“It’s way too good for the likes of me! What a beast. I’m used to Hondas not Lagondas. I really love this computer.. I`ve NEVER owned anything this nice and I`ve only begun to discover its potential.. ”

The correct answers are:

1. http://digitalmediaphile.wordpress.com/2008/01/01/is-this-your-lucky-day/ (or for those of you that entered from my older blog where the contest was mirrored, this URL was also correct.
2. Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Extreme Processor X9000 (2.80GHz, 6MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
3. TX1000 (or TX1001xx, or several variants of that number for the notebook used in that series of reviews)
4. Acer Ferrari 4000
5. Nikon D300

After removing/deleting entries above that didn’t meet the qualifications, I sorted the correct entries oldest (first in) to oldest and exported to Excel. Then I visited www.random.org and put everyone’s fate in their hands. Click the image below for a full-size screen shot.

Contest Stats: 

The bad news:

403 entrants did not follow directions and were eliminated from the contest. Issues with these entries included not using the correct subject line, “I want a HDX Dragon” or “I want an HDX Dragon” (a vs an being a grammar issue). And some folks that didn’t do the treasure hunt but simply sent their contact info or told me a sob story. And a few that included images and graphics where I specifically stated “no images or stationery”. Additionally, I was very clear, one entry per email address. You could enter from multiple email addresses, but not from the same one more than once. Sorry if you were in this category of disqualified entries.

The good news:

937 correct entries

Other contests are still running. Click here for a list!.

 HP HDX Dragon – $4,500+ retail value (see full specs below)

HDX System Specs

Operating system
Genuine Windows Vista Ultimate (64-bit)
 
Processor
Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Extreme Processor X9000 (2.80GHz, 6MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
 
Display
20.1″ diagonal WUXGA High-Definition HP Ultra Brightview Widescreen (1920×1200)-”True HD” 1080p res
 
Memory
4GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
 
Graphics Card
512MB NVIDIA GeForce 8800M GTS
 
Personalization
HP Imprint Finish (Dragon) + Fingerprint Reader + Webcam + Microphone
 
Networking
Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection and Bluetooth(TM)
 
Hard Drive
500GB 5400RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (250GB x 2)
 
Primary CD/DVD Drive
Blu-Ray ROM with SuperMulti DVD+/-R/RW Double Layer
 
TV & Entertainment Experience
Integrated HP HDTV Hybrid TV Tuner and 4 Altec Lansing speakers +the HP Triple Bass Reflex subwoofer
 
Primary Battery
9 Cell Lithium Ion Battery

Weight

15.3+ lbs
 
Software

Microsoft Office 2007 Ultimate Edition

Corel PaintShop Pro X2 – $73.99 retail value (eval copy)

Corel Painter Essentials – $79.99 retail value (eval copy)

Corel Ulead Video Studio Plus  11.5- $79.95 retail value (eval copy)

 Games

Viva Piñata – $37.99 retail value (eval copy)

Microsoft Flight Sim – $44.99 retail value (eval copy)

Microsoft Flight Sim Expansion Pack – $34.99 retail value (eval copy)

Gears of War – $49.99 retail value (eval copy)

Movies

Pirates of the Caribbean – The Curse of the Black Pearl – Blu Ray – $22.95 retail value (eval copy)  

Pirates of the Caribbean – Dead Man’s Chest- Blu Ray – $22.95 retail value (eval copy)

Pirates of the Caribbean – At World’s End – Blue Ray – $22.95 retail value (eval copy)

Click the links above to read their rules and enter today!

Interestingly, I had thought that the eSATA 5400 rpm drives would be the lowest scoring components, but that 5.3 score was not the bottom. Memory calcs per second were at the bottom at 5.1.

However, numbers aside, MY EXPERIENCE is how I rate a computer. And this is one fast dragon. As of right now, it’s the fast box in the house!

Once again, here’s the list of participating sites and the dates when the contest will start and winners selected:

Site	Contest Starts	Winner Announced On
AbsoluteVista.com	2-May	9-May
Ars Technica	3-May	10-May
OSNN.net	4-May	11-May
JKontherun.com	5-May	12-May
Barbs Connected World	6-May	13-May
BostonPocketPC.com	7-May	14-May
The-Gadgeteer.com	8-May	15-May
TheDigitalLifesetyle.com	9-May	16-May
DigitalHomeThoughts.com	10-May	17-May
Windows-now.com	11-May	18-May
WindowsConnected.com	12-May	19-May
Geekstogo.com	13-May	20-May
Bink.nu	14-May	21-May
MediabLab.com	15-May	22-May
Last100.com	16-May	23-May
Digital Inspiration	17-May	24-May
Notebooks.com	18-May	25-May
SlashdotReview.com	19-May	26-May
Neowin.net	20-May	27-May
Geek.com	21-May	28-May
Lockergnome.com	22-May	29-May
Planet x64.com	23-May	30-May
TheGreenButton.com	24-May	31-May
Istartedsomething.com	25-May	1-June
BleepingComputer.com	26-May	2-June
HardwareGeeks.com	27-May	3-June
GeekNewsCentral.com	28-May	4-June
Geekzone.co.nz	29-May	5-June
TheTabletPC.net	30-May	6-June
GearLive.com	31-May	7-June
GottaBeMobile.com	1-June	8-June

I saw the beginning of the change from the basic boxy boring desktop pc with a HP Media Center 873n Desktop PC that I previewed a few months before its public release (for the launch of the first version of Windows Media Center Edition, October 29, 2002). At the time I said that it still wasn’t “sexy enough” for the living room, or any room other than the home office or the den. And it sure wasn’t something I could easily put in the car and drag around New England to show off to friends.

Fast forward to May 2008. HP, you’ve come a long way. This is my kind of desktop replacement. Sleek styling, not a dust catcher, and a computer I’d love to have downstairs and to take with me on long weekends around New England. This is computing done right (at least for me). I can see the Dragon as a complete Entertainment/Home Theater/Productivity all-in-one system for small apartments, dorm rooms, campers, and guest bedrooms/dens, and the kitchen counter. It’s a svelte and sexy computer. (The only unsexy thing, which you can hide, is the power brick which is massive and very reminiscent of the Xbox 360 power brick.)

The HDX Dragon makes a stylish addition to my kitchen counter. A mini remote control is supplied that fits into a recessed storage area to the left of the keyboard.

I was gratified to see that, with the HDX Dragon, HP has made the jump to 64 bit computing (I’m an x 64 evangelist since way back). My review/contest giveaway unit came with Vista x64 Ultimate but Vista x64 Home Premium IS an option. My advice, go for Ultimate on this one. This is a high end, high class machine. If you decide to order this computer, get Vista SP1 pre-installed. (I’ve installed the SP1 update myself).

The HDX Dragon definitely has bells and whistles and icing on top of that. HP’s website lists all kinds of options which appear at the bottom of this post. (I’ve highlighted in red at the end of this the installed options on my review unit/contest giveaway unit that some lucky reader will receive). In addition, HP and BuzzCorps have provided more software and Blu-Ray HD movies that I will ship to the winner.

Getting up and running  after connecting the power supply is a good experience. Booting up the HDX Dragon for the first time involves agreeing to licensing, selecting a user name and password, and the typical Vista “optimizing system performance” routines. This is followed by a short and slick video from HP.

Once at the desktop, the Fingerprint Reader application asks you if you want to register your fingerprints. It’s quick and easy. The placement of the fingerprint reader hardware is above the keyboard in the center area, and not on the side of the display as I expected. In any case, I find fingerprint readers a great convenience factor but not necessarily a security control.

The screen and video display is absolutely stunning and viewable from even what appears to be a 170 degree angle. I’d expect no less from a high end machine. The video is powered by a 512MB NVidia 8800. 1920 x 1200 pixels is awesome. And I can’t wait to view some Blu-Ray HD DVD’s at 1080p.

