| | |  | | Home » HP Pavilion DV9740US 17.0-inch Entertainment Laptop (Intel Core 2 Duo T5450 Processor, 3 GB RAM, 320 GB Hard Drive, Vista Premium) Radiance | | | | | | | Description: | | HP Pavilion DV9740US Entertainment Notebook PC. For those who want innovative digital entertainment capability coupled with desktop replacement performance, the HP Pavilion dv9700 series Entertainment Notebook PC delivers. Dual headphone jacks and Altec Lansing audio allow you to share your entertainment. And AMD mobile dual core technology enables use of multiple demanding applications, such as photo editing, DVD burning and playing a game, at the same time. This 7.7 lbs /starting weight/ light notebook delivers desktop comparable performance with its 17.0 in High Definition BrightView widescreen display and separate numeric keypad. HP innovation and technology leadership helps you work faster, connect in new ways and play more. | | | Features: | |
• Entertainment-centric notebook PC with widescreen 17-inch LCD and stylish high-gloss finish with wave imprint, integrated webcam
• 1.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5450 dual-core processor, dual 160 GB hard drives, 3 GB RAM (4 GB max), Blu-ray ROM drive with dual-layer DVD writer
• Quad-mode Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n); Gigabit Ethernet; Nvidia GeForce 8600M GS graphics (up to 1791 MB of available memory)
• Connectivity: 4 USB, 1 FireWire, 1 HDMI, 1 VGA, 1 S-Video, ExpressCard 54/34, 5-in-1 memory card reader
• Pre-installed with Windows Vista Home Premium (with Media Center capabilities); includes remote control
| | | Product Details: | | | Product Length:
| 11.22 inches | | Product Width:
| 1.65 inches | | Product Height:
| 6.7 inches | | Product Weight:
| 7.7 pounds | | Package Length:
| 20.0 inches | | Package Width:
| 15.0 inches | | Package Height:
| 15.0 inches | | Package Weight:
| 1.0 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 49 reviews |
| | | | Used and New: | | | |
| All | |
| $599.00 | Used
- VeryGood | | | $750.00 | Used
- Mint | |
| Used | |
| $599.00 | Used
- VeryGood | | | $750.00 | Used
- Mint | |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
 Known to be defectiveJun 20, 2010
While this computer was operable, it worked fairly well. It was fast, the Blu-ray player worked well, and the HDMI output also worked on my LCD TV. What I didn't know that this model has an overheating problem that causes the screen to go blank and become inoperable with use.
I took the computer to a laptop repair shop. The person at the desk told me that this particular model comes in to the shop "all the time" because it has a built-in problem: Over time, the motherboard overheats and eventually malfunctions. Even if I were to fix the issue by replacing the motherboard, he said, this model has an inherent problem that will cause it to overheat again and break. Since replacing the motherboard is an expensive proposition and this model will inevitably overheat and break again, he declined payment from me and recommended not having the laptop fixed at all. Yes, this computer is just that bad.
So if you're the type of person who likes to waste about $1300 on an insidious company that peddles a defective product with a known problem, go right ahead. Otherwise, look elsewhere for a computer that's at least marginally reliable.
Junk laptopFeb 19, 2010
I bought this laptop less than two years ago and it got stuck in the start up and would not turn on.
I went to five technicians and all of them said that it was because of the motherboard and that it was very common with this model.
I called HP, telling them this, and the representative even tried to convince me that maybe it was because of the video card.
I asked them why they wouldn't do anything to fix a common problem that many of their customers complain about.
The representative told me that it wasn't a common problem, that HP had fixed the problem in the earlier models with limited warranty service enhancement, and that my laptop was not faulty. If I want to fix it I have to pay $300.00 plus shipping.
It is ridiculous that I paid $700.00 for this laptop for it to not even work for two years. Then I have to pay more to fix their faulty problem.
It is frustrating to know that many people have the same issue regarding this particular model and that HP will not acknowledge that it exists and fix it.
Do NOT buy this productNov 04, 2009
I purchased my dv9730us(dv9700) HP Pavilion entertainment system in Jan 08, in just 18 mo's I can no longer use it..the system over heats then starts shutting down. I have used a cooling pad with a fan, no help..once it starts shutting down it continues until you press the button to shut it down. I called HP but of course the system is out of warranty and there is no recall to date on this model.I paid over 1300.00 for it 18 months ago..HP says sorry we can't help you. When I did research on this I have found 100's and 100's of people with the same model and the same problem.I had to buy a new laptop, this time I bought a "Dell".No one can convince me HP is not aware there is a issue. So if you are thinking about this model, do your research!!!!!!
one year later...Apr 21, 2009
I bought this computer one year ago and use it every day:
HP Pavilion DV9720US 17.0" glossy screen, AMD Athlon 64 X 2 Dual Core TL-60 Processor, 2 GB RAM, 160 GB Hard Drive, DVD/CD Multidrive with Lightscribe (no Blue-ray) Vista Home Premium.
I have had a great experience using this computer so far. I bought it specifically to replace my DVD and CD player, surf the web, and photo editing. I don't play games on it or use really RAM hogging software so I don't know much about how it would perform under those circumstances. For my needs, this computer is a great fit, and was purchased for a much better price than Amazon is offering it right now.
I like Vista so no problems there. I use XP at work and Vista at home with no problems - this computer can handle vista well even with 2GB RAM. With an expansion, I am sure it is even better.
