Last month HP announced the new HDX 16 and HDX 18, and since then I have been itching to get one for review, well we got one and are proud to bring you a review on the HDX 18.
I first saw the HDX 18 at a private press event. “Nice 17 inch screen”, I told Kevin Wentzel, HP’s Technical Marketing Manager. He looked at me and sternly said, “Michael, it’s an 18.4 inch full HD screen, 16:9, 1080p”. I was taken back; I didn’t believe the screen was 18.4 inches. I thought at most it was a 17 inch screen, and what blew my mind even more was how light it was. I lifted it with one hand-easily.
The 18.4 number couldn’t stick in my head. For some odd reason, I kept on thinking it was only 17 inches, even after Kevin reminded me many times during the meeting. I even wrote that it was 17 inches in the unboxing post (again, thanks Kevin for correcting me 
It is in fact 18.4 inches, and on a side note, the HDX16 has a 16 inch screen.
The HDX16 and the HDX18 are kind of the offspring of the HDX Dragon – the huge 20 inch monster we gave away earlier this year and dv series of notebooks, in particular the dv5 and dv7. I say that because the HDX16 and HDX18 both have the power to deliver the entertainment you’d expect from the HDX Dragon but gives you the style and portability the dv series does.
After being a bit disappointed n the design of the dv5/7 notebooks, I am glad they modified it a bit for the HDX 16 and HDX 18 because honestly,it’s a great looking system. Before I get on with the review, let me share with you guys the specs of the systems.
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.2 Ghz – 2.8 Ghz.
Disply: 16 inch (HDX) 18.4 (HDX) widescreen High Definition Ultra Brightview Infinity Display 1366x768 resolution or 1920x1080 resolution.
Memory: 2 GB up to 4GB DDR2 but only available from HP with up to 3GB of memory
Graphics Card: 512 MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
Hard Drive: 250 GB or 320 GB 5400RPM SATA
DVD Drive: SuperMulti 8x DVDRW drive with Lightscribe or Blu-Ray Rom with SuperMulti DVDRW
Networking: Intel Next Gen Wireless-N Mini Card, Bluetooth Optional
Optional webcam and fingerprint reader
TV Tuner: HP Integrated HDTV Hybrid Tuner
Battery: 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
I/O Ports: 4 Universal Serial Bus, 1 IEEE 1394 Firewire Port, 1 Consumer IR (Remote Receiver)HDMI 1.3 connector, Microphone in, integrated stereo microphone, eSATA port, HDMI external port, RJ-45 (LAN), VGA
Weight: 7.3 lbs – 8.3 lbs (depending on model)
As you can probably tell from the specs these machines are powerful. Although I have a prototype with a little less power, I can assure you it’s a monster when it comes to performance.
I have been playing with the HDX18 for the past two weeks. It’s a prototype and all, but besides some non-functioning keys, this bad boy would be great to stock in any computer store – yes, its that good!
When you first open the HDX16 or HDX18 you are greeted with probably the most beautiful notebook monitor out right now. It has a flush surface from end to end and right away you know it will deliver a great picture. In fact when you power it up for the first time and see how vibrant the colors are you will be amazed because you don’t expect to see what you are seeing from a notebook.
The next thing you will immediately notice when you open up the HDX18 for the first time is the full size keyboard with a number pad. Yes Ladies and Gentlemen, I said it - it has a FULL number pad. The keys have a metallic finish and are smooth to the touch, and the touchpad also has a metallic finish. Something cool about the touchpad is that the design on the body of the notebook continues onto the touch pad. I think that is a nice little touch by HP.
Under the keyboard and to the far right of the touchpad is a finger print reader and it works as good as any other finger print reader on any other notebook around. However it does match the system a bit better than other notebooks with finger print readers. HP has a black strip that reads the finger while pretty much any other notebook has a gold or bronze looking strip. Maybe I pay too much attention to detail but I like the black strip on the finger print reader on this system, I think the gold strip might throw off the design a bit.
Just above the keyboard are some hot keys that control the Media Smart Software. For those of you familiar with HP, the Media Smart Software replaces QuickPlay. They also control Windows Media Player, iTunes and any other media software. You also have your volume control and something new. There is a new control to raise or lower the bass or treble of the speakers, and your on off switch for your wireless and Bluetooth.
Back to the Media Smart Software, its pretty much the same user interface as the QuickPlay software with some minor retouches, which makes it more Windows Vista-ish. I’m not sure if it’s the current system that I’m using it on, but it sure seems a lot faster than in the past.
With the built in TV tuner, you are also able to view analog and digital television channels via the Media Smart Software or Windows Media Center if you have Vista Premium or Ultimate installed on the system.
The HDX18 I am testing has the optional Blu-Ray player in it and man, oh man, oh man, I think it is time I upgrade my LCD TV because the monitor on the HDX18 put my Sharp Aquos (bought 3 years back) to shame. The monitor is perfect. The picture quality is great; it surpasses the quality of my LCD TV. The sound – boy, I can’t leave it without mention.
Most of the time when you buy a notebook, even the HDX Dragon which is an entertainment notebook pc, the sound quality is far from great. Even with the volume pumped to the max, dialogues in movies or the lyrics in a song are hard to hear, unless you have headphones on.
The sound system on the HDX16 and HDX18 sounds like it is on steroids. I was so impressed by the sound that I needed to know what HP did, so I asked if they had done anything special to the speakers and all I was told was that they tuned the sound with some software. This is exactly what they said (if you’re wondering) - “They are Altec Lansing speakers, subwoofer, Dolby home theater software to tune the experience. “
I still say the speakers are on steroids, can we get MLB to give it a drug test? Haha – I had to, sorry.
I watched movie after movie and listened to album after album and not once did I have to replay anything to figure out what was said. The sound quality is PERFECT. No notebook has been able to deliver the sound the HDX16 and HDX18 can. HP deserves major props for that; seriously the sound is that amazing.
Something that HP should also be praised for is, they are cutting back of what a lot of people have called crapware or clutterware, you know the enormous amounts of applications that are pre-installed on the system. On the new HDX line and I believe all future notebooks from HP will not have a large amount of programs pre-installed. You won’t see a desktop with 100 icons when you first turn on your HDX system.
So how many programs will be pre-installed on the HDX and HDX? It varies from 5 to 7 depending if your system has a webcam and or fingerprint reader.
If you are curious to know what software is installed, two are HP software, the Media Smart software and Photosmart software, the Digital Persona software on the systems with a finger print reader, a full version of Cyber Link DVD Suite Premium and Cyber Link YouCam for the built in webcam on systems with the webcam, a full Version of Muvee Premium, Dolby Home Theater to help that amazing sound the HDX16 and HDX18 deliver, and a 60 day trial of Norton Internet Security 2009 which I recommend you all get, something I wouldn’t of recommended 2 months ago, click here to find out why.
We are so impressed at what HP has done to get rid of Clutterware, we have created a new badge and the HP HDX line of notebooks are the first to get it. It’s our ClutterFree and Verified Badge. (Currently Designing Badge)
Overall the system is fantastic, and HP officially has a new flagship notebook line and it is the HDX line of notebooks, and we award the HDX and HDX our 5 Star Must Have Award, because it is a must have for every entertainment enthusiast, and we award it our 5 Star Gold Editors Choice Award for the month of October 2008. With Christmas around the corner, we will definitely include this in our holiday gift guide, for more information on the HDX and the HDX visit Shopping.hp.com.
Comments: (35)
Brother Jonah on Thu, Oct 02nd, 2008 at 05:36 PM
I am impressed by this machine, but I go to HP site and the number you said hdx18 is not for sale yet. do you know when I can buy?
Michael on Thu, Oct 02nd, 2008 at 05:50 PM
Angelina on Thu, Oct 02nd, 2008 at 05:55 PM
The next thing you will immediately notice when you open up the HDX18 for the first time is the full size keyboard with a number pad.
Ummm, full size keyboards have been out for awhile. Just look at the 17” Toshiba notebooks as well as most 17” notebooks have a full size keyboard. Hell, some 17” notebooks have even more keys. So it is definitely not the first. Maybe the first for HP, but still, you did not mention that.
Michael on Thu, Oct 02nd, 2008 at 05:56 PM
for the first time from HP
Brother Jonah on Thu, Oct 02nd, 2008 at 06:49 PM
When are they in the stores?
dogerfan93 on Thu, Oct 02nd, 2008 at 07:14 PM
That shit looks HOT I want one
Michael on Thu, Oct 02nd, 2008 at 07:15 PM
@brother jonah not sure when they will be in stores.
CHris on Thu, Oct 02nd, 2008 at 08:59 PM
So if you don’t count the HP software it really just has 4 or 5 things installed. Not bad. I am happy that companies are toning back on the cracpware.
dogerfan93 on Fri, Oct 03rd, 2008 at 12:32 PM
my mom bought a laptop once and the icons for the stuff that was on it went from one end of the screen to the other.
never on Wed, Oct 22nd, 2008 at 08:57 PM
Now my dilemma is which to get. the 16 or the 18.
Michael on Thu, Oct 23rd, 2008 at 06:09 PM
If you want the big screen go with the 18 if you want the smaller screen go with the 16 
never on Thu, Oct 23rd, 2008 at 08:36 PM
Its not that simple for me. For what I’m getting is like me sticking with it for the rest of my life. I’m worried that if I get either, I might regret it and think that, “Oh no, I think I should have took the other one”. This is because it is not that easy to send it back if I don’t like it from where I live - Philippines.
Michael on Sat, Oct 25th, 2008 at 02:07 PM
If you are getting it with the blu-ray player go with the 18 inch screen if not go with the smaller screen.
never on Sun, Oct 26th, 2008 at 08:57 PM
Well, I’m actually leaning towards the 16. Because I think the 18 might be big and heavy. Both got the Blu-Ray option. But I like the battery-life of the 18. My main use of it will be almost everything from gaming (online or not) to software developing and rendering.
Michael on Thu, Nov 13th, 2008 at 09:42 PM
So di you decide on which to get?
James on Tue, Nov 18th, 2008 at 05:40 AM
How much did symantec pay you to write that crap about norton 2009? I would have agreed with your mates likely to “Microsoft” (Its french for F#@K UP) your computer in under 52 seconds. 
Also I wonder if it would install on a 200mhz processor running 32mb ram in under 52 seconds!!!! hahaha
Seriously though I may give it a go soon when my trend subscription runs out.
Also I am looking at this HDX-16 looks like it could be a pretty good unit, not available here in Australia though. Sort of cant decide between that and a fully optioned Sony Vaio VGN-FW290. I think the Sony looks a little less bulky but doesn’t have the number pad. Have you used them. What would be your choice and why? I am one of those people that likes to have it all, performance, looks and all the latest features. No compromise!
Roger on Tue, Nov 18th, 2008 at 03:45 PM
Hello. I am thinking about buying a hdx16 or 18. I see that the hdx16 have 6cell battery and the hdx18 have 8cell battery. Have anyone tested the batterylife of both computers, and is it possible to buy a 8 cell or 12 cell battery for the hdx16?
Thanks
Michael on Wed, Nov 19th, 2008 at 01:01 AM
not sure I pinged HP with your question
Michael on Wed, Nov 19th, 2008 at 12:30 PM
@roger hp said
12 cell battery for HDX 16, yes.
PC Mag did battery tests using mobilemark.
My “official” report it “up to 2:15” on the HDX16 and “up to 3:00” on the HDX18. Both with top end configurations.
albert on Fri, Nov 28th, 2008 at 12:17 AM
just ordered mine a week ago and showuld be in my arms 2morrow!!! i cant wait!!! soooo excited.
Nicholas on Thu, Dec 04th, 2008 at 12:06 PM
So i Purchased my hdx-18 a week ago, online, through hp direct. It arrived yesterday. Its Beautiful!!!! i love everything about it. but..... when i tried to play a blu-ray disk with Media Smart It would not play in 1080p.... it does not say that. but i know 1080p and the picture looks like 720p or worse!!! The Amazing bright and dark colors the comp has. disappear when playing a blue ray. it still look good i guess but my 1080p sharp look almost 2 or 3 times better. Does Media smart just not support full 1080p? my display settings are set at the highest settings. which is 1080 WTF Can anyone help me.......... I called hp support and they are dumb asses. on person said media smart doesnt do 1080p, just 720p another said it does. they know NOTHING HELP ME!!!! whats the point of blu ray drive if i dont play in 1080p
Michael on Thu, Dec 04th, 2008 at 03:00 PM
I pinged hp with your media smart question
Michael on Thu, Dec 04th, 2008 at 03:58 PM
HP says the mediasmart software does support 1080p.
Michael on Thu, Dec 04th, 2008 at 04:20 PM
@Nicholas, what display do you have? HP says not all of the displays are 1080p so it depends on which display you have.
Nicholas on Thu, Dec 04th, 2008 at 05:48 PM
thx for commenting Michael
I have the 1080p display. and all my settings are at 1080 and the fullest color. I have beautiful Color and sharp pictures. Until i play my blu-ray in media smart. My blacks goes gray and all my colors go pale. but if i minimize that and check my settings. it still says they are at 1080p and fullest color. its pretty bad. Right now im downloading dvd software call WinDVD 9 that supports blu-ray and 1080p. and im gonna see if their are new drivers for the blu-ray....even though i just got it yesterday. If that still dont work im guessing i have a hardware issue. and will have to do an RMA with hp :(
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