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"A quad-core for $1300? I'm in!!" on by jhacker
Pros: Battery life not bad for a quad-core, multi-tasks marvelously, just about every type of connection you can imagine (HDMI, eSATA, Firewire, and more),
Cons: Minor problems with Centrino wireless, included CD/DVD burning software too basic,
Summary: I bought this dv7-2185dx for audio/video editing. I also wanted something that would not be obsolete in a year or two. With the quad-core processor, 6GB of RAM, and a 500GB hard drive, I don't think that's going to happen any time soon. This machine does a marvelous job of multi-tasking!! Without hesitation, I can burn a DVD at the same time I'm doing audio editing and surfing the web. At the moment, this is performing a back-up of the hard drive, and I don't even notice anything running in the background. Nothing fazes this thing!! However, right out of the package even this high-spec laptop was slow. I cleared all of the unnecessary programs HP includes, and removed other unnecessary programs from startup. That's what it took to get this computer to run the way it should.
The built-in webcam has 640x480 resolution, which is decent. I'm not a serious gamer, but this laptop plays "Dark Messiah of Might and Magic" at maximum resolution without a hitch. The Windows Experience Index is 5.1, inhibited only by the slower DDR2 RAM used in this system. I did a performance test on pcpitstop.com, and this HP Pavilion dv7-2185dx came out in the top 15% of all computers rated on the site. Believe it or not, even with the quad-core, this thing really doesn't get very hot with normal use. This thing has so many connections on the side, I had to consult the manual to find out what they were used for. These connections include HDMI output, Firewire, VGA, 3 USB 2.0, and eSATA, and connection for an HP docking station.
I have experienced a few problems with the Centrino wireless. Plus, you will see every little fingerprint and smear on the case. It's no wonder they include a cleaning cloth. Also, since this is called an 'Entertainment PC' I think it should have a TV tuner built-in. However, since the resolution doesn't allow for a true 1080p picture, perhaps that's not such a good idea. A remote control is included, but it's only used to control the media programs like the DVD player, HP Media Smart, and Windows Media Center.
I'm not sure why others are having trouble with the display. I read some reviews on other sites to that effect. I haven't experienced that at all. With the dv7-2185dx, you'll get a notebook PC that everyone is impressed with, and that you have to work really hard to max out it's processing power and memory. -
"Backlight goes out same day from store" on by TrogdorTheReviewinator
Pros: This laptop beats out most desktops with it's 6gb ram, and 1gb dedicated graphics card.
Cons: The backlight on it went out the same day I got it. Back to the Best Buy we go. Ironically this was a lemon replacement.
It's not software, settings, or brightness keys. It's the hardware. The backlight literally burned out the first day of use.Summary: If I actually had a chance to do anything more than install firefox on it, I could maybe write a half-decent review.
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"Great for about a year." on by pmthunder22
Pros: Super fast, large hard drive, long battery life, and great sound.
Cons: the goods dont last very long. Just after a year my hard drive failed (defective hard drive, it was not a virus or anything), the battery needs to be replaced, and the cpu has slowed tremendously. I take care of my laptop, and there's not even a scratch o
Summary: Excellent computer, if you plan to replace it every year.
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"Games like a champ" on by dralithi
Pros: Plays high res World of Warcraft (Cataclysm expansion) with good framerates.
Cons: Runs too hot, have to use a chill mat to counteract the heat, why can't fans push air out the back instead of straight down?
Summary: Cheap price, good performance, get a chill mat.
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"Great product. Most cons are non-issues." on by needcollegeloan
Pros: Great screen resolution.
Amazing multitasking.
Very wide ranged and powerful wireless card.
Webcam is decent.
LOTS of ports
The speakers are LOUD!!! or at least can be.
It is rather light for its size which makes it more portable.Cons: Too much HP crap
I haven't had many chances to utilize the remote.
The AC adapter and batterySummary: (I am not a techy nor do I know any of the vernacular. Please excuse my use of laymens' terms.)
Specs:
Purchased: August 2009
Review: July 2010 (11 months post purchase)
HP Pavilion dv7-2185dx
5.7 Windows Experience Index
Intel Core 2 Quad CPU Q9000 @ 2.0 GHz
6.00 GB RAM
64-bit OS
Came with Vista. Got a free version of Windows 7. Ran Vista beautifully. Runs 7 beautifully.
PROS:
- Movies and video games look amazing.
- The movies and video games play amazingly. I mostly play games on Steam. [With exception to the PC version of SFIV, the picture will tear a little, and too many things running in the background, as in AVG running a computer scan, will slow down gameplay. I imagine this can be fixed by tweaking settings, but I don't know how. Crappy game anyway.)
- The manual says the wireless antennas are at the top two corners of the screen which probably helps. Many of my friends wonder why their laptops (both PCs and Macs) can't get wireless while 2ft away from mine.
- The clarity of the audio is limited by the program used and the file/DVD/website/stream/etc.
- The touch pad is great. I don't mind cleaning it every once in a while, but I mostly wash my hands before I mess around with my laptop.
CONS:
- The first thing I did with it out of the box was bring it to a friend to remove all of the BS programs. We decided against doing a full restore, but we probably should have.
- Second thing I did was buy it a cooling pad with fans. I mainly only use it when playing games, but the factory fan suffices.
- Despite the 500 GB HDD, it gets eaten up rather quickly with I don't know what. As soon as I get a large enough external HDD, I'm backing up my important files and then fully restoring it and reinstalling 7.
- Battery life on "HP recommended" setting is really good, but on "High Performance," it drains quickly. Meh.
- The only real issue problem I've had so far is with the battery and the AC adapter. The AC adapter started going in and out about a month ago. This caused it to stop charging sometimes even while it was plugged in. A better positioning of the cords usually fixed that. Sadly, I believe the half dozen incidents of my laptop shutting down over the passed week and a half have taken a toll on the battery itself. It's status is "Replace" on HP's battery check program.
This has been resolved by the warranty which has 21 days left as of today. I called HP Invent, and I expect both a new battery and a new AC adapter (the brick to the computer) in 5 days.
OVERALL: Great computer.
I have met someone with another dv7-2185, but with a different processor. I believe his was made by AVG nVidia? He hated it, and had many problems with it.
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