- Conclusion Get the lowdown
- Features How it compares
- Performance Real world benchmarks
- Differences Technical showdown
- Reviews Word on the street
- Competition Others to consider
- Discussion Answers and opinions
HP Pavilion dv7
- 15.4"
- 2.8 GHz Tri core
- 6 GB
- 1,000 GB HDD
#1 in 2011 HP laptops
Released May, 2010
by LaptopMag (Jul, 2008)If portability isn’t as big an issue, but multimedia is, you’ll be happy with this big-screen machine.
Conclusion Check out the HP Pavilion dv7
First reviewed December, 2011
Features Key features of the HP Pavilion dv7
2.8 GHz
Rated 100% by by Moore-Family (Apr, 2012)With its WiFi, high-resolution screen, very fast 8GB RAM (be sure to get the Intel i7 chip), studio-quality sound, sharp screen camera, fingerprint security, internal help features, plus multiple USB-HDMI-SD-VGA and audio inputs - I now have my high-speed Internet, big hard drive, work tool, cable TV, bass-boosting stereo music, online telephone, and HD movie system in one box.
screen size
15.4"
17.3"
17.3"
Pavilion dv7 by NGC316--Nick (Oct, 2011)The processor and GPU are both top notch, the Beats Audio speakers are the best I've ever had on a laptop, and the screen is big and looks great.
Pavilion dv7 by MMoops (Sep, 2010)Aside from getting used to the integrated keyboard, it's very easy to use and I appreciate the screen size, having had an 18" screen for so many years.
screen resolution
Pavilion dv7 by Chris-Barish (Feb, 2013)Not only that the screen resolution looks better the sound quality is so good you don't even need headphones and the wifi works perfectly.
Pavilion dv7 by S.-PowerBecause the resolution on this machine is no higher than it is on 15 inch machines, you get a display that isn't as attractive and doesn't fit nearly as much content on it as it could with a higher resolution.
cpu speed
| 0 GHz | 2.3 GHz  | 3 GHz |
Pavilion dv7 by Katwoman (Sep, 2011)You can set the range for the clock speed you want your cores to run.
processor
Pavilion dv7 by Nameless-Moniker (Dec, 2011)FAST - i7 Quad-core with hyperthreading, makes the OS think it is using 8 cores.4 GB of Ram which is perfect for most people and HP was nice enough to use 1 4GB chip leaving upgrade space for another chip.
Pavilion dv7 by GEM0430 (May, 2010)Dual Core 2.56 GHz Processor (dual core is supposed to be "better).
memory
| 0 GB | 4 GB   | 6 GB |
Pavilion dv7 by R.-Taylor (Feb, 2009)You are getting an HD monitor, built in webcam and microphone, silent keyboard which is perfectly sized for an adult, a beautiful interface, a lovely touchpad to turn up your volume, mute, play, fast forward and rewind... a 64 bit system with 4 GB of RAM capable of holding 8 GB of RAM... amazing.
Pavilion dv7 by 886The system memory (2 Dimm) isn't 6GB DDR3, it is 4GBThe system memory (2 Dimm) isn't 6GB DDR3, it is 4GBThe system memory (2 Dimm) isn't 6GB DDR3, it is 4GBThe system memory (2 Dimm) isn't 6GB DDR3, it is 4GBThe system memory (2 Dimm) isn't 6GB DDR3, it is 4GBPlease.
Performance Real world tests of HP Pavilion dv7
battery life
5.5 hour
3 hour
4.5 hour
Our analysis How does it stack up against its top 10 competitors
pros
-
1,000 GB -
watch high-definition movies on Blu-Ray discs -
2.8 GHz -
6 GB -
Tri core -
15.4" -
1600 x 900
cons
-
May, 2010 -
3,624 g -
can't read a camera or phone memory card -
57 MB/s (USB 2.0)
Reviews Word on the street
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 | Rated by 689 users at amazon.com Rated 60% by by Picturesque-Music (Apr, 2011)  Rated 100% by by S.-Power Rated 80% by by Tek673 (Mar, 2012) |
Keyboard
HP Pavilion dv7 15.4", 2.8 GHz, 6 GB, 1,000 GB HDD | Rated 40% by by Mahesh-Mahadeva--mahesh-yelekeri (Dec, 2010)In spite of someone mentioned that the keyboard is not so good, I do like the keyboard layout, its strong and you have the confidence that it would not break so easily.
HP Pavilion dv7 15.4", 2.8 GHz, 6 GB, 1,000 GB HDD | Rated 40% by by Big-Dogs (Jun, 2009)This is truly a lovely machine - looks great, functions great but everyone who had a comment about the dark letters on the keyboard was spot on.
HP Pavilion dv7 15.4", 2.8 GHz, 6 GB, 1,000 GB HDD | Rated 100% by by The-Anomaly--AnomalyPlenty of room with a full functioning keyboard and number pad that will make you feel as though you are using a desktop keyboard.
Touchpad
HP Pavilion dv7 15.4", 2.8 GHz, 6 GB, 1,000 GB HDD | Rated 80% by by Becky-Bowman (Nov, 2010)The salesperson at Sam's told me he didn't like the touchpad and I read other reviews that said the same thing, but I couldn't imagine a touchpad would be a make or break item for such a nice laptop - but it is.
HP Pavilion dv7 15.4", 2.8 GHz, 6 GB, 1,000 GB HDD | Rated 100% by by Nameless-Moniker (Dec, 2011)The Multi-touch touchpad is a nice feature, but I rarely even remember to utilize it.
HP Pavilion dv7 15.4", 2.8 GHz, 6 GB, 1,000 GB HDD | Rated 60% by by Matthew-R.-Radcliffe (May, 2011)The touchpad integrates the left and right clicks into the touchpad which makes it bigger but at the very least it takes getting used to.
Cpu
HP Pavilion dv7 15.4", 2.8 GHz, 6 GB, 1,000 GB HDD | Rated 100% by by E.-Angio (Sep, 2010)I have to say it was a very good purchase, the i5 processor works as expected (I have been dealing with computers since 1986 and I have a lot of experience with hardware and software as well).
HP Pavilion dv7 15.4", 2.8 GHz, 6 GB, 1,000 GB HDD | Rated 100% by by Katwoman (Sep, 2011)The processor runs very well compared to my old Intel 2.4 dual-core, but if you've been on an i7, or even an i5 quad-core, you'll notice the difference in performance.
HP Pavilion dv7 15.4", 2.8 GHz, 6 GB, 1,000 GB HDD | Rated 40% by by W.-freeman (May, 2011)The AMD Phenom II x4 P960 is definitely the slowest processor out, why?
Speakers
HP Pavilion dv7 15.4", 2.8 GHz, 6 GB, 1,000 GB HDD | Rated 100% by by Edward-A.-Belcher (Feb, 2012)The Beats audio system works great if you are using headphones, or external speakers, but really the built in speakers do a great job too!
HP Pavilion dv7 15.4", 2.8 GHz, 6 GB, 1,000 GB HDD | Rated 100% by by Peter-A.-Johnson--Uli (Apr, 2011)I don't really use the internal speakers very often, but I can say that they are the best sounding internal laptop speakers that I have heard.
HP Pavilion dv7 15.4", 2.8 GHz, 6 GB, 1,000 GB HDD | Rated 100% by by durawolf (Dec, 2011)Loads win7 fast and handles all applications well, the sound system is amazing considering the room available for quality speakers.
Screen
HP Pavilion dv7 15.4", 2.8 GHz, 6 GB, 1,000 GB HDD | Rated 100% by by Rcuso (Sep, 2010)The screen is big, bright, and crystal clear, the speed of the laptop is amazing as well.
HP Pavilion dv7 15.4", 2.8 GHz, 6 GB, 1,000 GB HDD | Rated 100% by by Timothy-A.-Wurm--Thrillz (Mar, 2012)Even though the screen isn't 1080p, it is bright, colorful, and sharp.
HP Pavilion dv7 15.4", 2.8 GHz, 6 GB, 1,000 GB HDD | by LaptopMag (Jul, 2008)We noticed excellent color and sharpness when watching the Rocky Balboa Blu-ray disc (even in the climactic fight scene), but even in High Performance mode, we wished the screen were a bit brighter.
