Notebookcheck Logo

Review HP Pavilion dv9580eg Notebook

Pretty One. In the meanwhile most manufacturers know also a nice look of a notebook contributes to its success. The current HP Pavilion series covers a series of pretty notebooks, including even an elegant looking 17 inch desktop replacement notebook, the dv9580eg. Also the notebook specifications spark interest in it, even more, because of its reasonable price.

HP Pavilion dv9580eg Logo

Case

Due to the aesthetic finish of the case, it stands to reason that the HP Pavilion dv9580eg won the „Reddot Design Award“. The award especially honors HP's „imprint finish“, i.e. the decorative design of the display cover and the top side of the case.

Besides the nice finish, also the shaping of the laptop is very harmonious and aesthetically pleasing. The gentle rotundity and the glossy surfaces essentially contribute to the notebook's appearance.

The case is moderately pressure resistant. Especially at the top side the plastic parts yield under pressure. This is particularly true for the display cover, which can be clearly deformed by applying force.

If you pick the notebook up at the front edge, you can also observe some distortions. However, 17 inch notebooks frequently face this problem.

The hinges of the display allow a comfortable adjustment of the display's opening angle, but a slight see-saw is possible afterwards. We also need to mention, that the opening angle of the display is limited. However, this is not overall important, because mobility is anyway not an essential aspect of DTR notebooks. More important, the closed display does not seat solidly and wobbles.

A special weakness of the reviewed notebook's workmanship was the wobbling and leaning plastic cover of the right hinge. Overall, the dv9580eg's workmanship rates worse, because of not totally even gap sizes.

The HP Pavilion dv9580eg scores points, regarding connectivity. We especially appreciate that an expansion port and an HDMI port, which is nowadays frequently provided by consumer notebooks, are available. The order of the interfaces, which are mainly at the right or left edge, might maybe not  be completely ideal. The audio ports are at the front edge.

HP Pavilion dv9580eg Interfaces
Front Side: Audio Ports
HP Pavilion dv9580eg Interfaces
Left Side: S-Video, VGA-Out, Expansion Port, Modem, LAN, HDMI, 2xUSB, Firewire, Cardreader
HP Pavilion dv9580eg Interfaces
Back Side: Fan
HP Pavilion dv9580eg Interfaces
Right Side: Expresscard, DVD Drive, USB, AC-In

Input Devices

First of all we appreciate the separate numerical pad provided right beside the standard keyboard. Skillfully utilizing the available space of spacious 17 inch notebooks is especially reasonable.

Besides that the standard keyboard and the touch pad are, due to the numerical pad, not centered, the layout of the keyboard is without noticeable  irregularities. During typing we observed that the keyboard possibly clearly yields in its center. Depending on the mood and the force of the user, the typing noise ranges from silently clicking to loudly clattering. Some users might need some adaption time, because typing feels rather elastic.

We could not cotton on to the touch pad of the Pavilon. Although it looks nice and blends into the harmonious whole of the dv9580eg, its sticky surface makes navigation by the pad cumbersome. Too bad, because its buttons could absolutely convince by their user-friendly travel.

Finally, we ought to mention the touch-sensitive hot keys above the keyboard, which allow the control of Mediaplayer functions. However, especially the reactions of the volume control could not totally convince.

HP Pavilion dv9580eg Touch pad
Touch pad
HP Pavilion dv9580eg Keyboard
Keyboard

Display

Display measurement
Color Diagram

The built-in WXGA+ panel strikes a good balance between desktop and font size by a resolution of 1440x900 pixels. Considering it is a 17 inch display, this is, however, the lower limit regarding resolution.

The maximum brightness of the provided display panel with reflecting surfaces was 175.6 cd/m², which is quite passable. The below-average illumination of 70.3% is caused by the brightness in the lower corners, which diminishes to 123.5 cd/m².

154.6
cd/m²
169.4
cd/m²
175.6
cd/m²
148.9
cd/m²
170.8
cd/m²
150.1
cd/m²
123.5
cd/m²
130.6
cd/m²
130.9
cd/m²
Distribution of brightness
Maximum: 175.6 cd/m² (Nits) Average: 150.5 cd/m²
Brightness Distribution: 70 %
Contrast: 214:1 (Black: 0.8 cd/m²)

Besides the average brightness of the display of 150.5 cd/m², also the maximum contrast, calculated from the measured values, of 220:1 is not really stunning.

