HP 17-X121DX 17.3″ Laptop (Intel Core i5, 4GB Memory, 1TB Hard Drive, Black)
The HP 17-X121DX is an affordable middle-of-the-road laptop belonging to the desktop replacement category. It’s characterized by a large 17.3″ display and very decent internal component selection including an Intel Core i5 processor, 4GB of system memory, and a 1TB hard drive. The Windows 10-based 17-X121DX doesn’t bring any extraordinary features to the table. It’s a plastic-topped notebook with 1600×900-pixel display resolution (standard on 17.3-inchers), TN screen technology with narrower viewing angles than IPS, and a non-backlit keyboard.
The 17-X121DX is based on the latest 7th Generation Intel Core processor series, namely the i5-7200U dual-core CPU with Intel’s HD 620 graphics incorporated. This chip is perfectly suitable for the daily computing activities for home and home & office PC users but additionally it can serve decently well for hardware intensive stuff like multimedia production. As for gaming, the HD 620 enables you to run non-demanding game titles, but for the latest AAA blockbusters you’ll have to get a laptop with a dedicated video card. 4GB of system memory isn’t large, so if you multitask with too many processes running simultaneously, chances are you’ll be having slowdowns due to overloaded RAM. But for the ordinary users 4GB is quite enough. Data storage space of 1TB is capacious, too, with enough space for programs, audio and video libraries, and other user files. In addition, the HP 17-X121DX provides a built-in DVD writer drive.
Now let’s go through the remaining specifications. As usual, the laptop has a chiclet-style keyboard with a numeric pad, a multi-touch trackpad, stereo speakers, and a 720p web camera. The selection of networking and connectivity features is very well rounded. For a wireless Internet connection, there’s an 802.11n Wi-Fi internal card, while for old-school wired network connectivity there’s an Ethernet LAN port. External displays can be hooked up to the laptop via its HDMI video output, while for USB peripherals there are two USB 2.0 ports and one faster USB 3.0 jack. HP’s 17-X121DX also has a multi-in-one media card reader, and a combo headphones & mic connector. Bluetooth is missing on this model.
The battery life on this model is “up to six hours” per Hewlett-Packard.
Obviously, with its 17.3″ display and large footprint, the 17-X121DX isn’t a travel-friendly companion. The laptop weighs in at 5.8 pounds and is 1″ thick. It’s encased in a matte black plastic chassis with glossy textured linear gradient grooves on the palm rest.
Here are the specs of the HP Pavilion 17-X121DX with descriptions of its features. For comparison against other laptops, you can use the "Compare Specs" button.
| Brand | HP |
|---|---|
| Screen Size | 17.3-inch The 17.3-inch screen diagonal means the laptop's display is a large one in comparison to screens of the most laptops. |
| Screen Resolution | 1600x900 pixels HD+ This screen resolution is commonly found on the budget-class 17.3" laptops. It doesn't enable image sharpness and space on the screen of Full HD or higher resolutions. |
| Touchscreen | No This laptop doesn't support touchscreen input. |
| Other Display Specs | TN type Displays based on the old TN technology lack wide viewing angles you can find on IPS screens. The colors may look washed out or inverted at certain viewing angles. |
| Processor (CPU) | Intel Core i5-7200U 7th Gen (enables smooth everyday computing) |
| Graphics (GPU) | Intel HD 620 integrated graphics of 7th Gen Core i3, i5, i7 (for light gaming) |
| System Memory (RAM) Size | 4GB RAM 4GB is a small RAM size for computing in 2023. For smooth operation of a laptop during everyday tasks, at least 8GB is recommended. |
| Data Storage | 1000GB (1TB) HDD 1TB is an excellent storage capacity, but HDD is a slow type of storage. |
| DVD Optical Drive | DVD writer |
| Keyboard & Input | Non-backlit keyboard with dedicated number pad The keyboard has a separate numeric pad on the right side of the keyboard, but it has no keyboard backlight. Touchpad with click buttons built into the surface The left and right click buttons are built into the surface of the touchpad, as opposed to separate physical buttons. |
| Speakers & Audio | Stereo speakers As usual, the device features a pair of built-in stereo speakers. Combo microphone and headphones audio jack This laptop has the ordinary 3.5mm combo audio jack that supports both headphone output and microphone input simultaneously. |
| Camera | Front-facing web camera Laptops usually feature a frontal webcam located on the display bezel. This laptop is no exception. |
| Wi-Fi Wireless | 802.11N 802.11N is an old Wi-Fi standard, precursor of the 802.11AC and the latest 802.11AX with improved data transfer speeds and connectivity. 802.11N is rarely used in modern laptops. |
| Ethernet Network Port | Yes This laptop has an Ethernet LAN port for wired internet and networking connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | No This laptop has no built-in Bluetooth module. |
| Mobile broadband (4G LTE) | No |
| USB Ports | 2 x USB 2.0 + 1 x USB 3.0 A total of three full-size Type A USB ports. |
| Video Output Ports | 1 x HDMI HDMI is a widely used digital video output port. You can find HDMI-in ports on most computer monitors and TVs. |
| Media Card Reader | SD card reader The laptop has a slot for full-size SD memory cards, used in many digital cameras. You can also use microSD cards with a card adapter. |
| Battery | "Up to 6 hours" of battery life 3-Cell |
| Weight | 5.8 pounds |
| Height | 1" |
| Width | 16.4" |
| Depth | 11" |
| Windows Version | Windows 10 Home Windows 10 Home is aimed at the regular home and office computer users. Only select business users need the Professional edition. Windows 10 Home users are eligible for a free upgrade to the latest Windows 11 Home. |
| Warranty | 1-year A typical laptop warranty. |
User Reviews and Q&A
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5 out of 5
Tim Nashg –
i took the CD drive out and added a hdd hub for a 60gb ssd. i reinstalled windows to the ssd and its the best least exspensive laptop with a 17.2 in screen. as long as you configure a computer to your needs they most of the time always seemly work correctly.
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hollis –
I’ve one and I’m looking to purchase a shell due to a broken hinge from the manufactuer.it works well
Alice –
Lost charger at airport what do I buy?
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4 out of 5
Jonathan Cole –
Just bought from Best Buy. Bought 2-8gb sticks of RAM from Crucial. The cost is way less if you install yourself. Just take back cover off. It has the newest 7th gen. processor. Yeah it may look cheap from the plastics, but inside is what counts.
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Christopher Ray Soper –
Does it take two or one stick of ram? And it’s ddr4 correct?
1 out of 5
Hiran –
Its the worst laptop I’ve ever owned! I returned my unit and get a Acer instead
Cheap plastic all around, only have 1 Ram slot.
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3 out of 5
Ken Hughey –
No Bluetooth, I’m not sure why they would leave that out. ALL modern laptops have bluetooth.
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Andre –
Which SSD and extra 4GB stick of ram would you recommend as an upgrade?
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Ken Hughey –
Any 2.5 SSD will work. It comes with DD4 RAM so pull the 4GB it comes with and get 2 matching 4GB DDR4’s and install for dual channel memory, this will siginificantly boost the performance.