I checked these out today Feb 21 2009.
They were smoking fast. If I only had the cash I would have had the bigger one at home right now ( but tempted to go back and CHARGE IT )

I tried to configure these on the HP website and they were a little over $1,100 so I think these are a very good deal.
I'm a computer programmer so I made a note of how fast these things would load several software packages in memory back to back and it handled
everything just fine.

I only played with the smaller one ( 4 gig ) and it was kick butt so I can only imagine how fast the other one was ( it was locked ).
Screen was nice and bright.

They are exactly the same computers except for the RAM and Hard drive ( worth the extra $100 )

I think these two software package were free, as in not trials.
# Corel PaintShop Pro Photo X2
# Corel Video Studio X2

PLEASE NOTE - Some people think that the I5 is a Quad core and its not. It's hyper threaded so it shows up as 4 cores in the Performance tab
but its only a Dual core ( see intel's site for the I5 430 chip ). But who cares it rand just fine.

Model: dv7-3186cl
HP Pavilion Entertainment NB 2.26GHz, 500G, 17.3" 4 Gig Ram $799
Link to Computer 799

Model: dv7-3188cl
HP Pavilion Entertainment NB 2.26GHz, 640GB, 17.3" 6 Gig Ram $ 899
Link to Computer 899

Full Specs for the larger one:

Model: dv7-3188cl
For those who want an all-in-one performance notebook with rich multimedia features, the HP Pavilion dv7 Entertainment series delivers desktop-replacement performance that looks as great as it runs. Powered by the latest processor and graphics technologies, it delivers optimal mobile performance to support your lifestyle.

High-speed DDR3 memory and faster 7200 RPM hard disk drives enable optimal performance levels. HP MediaSmart software integrates the media you want with leading Internet services to deliver a seamless entertainment experience. Watch premium, independent or classic programs with Hulu; play music from CDs or stream music from the Internet; and watch DVDs or create videos with new 3D movie themes. Its all enhanced by SRS Premium Sound and amplified by Altec Lansing speakers, with the option to connect to your HD TV via the HDMI port (cable sold separately).
Specifications
# Processor and Memory: Intel Core i5 430 Processor
# 2.26GHz processor speed
# 3MB L3 cache
# 6GB DDR3 system memory (2 DIMM; max supported: 8192MB)
# Accessible memory slots: 2

Hard Drive and Multimedia Drives:
# 640GB (7200RPM) hard drive dual HDD - 320GB x 2
# LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVDR/RW with Double Layer Support

Audio, Video, and Graphics:
# Altec Lansing with SRS Premium Sound and HP Triple Bass Reflex Subwoofer
# NVIDIA GeForce G 105M with up to 3311MB total available graphics memory with 512MB dedicated

Connectivity:
# Integrated 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 connector)
# Wireless LAN 802.11a/g/n WLAN

Ports/Slots:
# 5-in-1 integrated Digital Media Reader for Secure Digital cards, MultiMedia cards, Memory Stick, Memory Stick Pro, or xD Picture cards
# 4 USB 2.0, 4th port shared with eSATA
# 2 headphone-out
# 1 microphone-in
# 1 VGA (15-pin)
# eSATA + USB 2.0
# 1 notebook expansion port 3
# 1 IEEE 1394 Firewire (4-pin)
# 1 consumer IR (remote receiver)
# 1 RJ-45 (LAN)
# HDMI

Keyboard, Pointing Device and Display:
# 101-key compatible with full size keyboard with integrated numeric keypad
# Touch Pad with on/off button and dedicated vertical scroll up/down pad
# 17.3" diagonal HD+ LED HP BrightView widescreen display (1600 x 900)
# HP Imprint with the espresso design in high-gloss black
# HP webcam with integrated digital microphone

Security And Support:

Power:
# 90W AC adapter
# 8-cell Lithium-ion battery

Dimensions and Weight:
# 16.2"L x 10.9"D x 1.37 - 1.70"H
# 7.74 lbs.

Software:
# Symantec Norton Internet Security 2010 60-day trial
# HP Support Assistant
# HP PC Recovery
# HP Advisor
# HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
# Microsoft Works
# Microsoft Office 2007 Student and Teacher Edition: 60-day trial version
# Microsoft Silverlight
# Sun Java
# Corel PaintShop Pro Photo X2
# Corel Video Studio X2
# eBay
# HP MediaSmart
# HP Webcam
# Pandora Internet Radio
# Sling Media sling player with Sling flash tour
# Windows Live Photo Gallery
# CyberLink DVD Suite
# Adobe Reader
# Adobe Flash
# HP Games Powered by Wild Tangent
# HP Music Store powered by Rhapsody
# Netflix
# Hulu

Operating System:
# Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit