Customer Reviews

HP Pavilion HDX9010NR 20-inch Entertainment Laptop (Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T7500, 2 GB RAM, 240 GB Hard Drive, HD DVD Drive, Vista Ultimate)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This Notebook is huge! It's really not mean't for traveling, but is an excellent replacement for a desktop. It has all the bells & whistles and I had no problem setting it up. To date all software has worked perfectly and I haven't had any issues with the new Vista system. It's very easy to use and very attractive to have displayed in my kitchen or livingroom. The screen is large and bright HD with a arm to tilt it back to your comfort level. The sound is amazing for a notebook. We have really enjoyed it so far, and will post again if we have any issues in the near future. I can't find a single thing bad to say about this notebook, and am very satisfied with it's performance.

I received one from HP as an upgrade unit as they did not have my custom laptop configuration. I received the max configuration with True HD screen, 4 Gig RAM, 64 bit Windows and Extreme 7900 Processor. I've only had the unit a day, and I've observed the following:

-HD DVD got stock in opened position upon ejecting a CD, was able to position it back into unit.

-Vibration from somewhere in unit when base is turned up.

-No latch on front of unit (the one that clicks when you close the screen on your laptop), I suspect the giant hinge creates enough force to keep it closed, but I'd prefer a latch.

The unit is very heavy. So heavy in fact, I thought it was stuck on something when I went to pick it up. Could really use a handle like the Dell, but would probably take away from the fact that is actually looks like my HP 9000 series laptop albeit somewhat bigger.

As of 12/08/2007 there are no 20 inch laptop cases available in the United States as far as I know. I did see the neoprene case and the Dell case made for there 20 incher, but I'm looking for the real thing. I had a friend in London buy and ship me a Dicota MultiGiant case made for these giant laptops and Ebags has stated they will stock them in 5 weeks. The case was really expensive esp. Int. shipping, here is the site (they sell it on the British version of Amazon, but I couldn't apparently order on that).

I'll post more as I review the unit.

****************ADDED 12/18/2007*****************

After using this unit for a few days, I discovered that the speakers mounted in the LCD were not working and that only the subwoofer was producing sound. I found six others online having the identical or similar problem. I called HP support 3X in an attempt to resolve the problem hoping it was a driver issue, however, after escalating the case to an HP engineer the recommendation was to send the laptop in for repair which I am reluctant to do due to past history of aesthetic damage to my laptop.

The first attempt to send the laptop in for repair resulted in HP sending me a box too small to fit the laptop. I had re-iterated to the support person that the laptop was very large and that it might be a good idea to verify the box size as I would not want to receive the incorrect packaging. Very Frustrating...

The second and now third attempt to receive a box for shipment to repair has resulted in no box at all. At this point, I plan to request a new unit be built and shipped in place of this defective unit. I am also lowering my rating of this laptop in lieu of the problems with both the hardware and HP support. Considering the price of this unit, I would have expected more from HP.

When I decided to purchase a new laptop computer, I did a lot of research. I wanted a unit that would be fast at loading screens and downloading data, but I also wanted to use my unit as a TV. Well, I got what asked for in the HDX. Its an entertainer lovers dream computer. Incredible sound for a laptop...no need for external speakers. The 64 bit dual processors make it MUCH faster than my desktop machine. Yes, it IS heavy and I agree a handle on it would have been a nice feature, but I dont move it out of the house much. I wish the battery life was longer but I knew that drawback when I purchased it. I just leave it plugged in most of the time. But its SO cool that I can watch HDTV with the built in tuner. I do wish the antennae cord was longer though.

The only real problem I am having with the unit is when I use Windows Messinger. The built in cam is dedicated to 2 programs on the computer...Windows Messinger and something called Quick Play (which I never use). When I try to make a video call on WM, I consistantly get an error that says my camera is already in use in another program, which it isnt, This is a frustrating development, as one of the reasons I wanted the laptop was so I could have mobile video communication with my brother overseas. It works about 2 times in 10, which is not acceptable. I know my problem is not unique....I have done some research online and others have had a similar problem. And the problem seems to be not with the computer, but with Vista. If this is true (and I am hoping it is) perhaps there will be future driver fixes for the cam. But at the moment, I am SOL.

However, having said the above, I LOVE my HP! It just a great machine and I dont have that many Vista compatibility issues since I use my peripherals with my desktop machine. I know none of them would work with Vista, so I do my printing and scanning and other such things on the desktop pc. Its only a minor inconvenience....I can live with it. So I wouldnt replace a desktop machine with this unit unless you have a back up computer with XP or plan on replacing your peripherals with new, Vista compatable ones. MS will get the bugs worked out, eventually, so I am not concerned. Its your call. But I recommend this machine :)

UPDATE- 9/9/09- Good news and bad news. I am able to use my cam with Windows Messinger and have been able to chat with my brother. However, it seems my sound card is bad....my audio was fine when I purchased the machine, then went down for several months, then started working again, then went down again and has been down ever since. I have external speakers, so I can hear sound but I bought the machine to be wireless, so this is a downer. I may have to get the sound card checked out. Other than that, I still love my machine. :)

UPDATE 2 - 6/20/10 - I found out it wasnt the sound card...it was a software issue. I took it to a repair shop where they changed out the driver to a working one and my sound was back!