Windows Media Center easily found and setup the internal HDTV Hybrid Tuner. I’m not in a good OTA reception area, and only one channel (the local ABC affiliate) has enough strength for a decent signal, but the picture quality from that one channel is pretty impressive on this display. I’ll try hooking up one of my external USB tuners (connected to a Comcast set top box) and I’m sure it will be a terrific experience. By the way, the HDX Dragon boasts both VGA and HDMI connectors. If you have a big screen TV and are having a block party, go ahead and hook up, there’s plenty of video power to drive an external display.

Four USB ports provide enough connectivity for all my peripherals (and all at the same time!). There’s even a Firewire port so importing video from my Canon HV20 is quick and easy. Trackpad/mouse controls are very similar to the TX1000/2000 series notebooks. Very tactile and extremely easy and accurate. On a notebook this size, there’s room for more than the standard notebook type keyboard. I was glad to see a number pad, separate cursor keys, etc. It’s really like a full desktop experience.

I’m depressed that I have to give this computer away. Did I say it was fast? Did I mention the stunning 1080p display?  I’m very envious of the 31 folks who will end up with one of these incredible machines.

If you don’t win one of the contests, you can still order an HDX Dragon and configure it just the way you want. Below are the choices, and I’ve called out the options on the unit I’ll be giving away.

Yes, this is a large cash value item. HP and BuzzCorps will be providing tax relief and forms to the winners for all sites. Yes, this contest is open to anyone in the galaxy, so even if you’re on the International Space Station, we’ll find a way to ship this to you.

In answer to the question, “How big IS the Dragon?”, thanks to notebooks.com (also one of the 31 sites), here’s a photo. 

Be sure to visit all the sites listed below on the day each contest starts to expand your chances to win the HDX Dragon!

This one isn’t meant for economy class on airplanes, but it sure is one to use at home, take to grandma’s on the other side of town, bring to parties to amaze your friends.

Check out the demo here (will open a new window, please wait for the flash demo to load).

HDX System Specs

Operating system
Genuine Windows Vista Ultimate (64-bit)
 
Processor
Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Extreme Processor X9000 (2.80GHz, 6MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
 
Display
20.1″ diagonal WUXGA High-Definition HP Ultra Brightview Widescreen (1920×1200)-”True HD” 1080p res
 
Memory
4GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
 
Graphics Card
512MB NVIDIA GeForce 8800M GTS
 
Personalization
HP Imprint Finish (Dragon) + Fingerprint Reader + Webcam + Microphone
 
Networking
Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection and Bluetooth(TM)
 
Hard Drive
500GB 5400RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (250GB x 2)
 
Primary CD/DVD Drive
Blu-Ray ROM with SuperMulti DVD+/-R/RW Double Layer
 
TV & Entertainment Experience
Integrated HP HDTV Hybrid TV Tuner and 4 Altec Lansing speakers +the HP Triple Bass Reflex subwoofer
 
Primary Battery
9 Cell Lithium Ion Battery

Weight

15.3+ lbs
 
Software

Microsoft Office 2007 Ultimate Edition

Corel PaintShop Pro X2 – $73.99 retail value (eval copy)

Corel Painter Essentials – $79.99 retail value (eval copy)

Corel Ulead Video Studio Plus  11.5- $79.95 retail value (eval copy)

 Games

Viva Piñata – $37.99 retail value (eval copy)

Microsoft Flight Sim – $44.99 retail value (eval copy)

Microsoft Flight Sim Expansion Pack – $34.99 retail value (eval copy)

Gears of War – $49.99 retail value (eval copy)

Movies

Pirates of the Caribbean – The Curse of the Black Pearl – Blu Ray – $22.95 retail value (eval copy)  

Pirates of the Caribbean – Dead Man’s Chest- Blu Ray – $22.95 retail value (eval copy)

Pirates of the Caribbean – At World’s End – Blue Ray – $22.95 retail value (eval copy)

Thirty-one sites starting in early May will post individual contests you can enter. Be sure to visit each one to see news of this contest as it develops. You’ll have a week to enter each contest before the winner is selected. Each contest will be different. You can enter one or all.

Here’s the list of participating sites and the dates when the contest will start and winners selected: