Wow, I can't believe this....

Well, after calling HP, they informed me that the DV4012 is a non-US model, so I went out tonight and picked up a DV4030.
After returning not 1, not 2, but THREE Toshiba M45's for having scratched screens right out of the factory sealed box (not to mention one failed hard drive also) it was so nice to open this unit and see an ABSOLUTELY PERFECT screen!!! NOT ONE SCRATCH!!!
After an hour of typing here, I also find that the keyboard is much more firm and has a lot less flex. It ALMOST feels like my old Thinkpad keyboard.
Well, hopefully the good news will keep coming here!
I'm a very happy camper so far!!!

 

Could you post your impression on DV 4000's for us? I'm currently torn between this series and DV 1000's . I like the size of DV 1000's, yet I'd miss the latest chipset (Sonoma) and being able to use an express slot in the near future. In addition, I learned you used M 45's. What is the size difference/weight between DV 4000's and M 45's, especially when using on a daily basis? From the specs, the former weighs in about 6.45/6.5 lbs and 6.2 lbs for the latter.

[V]

 

Hi Tom.
Well, I'm not the one to talk to on the performance side. I use mine for email and keeping a web site up while I'm on the road traveling.
I had both the Toshiba Satellite and the IBM Thinkpad in the past. When my Toshiba needed service, they were great to work with and that's why I went with them again.
My first M45 had 2 scratches in the middle of the screen.
My second had only minor scratches (although not so minor when you're spending $1500) so I decided to live with it, and after 36 hours the HD crapped out.
I bit my tounge and tried a third unit. This one had a scratch on the screen that started at the bottom and went almost all the way to the top. It also had MAJOR light leakage, something neither of the last 2 had.
A few interesting points. First, they were all factory sealed and came from different Office Depot stores, and all had different ship dates from Toshiba on the box. February, March, and April. So I would think they aren't all from one batch.
Second is that Office Depot was FANTASTIC to deal with if there's a problem. No crap. Either you get a FULL refund or a new unit. Your choice.
Take a good look at the build quality between these 2 though. The HP is much better built, has almost no keyboard flex, and is more comfortable to use. At least for me it is.
When I opened this unit up, I cringed when it came time to look at the screen. It was PERFECT.
It almost seems like HP WANTS your business and Toshiba EXPECTS it.
The only thing the Toshiba has is a SLIGHTLY brighter screen.
These are my first impressions of both after having 3 Toshibas and one HP in the past 7 days. lol
- Dave

 

Thank you for your post, Dave. Could you tell me a bit about how you feel the weights of M45 and DV4030?

Thank you

 

My use is a little different than most probably.
The laptops go from the car to the hotel and stay there until I leave.
So the weight for me has never been an issue.
If I were carrying it all day I may feel different though.
But then again, if you have a nice case with a good handle, it should be fine.