HP Pavilion HDX entertainment laptop now available

It's been a few months since it was first announced, but those itching to get their hands on HP's mammoth Pavilion HDX laptop need wait no longer, as the entertainment-focused monstrosity is now finally available to order. In case you missed it, this back-breaking system boasts a 20.1-inch display along with what HP seems keen to call "15.5 lb. of portable performance." That includes your choice of Core 2 Duo or Core 2 Extreme processors, ATI Mobility Radeon HD 2600 XT graphics, up to 4GB of RAM, and a range of hard drive and optical drive options, among other premium features. Just be sure you know what you're getting into, as the cost of entry for this one is a hefty $2,750.

[Thanks, Kevin]

Update: HP doesn't seem to be be playing it up much, but it turns out the HDX comes with SlingPlayer pre-installed, making it the first model to do so. What's more, HP's also worked a SlingPlayer client into their QuickPlay multimedia app, which'll let you access it without booting into the OS. Click on through for a couple of pics.

[Homeboy @ Jul 25th 2007 4:33PM]

Very pricey but cost less than what I expected. It only cost a few bucks for than a 17inch macbook pro.

[michael @ Jul 25th 2007 7:03PM]

Yep. It seems like the MacBook Pro is the standard in measuring how much is too much for a laptop.

Seriously, different computers = different prices.
Like apple to oranges. We all have different uses in our computers, and I don't see why the MBP has to be the de facto in comparing laptops.

[Darnell @ Jul 25th 2007 4:55PM]

Actually that's a great price... The real issue is the screen resolution. I seem to recall that it wasn't hi-def. What's the point in having all that extra real estate and it can't take advantage of it? Are they going to make it an option?

[keithgregoire @ Jul 25th 2007 7:20PM]

The low screen resolution is very puzzling when you consider that it comes equipped with a HD DVD drive.

[lilcruz @ Jul 25th 2007 8:03PM]

the HP (usa) home site, customized section is flawed, fortunately word is getting
out about the laptop, the pages are now unavailable...
hmmmm

[Derka @ Jul 25th 2007 8:33PM]

1680x1050 is okay for a 17", which is what I have now, (HP Pavilion dv8000ct), I was hoping for a higher resolution in 20".

[ed @ Jul 25th 2007 9:20PM]

But it's still a Windows PC. Why can't Apple let other companies make and sell Macs?

[Jesus @ Jul 25th 2007 10:40PM]

Why doesn't apple open up their OS?

[Darnell @ Jul 25th 2007 10:37PM]

Apple does let other companies sell Macs. As for making, they like to keep a leash on their hardware and software. Quality control I guess. But, think about it, if they don't want to sell you replaceable battery for your iphone/pod, do you think they'd give up control over a whole machine.

[ed @ Jul 25th 2007 11:03PM]

True, I think if they Open up MAC OS X it will kill Windows.

[tyler @ Jul 26th 2007 12:47AM]

Right, if opening OSX would really kill Windows, wouldn't they have tried it already? Or were they too busy with the iPhone?

[sitheris @ Jul 26th 2007 9:17AM]

OS X would become as bad as Windows then. The reason OS X is so stable is that it's designed for specific hardware. Once you let other companies install OS X on their systems, Apple is faced with driver hell, incompatibilities, etc trying to support all this different hardware.

We've seen this with Windows.

[Z @ Jul 25th 2007 10:48PM]

They're going to offer a W-UXGA screen, but not until the next version.

Which of course, is completely LAME.

Who in the heck is going to spend five grand on this thing knowing that the next model will give them the UXGA screen res that they REALLY want? Not I. Dumb move on HP's part. You should always have ALL the options available from the beginning. I wouldn't even dream of spending this kind of money on something like this without UXGA.

[Z @ Jul 25th 2007 10:52PM]

And one other thing: a system this big needs to offer SLI or Crossfire graphics as an option.

When are manufacturers of these huge laptops going to understand that they can't make a system this big and put substandard graphics inside. The graphics have to be nothing short of stellar, and with what they're offering, I don't think they're there yet.

[J in DC @ Jul 25th 2007 11:08PM]

Note to the author, the HDX is not the first model to offer slingplayer and quickplay. I'm typing to you on a Pavilion dv6500t notebook with the same features installed. I'd like to add that the HD digital tuner that came with the unit is boss!

This unit was just supposed to tide me over till I got a MBP in October when Leopard comes out but it might be hard to let go of this HP. Plus I'm hearing about quadcore laptops in the rumor mill so might make sense to wait for the next MBP iteration.