Outdoor usage is, especially because of the reflecting display surface somewhat difficult. In very bright environments you'll mainly see yourself on the display. Also the average brightness of a little more than 150 cd/m² does not improve this aspect.

Again, the reflecting surface limits the viewing angles, especially horizontally. Vertically the display heavily darkens, if you look from bottom up. Considering the intended use as only little mobile desktop notebook, the viewing angles are in total acceptable.

HP Pavilion dv9580eg Viewing Angles
HP Pavilion dv9580eg Viewing Angles
HP Pavilion dv9580eg Viewing Angles
HP Pavilion dv9580eg Viewing Angles
HP Pavilion dv9580eg Viewing Angles
HP Pavilion dv9580eg Viewing Angles
HP Pavilion dv9580eg Viewing Angles
HP Pavilion dv9580eg Viewing Angles

Performance

Looking at the technical specifiations of the notebook, i.e. Core 2 Duo T7300, 2 GHz, 4MB L2 Cache, 800 MHz FSB, NVIDIA Geforce 8600M GS, 256MB VRAM, 2GB DDR2 RAM, and a total hard disk capacity of  400 GB  (2x200GB, 4200 revs/min) - you'll rightly expect a good performance.

However, the dv9580eg could not completely convince in practice. The 3D Mark05 benchmark result and the Doom 3 gaming performance did clearly not fulfill our expectations. Furthermore, the PCMark05 benchmark could even not be successfully completed and Doom 3 could only be executed in a windows.

Looking at the windows internal performance index, it gets obvious that the  main memory clearly rates low, so, possibly this is a cause of the problem. The installed NVIDIA driver version was 7.15.11.123 from 1.5.07, which could be another possible cause of the troubles.

So, the notebook might be possibly deficient and the measured benchmark results can only be used for a rating with restrictions.

If you only judge by hardware equipment the notebook should definitely be sufficiently powerful for all office and multimedia applications. It should be even possible to play current games, but, with some restrictions regarding details and resolution - if only the reviewed notebook faces the problems mentioned above.

The second reviewed notebook performed clearly better in the Vista performance index, but, was even worse than the first one in the 3DMark05 benchmark. Maybe the poor performance was due to the large number of pre-installed software (which we did not deinstall, because of the available time).

Further information about the video card can be found  here or in our comparison of mobile video cards. Detailed information about the Core 2 Duo CPU can be found here.

Please also look at our benchmark list of mobile processors or at our benchmark list of mobile video cards, in order to compare this notebook to other configurations.

Benchmark Vergleich 3DMark
Benchmark Comparison 3DMark
Windows Leistungsindex
Windows Performance Index
3DMark 05 Standard
3896 points
Help
2x 200 GB - 4200 rpm
Transfer Rate Minimum: 29.1 MB/s
Transfer Rate Maximum: 59.4 MB/s
Transfer Rate Average: 47.3 MB/s
Access Time: 17.2 ms
Burst Rate: 78.8 MB/s
CPU Usage: 3.3 %
Doom 3
 ResolutionSettingsValue
 1024x768Ultra, 0xAA, 0xAF37.4 fps
 800x600High, 0xAA, 0xAF64.9 fps
 640x480Medium, 0xAA, 0xAF90.5 fps
 640x480Low, 0xAA, 0xAF90.3 fps

Emissions

Loudness

The permanently active and clearly audible fan, which run in practice near tests even with office applications, attracted our attention. Although you'll get used too it after a while, this is not ideal.

Under load the fan ran even two levels faster and got relatively loud. Considering the possibly erroneous benchmark results, also the noise could be higher due to faulty hard- or software.

Temperature

The measured surface temperatures of up to 35°C at the top side and about 42°C at the bottom side are alright.

