HP rolls out laptop updates aplenty

[dialog_gvf]

HP rolls out laptop updates aplenty

What's more, each model is also now available with a Blu-ray reader / DVD burner drive, although that can of course be left out if you're looking to save a few bucks.

You notice a certain choice is missing?

[j_rocca42]

Haha! Sweet!

[dadkins]

No burner?

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by dialog_gvf

HP rolls out laptop updates aplenty



You notice a certain choice is missing?

That is great news they are niow including combo players instead of HD-DVD only drives in the Notebook computers. I went to HP website and according to the specs it is a dual format player that plays both formats. It most likely is made by LG.

quote
"
Blu-ray, also known as Blu-ray Disc (BD), is a next-generation optical disc format developed to enable playback of high-definition video (HD), as well as the storage of large amounts of data. This format offers more than five times the storage capacity of traditional DVDs—you can put up to 25GB on a single-layer disc and 50GB on a dual-layer disc. This extra capacity, combined with the use of advanced video and audio programs for encoding and decoding digital signals (known as codecs), means an unprecedented HD experience.
Storage capabilities of Blu-ray

Blu-ray DiscHD DVDTraditional DVDTraditional CDStorage capacity25GB (single-layer)
50GB (dual-layer)15GB (single-layer)
30GB (dual-layer)4.7GB (single-layer)
8.5GB (single-layer)Less than 1GB
What are the advantages of HP's Blu-ray Disc player?

It's engineered to take full advantage of BD technology while being compatible with other high-definition (HD) DVD technology, plus it's backwards-compatible with traditional DVD and CD technology. It reads BD discs, reads HD DVD discs, and reads and writes traditional DVDs and CDs.
http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/sh...eme+multimedia
Capabilities of HP's Blu-ray Disc player

Blu-ray DiscHD DVDTraditional DVDTraditional CDReadYes Yes Yes Yes WriteNo NoYes Yes
"

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by dialog_gvf

HP rolls out laptop updates aplenty



You notice a certain choice is missing?

HP website is so messed up. I clicked on the link to customize the Notebook and the dual format drive they are talking about is not even an option. All they have for a option is one BLU-RAY drive and two HD-DVD-ROM drives.
I have a friend that purchased the top on the line HP 20.1 inch 1920 X 1200 Notebook fully loaded. It cost almost $5,000. The reason they went with the HP over Dell is because Dell did not offer a screen that supported 1080P resolutions in their 20.1 inch model and also Dell only offered Vista 32 bit Ultimate and not 64 bit Ultimate. The only major negative with the HP is that it contained a HD-DVD-ROM drive. The ATSC built in tuner does not even work at all even with a good antenna that receivers 92 signal strength when contected to a standalone ATSC tuner.
Since the tuner does not work and now they are offering a BLU-RAY drive I am going to see if my friend wants to return their Notebook. It looks like the 20.1 inch is no longer being made since I get the following message when clicking on the link
“We no longer have available the desktop or notebook PC you're trying to customize”

[quest88]

Originally Posted by dialog_gvf

HP rolls out laptop updates aplenty



You notice a certain choice is missing?

Thanks for the link. It's about time they included blu-ray drives. This makes me want to upgrade my laptop one more time currently I have the older dv9000 and an older x6000. I guess we'll have to see if I can stop spending my money on blu-rays.

[erikguy]

ive actually been working for HP for the last couple of months and they DO have Bluray/dvd burners and they just READ HDDVD and burn all other formats.

[HDTV1080P]

I just called HP since the link to the 20.1 inch was not working. The person I spoke to said that the 20.1 inch model is the only Notebook that offers the dual format drive (Once the website is up for the 20.1 inch model I will know if the rep knows what he is talking about).
All the other sizes below 20.1 inch have an option to choose a BLU-RAY or HD-DVD drive also but no dual format option. I think it is great that HP now offers a BLU-RAY drive in their Notebooks. I am sure it hurt their sales when they use to be HD exclusive. HP is now neutral offering drives in both formats and a dual format drive.

[erikguy]

Yea, sorry I wasnt referring to the notebooks. I shouldve been more clear.

[JadedRaverLA]

Hmmm... very interesting. I hadn't heard ANYTHING about a notebook combo drive (BD/HD DVD). I would assume it's by LG, but wonder why nothing has been said about it before.

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by JadedRaverLA

Hmmm... very interesting. I hadn't heard ANYTHING about a notebook combo drive (BD/HD DVD). I would assume it's by LG, but wonder why nothing has been said about it before.

Correction to my earlier comments

The HP rep I was talking to made a mistake. HP only places combo dual format drives in desktop computers. No notebooks yet with dual format drives. The website is back up for their top of the line 20.1 inch Notebook and it includes a HD-DVD drive in the price and if you want a BLU-RAY ROM drive it is an option for $200 more. HP offers 3 options now in their Notebooks. For example the 17 inch model Notebook has a HD-DVD ROM for $200 extra. HD-DVD-R burner for $425 extra. Then a BLU-RAY ROM for $400 extra. No BLU-RAY burner is offered. The pricing is a little different depending on which Notebook you look at. All three drive options are available with the 20.1 inch model with a HD-DVD ROM included in the price, a HD-DVD burner $225 more and a BLU-RAY read only drive for $200 more.
I just had a friend spend almost $5000 for the 20.1 inch model fully loaded a few weeks ago. I mentioned the Dell to them but Dell did not offer a 20.1 inch screen with 1920 X 1200 resolution and Dell only offered Vista Ultimate 32 bit version instead of the 64 bit version of Vista Ultimate. Sine the ATSC tuner is not working at all in the HP he might try returning the Notebook and getting a BLU-RAY drive since that is now an option. The 20.1 inch HP is the best media Notebook on the market now since it includes a BLU-RAY drive. For those interested in the Notebook I recommended getting Vista Ulitmate 64 bit with 4GB of memory and the Intel Core 2 Extreme 2.8GHZ processor is nice. Also selecting the 1920 X 1200 screen option is a good idea. The wireless N card option is a good option. Of course with all the fancy high-end options it will run you close to $5,000 after taxes. The computer should be good for around 5 years until it needs replaced. Of course Notebooks are good for portability only. One can get a desktop for half the price that is more powerful then a Notebook.
The computer is built and shipped directly from China. Hopefully other HP Notebooks that have the built in ATSC HDTV tuners will work since my friends is defective.

[HDTV1080P]

The price I quoted around $5,000 with all the top of the line options on the 20.1 inch HP Notebook was the price around 10 days ago. I see now the Notebook has come down in price around $500-$600 since my friend purchased his. Computer prices fall fast.
He was on the phone with HP technical support for over 2 hours and they still could not get the ATSC HDTV tuner to work. I played around with his Notebook for several hours and could not pull in any ATSC channels using a good working amplified antenna. If he exchanges the Notebook I talked him into getting a BLU-RAY drive instead of the HD-DVD drive that came standard. It’s a great Notebook with a nice screen. All he needs now is to get the ATSC tuner working and a BLU-RAY drive.