This HP Pavillion dv7-7010 model has met my expectations and has been a joy to use so far. It's large! At 17.3 inches (on the other end of the size spectrum from my 11.6" HP) it's slightly less portable and versatile just because of it's size. The battery that came with it is also large, it has a foot that props the laptop up a bit--which was strange to me at first, but I like it. This also probably allows air to circulate under the laptop to prevent overheating.
Set up is simple, although we did encounter a hiccup with our model. When it arrived, I immediately began setup, which is as simple as loading the battery and plugging it in. Once I powered it on, however, the computer initially had issues and gave an error message telling us the hard drive was failing. While this was a major let down at first, it was resolved quite quickly by a call to HP tech support (I was happy to have my call answered straight away) and the tech had us disconnect the hard drive and plug it back in, then restart and see if it worked. The computer then started up just fine and has worked perfectly ever since. Apparently, this was probably caused by a loose connection due to jostling during shipping or something. Sometimes the hard drive gets disconnected slightly or wasn't properly connected at the factory. I'm happy to say that tech support was very helpful, and even offered to call back the next day to check and see if the computer was still functioning properly. Since then, as I said, there have been no further issues. My experience with the tech support was a good one, and I'm happy to report that is the first time I've ever needed to contact them, my other HP has had zero issues over the last couple years. So, obviously, I think this is a very reliable brand!
The screen is bright and clear (and large!), the sound is better than most laptops with it's fancy Beats Audio speakers, and the laptop itself is sturdy and good looking. One of the coolest features that is new to me as a laptop user was the "HP Simple Pass" fingerprint scanner. Located on the right side, just below the keyboard, is a little scanner that uses your fingerprint as a password! You can sync it to most accounts (Yahoo Mail, bank accounts, Facebook, Twitter, Paypal, etc). I think this feature is really neat and cutting edge.
With 6GB of memory, a 750GB hard drive, and ginormous screen, this would make a great laptop for mild to moderate gaming (or moms like me, who store a million and one photos and videos of their kids...)and young professionals. Due to it's size, this laptop makes a great desktop replacement. If you like the style of a desktop, but need a portable computer, this is a great choice. The Cyberlink You Cam software is fun, and the webcam seems to be better quality than on my smaller, older HP Pavillion.
The touch pad is smartly designed, a double tap in one corner will lock it, and you can pinch your fingers inward or outward for easy-zooming in, and two fingers drawn up or down controls scroll.
Though I haven't had this Pavillion dv7 for long, it's been impressive and met my expectations. I'll definitely update this review if I encounter any changes in performance or reliability. Since I've been using an HP Pavillion laptop for a few years now, however, I can definitely vouch for this series having a reputation of reliability and durability. I really love the HP style keyboards, too. I used to have lots of issues with my old Toshiba & Gateway losing keys like crazy, they seemed much more fragile.
HP is a trustworthy brand, in my book, and I'm so happy to have another great laptop from the Pavillion series. I would definitely recommend this laptop to those searching for a large, competent computer that will last you a long time. If you have questions I didn't answer about this product, feel free to leave a comment and I'll be happy to answer it the best I can.
UPDATE 7/26/12: I've had a request for photos of the battery size, which I've added and you can now see in the photos on this product listing. The battery does definitely add some bulk. That, and the size of the entire laptop, is why I suggest this might be the perfect choice for those who'd really prefer a desktop, and will mostly be keeping a stationary computer, but for whatever reason need to have it be portable from time to time.