Max. Load
 33.4 °C
92 F
32.2 °C
90 F
29.5 °C
85 F
 
 33.8 °C
93 F
32.3 °C
90 F
29.4 °C
85 F
 
 30.5 °C
87 F
31.8 °C
89 F
28.6 °C
83 F
 
Maximum: 33.8 °C = 93 F
Average: 31.3 °C = 88 F
42.1 °C
108 F
36.3 °C
97 F
30.6 °C
87 F
34.3 °C
94 F
32.7 °C
91 F
29.8 °C
86 F
32.5 °C
91 F
31.9 °C
89 F
29.9 °C
86 F
Maximum: 42.1 °C = 108 F
Average: 33.3 °C = 92 F
Room Temperature 21 °C = 70 F
(+) The average temperature for the upper side under maximal load is 31.3 °C / 88 F, compared to the average of 33.8 °C / 93 F for the devices in the class Gaming.
(+) The maximum temperature on the upper side is 33.8 °C / 93 F, compared to the average of 40.4 °C / 105 F, ranging from 21.2 to 68.8 °C for the class Gaming.
(±) The bottom heats up to a maximum of 42.1 °C / 108 F, compared to the average of 43.2 °C / 110 F
(+) The palmrests and touchpad are cooler than skin temperature with a maximum of 31.8 °C / 89.2 F and are therefore cool to the touch.
(-) The average temperature of the palmrest area of similar devices was 28.9 °C / 84 F (-2.9 °C / -5.2 F).

Speakers

The Altec Lansing Speaker, the competitors of Toshiba's Harman/Kardon speakers, provide, built-in the HP Pavilion dv9580eg, good sound. The maximum volume is alright, and even basses can be to some extent reproduced.

Battery Runtime

The 63Wh battery provides a runtime of at least 100 minutes up to a maximum of above 4 hours. So, a limited mobile use is possible, although the size and the design of the notebook suggest something else.

Battery Runtime
Idle (without WLAN, min brightness)
4h 00min
Load (maximum brightness)
1h 40min

Verdict

Similar to the HP Pavilion dv6598eg also its 17 inch counterpart, the Pavilion dv9580eg, scored points in design and layout. The case is elegant and aesthetically pleasing, even for a 17 inch notebook.

However, the case also has some weaknesses. These are a pressure sensitive display cover, some uneven gaps or a wobbling and leaning plastic cover on one of the hinges, so,  improvements were possible here.

The keyboard is, depending on your preferences, good and user-friendly, or maybe a little bit to elastic and clattering. Here your preferences are the most important aspect. The touch pad has to be criticized, because  its surface has bad sliding properties.

The display is in total average. This is true for the WXGA+ resolution of the panel, its brightness, contrast, and its viewing angles.

We were astonished by the measured performance of the reviewed Pavilion dv9580eg. Problems with the execution of some of the benchmarks and comparably too low results hint on a hard- or software problem of the reviewed notebook. Overall the built-in hardware should be able to handle all current office and multimedia demands without problems.

The noise level of the notebook could not convince. Even during office operation or idle mode, the highly active fan causes a clearly audible noise. Under load it is even louder.
The measured surface temperatures are alright and do not disturb at all. The sound of the speakers is good.

Finally the Pavilion dv9580eg can even be operated unplugged for a while. The provided 63Wh battery adequately powers it for a while.

HP Pavilion dv9580eg
HP Pavilion dv9580eg

 

Many thanks to the company MediaMarkt Wels, which kindly provided us with the reviewed notebook. You can buy this notebook at the current price of 1349.- Euro there.

Please share our article, every link counts!
HP Pavilion dv9580eg
Reviewed: HP Pavilion dv9580eg

Specifications

HP Pavilion dv9580eg
Graphics adapter
NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS - 256 MB VRAM, Core: 500 MHz, Memory: 400 MHz
Memory
2048 MB 
, DDR2 PC5300, 667 MHz, 2x1024MB, max. 4096MB
Display
17.10 inch 16:10, 1440 x 900 pixel, WXGA+ High Definition BrightView Widescreen, glossy: yes
Mainboard
Intel PM965
Storage
2x 200 GB - 4200 rpm, 200 GB 
, 4200 rpm, Samsung HM250JI
Soundcard
Realtek ALC268 HD Audio
Connections
1 Express Card 54mm, 3 USB 2.0, 1 Firewire, 1 VGA, 1 HDMI, 1 S-Video, 56K High-Speed Modem, 1 Infrared, 1 Kensington Lock, 1 Docking Station Port, Audio Connections: Headphones, Microphone, Card Reader: 5in1 Cardreader
Networking
100BASE-TX, 10BASE-T (10/100MBit/s), Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN (a/b/g/n = Wi-Fi 4/), Bluetooth 1
Optical drive
Matshita DVD-RAM UJ-851S
Size
height x width x depth (in mm): 42 x 285 x 396 ( = 1.65 x 11.22 x 15.59 in)
Battery
63 Wh Lithium-Ion, 4375 mAh, 14.4V
Operating System
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 32 Bit
Additional features
Remote Control, Microsoft Works 8, Adobe Reader 8.0, 24 Months Warranty, Fingerprint Reader, Webcam
Weight
3.6 kg ( = 126.99 oz / 7.94 pounds), Power Supply: 0 g ( = 0 oz / 0 pounds)
Price
900 Euro

