Entered CNET Catalog: 11/21/2007
SKU: CC958AV
Manufacturer: HP
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User opinions
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User Rating: 
8/10
Lots to like
Pros: Optional HD DVD, free remote, good price, lots of little stuff
Cons: You must get Windows Vista, screen is too shiny, and oh yeah Windows Vista
Review:
Unlike desktops, you cannot replace the OS on a laptop because you'll lose all the extras they pack in. And Windows Vista is still a piece of junk. I hate Vista.
Despite the poor OS choice, there is a lot to like about this laptop. I got mine with a HD DVD drive and even with the most basic screen, it looks great. The HD DVD drive is worth it. HD DVD load times exceed 2 minutes.
The screen is bright, although I haven't tested it in the sun yet. On battery, the screen tends to flicker like a European TV. Mine came with 1 dead pixel that seemed to fix itself. 1 dead pixel isn't bad.
Battery life is great for a 17" screen. I got the expanded battery and I got just under 2 hours playing a HD DVD (assuming you are already booted up), over 4 hours without Wi-Fi/Bluetooth and some use (not idle but not heavy load either), and 2.5 hours with Wi-Fi/Bluetooth running but no movie.
The CPU runs warm, not hot except under extreme load which you shouldn't be doing unless plugged in anyway.
The fingerprint reader is a pain to use, like all fingerprint readers of its type. I love the Wi-Fi switch on the computer. Mine came with draft-N for no extra charge; do not pay for 802.11N Wi-Fi, but if it is free, take it. With the Geforce 8400, you get HDMI out. The web cam has a good picture. The free remote works great, I love it too. The touchpad is sluggish. The keyboard is great with the numpad, but has some quirks.
HP still loads their PC's up with junk trialware. I had to spend an hour removing it. First to go, the awful Norton Antivirus (be sure to use the Norton Removal Tool, or the sorry excuse for a program will never fully be gone). Don't forget about WildTangent's trial games too. I make it a point never to give money to trialware programs, you should too. This will send them a message.
All-in-all, my only regret is not paying a little more for the higher resolution screen. But I can deal with that. Of course, if the Core 2 version (dv9500t) go for that one. But when I bought it, Core 2 was $150 extra, that was money I put toward a HD DVD drive. It is a great deal. The only other laptop that can match the price of this is Toshiba, but their battery isn't as good as HP.
This laptop should be high on your list.
Despite the poor OS choice, there is a lot to like about this laptop. I got mine with a HD DVD drive and even with the most basic screen, it looks great. The HD DVD drive is worth it. HD DVD load times exceed 2 minutes.
The screen is bright, although I haven't tested it in the sun yet. On battery, the screen tends to flicker like a European TV. Mine came with 1 dead pixel that seemed to fix itself. 1 dead pixel isn't bad.
Battery life is great for a 17" screen. I got the expanded battery and I got just under 2 hours playing a HD DVD (assuming you are already booted up), over 4 hours without Wi-Fi/Bluetooth and some use (not idle but not heavy load either), and 2.5 hours with Wi-Fi/Bluetooth running but no movie.
The CPU runs warm, not hot except under extreme load which you shouldn't be doing unless plugged in anyway.
The fingerprint reader is a pain to use, like all fingerprint readers of its type. I love the Wi-Fi switch on the computer. Mine came with draft-N for no extra charge; do not pay for 802.11N Wi-Fi, but if it is free, take it. With the Geforce 8400, you get HDMI out. The web cam has a good picture. The free remote works great, I love it too. The touchpad is sluggish. The keyboard is great with the numpad, but has some quirks.
HP still loads their PC's up with junk trialware. I had to spend an hour removing it. First to go, the awful Norton Antivirus (be sure to use the Norton Removal Tool, or the sorry excuse for a program will never fully be gone). Don't forget about WildTangent's trial games too. I make it a point never to give money to trialware programs, you should too. This will send them a message.
All-in-all, my only regret is not paying a little more for the higher resolution screen. But I can deal with that. Of course, if the Core 2 version (dv9500t) go for that one. But when I bought it, Core 2 was $150 extra, that was money I put toward a HD DVD drive. It is a great deal. The only other laptop that can match the price of this is Toshiba, but their battery isn't as good as HP.
This laptop should be high on your list.