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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program I'm a graphics/web professional and have owned many laptops over the years, from tiny netbooks to larger portables like the Macbook Pro 15", but none this large. At 17", this HP DV7 is a hulking beast. It's a beautiful machine with a beautiful wide screen, perfect for people who keep a lot of windows open. Most of the programs I use have a lot of menus and floating toolbars all over the place, especially Adobe Creative Suite, so a wider screen lets you see more of the workspace unobstructed. The machine is loaded up with plenty of hard drive space and RAM, so for it should fits the bill for most users. Set up was easy. It took about 15 or 20 minutes from unboxing to getting the laptop all configured and getting online. I find the contrast of the screen a bit low, however. Colors aren't as deep as I've seen on other laptops. Viewing angle is also limited. You have to look dead on at the screen at a 90 degree angle, otherwise the contrast and colors look slightly faded. In Chrome, under low light conditions, the screen kept adjusting the brightness by itself as I scrolled from top to bottom. I did not find a way to disable this.Weighing in at over 6 1/2 lbs, this is really a desktop replacement and not a very travel-friendly machine. It's possible, but not recommended. I tried lugging it around for several days to and from the office on my commute and it felt very awkward carrying such a large contraption around. The protruding battery makes for an awkward handhold and may cause fitting problems with laptop sleeves. It makes the laptop look lumpy and causes an unsightly bulge in my Case Logic LAPS-117 17 17.3 -Inch Laptop Sleeve (Black)! The battery is meant to elevate the laptop off the desk and provide better airflow underneath, but it doubles the height profile. True to its claims, the CoolSense technology keeps the laptop operating at very cool temperature. By far, it's the coolest laptop I've ever used. I've had many lap cookers, but this one is comfortable and I don't have to worry about starting a fire on my bed or baking my thighs. It's been on for an hour and the bottom of the laptop is only slightly warm. Battery life is very good. At the 1 hr mark, it has only depleted 15%, but of course, this will vary greatly depending on what you're doing. I'm only typing in a browser, so I'm not demanding a lot of processing. If you're watching a movie or playing a game, the battery will drain faster.
I like the dedicated WiFi on/off button. It makes it easy for me to switch between WiFi and a hard line. I also like the integrated AuthenTec finger print scanner. It's the wave of the future (Apple recently acquired them for $350 million). You can login to your machine with it. When you login to a website for the first time, it'll ask you if you want to remember the password. The next time you come back to the site, the finger scanner will blink. Just swipe your finger on it and the system will login for you. The swiping isn't perfect and if you do it too fast, or are off-center, you'll have to do it again. This is a huge help because I have so many passwords to so many sites that I cannot keep track. You do know NOT TO keep passwords in something like an Excel file, right? Or using the same password for multiple sites? This finger scanner gets rid of that huge headache. The functionality isn't browser dependent. If you register a site in Internet Explorer, you'll be able to swipe if you go there in Chrome, or any other browser. Coming back from sleep, however, HP SimplePass failed. It did not recognize when I was trying to login and the sensor did not blink. Worst of all, Windows reported that the sensor was disconnected. I had to reboot to restore functionality. I will update my review if this keeps happening. So far it's only happened once.
HDMI is another great feature, if you do presentations or want to watch movies on your HDTV. A Blu-ray drive would've made this perfect as a complete portable entertainment rig. The speakers are loud and suitable for parties or presentations. Sound output varies greatly with laptops and I'm glad this one is loud. You'd have no problems hearing it from across the room at max volume. Other features: SD card is standard these days as is integrated webcam. It has three USB 3.0 ports to be future-proof, since most portable hard drives these days are USB 3.0. The new plug is up to 10x faster than USB 2.0. All 4 ports are the same, so you can still plug in USB 2.0 devices into the 3.0 ports.
I have not yet tested gaming performance.
DISLIKES:
The full keyboard, to me, is suboptimal and less of a blessing and something of a curse. As my first 17" class laptop, I'm finding myself having to relearn the keyboard layout to account for the extra keypad. My spatial memory wants to think that the keys just end before that. I rarely use the keypad on a desktop keyboard, so I don't need it on a laptop. The arrow keys are way too small in comparison to their importance, particularly the up and down keys, which are half the height of the left and right. I have to feel for them to locate if I don't want to look down. Other laptops have the familiar inverted T configuration. On a full-sized desktop keyboard, the arrow keys are usually isolated into its own block of buttons (just look down at your keyboard if you're on a desktop computer). Here, they are jammed together under the Shift key in a very cramped and poorly thought-out configuration. For gamers, this is very detrimental. It is also worth mentioning that my spacebar squeaks.
Another very big annoyance is that during typing, if you brush your palm even slightly against the trackpad, the cursor will get moved to another location. This has happened about 5 times as I type this review. I consciously tried to avoid triggering the pad, but all of a sudden, the cursor will pop to someplace new or click into a previously browsed page in my history. While trying to write some code in a text editor, the cursor kept popping to different lines in my editing window. This makes for a very frustrating experience as it's easy to just type over entire blocks of text and I have to spend time undoing the accidental typing. I've never experienced this ever on another laptop.
Pinch to zoom I didn't like at all and turned it off. It kept misfiring in Google Chrome and zooming my text up and down unintentionally. I highly recommend an external mouse, like Logitech M305 Wireless Mouse.
Space-wasting power jack: the plug goes in the right side of the laptop and sticks out another 2 inches. As if the laptop itself isn't taking up enough space! Most laptops have it coming out the back.
