HP Pavilion DV7-3180US 17.3-Inch Laptop (Black)
- Intel Core i7-720QM processor with 1.60GHz with Turbo Boost Technology up to 2.80GHz
- 6GB DDR3 System Reminiscence (2 DIMM) (expandable to 8 GB)
- 640GB (5400RPM) Hard Drive, LightScribe Blu-ray ROM with SuperMulti DVD±R/RW Double Layer Support
- Real Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit, * Up to 4.75 Hours of Battery Life
- 17.3 Diagonal HD+ LED HP BrightView Widescreen Show (1600 x 900)
- Nvidia GeForce GT 230M with up to 2815MB whole graphics reminiscence with 1024MB dedicated
For those who want an all-in-one performance notebook with rich multimedia features, the HP Pavilion dv7 Entertainment series delivers desktop-replacement performance that looks as fantastic as it runs.Powered by the latest processor and graphics technologies the latest processor and graphics technologies, it delivers optimal mobile performance to support your lifestyle.
Rating: 
(out of 14 reviews)
hp notebook review
Anyone miserable with this unit is nuts or spoiled as hell. Can’t really find a complaint. Quick. Been by for over a month now problem free. Took it out of the box, turned it on, set it up, and started working, and remember saying out loud “I can’t beleive I own this”. Most computer hardware wise for the money I may possibly find. Solid. Only thing that disappointed was that the HP Media Bundle has issues but the Windows programs are reliable. I like to install my own media software anyhow so I still give this machine 5 stars.
I have used the HP Pavilion DV7 for the 17 months now. It was bought by my company as I would never have considered purchasing such a “cheap” laptop. I only preface with this bit of nerd snobbery so you can know this review is written by someone who hasn’t touched a notebook under $2K for over a decade and has rather high PC performance standards:
In small, this is an AMAZING steal for the price. The technical specs are stuck-up to what you’ll find in the more “elite” market and the performance of this PC is really impressive. In fact, I’m leaving my company and am only on Amazon writing this review as I prepare to hold another of these models for my personal use…
PROS:
I originally thought I’d only use it for work (aka spreadsheets, etc) but started by it for video surveillance, gaming, movie burning, etc because it was working so smoothly. I’m a very hard PC user. I don’t like to close applications and am always multi-tasking as in: several Microsoft Excel spreadsheets; a few Word ID; at least one Machinate file; iTunes playing in the background; Outlook running and checking mail every 15 seconds; Google Chrome open with 7 tabs; and Mozilla Firefox open with 7 more tabs. This PC has performed expertly for a year and never even paused despite my harsh use. As in, no crashes, no hesitation to respond to a click despite aforementioned heavy (ab)use and because it’s worth repeating–no crashes.
CONS:
The only thing I have to report, is after 17 months of solid use, I’ve worn the “E” off (key/hardware works fine) and the “R” is on her way out too!
Although I had no issue with mine, I feel compelled to report that of the 4 PCS my company bought, one did end up with a fried motherboard. To be honest, that particular employee was prone to visiting…websites of ill-repute…and may possibly have caught himself a virus (ironic) that turned the fans off.
I know that for the price your paying for this computer it isen’t that terrible. It only has one fluck that I have experenced and that is that the dislay drive stops responding and immediantly recovers after the screen gos black for a few seconds. It has something to do with the kernel drive 184.66 and I can’t fix it because hp and nvidia haven’t come up with a solution too the problem yet and yes I did a system recovery several times also uninstalling and reinstalling the driver. Other than that I really can’t complain other then that small problem with the show drive. I really dont like the fact that they took out the 500GB (7200RPM) hard drive and replaced it with a 640GB (5400RPM). Overall I give this computer a 4 out of 5.
I am somewhat PC-Challenged (just so you know) but after checking [...], [...], Walt Mossberg and Kim Komando…I chose on this HP Pavilion because it has:
1. 17.3″ LED back-lit screen (I chose I’d rather have the large screen rather than a smaller–more portable–model).
2. Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit (thus avoiding the Outlook “hassles”).
3. 4 GB Reminiscence (Mossberg recc’d minimum 2 GB).
4. 500 GB Hard Drive (Mossberg recc’d minimum 250 GB). Plus it is 7200 RPM (which is supposed to be “quicker” than the usual 5400 RPM).
5. Dual Core 2.56 GHz Processor (dual core is supposed to be “better”).
6. 2300 MB discrete (which is supposed to be better than an integrated) Graphics Card.
7. CD/DVD Burner with “Categorize Maker”.
8. Built-in Webcam and mike.
9. Wireless 802.11 b/g/n with Bluetooth
10. HDMI Productivity (which, when connect to my HDTV, will give me a better picture than the usual VGA Productivity).
11. Premium Surround-Sound with a SubWoofer (not sure how vital that really is…but really didn’t cost anything superfluous).
12. A Remote Control for PC if surveillance it on my HDTV (again, not sure how vital that really is…but, again, really didn’t cost anything superfluous).
What more may possibly I want/need…for barely over $800!!??!!
the touch pad on mine sucks so terrible it’s nearly unusable! i can’t beleive no one else is complaining about it. try scrolling down a page and it go’s nuts.try and stop it before the bottom and your going all the way to the top! reading anything with this is the most frustrating thing u will ever do.
this is my forth laptop and by far the worst yet. yes i tried adjusting every setting and it still sucks……….
/update.After calling HP and let the tech. guy update the Bios… it works fantastic!!! Now I like this laptop two stars more and would tell others to buy this one, thanks HP.