HP Laptop Store

Balance your need for productivity with great multimedia performance with the HP Pavilion dv9740us notebook PC, which features an amazingly bright, widescreen 17-inch BrightView display–perfect for multitasking between document windows and watching movies in their native aspect ratio. This notebook also incorporates a Blu-ray drive that’s compatible with the new high-definition DVD disc format. Enjoy amazingly crisp and vibrantly colorful imagery from this new format. Enjoy movies or music in seconds with the external DVD or music buttons to launch HP QuickPlay (which bypasses the boot process). Control playback settings from up to 10 feet away with the included remote control, which stores conveniently in the ExpressCard slot.

It also has an integrated 1.3-megapixel WebCam (and integrated microphone), enabling easy video conferencing via VoIP and video IM chats. This stylish laptop also features a high-gloss, durable HP Imprint finish with the Radiance pattern of concentric waves, as well as a subtle blue backlit media control panel that responds to the slightest touch.

This notebook is powered by the 1.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T5450 processor, which offers a 20 percent performance boost over its predecessor while using 28 percent less power–so you get the benefit of a powerful dual-core PC plus all the benefits of mobility. Other hardware features include dual 160 GB hard drives, 3 GB of installed RAM (4 GB maximum), dual-layer DVD±RW drive (which also burns CDs), an integrated Nvidia GeForce 8600M GS video/graphics card with up to 1791 MB of total allocated video memory, quad-mode Wi-Fi LAN (802.11a/b/g/n), and multi-format memory card reader.

This laptop also comes preinstalled with Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, which includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center. In addition to easily playing your DVD movies and managing your digital audio library, you’ll be able to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV). Vista also integrates new search tools throughout the operating system, includes new parental control features, and offers new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures.

The Basics

• Processor: The Intel Core 2 Duo T5450 processor has a 1.66 GHz processor speed, fast 667 MHz front-side bus (FSB), and 2 MB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system’s performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.)

  With two computational execution cores in a single processor, it provides greater system response when running multi-threaded applications simultaneously with no significant increase in power consumption. It’s optimized for multitasking and is ready to support the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system. It can simultaneously run multiple demanding applications–such as graphics-intensive games or serious number-crunching business productivity applications–while downloading music or running virus-scanning security programs in the background. Some of the advanced Intel innovations of the Core 2 Duo processor include:

  • Smart Memory Access: Improves system performance by hiding memory latency, thus optimizing the use of available computer data bandwidth to provide data to the processor when and where it is needed.
  • Advanced Digital Media Boost: Effectively doubles the execution speed for instructions used widely in multimedia and graphics applications.
  • Dynamic Power Coordination: Coordinates Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology and idle power-management state (C-states) transitions independently per core to help save power.
  • Deeper Sleep with Dynamic Cache Sizing: Saves power by flushing cache data to system memory during periods of inactivity to lower CPU voltage.

• Hard Drive: This system offers a total of 320 GB of hard disk drive space from two 160 GB drives (5400 RPM). These Serial ATA (SATA) hard drives also quicken the pace with a higher speed transfer of data–akin to FireWire and USB 2.0.
• Memory: This notebook comes installed with 3 GB of RAM (DDR2), which helps boost the amount of available video RAM that’s shared with this notebook’s video card. It has a 4 GB RAM capacity.
• DVD/CD Drive: This HP notebook is capable of playing back Blu-ray Disc movies in stunning clarity, as well as playing your current library of purchased and burned disc content. It also incorporates a DVD±RW writer that can also burn CDs, which is compatible with dual-layer (DL) discs that can hold up to 8.5 GB of data.
• Keyboard & Mouse: This notebook has a 101-key keyboard (with integrated numeric keypad) and a touchpad with on/off button and dedicated vertical/horizontal Scroll Up/Down pad. It also includes two quick-launch buttons (HP QuickPlay Music and DVD).

Screen, Video & Audio
The 17-inch WXGA+ high-definition BrightView widescreen (1440 x 900 resolution) provides a 45 percent larger picture for DVD movies than a 15-inch screen. Video is powered by the integrated Nvidia GeForce 8600M GS graphics/video card, which provides up to 1791 MB of total graphics memory as allocated by Windows Vista (512 MB dedicated RAM) for unmatched HD video performance on a notebook PC. With support for Microsoft DirectX 10 Shader Model 4.0 and High Dynamic-Range Lighting (HDR), it lets you rip through all of today’s most advanced and cutting-edge games and applications. Experience real-time photo editing, or immerse yourself in the most complex, true-to-life gaming environments.