 

HP Pavilion dv9580eg Image
The HP Pavilion dv9580eg looks good, because of its interesting finish...
HP Pavilion dv9580eg Image
The built-in Altec-Lansing speakers' sound is good.
HP Pavilion dv9580eg Image
The fan runs permanently.
HP Pavilion dv9580eg Image
Typing on the keyboard has an elastic feeling and you might maybe need to get used to it first.
HP Pavilion dv9580eg Image
The display rates average and has a reflecting surface.
HP Pavilion dv9580eg Image
The dv9580eg is generously equipped with interfaces: HDMI and expansion port are also available.
HP Pavilion dv9580eg Image
The case is moderately robust and there are small weaknesses in workmanship.
HP Pavilion dv9580eg Image
Regarding stability of the case, the pressure sensitive display cover got most evident.
HP Pavilion dv9580eg Image
The 17 inch desktop replacement notebook looks elegant and aesthetically pleasing.
HP Pavilion dv9580eg Image
Not only the surfaces, also the used forms look nice.
HP Pavilion dv9580eg Image
...which won the well-known "Reddot Design Award".
HP Pavilion dv9580eg Image
The battery allows a limited unplugged use.

Similar Notebooks

Similar devices from a different Manufacturer

Devices from a different Manufacturer and/or with a different CPU

Review Dell Vostro 1710 Notebook
GeForce 8600M GS, Core 2 Duo T8100

Devices with Same Screen Size and/or Weight

HP Omen Transcend 14 laptop review: Razer Blade alternative worth considering
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU, Intel Meteor Lake-H Ultra 7 155H, 14.00", 1.649 kg
HP Omen Transcend 16 (2024) laptop review: An RTX 4070 gaming machine with an OLED display
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU, Raptor Lake-HX i9-14900HX, 16.00", 2.284 kg
HP Omen 16 (2024) review: QHD gaming notebook with Core i9 and RTX 4080 for €3,200
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU, Raptor Lake-HX i9-14900HX, 16.10", 2.37 kg
HP Victus 15 gaming laptop with Raptor Lake and Ada Lovelace in review
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU, Raptor Lake-H i5-13500H, 15.60", 2.326 kg
HP Victus 16 laptop review: Full HD gamer with RTX 4070
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU, Raptor Lake-H i7-13700H, 16.10", 2.372 kg
HP Omen 16 laptop review: A good choice for gamers even with Zen 4
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU, Phoenix (Zen 4, Ryzen 7040) R7 7840HS, 16.10", 2.44 kg
HP Victus 16 Laptop Review: A 1080p gaming powerhouse with few compromises
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU, Raptor Lake-HX i5-13500HX, 16.10", 2.29 kg

Pro

  • Aesthetically pleasing design
  • Broad interface equipment
  • Average Display
  • Good hardware equipment
  • Acceptable surface temperature
  • Good sound
  • Contra

  • Smaller weaknesses of workmanship
  • Keyboard yields clearly
  • Sticky touch pad
  • Moderate performance
  • High noise emissions
  • Rating

    HP Pavilion dv9580eg - 10/08/2007
    J. Simon Leitner

    Chassis
    84%
    Keyboard
    84%
    Pointing Device
    78%
    Connectivity
    88%
    Weight
    62%
    Battery
    80%
    Display
    80%
    Games Performance
    85%
    Application Performance
    95%
    Temperature
    70%
    Noise
    74%
    Add Points
    84%
    Average
    80%
    83%
    Gaming - Weighted Average
    J. Simon Leitner, 2007-10-19 (Update: 2013-05- 8)