My DV9700T

As I mentioned in my previous blog, HP replaced my DV9000z with a new DV9700T.

So far, it completely blows away the DV9000Z.

I got the Intel Dual Core 2 T9300 Processor (Penryn) running at 2.5MHZ, dual 120GB Hard Drives (7200RPM), 17" WSXGA+ Brightview Widescreen (1680 resolution), 2 GB DDDRQ@, 512 Geforce 8600M GS, Intel Pro Wirelesss 4965AGN w/Bluetooth, Lightscribe DVD, High Capacity 8 cell battery and the reinstall DVD. It has Windows Vista Home Premium on it. I replaced the RAM with 4GB of Geil 800MHZ DDR 2 with the heat shields. Upgrade took about 2 minutes, worked perfectly.

It did have excessive bloatware, which I removed.

I went from the AMD TL-56 with one 100GB 5400 RPM Drive to the T9300 with dual 120 GB 7200 RPM's. HP kindly replaced it at no cost to me at all, plus this one now has a one year warranty.

Hats off to HP. I am sending back my DELL XPS M1530 today for a full refund!

HP DV9000Z Experience (HP Comes Through)

As I posted earlier, I had two of the DV9000Z's. Both failed, and one was under warranty - got it back quickly in good condition and they replaced pretty much everything on it. DV9000 #2 came back in under a week, they replaced the motherboard, LCD Bezel, LCD Cover. THey did not reformat the drive, but obviously didn't test it either...it didn't boot. I could have tried a new image, but why should I? Anyway, I had been working right along with Mr. Jeff Utigard from HP who provided great communications and actually sent me emails asking how it was going.

I think since I am in the Coast Guard, and he has fond CG memories, this might have helped??

Anyway, I emailed him today, he emailed back within an hour, said to configure a new HP system on their site, within a hundred or so over my last configuration and send him the info. I did, and HP called today and said it was being built and will ship on the 25th. My DV9000Z was a TL-56, 2 GB RAM, 100 GB 5400 RPM Drive with the lower resolution screen.....Although at the time, I paid about $1350 for it. The new one has:

HP Pavilion dv9700t customizable Notebook PC GT811AV

- Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)

- Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo Processor T9300 (2.50 GHz, 6 MB L2 Cache, 800MHz

FSB)

- 17.0" WSXGA+ High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1680 x

1050)

- 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)

- 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS

- FREE Upgrade to HP Imprint Finish (Radiance) + Fingerprint Reader + Webcam

+ Microphone!!

- FREE Upgrade to Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection and

BluetoothTM!!

- 240GB 7200RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (120GB x 2)

- LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support

- No TV Tuner w/remote control

- High Capacity 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery

No complaints, HP treated me right and was excellent to work with. I can honestly say, they have been much better than Dell. I'm not sure if I had not already worked with Mr. Utigard in the past that I would have been as successful, however if you have problems with HP computers, Mr. Utigard is the solution!!!!

Kudos to HP for customer care!!!!

Update to My DELL XPSM1530 Experience

I am on my second XPS M1530. This one has a better screen, although I have some issue with it. I would call is "splotchy", especially on a white backround. I had both my old and new 1530's side by side, and this one is better, but not what I would call wonderful by any mean. On a white background, it is very splotchy, kind of makes you dizzy actually, and very annoying. On color background, not a big issue. It doesn't freeze like my last one, it just crashes. Dell says it is due to Corel Photo X2, yet that works fine on my Dell XPS 420's and Inspiron 1720.

I have decided to return it, currently on hold with dell, they now say I can't return it since it has been more than 21 days since my original order (even though they replaced it once). Of course now they just disconnected me after 45 minutes on the phone. Nice!! Love that XPS Support!

I'll post back, but so far, the XPS M1530 is a loser in my book!