compared to IBM's - this one is very easy to type on - as easy as the thinkpads I have used in the past.

One thing to note about this that I found VASTLY improved over any notebook with similar issues is access to the second SODIMM slot. The panel on the bottom only has the single slot so the second is, as many notebooks, beneath the key board. Access took me literally about 30 seconds MAX. 2 screws on the bottom marked with a keyboard picture, flip it over - 4 "slides" amongst the function keys (left of F1, between F4 and F5, between F8 and F9 and right of F12). Use a small screwdriver / tool to slide the slides back about 1/8" with and the keyboard simply lifts forward to expose the second slot. Could NOT have been any easier!!!

3Dmark05 scores - mine ranged from 3800-3900 on default settings.

Will post a more detailed review this weekend.

Bottom line though - a bit pricey at 2900, but I cannot currently find any CONS for this notebook (other than cost).

 

I'm about to order one but HP can be frustrating. If I get the 100 GB/7200 RPM drive then I get 1 GB of 533 RAM...if I get the 80 GB/5400 RPM drive then I get get 667 RAM - what gives?

How is battery life joshuasgto?

 

Now that the Pavilion dv8000t comes with the GeForce Go 7600, it's a cheaper alternative to this machine. Might check into it. I believe the Go 7600 and the ATI x1600 are considered pretty much equal.

 

I also got the 533 RAM on my order, but I ordered an additional 2 GB of 667 RAM from another vendor and replaced it myself.

Battery life is phenomenal. When I went to work yesterday I forgot to plug in the AC. I arrived at 7:30 AM and used the notebook moderately on and off. I rememberd the adapter at 2:00 PM. I still had about 10% battery life left.

 

That may be true, however I did not want a 17" laptop. My Sager was a 17" (and more powerful than the 8000 or the 8430).

Also - the 8430 is a business notebook with some features that the "home" versions do not have.

 

Haha Mize, you shoulda seen my reaction when I saw the turion being offered with the 200m and the intel being offered with the 7600. I was about to cry due to HP's play with my head.

 

Josh you are really turning my head from Asus with your feedback. Can't wait for the whole review. I've always heard the the performance of the X1600 is better than the 7600 and business notebooks are all business in my opinion so good choice.

 

there isn't a pcmcia or xpresscard expansion slot on the nc8430/nx8420 right?

 

it does have a card slot. i think it is a pcmcia card slot, but not completely sure.

 

I've checked, its a PC Card slot.

I was under the impression that the Expresscard slot would be there since its a new technology and the NX8420 / NC8430 is just released.