What should I do? Vostro 1500 Vs. HP dv9500t.

OK, I am kinda caught between a rock and a hard place now. I have a Vostro 1500, that I received less than 2 weeks ago. It has the best display I have seen (a LG/Philips), so I really lucked out. However, I just ordered a sup'ed up HP 17" tonight, that after applying the 30% off, comes to only $50 more.

It's not that I don't like my Vostro, it's just that the HP seems like such a great deal.

I have 2 options:

1) Keep the Vostro. Dell has offered me a $40 credit back on my AMEX or a $60 Dell coupon.
2) Return the Vostro, and get the HP.

What should I do? Below are the specs for each, and the +'s and -'s. Please help.

Vostro 1500, Intel Core 2 Duo T7300, 2.0GHz, 800Mhz FSB, 4M L2 Cache
15.4 inch Wide Screen SXGA+ display with TrueLife LCD for Vostro 1500
1GB, DDR2, 667MHz 2 DIMM
256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT
120G 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium
8X DVD+/-RW with double-layer DVD+R write capability, w/o Roxio Creator
Intel 4965AGN Wireless-N Mini card
Integrated 2.0 mega pixel webcam 1500
56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery, for Vostro 1500
Dell Wirless 355 Bluetooth Module (2.0+EDR)

Price: $1131

HP Pavilion dv9500t customizable Notebook PC
Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (32-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)
1GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
511MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS
HP Imprint (Radiance) + Fingerprint Reader + Webcam + Microphone
Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection and Bluetooth(TM)
120GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive
FREE Upgrade to LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support!!
High Capacity 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery

Price: $1182


Vostro +'s

Excellent Display (LG/Philips LCD) - Best display I have seen.
8600M GT Card

Vostro -'s

Wobbly battery - No big deal
T7300 Processor
6-cell battery
5600RPM HD
No lightscribe

HP +'s

T7500 Processor
17" Display
Lite-Scribe
9-Cell High Capacity battery
7200RPM HD
Finderprint Reader

HP -'s

8600M GS Card
Display LCD Unknown (do I take the risk?)
$50 more (but you get more)

 

RAM. You forgot to take that into the factor. And that's a minus. You'll have to spend another 80 bucksish to get the 2 gigs of RAM if you want it to be equal.
Processor...negligible.

Just use it for a few days. I'd be most worried about heat since that's what always bugged me about HPs.

 

that is a tuffy!
my personal opinion. save a little more and get the best of both worlds for around $1600. (Sager5791 )

if you want to stick to one of those though, and if the screen size doesnt matter to you all that much to you(seeing you love the 15.4), i would go with the dell. Lightscribe is nothing special (personally, ive never used it so i think its a waste) the better graphics card is a plus since you cant upgrade it in the future with that notebook, and the CPU can always be upgraded in the future.
use the $40 from dell to buy a 7200RPM HDD from newegg or something. The fingerprint reader can always be bought later if you feel a need for it. personally i think its a waste of battery.

thats just my personal opinion though.

 

The display of dv9500 I saw was pretty good - not as good as 17inch LCD on Fujitsu or Sony, but still good. However, since you got it lucky with LG display (only good 1520 display, AFIAK), I am not sure how these two compare.

 

I'd sit tight with what you have now, you got a good deal. The Vostro 1500 is more portable as well. You need to learn to stop looking for deals after you've purchased

I agree, LightScribe is mostly a gimmick.

 

imo if i got a good screens on my 1520 i would not even be looking right now

 

I'd never get a laptop that huge. And I'm talking about the 15.4! Why would you get a friggin 17?

 

HP has thinner lighter designs. Dells 15" notebooks are on the heavier/bulkier range for notebooks. I think you might find that the HP 9500 won't feel much heavier/bulky then a dell 1500/1520. At least thats how I feel about my 15" HP dv6500t compared to the dell 1420 14". The 6500 is a bit heavier, but not much.. and its thinner and feels about as portable as the dell was. Now if you want to compare what a 17" dell would weigh, yeah, that would be a tank no doubt. QVC was selling some 17 inch dells last weekend and the little gal from dell that was showing them looked as if she was staining when picking up that notebook. I think any 17" notebook has to be looked as a desktop replacement then something you are going to tote around alot.

If you feel there is nothing wrong with the Dell, I would keep it. Especially if you were so lucky as to get a LG screen. From the boards, it sounds like not all HP's come with a LG screen.. My HP one did, and the display is brillant. But you got a good one. I would keep the sure thing.. You never know, the HP could be worse.. although they generally have nice displays, I have heard cases they don't. But then again, being that I now have a HP, I have to admit I feel its a better design and excels in styling and had a nicer keyboard.. to me. The speakers are much better.. something I can use unlike the dell. The HP also has HDMI which is more important to me.. The trick is seeing if you can actually return the dell without paying a 15 percent restock fee being there is nothing wrong with it. I feel for dell here, if nothing is wrong, they should not have to take a hit by turning that notebook to a refurb model.

 

If you want to play games then I wouldn't bother going for a lesser graphics card and a higher res screen..it would be unwise.

 

There is no 15% restocking fee on the Vostro. I have 30 days to return it. I do feel for Dell, but if you are going to offer a 30 day no hassle return policy, you should expect returns.

The notebook will be a desktop replacement. I don't do much traveling (maybe twice a year), so most of the time it sits on my desk.

Thoughts?

 

In that case, get the HP. The only thing the Dell has over the HP is the GPU. And that of course would be the deal killer for many. If the slower GPU on the HP is not that big a deal, I think you will find the HP is a nicer machine in most other areas. The first thing one thinks when getting a HP is how well designed and compact it is.. One thinks of some engineering went into HP's notebook.. On the Dell on the other hand, one sees a thick looking brick like design. I don't think it takes much in the design department to build something as thick and heavy as a dell. Except for the nice colorful lids, the dell offer very little in design. But the satin finish is quite impressive. I give Dell credit for color selections as well. I like all the color choices they came up with.

Your going to have to make the choice.. its hard. You got "a good one" A dell with a LG.. probably the best LCD maker at this point. A nice display is probably the most important thing. You will have to decide if the risk is worth it. The only thing I can say is there are far less complaints on the HP forum about displays. I think the build quality is a little better as well. I guess what I am saying is that since you got a LG now, it makes your decision a little tougher to make.

 

lol how much was your 1500??? lmk...

 

Unless I missed it, no one has mentioned warranties. When you compared prices, were the warranties the same? One thing I think Dell has going for it is its great Complete Care warranty.
As far as looks, I think the HP is a nicer machine, and the displays do look great.

 

Only thing that HP hasn't got going for it versus the Dell is cooling. Dell is noticeably cooler than many of the HP computers I've used.

 

Well... I called HP CS to cancel the order, but was informed I could not because it was in production. I am quite happy with my Vostro, so I thought, why bother.

Any case. CSR said I can return it once I get it. I asked if I could open the box and check it out first. He indicated I could, so I hope he is right. If I like it, and the display is as good as my LG on my Vostro, I might just keep it.