Comments on: The HP Pavilion dv2 – A vacation from my Macs http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/06/16/the-hp-pavilion-dv2-a-vacation-from-my-macs/ Gadget reviews and news by Julie Strietelmeier and friends since 1997 Sun, 27 May 2012 00:39:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Randy http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/06/16/the-hp-pavilion-dv2-a-vacation-from-my-macs/comment-page-1/#comment-52843 Randy Tue, 05 Jan 2010 01:35:50 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=16582#comment-52843 I think apple need s to worry about windows and Hp,Hp pc 's are far more attractive and have more innovations than a mac,Hp has created and innovated the light scribe technology.Apple PC's and yes they are a PC are over priced and overated.I tried to sed one and couldnt get used to it's plain features and almost nothing in features,to upgrade anything on a mac is almost impossible unless you want to pay triple for the mac upgrades themselves.Hp is an innovative and constant improving company with customer care that surpasses most and is in the same league as apple.Give credit where credit counts for Hp,and now with windows 7...apple is nothing but rotten and overpriced! I think apple need s to worry about windows and Hp,Hp pc ‘s are far more attractive and have more innovations than a mac,Hp has created and innovated the light scribe technology.Apple PC’s and yes they are a PC are over priced and overated.I tried to sed one and couldnt get used to it’s plain features and almost nothing in features,to upgrade anything on a mac is almost impossible unless you want to pay triple for the mac upgrades themselves.Hp is an innovative and constant improving company with customer care that surpasses most and is in the same league as apple.Give credit where credit counts for Hp,and now with windows 7…apple is nothing but rotten and overpriced!

]]> By: Dan http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/06/16/the-hp-pavilion-dv2-a-vacation-from-my-macs/comment-page-1/#comment-49515 Dan Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:41:06 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=16582#comment-49515 My dv2z recently start making metal to metal noise from the fan area. Starting with short duration and now going into longer duration, when I tilt the laptop up and down with my finger under the front edge, I will go away momentarily. I think is a cheap/bad exhaust. My dv2z recently start making metal to metal noise from the fan area. Starting with short duration and now going into longer duration, when I tilt the laptop up and down with my finger under the front edge, I will go away momentarily. I think is a cheap/bad exhaust.

]]> By: Brett Moses http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/06/16/the-hp-pavilion-dv2-a-vacation-from-my-macs/comment-page-1/#comment-38252 Brett Moses Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:08:48 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=16582#comment-38252 Hey, I was just curious the Vista benchmarks for your model of the DV2, to compare to my older model. I'm thinking a motherboard swap is in order if yours is a huge improvement in speed. Thank you! Hey, I was just curious the Vista benchmarks for your model of the DV2, to compare to my older model. I’m thinking a motherboard swap is in order if yours is a huge improvement in speed. Thank you!

]]> By: jay http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/06/16/the-hp-pavilion-dv2-a-vacation-from-my-macs/comment-page-1/#comment-37682 jay Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:27:09 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=16582#comment-37682 hi Julie, I am on my second Hp laptop in the last 6 years and have had no complaints, currently i'm using a dv5 model so i'll be especially interested to see which of the existing software you decide to remove from the dv2 and what you decide to install. hi Julie,
I am on my second Hp laptop in the last 6 years and have had no complaints, currently i’m using a dv5 model so i’ll be especially interested to see which of the existing software you decide to remove from the dv2 and what you decide to install.

]]> By: David http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/06/16/the-hp-pavilion-dv2-a-vacation-from-my-macs/comment-page-1/#comment-37679 David Fri, 19 Jun 2009 07:10:13 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=16582#comment-37679 I used XP until the New Year but then I bought a new Intel Quad Core 64 bit based computer and switched to Vista. I also have some computers using Windows 2003 and testing Windows 7 since January. But I installed Windows 7 RC to my notebook on April 26th. I have Ubuntu and Mac OS X Leopard on my VMware. My general thought is that Windows are more open. You have several junk applications for Windows and there are several drivers Windows have to support and users can do more on Windows. And this is the problem. The other two OS are more restrictive in what you can do and there is less junk applications that could make problems. And this is good because most people are like sheeps. They need a leader. They cannot decide what is good for them and their computer. So they make stupid things and this is why their Windows computer may not work properly. I think the best thing Microsoft would do is to make something like Ubuntu has regarding installing applications. An average user should not have the right to install everything on his computer. There should be a common installer where someone would just select what he/she would like to install and then the computer would do the rest by downloading the applications from the net. And an average user should not have the administrative rights. I think Mac OS is more for sheeps which is why it is more popular by the people who only use computers as a tool. But generally I think Windows Vista and especially Windows 7 are much much much better and especially user friendly than Mac OS X Leopard. There are some shortcuts that you have on Windows that Leopard simply doesn’t have. Like When you want to do something with your desktop you simply right click on a desktop and press Personalize. I used XP until the New Year but then I bought a new Intel Quad Core 64 bit based computer and switched to Vista. I also have some computers using Windows 2003 and testing Windows 7 since January. But I installed Windows 7 RC to my notebook on April 26th.

I have Ubuntu and Mac OS X Leopard on my VMware.

My general thought is that Windows are more open. You have several junk applications for Windows and there are several drivers Windows have to support and users can do more on Windows. And this is the problem. The other two OS are more restrictive in what you can do and there is less junk applications that could make problems. And this is good because most people are like sheeps. They need a leader. They cannot decide what is good for them and their computer. So they make stupid things and this is why their Windows computer may not work properly.

I think the best thing Microsoft would do is to make something like Ubuntu has regarding installing applications. An average user should not have the right to install everything on his computer. There should be a common installer where someone would just select what he/she would like to install and then the computer would do the rest by downloading the applications from the net. And an average user should not have the administrative rights. I think Mac OS is more for sheeps which is why it is more popular by the people who only use computers as a tool.

But generally I think Windows Vista and especially Windows 7 are much much much better and especially user friendly than Mac OS X Leopard. There are some shortcuts that you have on Windows that Leopard simply doesn’t have. Like When you want to do something with your desktop you simply right click on a desktop and press Personalize.

]]> By: Andy http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/06/16/the-hp-pavilion-dv2-a-vacation-from-my-macs/comment-page-1/#comment-37664 Andy Thu, 18 Jun 2009 23:28:16 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=16582#comment-37664 Hope it works out well for you Julie...but. I've already had my fingers burnt with HP laptops...sorry, never again :( I bought six for work just over three years ago and all but one have failed (outside of warranty of course and beyond economic repair). It was an expensive mistake and has put me off. But, conversely, I swear by Hp printers - very reliable. Hope it works out well for you Julie…but.
I’ve already had my fingers burnt with HP laptops…sorry, never again :(
I bought six for work just over three years ago and all but one have failed (outside of warranty of course and beyond economic repair). It was an expensive mistake and has put me off. But, conversely, I swear by Hp printers – very reliable.

]]> By: James Branch http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/06/16/the-hp-pavilion-dv2-a-vacation-from-my-macs/comment-page-1/#comment-37637 James Branch Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:51:55 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=16582#comment-37637 A lot of companies (especially in the UK) continued using XP, as Vista just didn't cut it as a corporate O.S. Like I say we tested it on a handful of PC's (10 out of a possible 5,000) and decided against rolling it out, based on security and overall performance with drivers/software. Windows 7 looks to be the next roll out for our XP replacements next year, hopefully! Still, I hope you're enjoying the dv2 Julie.... Vista or no Vista! :-D A lot of companies (especially in the UK) continued using XP, as Vista just didn’t cut it as a corporate O.S. Like I say we tested it on a handful of PC’s (10 out of a possible 5,000) and decided against rolling it out, based on security and overall performance with drivers/software. Windows 7 looks to be the next roll out for our XP replacements next year, hopefully!

Still, I hope you’re enjoying the dv2 Julie…. Vista or no Vista! :-D

]]> By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/06/16/the-hp-pavilion-dv2-a-vacation-from-my-macs/comment-page-1/#comment-37631 Julie Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:28:54 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=16582#comment-37631 @Cyrano I'm seeing the same issues with this dv2 as far as the fan running ALL the time. It never turns off. It blows out warm air when all I'm doing is surfing. I'm used to my 2.5yr old Macbook Pro that is super quiet - the fan rarely runs (or I just can't hear it) on it. @Daniel We're supposed to get all new computers here at my day job next year and they were going to have Vista. Now there are rumors that they might have Windows 7. @Cyrano I’m seeing the same issues with this dv2 as far as the fan running ALL the time. It never turns off. It blows out warm air when all I’m doing is surfing. I’m used to my 2.5yr old Macbook Pro that is super quiet – the fan rarely runs (or I just can’t hear it) on it.

@Daniel We’re supposed to get all new computers here at my day job next year and they were going to have Vista. Now there are rumors that they might have Windows 7.

]]> By: Daniel McNutt http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/06/16/the-hp-pavilion-dv2-a-vacation-from-my-macs/comment-page-1/#comment-37613 Daniel McNutt Thu, 18 Jun 2009 02:33:53 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=16582#comment-37613 @ Julie - I've heard good things about Windows 7, but we're still working on XP at work. Thought the boss likes the latest software he was reluctant to take on Vista-no word of 7. Mac at home:) @ Julie – I’ve heard good things about Windows 7, but we’re still working on XP at work. Thought the boss likes the latest software he was reluctant to take on Vista-no word of 7. Mac at home:)

]]> By: Cyrano http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/06/16/the-hp-pavilion-dv2-a-vacation-from-my-macs/comment-page-1/#comment-37600 Cyrano Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:41:00 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=16582#comment-37600 Having read dozens of reviews since the debut of the HP dv2, I am excited about following your experiment with it and Vista. My 'at-home' laptop is a large HP with XP, but since I'm on the road lots, I went looking for something light and portable. I was attracted by the looks of the dv2, bought it and found it impressive. All of the basics met my needs: the speed, the screen, the keyboard, video, etc. Even battery life was ok for me after updating the bios [per HP.com site] and tweaking power/brightness settings. Full disclosure: I NEVER play any games. Only 2 items wrinkled my brow: The Dv2 runs warm all the time, not too hot for me, but enough to make me wonder if the heat might have a long term effect on the hardware. And, related to heat, the fan is on a lot, but luckily it's not noisy. Vista has taken getting used to, but has been surprisingly efficient and problem-free. No hang-ups, no headaches, no crashes---yet. HP announced an upgraded model just weeks after I bought mine, so I returned it to Costco and am awaiting the dv2z with the Turion dual-core processor. I will be looking forward to each day's report. Good luck. Having read dozens of reviews since the debut of the HP dv2, I am excited about following your experiment with it and Vista. My ‘at-home’ laptop is a large HP with XP, but since I’m on the road lots, I went looking for something light and portable. I was attracted by the looks of the dv2, bought it and found it impressive. All of the basics met my needs: the speed, the screen, the keyboard, video, etc. Even battery life was ok for me after updating the bios [per HP.com site] and tweaking power/brightness settings. Full disclosure: I NEVER play any games.
Only 2 items wrinkled my brow: The Dv2 runs warm all the time, not too hot for me, but enough to make me wonder if the heat might have a long term effect on the hardware. And, related to heat, the fan is on a lot, but luckily it’s not noisy.
Vista has taken getting used to, but has been surprisingly efficient and problem-free. No hang-ups, no headaches, no crashes—yet.
HP announced an upgraded model just weeks after I bought mine, so I returned it to Costco and am awaiting the dv2z with the Turion dual-core processor.
I will be looking forward to each day’s report. Good luck.

]]> By: rajshaun http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/06/16/the-hp-pavilion-dv2-a-vacation-from-my-macs/comment-page-1/#comment-37584 rajshaun Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:42:40 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=16582#comment-37584 how does HD youtube videos handle on this and hd overall and can it multitask without crashing? how does HD youtube videos handle on this and hd overall and can it multitask without crashing?

]]> By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/06/16/the-hp-pavilion-dv2-a-vacation-from-my-macs/comment-page-1/#comment-37580 Julie Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:38:46 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=16582#comment-37580 @Justin I may very well try Windows 7 at some point, but right now I've been tasked with trying Vista with this notebook. @Justin I may very well try Windows 7 at some point, but right now I’ve been tasked with trying Vista with this notebook.

]]> By: Richard http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/06/16/the-hp-pavilion-dv2-a-vacation-from-my-macs/comment-page-1/#comment-37578 Richard Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:35:03 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=16582#comment-37578 You will be sad and sorry by the end. SAD and SORRY. I have to use PC's at work now for some tasks and they are just not very nice to use. even simple tasks such as putting photo's on the machine are hard. Plug in an ipod to a pc and you get all sorts of screens popping up. Mass starage device ect. I do not like windows because it ruins what are in every other way, very nicely design machines. PS. I know you can run windows on a Mac, can you run OSX on a windows machine? You will be sad and sorry by the end. SAD and SORRY. I have to use PC’s at work now for some tasks and they are just not very nice to use.
even simple tasks such as putting photo’s on the machine are hard.

Plug in an ipod to a pc and you get all sorts of screens popping up. Mass starage device ect. I do not like windows because it ruins what are in every other way, very nicely design machines.

PS.

I know you can run windows on a Mac, can you run OSX on a windows machine?

]]> By: Justin http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/06/16/the-hp-pavilion-dv2-a-vacation-from-my-macs/comment-page-1/#comment-37575 Justin Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:05:43 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=16582#comment-37575 Windows 7, Windows 7, Windows 7! :-) I'm pulling for the HP machine, but I think it would have a better chance if you were to throw on the beta release of Win7. I have been an HP fan for a few years now but windows 7 will make a lot of vista users very happy. Windows 7, Windows 7, Windows 7! :-) I’m pulling for the HP machine, but I think it would have a better chance if you were to throw on the beta release of Win7. I have been an HP fan for a few years now but windows 7 will make a lot of vista users very happy.

]]> By: Tyler Puckett http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/06/16/the-hp-pavilion-dv2-a-vacation-from-my-macs/comment-page-1/#comment-37570 Tyler Puckett Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:41:43 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=16582#comment-37570 Very interesting experiment. I have been burned by Apple twice now. I had an original MacBook with AppleCare extended warranty that had a bad LCD. Now I have a MacBook Pro that has a bad battery (less than an hour's charge, even though the menu bar says it's 82% full when it dies), and a bad LCD cable (it fritzes out when I adjust the angle). As President Bush says, "fool me once, uh, shame on you. Fool me twice....uh....uh....you can't get fooled again." I won't be buying another Apple computer. Very interesting experiment. I have been burned by Apple twice now. I had an original MacBook with AppleCare extended warranty that had a bad LCD. Now I have a MacBook Pro that has a bad battery (less than an hour’s charge, even though the menu bar says it’s 82% full when it dies), and a bad LCD cable (it fritzes out when I adjust the angle). As President Bush says, “fool me once, uh, shame on you. Fool me twice….uh….uh….you can’t get fooled again.”

I won’t be buying another Apple computer.

]]> By: Patrick http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/06/16/the-hp-pavilion-dv2-a-vacation-from-my-macs/comment-page-1/#comment-37568 Patrick Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:52:23 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=16582#comment-37568 I don't think you'll switch back to Windows if you try the with Vista. It's not the hardware, it's the OS. I down grade my system to XP after spending 9 months with Vista. I changed my laptop to Ubuntu recently and don't think I will use Windows again soon. I tried the Windows 7 beta, nothing impressive I don’t think you’ll switch back to Windows if you try the with Vista. It’s not the hardware, it’s the OS. I down grade my system to XP after spending 9 months with Vista. I changed my laptop to Ubuntu recently and don’t think I will use Windows again soon. I tried the Windows 7 beta, nothing impressive

]]> By: Lloyd http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/06/16/the-hp-pavilion-dv2-a-vacation-from-my-macs/comment-page-1/#comment-37565 Lloyd Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:49:33 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=16582#comment-37565 Looking forward to reading all about your week with the HP dv2 and Vista. My main computer is a dual-boot Windows 7/Vista right now but I prefer Mac OS all things considered. Hopefully I could afford a new Mac around the time Snow Leopard comes along since Leopard is the last release for PPC Macs like my PowerBook G4 12". Looking forward to reading all about your week with the HP dv2 and Vista. My main computer is a dual-boot Windows 7/Vista right now but I prefer Mac OS all things considered. Hopefully I could afford a new Mac around the time Snow Leopard comes along since Leopard is the last release for PPC Macs like my PowerBook G4 12″.

]]> By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/06/16/the-hp-pavilion-dv2-a-vacation-from-my-macs/comment-page-1/#comment-37552 Julie Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:48:51 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=16582#comment-37552 @Daniel Have you tried 7 yet? @Daniel Have you tried 7 yet?

]]> By: Daniel McNutt http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/06/16/the-hp-pavilion-dv2-a-vacation-from-my-macs/comment-page-1/#comment-37550 Daniel McNutt Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:31:54 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=16582#comment-37550 Good luck Julie! I use both platforms daily and it isn't too bad. I do prefer OSX at the end of the day (never tried Vista though). Good luck Julie! I use both platforms daily and it isn’t too bad. I do prefer OSX at the end of the day (never tried Vista though).

]]> By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/06/16/the-hp-pavilion-dv2-a-vacation-from-my-macs/comment-page-1/#comment-37544 Julie Wed, 17 Jun 2009 11:34:47 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=16582#comment-37544 @James Today is the day I go cold turkey on my Macs. My hands are shaking already ;) As for Vista, From the short time I have used it, it has felt hard to navigate. I use XP all day long at my day job, so I know it's just a learning curve. I've heard that Windows 7 is very nice - even from my Mac friends. I downloaded the RC, but haven't installed it on anything yet. @James Today is the day I go cold turkey on my Macs. My hands are shaking already ;) As for Vista, From the short time I have used it, it has felt hard to navigate. I use XP all day long at my day job, so I know it’s just a learning curve. I’ve heard that Windows 7 is very nice – even from my Mac friends. I downloaded the RC, but haven’t installed it on anything yet.

]]> By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/06/16/the-hp-pavilion-dv2-a-vacation-from-my-macs/comment-page-1/#comment-37542 Julie Wed, 17 Jun 2009 11:32:02 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=16582#comment-37542 @Fred Nope... The Espresso is all Black. You can see a picture on HP's <a href="http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/computer_can_series.do?storeName=computer_store&category=notebooks&a1=Category&v1=Ultra-Portable&series_name=dv2z_series" rel="nofollow">site</a>. @Fred Nope… The Espresso is all Black. You can see a picture on HP’s site.

]]> By: James Branch http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/06/16/the-hp-pavilion-dv2-a-vacation-from-my-macs/comment-page-1/#comment-37532 James Branch Wed, 17 Jun 2009 09:26:03 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=16582#comment-37532 Great write up! I also love HP kit... got a few bits and pieces at work and I prefer them over Dell kit, if I have to be honest. The dv2 has a splendid hardware spec too.... the only thing that would put me off is Windows Vista. I tested Vista when it was first released and had the pleasure of using it full time as part of on-going testing at work and to be truthful, I hated it. It wasn't because everything was 'different' compared to XP, it's just that a lot of my software simply didn't work as well as they did on XP. Some didn't work at all! I've had a few discussions with IT colleagues in the past about Vista, some thought it was the best thing since sliced bread and others just said it's simply rubbish! I will say there was slight improvement with Service Pack 1 but I didn't keep Vista on my machine long enough to test Service Pack 2, as Windows 7 RC went on instead! I will however let you make your own decision! :) Anyway, do enjoy the dv2 Julie, it certainly looks an splendid piece of kit! Great write up! I also love HP kit… got a few bits and pieces at work and I prefer them over Dell kit, if I have to be honest.

The dv2 has a splendid hardware spec too…. the only thing that would put me off is Windows Vista. I tested Vista when it was first released and had the pleasure of using it full time as part of on-going testing at work and to be truthful, I hated it. It wasn’t because everything was ‘different’ compared to XP, it’s just that a lot of my software simply didn’t work as well as they did on XP. Some didn’t work at all!

I’ve had a few discussions with IT colleagues in the past about Vista, some thought it was the best thing since sliced bread and others just said it’s simply rubbish! I will say there was slight improvement with Service Pack 1 but I didn’t keep Vista on my machine long enough to test Service Pack 2, as Windows 7 RC went on instead! I will however let you make your own decision! :)

Anyway, do enjoy the dv2 Julie, it certainly looks an splendid piece of kit!

]]> By: Fred http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/06/16/the-hp-pavilion-dv2-a-vacation-from-my-macs/comment-page-1/#comment-37531 Fred Wed, 17 Jun 2009 09:07:10 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=16582#comment-37531 The external drive, the battery and the screen bezel are black. I wonder if they were white with the Expresso Black model. The external drive, the battery and the screen bezel are black. I wonder if they were white with the Expresso Black model.

]]> By: T http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/06/16/the-hp-pavilion-dv2-a-vacation-from-my-macs/comment-page-1/#comment-37523 T Wed, 17 Jun 2009 04:23:29 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=16582#comment-37523 Awesome write up Julie! Awesome write up Julie!

]]> By: zorkor http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/06/16/the-hp-pavilion-dv2-a-vacation-from-my-macs/comment-page-1/#comment-37516 zorkor Wed, 17 Jun 2009 02:27:06 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=16582#comment-37516 I Love HP computers. They really have came from making dull printers to pretty exciting Desktops, Laptops and Netbooks. They look way much better than Dell Products. I have also bought HP Pavilion TX2000 Tablet PC and its great. I am sure you will enjoy your vacation with this Pavilion. Have fun! I Love HP computers. They really have came from making dull printers to pretty exciting Desktops, Laptops and Netbooks. They look way much better than Dell Products.

I have also bought HP Pavilion TX2000 Tablet PC and its great. I am sure you will enjoy your vacation with this Pavilion.

Have fun!

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