I also have a decent set of speakers with a sub that I hook up to the laptop for movie and music playback when I want good sound. Laptop speakers of any kind will not produce adequate sound because they do not have subs....no matter what you buy....EVER. Discussing the sound of laptop speakers is ridiculous and I cannot understand why that is part of so many reviews. Use headphones or get speakers with real sound to hookup. The sound card on this model is adequate if not great - I have not complaints about it.
The screen is super glossy and large. It is wonderful to watch movies on, and browse the internet. If you are in a high glare environment, move into the shade and use your computer there or don't buy a super glossy screen. No dead pixels on mine. Its bright and clear. It does suck up power though, but what do you expect from a bright, clear, beautiful large display?
Power cord and battery are decent. Power cord is a little bothersome because the two parts to the cord can come apart from moving around so you have to keep an eye on it. It gets hot like other power cords. The computer can warn you if your battery is low - only if you are not in full screen mode though.
I had some problems with the video card. A driver update from HP was not good and I had to uninstall it and wait for another update. It took quite awhile for me to figure that out. HP customer service is every horrible thing that people said - inconsistent answers, circular logic, language barriers, unresponsive barely conscious ingrates that require threats and thumbscrews to produce answers. I find that ALL customer service departments across the world have the same kind of people working there, a few good ones and a lot of undereducated imbeciles that flunked the military entrance exam and got a job with CS. I just keep calling back until I get a good one or ask to speak with a manager immediately. I take down the name of the good ones and call them back directly if I can or email them. I also write down all my calls and the responses so when the story changes, I have the notes to refer to. After many calls, several updates, multiple restarts, playing different kinds of media frontwards and backwards, praying to Indian elephant gods while spinning on my head for 5 mins, and a complete OS reinstall, I was finally able to play video (avi or mkv) without the screen seizing up and the computer shutting off. It was an updated driver for the NVDIA card that caused the problem, uninstalling that driver fixed the problem, well that and three weeks of frustration, multiple threats, new curse words invented, and minimal violence.
I have reinstalled Vista twice now from the recovery partition. It works fast enough but having to uninstall all of the bloatware sucks. It would be the same from the disks I am sure, which I ordered and received for free from HP. It is a good idea to have a hard copy of the back up disks as well as the recovery partition.
My hard drive is small (120GB after partition, program and OS taxes) but I burn stuff off that I am not currently using or use an external. The hard drive works fast but again, its small and it should.
The CD/DVD drive works well but it is loud. I read about the multidrive being loud when I got the computer and it is loud. It does work well though, I burn media (CD and DVD) all the time using several different programs and have had no problems - again though I use only Sony media, and use the right program for the right kind of media so my drive works. A lot of drive problems come from Dollar Store media and crappy software that doesn't handle your drive correctly.
The graphics card produces a lot of heat. I keep speedfan going often to monitor the heat. My fan kicks into high gear a lot. I try to turn off my media playback, especially with visualizations, when I am not using it. Your card runs even when the windows are minimized in thumbnails or previews or the media is not playing actively due to visualizations. The bottom of the laptop does get hot but they all do, especially if you block the vents. HP probably could have done more with heat sinks and venting to accommodate the heat from the graphics card.
The right shift key. I love all the buttons on my laptop and the touchpad too, except for the right shift key. Obviously this is a mean spirited joke created by some jerk. You cannot get used to it if you use other computers. If you care about capitalization or use right hand symbols on the number row (^&*(_+) like I do and have a short temper - this is not the computer for you. My poor computer has almost ended up out the window several times because of this inadequate horrible design. Does anyone even use the number pad? I am still wondering about that...why would you? This is definitely not what I would consider a work computer for accountants or statisticians. Can I get a cupholder instead on the right side of my keyboard and a full size shift key?
I love the touch pad with the scroll bar, I love my wireless card, I like the quickplay keys sometimes, I love love love the LED lighted media keys, the cam is good although if you are doing more than face to face you need to get another cam since this one is not easy to aim, the case gets fingerprints if you touch it and comes clean if you wipe it (miraculous how that works), and one year later I can read all my keys although they are getting worn. Black keyboard is great, USBs are great. Haven't used Lightscribe, remote control, 5 in 1, ethernet ports.
I will say that I researched laptops hard for about a month before I bought this one and I am happy with my purchase. It does what I need it to do with minimal problems. I would recommend it to anyone (as long as you get it on sale for less than $800) looking for a nice display for video and good sound, and some web browsing. If you are designing the next space shuttle or coming over from a MacBook Pro, you need to keep shopping and use your head - this is not a workhorse computer or an Alienware bad mo-fo - its a mid priced entertainment notebook. What you pay is what you get.
UPDATE July 1, 2010: My computer also shuts down from overheating, just like most other reviews you will read. It does not do it often, and only when I am maxing out my graphics card and CPU, but it is still unsettling. Integrated nVidia graphics cards have caused problems for HP in the past, and it appears they have not fixed the issue in more recent models. I really do like the computer, but I have a hard time recommending it to anyone with this problem.
0 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 Better ones out there for less.Dec 10, 2008
I've had this laptop for while.
Pros:
=====
Decent hardware setup.
Reliable (exceptions see below)
Runs very quiet.
Cons:
=====
Remote does not work/no fix through HP.
Issues with Blue-ray/no fix through HP.
The usual plethora of pre-loaded software you do not want.
Vista.
If you want a decent workhorse, it's pretty good. If like the extras to work...well, keep shopping.
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