I ordered a customized HP dv9700t laptop on January 27, 2008.

HP Pavilion dv9700t customizable Notebook PC Upgrade to Genuine Windows Vista Ultimate (64-bit) Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo Processor T7500 (2.20 GHz, 4 MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB) 17.0" WSXGA+ High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1680 x 1050) 4GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm) 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS FREE Upgrade to HP Imprint Finish (Radiance) + Fingerprint Reader + Webcam + Microphone!! FREE Upgrade to Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection and BluetoothTM!! 240GB 7200RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (120GB x 2) HD-DVD ROM with SuperMulti DVD+/-R/RW Double Layer!! HP ExpressCard Digital/Analog TV Tuner High Capacity 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery System Recovery DVD with Genuine Windows Vista Ultimate (64-bit)

GT**AV

1

$1,782.99

$1,682.99

Great price for such a beefy machine, eh?

The problem is that, even though I paid an extra $50.99 for expedited shipping, at the completion of the order I was informed that the build date will be February 22, 2008! Almost a FULL MONTH after placing the order; BEFORE IT EVEN SHIPS!!!

Well, I need it, but am waiting patiently. I figured that date was a huge safety net they created for themselves so that they could keep from getting backlogged, but it seems now that it will take the full TWENTY SIX DAYS to build the laptop.

I purchased an HP over a Dell because they have much better specs than Dell at a cheaper price. Plus, Dell doesn't even offer some of the features that HP does, like the full-size keyboard. But what Dell does do is offer a build time of roughly two weeks, compared to HP's almost FOUR!

I like HP laptops and am sure this one will serve me well, but am more than a little torqued off that it is taking so long to get it assembled.

Oh! and if you noticed that this too is a negative post, I have decided that I prefer griping about the bad things in technology, to singing the sunshine and lollipops song.