SUMMARY:
All in all, a very solid laptop with a lot of ports, features, and versatility at a very competitive price. Well worth considering if you're in the market for a new machine.
UPDATE 9/19/12: I left this in my office drawer for several weeks and then took it on a work trip, but forgot to take the AC adapter! It had about 35% power left and lasted a good 2 hours before shutting down. That's pretty impressive for the battery.
I continue to be underwhelmed by the screen and poor visibility unless you are directly looking at it. Any other angle and visibility is reduced.
UPDATE 10/19/12: I installed my first game, XCOM: Enemy Unknown. Runs very fast, even with all the graphics options turned to high. Absolutely no complaints here!
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I love this laptop. The more I use it, the more I love it. Large easy-to-use touch pad, large screen with brilliant quality, powerful cpu for a laptop, impressive unique style, great keyboard with number pad, very nice sound for a laptop and much more!One of the features I hardly cared about or noticed, fingerprint scanning, has been one of the more use-changing features about it. It is great logging in to the computer, all websites and even opening custom sets of pages with a swipe of a finger! That's right, swipe your finger when you're not at a login page, and it opens the specific pages you choose! :)
This computer runs everything I wanted it to (including some high-demand CAD programs!). It is the "best of the rest" when it comes to mid-level laptops. The performance ratings seem to be on par with most $900-$1400 laptops for how I use it (CAD, music, video, browser, lots of specialized background programs such as flux and launchy). I have ran all of those run at once without any major slowdowns.
For me, this laptop is sleek and sturdy and light enough to carry around anywhere. I don't even bother carrying the cord. Want to know why? The battery lasts 7-9 hours with the way I use the laptop (normal brightness, lots of programs running). If I put it on power saver and only run a couple things, that can be stretched out. 7-9 hours of usage is plenty for most any given day while I am out and about.
The glossy screen is not ideal but if that doesn't bother you, the rest of the laptop will impress. This is the best laptop I've ever used. I wouldn't even compare this to a macbook air... macbook airs are not in this class of performance and capabilities. If this package had an apple on it, it would be, just rough guessing :P, $1800 or more.
Honest reviews on HP Pavilion dv7-7010us 17.3-Inch Laptop (Black)
Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program This is my first REAL laptop. I feel so grownup (about time many would say). I am not a technophobe but I am definitely not a computer geek either. I have been using an ACER netbook for quite a few years now. And I also have had a Kindle Fire since Christmas 2011. And a desktop PC I never use any more. I sit on the couch, watch television and take care of business (very slug-like I know).So why did I feel the need to have a full-size laptop? I wanted the storage capacity for one. And this workhorse really has it 6gb of RAM and a 750gb hard drive. Plenty of room for all my photos (LOTS), all my music (LOTS AND LOTS) and copies of my reviews and other correspondence. Those are my main uses for the laptop.
I also wanted a larger keyboard and I especially like having the numeric keypad, too, since I have an accounting background and find it easier to use for long strings of numbers. I like the feel of the alpha keypad, too. Very nice to type on.
This machine is a monster, though. Who would have thought that 17.3 inches was so big...hmmmm...There are a couple of differing sets of outer dimensions listed on Amazon for this laptop so I went ahead and measured it again for you. What I come up with is 16 1/2" length; 11" width; 1 3/16" height at the front of the laptop and 2 3/16" height at the back of the laptop, which includes the battery pack.
One thing I found out is that this laptop is too big to sit on my lap and type in front of the television. Other reviewers who have said this would make a good work station computer are right. But I decided to get a small table to set this on so I could still use in the living room. I went with the 2 Smart Table Mate TV Foldable Adjustable Trays. Free shipping on the tables (I got two since there was a price break). Easy to assemble table, pretty sturdy, the laptop fits nicely on it. The table legs slide under the couch and I can see my TV over the open laptop.
One of the first things I did to the laptop was turn off the touchpad. Call me old school but I like having a mouse. I plugged in my wireless mouse Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000 Special Edition Wool Blue and I was ready to go. There's not a lot of extra room on my little table so I use the mouse on the couch. Works fine for me.
I guess I should mention set up. My husband is the tech guru in the house and got the laptop ready for me. He said it came out of the box basically ready to use. The only problem we had and it was OUR problem was we ended up having to get a new wireless router with more band width. Our old one was just that OLD and we had too many wireless devices using it. We got the new router and no problem. My husband downloaded all my old files onto the laptop and I've been using it since.
Things I like:
1. I love the big screen. Photography is one of my hobbies and the bigger screen is great for viewing and editing my photos. Great color too. It is also wonderful to watch movies, TV shows, You Tube, etc. on. Much easier to see than my netbook or the Fire.
2. Typing is much easier on the bigger keyboard than I am used to, at least once the touchpad is turned off. If you leave the touchpad on, you will find that you hit it with the palm of your right hand and the laptop then takes you all over where you don't want to go. I kept losing a review I was typing until I finally turned the touchpad totally off. Double tap on the top left hand corner of the touchpad to turn off (you will see a tiny red light come on to the left of the touchpad when you do this).
3. The camera is wonderful. It adjusts for light and the picture is then very clear for Skype or for videos or whatever you might use it for. There is a fun little program included with the laptop Cyberlink You Cam and you can do fun little things with your picture such as wear hats, etc. while skyping or taking photos.
4. I LOVE the Beats Audio system on the laptop. I am partially deaf and am NEVER able to hear on any of my equipment (until now) unless I put headphones/ear buds on. I don't even have the audio turned up full blast on this and I can hear just fine with no distortion. I love being able to listen to my music on it. There are four speakers two in the lid and two in the base and then a sub woofer underneath the unit. Great sound. I can actually hear movies I'm watching on it, too.
5. My husband played World of Warcraft on the system. Great graphics and sound, he said.
Some minor issues I've noticed:
1. The arrow keys on the alpha keyboard are not set up well at all. The up and down keys sit in between the left and right keys and are half the size of the left-right keys. When my husband was playing World of Warcraft, he turned off the numeric lock on the numeric keypad and used the arrows on it. Much easier for game playing, he said.
2. I wish there were a DVD/CD slot in the side of the laptop, having the entire system internal with an exterior eject button, rather than a disc tray that pops out. It feels a little flimsy as I'm pushing the discs down onto the spindle. Be sure to support the tray from underneath. It works fine, though.
3. There is a hinged cover on the left side of the laptop, covering the network jack. It opens easily but is rather difficult to get lined up and closed correctly. I'm not quite sure why there is a cover on this anyway. None of the other jacks have covers. This one has a rubber hinged little door that fits in slots. Or it's supposed to fit in the slots.
4. I really wish the keyboard was backlit on the laptop especially when watching movies. In the user manual, it says F5 is supposed to light up the keyboard. Well, it's not included on this unit (and it's not supposed to be as far as I can tell).
5. I do NOT like Windows 7 which is included with the laptop. I was perfectly fine with Windows XP. Watch out when you have multiple windows open they are extremely easy to close and thus lose information.
But, all in all, I am very happy with the laptop. I'm glad I made the move to the bigger laptop. I still miss holding the laptop actually on my lap and typing, which you can't easily do with this, but I'm getting used to the table. And the typing is much easier.
Oh, I got a great laptop case for this that looks nice and fits well. It is 17.3" Slipsuit Sleeve Red. Good price and very well made. The only thing that would have made it better is a shoulder strap. But I don't foresee traveling with this laptop too much. It is just too big.
I haven't had this too long. If anything else comes up, I will edit my review and let you know.
Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for HP Pavilion dv7-7010us 17.3-Inch Laptop (Black)
Exactly the laptop I have been waiting for, I like AMD, Could go from Good to ExcellentThe stuff I like (What I think makes it Good)
* AMD Quad-Core A10-4600M (2.3 GHz )
* AMD Radeon HD 7660G Discrete-Class
* Up to 12 hours and 30 minutes Battery Life
* 17.3" diagonal HD+ BrightView LED-backlit (1600 x 900)
* Full-Size Island-Style Keyboard with Integrated Numeric Keypad
* Beats Audio; HP Triple Bass Reflex Subwoofer; 4 speakers
* 3 Super Speed USB 3.0
* SATA III
What would make this Excellent (Which is available as parts) if you could Customize & Buy, and add the following and FYI. These options are not available with the HP Pavilion g7z-2100 Notebook PC
* Radon HD 7730M graphics (dual graphics)
* Second hard drive(so that you could add a SSD for Boot Drive)
* Keyboard with backlight
* Blu-ray writer & SuperMulti DVD burner
* WINDOWS 7 ULTIMATE 64-BIT
Well to end this, I hope HP comes out with a Customize & Buy for this, I think it would sell very well, I have sent them emails to this effect
Please!! Contact HP, if you agree about Customize & Buy for This Laptop
