Pavilion dv7 - heating and fan problems, hinge broken - DO NOT PURCHASE THIS JUNK!!!

[TheK-Theorist]

This message is targetted towards people looking to purchase an HP Pavilion dv7 series of notebooks. Hopefully they are scanning these boards prior to purchase, something I (very) regretfully did not do.

My system: Intel i7 Q720 @ 1.60GHz, 8GB, ATI mobility radeon HD5650 1GB, Windows 7 home premium 64 bit.

Almost immediately, there were severe overheating problems. Even under normal use (1- 4% CPU, Word, Excel etc.) it became too hot on the left side to keep on my lap. My kids actually burned their hands on that part. I once used it on a table with a vinyl tablecloth. It actually melted the vinyl!

Running any CPU/GPU intensive software causes a shutdown due to overheating, a real nuiscance with playing games or watching video in HD. Just as a test, I ran one computationally intensive program overnight while I kept the machine in my freezer. Even then, it overheated and shutdown! (I have not overclocked; just running my software on the hardware as purchased).

Even in normal use, the fan runs very high, and is very noisy. It is so noisy that I cannot leave it on in my bedroom.

Finally, because of the positioning of the vent, I am certain that the intense heat weakens the left hinge. I am very careful with how I open lids, always with both hands on the lid. Within two months, the left hinge cracked. I argued extensively with HP, but they insisted that it was my fault, and I was charged for the fix.

I'm wondering whether the designers ever turned on (let alone stress tested) these units prior to selling this piece of !@#$.

Added bonus: within 4 months, the hard drive failed, though I can't pin that on HP. While the drive was getting replaced, I went out and bought an Acer. It had better specs than the HP, was cheaper, lighter, and even with the CPU at close to 100 percent, the heat is hardly noticable, and the fan is barely audible.

I bought HP because most of the scientific instruments in our labs is manufactured by HP, and it is truly high quality , high precision equipement, some of it running for over 25 years problem free. From that, I really trusted the HP name, I trusted that their PC division would have equal quality and standards. !#$% was I wrong! I'm glad they're getting out of the PC business.

The only reason I'm keeping this junk is because I took the extended warranty at the store, and under it, after three major repairs, they will get me a new notebook of equal or greater value. I can't wait for that inevitable third breakdown!

[echtes]

The dv 7 eg 4012  is the biggest disapointment:

the hinge brakes, it has an overheating problem!!!

Be prepared to replace it after 12 months or pay the bill for the repairs, hundreds of dollars.

I purchased the laptop directly from the hp online store about a year and a half ago.

First of all I had to install the latest drivers because hp is not making sure it comes with up to date drivers.

To find out what the problem was I had to contact the costumer service about 6 times.

After about 12 months the laptop startet splitting at the left hinge.  The HP Costumer Service looked at the photos and told me this, Quote:  "We have received the attachment of broken hinges and find it is an user damage hence, the service of the Notebook would be done on chargeable basis."

Before you want to buy a hp laptop, please type into google:  broken hinge hp laptop

And you will see hundreds of posts of disappointed costumers.

Even class action lawsuit have been taken out against them.

For me, this was the last time that I invested about a 1000 Euros( bought it in Europe) in a product which needs to be replaced after a year and a half.

Please stay away from this product,

except you have plenty of time and money to keep this machine alive.