HP announced today two new models in its notebook line that we think could get media lovers very interested: Both the 18.4-inch HDX18 and the 16-inch HDX16 have screen resolutions high enough to allow for full 1080p quality while watching high-definition movies using an optional Blu-ray disc drive. Built-in Wi-Fi, and powerful Altec Lansing Speakers complete the media packages of these powerful systems, which start at $1,549 (for the HDX18) and $1,299 (for the HDX16). Both will be available later this month.
Computer Shopper Senior Editor Sarah E. Anderson obtained an HDX18, and has spent the last few days with it. Here's some of what she's had to say about it:
"HP’s newest HDX is all about design with ease of use as a close second. While the original dual-hinged Pavilion HDX Entertainment Notebook was by all accounts innovative, it wasn’t exactly mobile, and its audience was limited to those who lusted after bragging rights more than true portability and functionality. The new 16- and 18.4-inch HDXs, however, still have plenty to offer in terms of bragging rights.
"The first thing you notice is the new Fluid imprint pattern that extends from the lid to the keyboard deck and even onto the touch pad. The titanium and chrome chassis is streaked with hairline waves at random in varying shades of charcoal and gray. Pop the lid, and you’ll find a 16:9 wide-screen display that extends nearly to the edge, though it’s not a true edge-to-edge plate of glass. The integrated VGA webcam is seamless, however, and two microphones flank either side of it.
"We like the spacious keyboard, which is silver and follows suit with HP’s Pavilion line. It offers good key travel and generous spacing for the most part. The exceptions are the function keys, ESC key, and arrow keys, all of which are smaller than usual (and on the 16-inch system, the number pad keys are also smaller).
"Above the keyboard, you’ll find HP’s well-known touch media buttons that include a Media Center toggle, Rewind, Play/Pause, Fast-Forward, Stop, Eject, Mute, volume controls, equalizer controls for treble and bass, and a Wi-Fi toggle. The Wi-Fi toggle changes from orange to blue when you touch it, but the volume controls do not; instead, they launch a volume box on the screen—an improvement over the previous HDX, which offered no visual or tactile feedback for the volume controls. And volume control is important: When we listed to Melissa Ethridge’s 'I’m the Only One,' the HDX18 easily produced enough volume to jam to in a medium-size dorm room or living room."
Check back with us soon to read her full review of the HDX18.
Filed under: Laptops
Posted by Matthew Murray on September 16, 2008, 12:01 AM
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