Would I like an HP dv6t?

After many years of thinking very poorly of HP Pavilions, I've seen a lot of positive comments about the dv6t. I am now second-guessing my distrust of the brand, and considering the following build:

2nd generation Intel(R) Dual Core(TM) i5-2410M (2.3 GHz, 3MB L3 Cache) with Turbo Boost up to 2.9GHz
2GB Radeon(TM) HD 6770M GDDR5 Graphics [HDMI, VGA]
6GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm) (free upgrade)
750GB 7200RPM Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
15.6" diagonal Full HD HP Anti-glare LED Display (1920 x 1080)
Blu-ray player & SuperMulti DVD burner (free upgrade)

The price comes to $1099, which is about $300 less than a similarly-equipped M14x with a 900p screen, and equivalent to a Vaio F22 (which has a quad-core CPU that I don't need and an unimpressive, non-switchable 540M). But I have some questions, because I'm always suspicious of something that seems too good to be true:

Are HP consumer models actually less reliable than other consumer brands, or is that just unsubstantiated hearsay? There's no objective way to check, as far as I know, equivalent to Consumer Reports for car reliability. Should I expect higher chances of little things going wrong as a trade-off for the low purchase price, or is that misplaced concern?

Are the cooling fans disruptive? I don't mind a low constant hum, and I don't mind a loud fan at full load, but I hate fans that are always changing speed and volume at light load. That's disruptive in a business setting.

How bad is the bloatware? Do I need to do a fresh install of Windows, or can I just uninstall the free-trial security software (and a handful of other programs, perhaps) and call it a day?

Should I worry about heat? I won't be overclocking the machine, and I won't be playing for twelve hours at a time, but I might be playing for 2-3 hours at a time.

 

First of all if you do order Google hp dv6 coupon because hp always has 30% off coupons floating around.

As for quality, across the board there are complaints over the keyboard, there's flex in certain spots but overall it's not too bad, at least not on mine. Cooling fans run constantly at a low hum, it's very consistent though. There isn't a significant amount of bloatware, it's recommended to do a minimized system recovery which re-installs the original os, drivers and essential software but doesn't install the trial applications and unnecessary software. The heat isn't too bad, people are reporting heats of 40-50c while idling/basic tasks, personally mine runs about 45c while idling and 50-55c if I'm multitasking (but that's with a quad core), gaming gets to about 75-85c depending on the game.

 

1) I think the problem with HP lies more with quality control out of the factory than reliability. If there is something wrong with your laptop, you'll find it as soon as you get it, and there is that 21 return window to easily compensate for it. Just take care of your laptop and don't treat it as a thinkpad and it will last.

2) The fans are quite quiet unless you are gaming or something that heavy.

3) Bloatware is annoying. You don't need to go do a clean install. YOu can do a 30min minimized image install whcih keeps all the drivers/os and important programs that the laptop needs and gets rid of the nonsense.

4) Since you have a dual core i5, I'd say heat shouldn't be an issue, especially if you aren't overclocking. It's the i7 quad cores that tend to get the heat complaints.

 

Thanks for the feedback, guys. I looked at a dv6 today in person and I didn't like the feel of the case, or the keyboard, etc, at all. It offers one heck of a bang for the buck for people who want good specs at a low price, but for me, it just wasn't the right machine.

 

Did you see the exact same model? Where did you find one?

 

It was not the exact same model. It was at Best Buy. It was a lower-spec dv6, but it had the same distinctive umber case and what I can only presume is the same keyboard. It was at Best Buy. I know I'll sound like a shallow fashionista saying this, but it just didn't feel "quality" or "solid" looking at it, feeling it, and holding it. And that "feel" I think would bother me on a day-to-day basis. I realize it's an unbelievable bargain in terms of the performance components for the price, particularly if you grab a 30% off coupon, but its feel just didn't agree with me (I'm unusually picky about that stuff).

 

Yeah - I get it. It just did not "feel right" for you. Kind of like buying a car, maybe. Either it's "you" or it isn't.

My quad-core model defintely took some getting used to. A couple days. I had none of the build quality complaints (only software issues) that plagued other buyers. I would think that the issues surrounding the dv6 are mostly from custom built units where the build quality only differed by who worked the assembly line that day. Overall, I really wish I would have gone with an Elitebook 8560w, but my dv6tqe is defintely the next best thing.

 

I had an i5-2410m DV6 and I returned it due to heat. Maybe I got a lemon but it would go up to 95c during Bad Company 2.

Otherwise, the build quality was solid except for a little keyboard flex around the arrow keys. The fan was very quiet when doing light work like internet browsing but it did get quite loud under load. Didn't notice any constant speed changing though.

 

If you didn't like the Dv6 style, take a look at the lenovo y570 or the 14" model.
Strikingly different looking and seem to be well made. I happen to enjoy my own DV6z (the amd llano 'dual graphics' model) and the overclocking/undervolting abilities; to the point that my MX11 is heading out (doesn't come close to the power and battery life of the dv6, and the screen seems to get smaller all the time ; my Envy 15 is also going on the block,( too damned hot on the palm rest, and the dv6 outperforms it, and can outdistance it on battery even with the giant slice battery). You might look at an envy 14 , or the equiv alienware, or if you REALLY want something different, take a look at the MSI's. They are coming on strong.