The Altec Lansing speakers provide exceptional sound, and a pair of stereo earbud headphones with volume controls is included. You’ll be able to privately share enjoyment of multimedia with a friend via the dual headphone jacks.

Networking, Connectivity & Expansion
Be ready for the next platform in wireless connectivity with this notebook’s integrated quad-mode Wi-Fi chip. Based on the draft 802.11n Wi-Fi specification, it offers up to five times the performance and twice the wireless range as existing 802.11g wireless. It’s also backward compatible with 802.11b/g networks (commonly found in home routers and wi-fi hotspots) as well as 802.11a networks (which has a higher throughput, but more limited range–great for closed office environments). It also includes a next-generation ExpressCard 54/34 card slot (replacing the PCMCIA slot), which lets you take advantage of thinner, faster, and lighter expansion cards for even more advanced wireless, networking, storage, and security features. You get a very good offering of connectivity options, which does include super-fast USB 2.0 and FireWire:

• 4 USB 2.0 ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals–from digital cameras to MP3 players
• 1 FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) port for connecting digital video camcorders and other peripherals
• 1 HDMI output (for connecting to a compatible HDTV or home theater receiver for uncompressed digital audio and video via a single cable)
• Analog video out: 1 VGA monitor port and 1 S-Video port for connecting to a TV or projector
• 1 ExpressCard/54 Slot (also supports ExpressCard/34)
• 2 headphone jacks, 1 microphone jack
• 1 Expansion Port 3 connector (for use with the HP xb3000 Expansion Base or the HP Notebook QuickDock)
• 1 IR receiver
• 5-in-1 memory card reader (Secure Digital, MMC, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, xD Picture Card)
• 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet
• 56K modem (V.90)

Operating System
Windows Vista Home Premium is the operating system for users with advanced computer needs, and it includes all of the Windows Media Center capabilities for turning your PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center for watching DVD movies and accessing your digital audio library. You can also use Windows Media Center to record and watch your favorite TV shows (even HDTV) and to access new kinds of online entertainment content. Computers that include Windows Vista Home Premium and an auxiliary Windows SideShow display will also allow you to access key data even when your computer is off. It is also easier than ever to share files between other PCs in your household and to manage your laptop computer settings to more securely connect via Wi-Fi.

Every edition of Windows Vista provides the essential tools and technologies to help protect you whether you are browsing the Internet, connecting to a wireless network, or just reading e-mail. All editions of Windows Vista include new tools that can warn you of impending hardware failures long before you have lost any important personal data. And, all Windows Vista editions include parental control features that allow you to manage and monitor your family’s use of games, the Internet, instant messaging, and other activities.

Preloaded Software
Symantec Norton Internet Security 2008 (60 days of complimentary live update), HP PhotoSmart Essential, Muvee autoProducer, Cyberlink DVD Suite, Microsoft Works 9, Microsoft Office 2007 Student and Teacher Edition (60-day trial)

Dimensions & Weight
This notebook measures 15.16 x 11.22 x 1.65 inches (WxHxD) and weighs 7.7 pounds.

Power
It’s powered by a 8-cell rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which has a battery life of up to 2.5 hours (depending on usage).

What’s in the Box
This package contains the HP Pavilion dv9740us notebook PC, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, AC adapter, IR remote control, earphones, and operating instructions. It is backed by a limited warranty for parts and labor for one year from date of purchase as well as technical telephone assistance for one year. Software is also covered for 30 days from date of purchase.

Reduce your impact on the environment with this Energy Star-certified system and HP’s innovative take-back options, including trade-in, recycling and donation.
Customer Review: Better ones out there for less.
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.
Customer Review: Good product
I am totally happy with the computer itself although the key popped off after a week but that’s not a major issue. My only complaint is about HP service, the only way I can fix that is to send the computer back to them which will take 3 weeks or more to come back to me. I compare that with another manufacturer, it’s really discouraging for future considerations. Buy Now