I also got a new, digital antenna with a longer cord (and more powerful than the one that came with the laptop) so now watching HDTV is even better!

I bought a new printer and was able to seamlessly link my laptop to it wirelessly. Now I can print too.

I will probably be keeping this unit till it dies...not sure when that will be but I use it every day and keep it on mostly all day. But it still works great...a little slower now, which is normal for a PC....but still faster than my desktop machine and and I now use it to upload videos from my new video camera. :)

I've had the "laptop" for about 3 weeks and am very pleased with it. I've had none of the problems a couple other reviewers have reported. I also haven't done any real intensive stuff with it. I've been able to remote into some other PCs, XP Pro OS, I have at home and move files back to the Vista box. My company lets us remote in from home to fix network issues and I can get in with the Vista box no problem. I was able to associate it with my Linksys Wireless G router in minutes. Evertyhing I've plugged in thus far, via USB or Bluetooth, has installed with no worries. The fingerprint reader is nice but I'm not so sure it's essential. If you work around users in a company network you'd probably find 80% of the people would forget their passwords if they don't type them everyday.

Someone pointed out the size of this dude--it is big! To get a visual of that go to any LCD store and look for a 20.1" LCD. That should give you an idea. I'm in a small town area and couldn't find one around here to look at or play touchy-feely with. It is borderline too heavy to hold on your lap without some kind of small lap table or other support. I think heat build up may be an issue without a table also. This really isn't a traveling laptop. I think some of the magazine reviewers speak to that issue.

We've watched some non-HD DVDs and believe they look much better on the laptop. The sound of music files is awesome due to the speaker arrangement and woofer. The full size keyboard with 10-key pad is great for either Word documents or Excel spreadsheets. It comes with lots of software, some of which I haven't had time to get into yet.

If you've read this far you've probably figured out I like the PC. Three years ago I paid half what I paid for this one and got a 15.4" laptop. It is slower, about a quarter of the HDD space, is having maintenence issues, definitely smaller, doesn't sound so nice, and a myriad of other differences. Only you can decide if it is worth it to you. I decided it was for me! If you only do a few emails/letters a week or want to surf the Net, you probably don't need this PC.

This computer is simply incredible for HD DVD - We watched Blade Runner on here and it was more than the 5k HD system for this. You felt the theatre experience.

Incredible enough to go purchase 13 HD DVD's -

Everything is just incredible on this machine - I really would like a standard keyboard without the smaller right shift key.

I decided to keep this unit as it is worth it - A powerhouse and a most incredible almost instant 64-bit Internet Explorer.

People were screaming seeing this machine show what high performance HD all in one solution should be as it is showing a stronger experience than the Blu-Ray.

Magical is all I can say. Office is lightning fast on here. I upgraded to 4Gig of Kensington through Amazon and it is getting better and better.

I enjoy using this on my lap would like a cush - Also with a stand with a wireless mouse/keyboard. This system is that good.

Remote brings replace HD TV/DVD with all that is personal hit right on target.

This is a good example of why HD DVD could win the DVD format war and shows why it is only natural to have the HD in front of the DVD logo. This shows for quality, technology of HD DVD as being like the definition and not a purchase to the company to use a format for their media as HD DVD shows by being HD is what this is about.

I only can hope the HD movie theatres will be this good. We deserve this.

I would like a HD DVD/Blu-Ray combo so I can see all the media. Doing the comparison in quality the HD DVD is more - Let's hope partnerships will appear to the combo players will be standard. As HD should not restrict people from having one or the other-

Twister is coming as that was a MUST pre-order. HD DVD shows a greet example why purchasing a DVD is so special again and to not support piracy. You get so much more.

Go pick out your HD DVD, make some popcorn with a loved one for an magical experience you can live over and over again.

Along with a HD TV tuner / recorder - Very user friendly for interaction.

If Warner and the other studios would have seen this display of what innovation would bring to their media with HD DVD. This format would be the one with no price tag for the media to be one can compare to.

For PC production/games - Like a space shuttle of innovations lifting you to new places others/competitors have tried to take us.

Enjoy. This is worth the money and then some.

With this being said this is a H(appy) D(ay for) DVD.

I'm happy that HP is finally blazing the trail--and beating Apple to the punch--by offering a 20" laptop, but there is a major cosmetic issue with this unit: The thick bezel that goes all around the screen is warped right out of the box! I mean it is warped every inch or two. This is not a defective unit I have; I even went to Office Depot and saw one in the store and the same thing. It is a design flaw. They used a really thin and/or flexible plastic for the frame, and it has a softness almost like patent leather shoes. It looks nice and feels nice but unfortunately it flexes liker patent leather shoes, too. It being shiny black all of the ripples and warps reflect light in a wavy pattern so you can see this defect from 20 feet away. It's really a glaring defect on their part. I paid $3K for laptop with a warped bezel right out of the box? I am also not a huge fan of the screen arm. I think they could have gotten away with 2 really strong hinges or 3 or 4 hinges. There is no need for the arm. The arm looks OK when the screen is up but when it is down it looks horrid. So really mechanically this is a great unit it's the cosmetics I don't like. Hopefully they will come out with a better revision or hopefully Apple will follow suit with a 20" laptop. There is a market for 20" laptops in my opinion.

After repeated contact with HP support I had to send the defective unit in for repair and I still do not have it. Supposed to be returned by 11-27-07.