Seer

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I actually want a 15" screen as a minimum, preferably 1080p and at minimum 900p, which eliminates many of those options. On the other hand, I don't want a 17" monster like the G74, where I can't see someone sitting across the table from me if I have it open.

After finding what's available in Medford to actually look at stuff in person, I'm actually leaning toward a Vaio F22. It doesn't offer nearly the bang for the buck that the dv6 does (*cough*540M*cough*), but the screen and "feel" and keyboard and the build quality really, really agreed with me in person. And they've packaged it magnificently: even though it's got a 16.4" screen, by putting the display hinge on the bottom of the back instead on the top of the machine or the top-back corner, it's not any taller when unfolded on a desk than a 15" machine.

 

Man - I just looked at the VAIO F 22 and I think my DV6T is going back. I can get a nearly equal spec'd VAIO F but the design/build of it kills the DV6T plus I hear the display is amazing.

What model are you looking at in specific? I'm searching for something in the $1200-1300 range, like to see what you've looked at...

 

I was going to do a configure-your-own because I wanted the Fresh Start option (no bloatware straight out of the box). For $1219:

Intel® Core™ i7-2630QM quad-core processor (2.0GHz) with Turbo Boost up to 2.90GHz
Genuine Windows® 7 Professional 64-bit
16.4" 2D Full HD LCD display (1920x1080) with LED backlight
NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 540M (1GB VRAM) dedicated graphics
CD/DVD player / burner
640GB (7200rpm) hard drive
4GB (2GBx2) DDR3-SDRAM-1333
Large lithium-ion battery (7500mAh)
Fresh Start
Adobe Bundle (Free - $448 value) (Edit: Sony says it's a "$448 value," not me. If you believe that, I have a bridge to sell you).
No additional AntiVirus Software

The one thing I have to caution you about is that the 540M is NOT switchable, as far as I can determine, even though 540Ms normally are. That's why I'm springing for the large battery. The best selling point for me wasn't the specs, but the solidity of the machine. Even though the case is plastic, it felt as solid as my MacBook Pro to type on.

 

You could probably get an Envy 17 for around 1200 bucks with 15% coupon.

It's a bit nicer build than a dv6 and a much better graphics card.

 

yeah... why would you take a vaio f-22 over an envy?? i moved from a vaio F to the dv6, and i have to say that i much MUCH prefer the dv6 to my sony vaio, which is basically breaking apart on me physically.

if you don't like the pavilions, look into the envy. it's a less "bang-for-the-buck" type, and has more of a premium product feel

 

It's going to be more than that with the 1080p screen and the large battery (comparable to the F22 I configured)...I configured one and it listed the price at $1520. That wasn't a complaint--I think that $1500 is a very fair price for what you get (it's got a far better GPU than the F22, a second HDD bay, etc, metal case materials instead of strong plastic, etc)--just pointing out that it's going to be significantly more expensive than the F22.

My main objection to the Envy isn't actually anything about the Envy itself...it's that nobody around here sells them, so I can't look at one in person to make sure I like the feel of it. If at all possible, I like checking out a computer in person to make sure I like the keyboard feel, the screen, how the case feels, etc.

 

Meh. I looked at the Vaio F and I'm not too excited about it

This thing is really thick:

 

At first i thought it was a ugly laptop stand..

 

... That thing looks hideous.

 

The F22 IS thick but the design of the matte black version is way better than the DV6T IMO.



It has a best in it's class 1080p matte display plus a backlit keyboard. I could get the 1080p, 2720QM, 8GB RAM (aftermarket), 500GB7200RPM for about $1280 shipped (I paid pretty much exactly the same for the same specs on my DV6T). Coming from a MacbookPro15/ENVY15/XPS15z, the DV6T feels noticeably cheap both in feel but especially design. This computer is supposed to be a stop gap for a probable Macbook Pro 2012 refresh or the pending Windows 8 ultrabooks, and while the VAIO F isn't in that design league, it's still looks somewhere inbetween the DVG6T and that.

 

I think it's something with Nvidia computers. Nvidia may need better cooling than AMD or more space because all the laptops I've seen with Nvidia - XPS 15/17, Sony Vaio F, ASUS G53, Lenovo Ideapad - are all extremely thick and bulky.

There's only 1 laptop I can think of that's thin and has an Nvidia and that's the XPS 15z - but it comes with an underwhelming 525m.

 

Oh and make no mistake about it - the dv6t isn't exactly your top of the line build quality machine.

If you are going to spend 1280 I would go with an XPS 17. It's better build than a dv6t but gives you much better specs for your dollar (yes matte upgrade). There's a 350 + 150 coupon when you configure it for over 1600.

 

Do they sell the XPS 15/17 in any brick and mortars? I've yet to see one in person and I've tried looking for it.

 

I believe they sell them at Best Buy.

 

Fry's has them - at least the one in Downers Grove, IL.

 

As in Medford Oregon? I'm going to be doing a show this fall just north of Medford.
And, If you didn't like the Asus G73/74 look, I don't understand what you see in the F? That thing is not particularly attractive. If you like that weggie, beam me up scotty look, you might take a look at the alienware. You can get far better running gear and construction for that kind of money.

(frankly tho, I don't know why you didn't like the dv6z. Are you sure you were looking at the right laptop? Hp has a similar model in gold trim that was a little , er , different, but the umber 6z I have looks very classy imho. Also it has a better keyboard than the 't' etc.
I much prefer it to my envy15. The four speaker sound is terrific (once you turn on the beats audio), stays cool to the touch no matter how hard you're pushing it etc. bout the only thing lacking is a backlit keyboard otherwise, it just plain rocks. Take the extra money saved and buy a 500.00 tablet LOL.

Seer

seer

 

Yes, it was the umber dv6 that I looked at. I don't know if it was the dv6t or dv6z, but it definitely was the umber. I don't mind how it looked; I didn't like how it felt.

As for the F22, it's not the aesthetic styling that impressed me (though I don't mind the monolithic look), it was the solidity. It had a solidity that the Pavilion absolutely lacked.

 

It's interesting, you may be on to something there. I tried to come up with counterexamples of current models, but I couldn't. The upcoming LG P330 has a 555M, and it's very thin. We'll have to wait and see if it melts itself or not.

 

They don't have an optical drive which can be like 40% of a laptop's horizontal surface area

Take out the optical drive from the dv7t and I would not be surprised if you could stick a 6990m in there

Edit: Oh, and I'm checking to see if its the crippled version of the 555m with only 96 sps. That is commonly found on portable laptops. I'd give it a 80% chance of being the crippled 555m.

 

I am also looking at the same Sony and Pavilion dv6t. At Best Buy I thought the Sony was just too much bigger and heavier (though may be tougher).
My main concern was that I MUST have a 1080p matte screen, which both of these models offer, and I want to be able to game on it. The Pavilion will obviously game better with the 6770 than the Sony's 540m. What I REALLY want to know is if anyone has seen both the Sony and HP's 1080p screens? Is the Sony's really that much better? I wan't to be able to read text at 1920x1080, but don't want a 17" laptop or glare. The screen may be my deciding factor, any comments on the display angles, clarity, brightness, etc. of the two? Is the HP 1080p screen bad or are people overblowing the difference between it and the Sony's?

 

quality control on hp is not that great, so that particular machine you were looking at might be poorly built.

i went through 2 dv6t-6000s and 1 dv6t-6100 (and 3 envy 14's before that) before ending up with basically as close to the laptop of my dream as possible. i'd rate the build quality of the 3 dv6s i got as 5.5, 8, 8.5 respectively (for reference, i'd rate ur avg xps 15 as a 7, envy/alienware 8ish, unibody mbps 9s)

if you are not in a rush to get the laptop asap, you have the option of ordering through HP and returning/exchange it within 21 days if it's built badly. if you need to get it right on ur first try though, i would go with something else other than HP.

 

I'm gonna get one from Amazon, so I could return it if needed.
Any comparisons on the Sony vs HP 1080p anti-glare screens?

 

To be honest, I have had the Sager NP8130 and DV6z sitting next to each other for about a week. I had to return the DV6z for overheat problems, hopefully replacement will be better, but I find the overall "feel" of quality very similar. The Sager a little more solid, but to be honest, the DV6 surprised me. To each their own obviously. Hope you find the right notebook. I know it's a pain in the butt, but you'll find something soon enough I'm sure.

Exactly. Unfortunately with Dell and HP it can take several exchanges before you get a well built machine. But if you get one that's built properly, they're usually pretty impressive and solid. You just have to be persistent as annoying as it is.

 

The way I see it, the dv6t is the best bang for your buck laptop you can get under $1000, I got the one in my sig for $900...if you're in the $1200+ range I'd start looking into Sager as it has much better specs than the f22 and envy17 and the build quality is great.

 

Is the Sager the same as the ones at Cyberpowerpc???

 

But Sagers are ugly. At least the silver dv6 looks nice.

And god, don't get me started on Alienware - it looks it was designed for a prepubescent teenager who is impressed by flashing lights

 

Cyberpower is just a re-branded Sager

 

Isn't a Sager a rebranded Clevo?

 

Sagers ugly? They're elegant and simple. If you prefer aesthetics over quality and function go ahead. My biggest gripe about the Sagers are battery life. Otherwise I'd keep the NP8130 without a problem.

 

Sure, why not?

If a PC maker made an affordable Macbook Pro, I would go out of my way to get one.

 

There's your issue.

To each their own, but picking a laptop based on looks is like picking a car based on color alone. You'd be getting the Macbook Pro because of its other features not on looks alone, I'd hope.

 

When did I say looks alone?

But looks matter for some people. Given Apple's success I'd say a lot of people agree.