Competition What else you should consider
 | 2 | Sony VAIO F Series Sharpest screen Sony VAIO F Series vs HP Pavilion dv7 |
 | 3 | HP ENVY 14 Longest battery life ENVY 14 vs Pavilion dv7 |
 | 4 | HP ENVY 17 2-way tie: Largest amount of storage capacity ENVY 17 vs Pavilion dv7 |
 | 6 | HP Compaq Presario 1600 Fastest processor Compaq Presario 1600 vs Pavilion dv7 |
 | 7 | ASUS A73E-AS31 Most RAM ASUS A73E-AS31 vs HP Pavilion dv7 |
New duel?
Let the battle continue or dare to compare.
Editions Editions of the HP Pavilion dv7
| Price | Edition | Cores | Supported card formats | Internal storage | Manufacturer code | Compare | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | | Single core | None | 1,024 GB | Pavilion dv7-6199us Entertainment PC | | ||||
 | | Single core | None | 640 GB | dv7-4267cl | | ||||
 | | Single core | None | 640 GB | DV7-4285DX | | ||||
 | | Single core | None | 640 GB | dv7-7030us | | ||||
 | | Single core | None | 640 GB | WA718UA#ABA | | ||||
 | | Single core | None | 500 GB | VM187UA#ABA | | ||||
 | | Single core | None | Unknown | dv7-4173us | | ||||
 | | Single core | None | 640 GB | dv7-4069wm | | ||||
 | | Single core | None | 750 GB | LW181UA | | ||||
 | | Single core | None | Unknown | WQ637UA#ABA | | ||||
 | | Single core | None | 500 GB | XH108UA | | ||||
 | | Dual core | None | 1,000 GB | LW170UA#ABA | | ||||
 | | Dual core | None | 500 GB | Pavilion dv7-3165dx | | ||||
 | | Dual core | None | 640 GB | dv7-5157cl | | ||||
 | | Dual core | None | 400 GB | DV7-1260US | | ||||
 | | Dual core | None | 320 GB | DV7-1270US | | ||||
 | | Dual core | None | 750 GB | 17.3" | | ||||
 | | Dual core | None | 640 GB | WQ635UA#ABA | | ||||
 | | Dual core | None | 500 GB | WQ859UA#ABA | | ||||
 | | Dual core | None | 320 GB | dv7-1444us | | ||||
 | | Dual core | None | 500 GB | NV025UA#ABA | | ||||
 | | Dual core | None | 320 GB | DV7T-3100 | | ||||
 | | Dual core | None | 320 GB | DV7-1240US | | ||||
 | | Dual core | None | 500 GB | DV7-3065DX | | ||||
 | | Dual core | None | 640 GB | XG834UA#ABA | | ||||
 | | Dual core | None | 750 GB | Pavilion dv7-6179us Entertainment PC | | ||||
 | | Dual core | None | 750 GB | DV7-4280US | | ||||
 | | Dual core | None | 750 GB | LW172UA#ABA | | ||||
 | | Dual core | None | 640 GB | WA793UA#ABA | | ||||
 | | Dual core | None | 500 GB | VM237UA#ABA | | ||||
 | | Dual core | None | 1 GB | WA801UA#ABA | | ||||
 | | Tri core | None | 1,000 GB | WQ630UA#ABA | | ||||
 | | Quad core | None | 640 GB | dv7t qe | | ||||
 | | Quad core | None | 640 GB | DV7-4270US | | ||||
 | | Quad core | None | 1,024 GB | XG830UA#ABA | | ||||
 | | Quad core | None | 500 GB | dv7-4296nr | | ||||
 | | Quad core | None | 750 GB | HP Pavilion dv7t dv7tqe Quad Edition | | ||||
 | | Quad core | None | 640 GB | dv7-4273us | | ||||
 | | Quad core | None | 1,000 GB | dv7-4295us | | ||||
 | | Quad core | None | 640 GB | dv7t | | ||||
 | | Quad core | SD | 640 GB | Pavilion dv7-6165us Entertainment | | ||||
