Opinions wanted on this HP Costco Laptop

[Wildcat64]

Hi I have been waiting for a decent desktop replacement laptop for a while and just found this guy at costco.

HP Pavilion
DV7-7073CA, Bilingual Laptop
i7-3610QM
17.3-in. HD LED-LCD
2 GB NVIDIA GeForce GT 630M
Microsoft® Windows® 7 Home Premium
Item # 777073

$1,019.99
Shipping & Handling included




Processor and Memory:

Intel® i7-3610QM processor, 2.3 GHz
8 GB DDR3 SDRAM
Drives:

1.5 TB SATA, 5400 rpm with HP ProtectSmart hard drive protection
CD-RW\DVD±RW SuperMulti drive
Display and Graphics:

17.3-in. HD LED-LCD display, 1600 x 900 (native)
2 GB NVIDIA GeForce GT 630 M
Audio:

Integrated Beats Audio® speakers
Integrated digital microphone
External ports: Microphone, line-out (speakers/headphones)
Communication:

10/100/1000 integrated gigabit Ethernet LAN
Integrated wireless LAN 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth®
Intel® wireless display
Integrated webcam
Keyboard and Pointing Device:

Full sized keyboard
Touch-pad pointing device
Ports:

3 USB 3.0 ports
1 USB 2.0 port
RJ-45 Ethernet
HDMI™
VGA
Operating System:

Microsoft® Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-bit version
Power Supply:

Battery: Rechargeable, 9-cell lithium-ion (Li-ion)
Power supply: 120 W AC adapter
Specifications:

Dimensions (W x D x H):
41.6 cm x 27.4 cm x 3 cm
(16.4 in. x 10.8 in. x 1.2 in.)
Weight (approximate): 3.32 kg (7.3 lb.)
Warranty and Returns:

2 years
Returns accepted within 90 days from date of purchase

[cloakster]

Get this instead: http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=710_577_371&item_id=049664

Better video card and a 7200rpm HDD.

[Gee]

There is no such thing as a desktop replacement.

People buy notebooks (not laptops) for portability

If you need to replace your desktop, get another desktop

If you buy a 17" laptop beast and never plan to take it out of your house, why not get a proper desktop that doesn't have a small keyboard, and a bigger screen?

If you do plan on taking it around, why do you want to carry a 10lb beast every where you go?

Notebooks are moving to Ultrabooks for a reason.

Smaller and lighter are the new trends

[gman]

Don't buy HP.

[AncasterRFD]

There is no such thing as a desktop replacement.

People buy notebooks (not laptops) for portability

If you need to replace your desktop, get another desktop

If you buy a 17" laptop beast and never plan to take it out of your house, why not get a proper desktop that doesn't have a small keyboard, and a bigger screen?

If you do plan on taking it around, why do you want to carry a 10lb beast every where you go?

Notebooks are moving to Ultrabooks for a reason.

Smaller and lighter are the new trends

They are not ideal for laps and travelling but some people will still move their 17+ notebooks around different desks and tables within their home.

OP, as you may know, non-premium HPs don't always have the greatest build and reliability, however, if you don't like it, you have 3 months to return it and it carries a 2y warranty at no additional cost (as indicated in your post and in general for all Costco computers). That's the beauty of Costco, decent price and peace of mind.

Go there and play, there are 3 17" HP models at Costco in-store, what are you using it for? There are 2 lesser models for $599 & $799. I bought my parents the low end one, they just don't need the specs or definition >900P, and they love the warranty. My dad will move it from office to dining room table to dinette, that's it.

If you are actually taking it out on a regular basis, I agree with Gee, or at least choose a different brand with a stronger build.