- Hewlett Packard HP Pavilion HDX 18t
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
After twenty years of using nothing but desktops, I finally decided to get my first laptop. I did a large amount of looking around and finally decided on a laptop in the HP HDX series. I wanted a big screen and since I didn't (and don't) plan on carrying it around a lot, I wasn't too concerned about its size. Portability and weight weren't major considerations. If they are for you, then definitely don't get this. It is something of a monster, quite heavy. Furthermore, as far as I've been able to discover, there is only one case that will accommodate a laptop this side, one by Targus. It is less like a messenger bag or pack back and more like a suitcase on wheels. But except for the size, this is a great laptop and I'm completely delighted with it.
There is really only one advantage to buying a preconfigured laptop. You can get it quickly. But I would recommend people who really know what they want to do their own configuration. I wanted a computer that was really strong on media, so I opted for the 1 GB video card, a Blu-ray burner, and a TV tuner. I also got the bluetooth wife modem so that I wouldn't have to use a transceiver. The computer has been exceptional in this regard. The screen is bright and unbelievably detailed. Blu-ray discs don't look quite as good as they do on my Samsung high def TV using a PS3, but it is close. The built in speakers are amazingly decent for a laptop. Although I prefer using headphones for movies and videos, the speakers are good enough for two people to watch something together. But for music while I type I usually just use the built in speakers.
Just about everything else about the computer is great as well. I find the keyboard comfortable to use and the action on the keys are really nice. I don't like the touchpad, but that would be true for absolutely any laptop.
If you are looking for a laptop that is superb at multimedia but that doesn't have to be especially transportable, you can't do much better than this laptop. My one piece of advice for anyone configuring a laptop is to put your upfront money almost entirely in things that cannot be upgraded easily later. Put off the printer if it means you can get a faster processor. Don't worry about the size of your hard drive, because there great inexpensive external hard drives (you can get a 1 TB today for less than $150). But also plan on doing other things to extend the life of your computer. I got the Blu-ray burner, but I plan on getting an external DVD drive to minimize the wear and tear on the internal drive. I got a single battery now, but plan on getting a second one later. But it is pretty difficult to upgrade your processor speed or video card later. Of course, if money isn't a consideration for you (it was for me), go ahead and get everything right now. But whether you have to economize or not, this is a great multimedia computer.
There is really only one advantage to buying a preconfigured laptop. You can get it quickly. But I would recommend people who really know what they want to do their own configuration. I wanted a computer that was really strong on media, so I opted for the 1 GB video card, a Blu-ray burner, and a TV tuner. I also got the bluetooth wife modem so that I wouldn't have to use a transceiver. The computer has been exceptional in this regard. The screen is bright and unbelievably detailed. Blu-ray discs don't look quite as good as they do on my Samsung high def TV using a PS3, but it is close. The built in speakers are amazingly decent for a laptop. Although I prefer using headphones for movies and videos, the speakers are good enough for two people to watch something together. But for music while I type I usually just use the built in speakers.
Just about everything else about the computer is great as well. I find the keyboard comfortable to use and the action on the keys are really nice. I don't like the touchpad, but that would be true for absolutely any laptop.
If you are looking for a laptop that is superb at multimedia but that doesn't have to be especially transportable, you can't do much better than this laptop. My one piece of advice for anyone configuring a laptop is to put your upfront money almost entirely in things that cannot be upgraded easily later. Put off the printer if it means you can get a faster processor. Don't worry about the size of your hard drive, because there great inexpensive external hard drives (you can get a 1 TB today for less than $150). But also plan on doing other things to extend the life of your computer. I got the Blu-ray burner, but I plan on getting an external DVD drive to minimize the wear and tear on the internal drive. I got a single battery now, but plan on getting a second one later. But it is pretty difficult to upgrade your processor speed or video card later. Of course, if money isn't a consideration for you (it was for me), go ahead and get everything right now. But whether you have to economize or not, this is a great multimedia computer.
I have four laptops right now. I would avoid this one. I have had nothing but problems with this unit. It is almost two years old and it has locked up on a regular basis. So I avoid using this unit whenever possible. This unit gets the least use and has the most problems. Buttons come on (like volume) would turn on all by itself and would not disappear from the screen without a reboot.
Heat is a killer to this machine and it doesn't take much for it to overheat. You really have to baby it. Use a lapfan and if the screen turns off. Just leave it alone until it is cool. Make sure you turn the graphics down on games if permitted and don't push this machine too hard, like multiple programs opened.
Under warranty this unit has gone in for motherboard replacement and keyboard. Numerous calls to support to find and down load software that fixes some bugs, which do work but what a hassle. If you can't afford down time on your laptop, I would stay away. I just lost the motherboard again but this time it is not under warranty. So you wonder if it is worth saving when I could find another laptop for the money.
I don't normally write reviews, but I know I read them for everything I purchase. So why not warn people of a lemon. I have read so many problems about this machine on forums that I realize I am not alone in my frustrations with this unit. HP would do better by helping their customers know about this lemon, because they are no longer a purchasing option. I can't trust them to have my best interest in mind. I have two more laptops to buy this year, one was a surprise, thanks to this HP model failing...again.
Save your money for a better machine!
Heat is a killer to this machine and it doesn't take much for it to overheat. You really have to baby it. Use a lapfan and if the screen turns off. Just leave it alone until it is cool. Make sure you turn the graphics down on games if permitted and don't push this machine too hard, like multiple programs opened.
Under warranty this unit has gone in for motherboard replacement and keyboard. Numerous calls to support to find and down load software that fixes some bugs, which do work but what a hassle. If you can't afford down time on your laptop, I would stay away. I just lost the motherboard again but this time it is not under warranty. So you wonder if it is worth saving when I could find another laptop for the money.
I don't normally write reviews, but I know I read them for everything I purchase. So why not warn people of a lemon. I have read so many problems about this machine on forums that I realize I am not alone in my frustrations with this unit. HP would do better by helping their customers know about this lemon, because they are no longer a purchasing option. I can't trust them to have my best interest in mind. I have two more laptops to buy this year, one was a surprise, thanks to this HP model failing...again.
Save your money for a better machine!
This is a mixed review, but still a Positive one.
Firstly, This Laptop has given me alot of problems BUT I cant really blame it all on HP. Microsoft Vista is HORRIBLE. I mean HORRIBLE. The second Windows 7 came out, I did a clean install and all my problems were gone.
HP got creative with Touch sensitive strip across the top of the keyboard, which if it worked right would be AWESOME. HP's software with these touch strip buttons is a joke. Its just AWFUL. Your buttons will show there being touched when there not, etc.
The laptop also gets rather hot fast, but if you get a cooling pad to sit it on, it helps circulate the air better and it wont get hot. After getting one I usually dont notice it getting warm until 3 hours of usage. Before it got hot in about 20 minutes.
Other then that thus laptop is awesome. I love it. Blu Rays look AMAZING on here, to the point I watch them on here over my 58 Inch TV-PS3 Combo because it looks better on here. After tweaking the Audio settings, the Audio is pretty good to. Since using Windows 7, I feel like from the time my computer Restarts to the time its back to the Desktop is a Minute max its fast if you dont have a lot of garbage on it.
I use this for work everyday, 8 hours a day, and not 1 hardware issue to report.
PS--- stay away from HP Customer Support, you are better off messing with it yourself.
All in all a great computer if you throw a clean install of windows 7 on it.
Firstly, This Laptop has given me alot of problems BUT I cant really blame it all on HP. Microsoft Vista is HORRIBLE. I mean HORRIBLE. The second Windows 7 came out, I did a clean install and all my problems were gone.
HP got creative with Touch sensitive strip across the top of the keyboard, which if it worked right would be AWESOME. HP's software with these touch strip buttons is a joke. Its just AWFUL. Your buttons will show there being touched when there not, etc.
The laptop also gets rather hot fast, but if you get a cooling pad to sit it on, it helps circulate the air better and it wont get hot. After getting one I usually dont notice it getting warm until 3 hours of usage. Before it got hot in about 20 minutes.
Other then that thus laptop is awesome. I love it. Blu Rays look AMAZING on here, to the point I watch them on here over my 58 Inch TV-PS3 Combo because it looks better on here. After tweaking the Audio settings, the Audio is pretty good to. Since using Windows 7, I feel like from the time my computer Restarts to the time its back to the Desktop is a Minute max its fast if you dont have a lot of garbage on it.
I use this for work everyday, 8 hours a day, and not 1 hardware issue to report.
PS--- stay away from HP Customer Support, you are better off messing with it yourself.
All in all a great computer if you throw a clean install of windows 7 on it.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
DONT BUY A LAPTOP FROM HP
Here is my experience with HP:
May 2009 - Bought Laptop from HP website - List Price - $2400
Sept. Read more
May 2009 - Bought Laptop from HP website - List Price - $2400
Sept. Read more
Published on February 13, 2010 by J. Detwiler
Really good laptop
It's really good, although I prefer a Mac any day of the week. But the HP brand makes good laptops. This laptop is great for everything. Read more
Published on September 12, 2009 by A. Boghosian
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