Am I getting a good deal on this notebook?

HP DV 9743 CL $1350.00 (plus $150 more for Microsoft Home and Student. For college work)

So around $1500.00

Intel core duo 2.0ghz, T7250
3GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
Geforce 8600 512 mb
2 yr warranty
17.0" WXGA+ High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1440 x 900)
FREE Upgrade to 250GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive from 160GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive!!
High Capacity 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery


I'm using this computer for college/gaming/entertainment. I will be carrying this around from place to place with wireless internet.

Good deal or no?

 

It's not terrible... but you can get a much better xps m1530 for the same price. Also, it's almost always a bad idea to configure ram upgrades from the store itself. It costs way less to buy your own ram from Newegg.com and install it yourself.

 

Is there anyway you could lower the ram to maybe 1GB? The reason I ask is because you can pick up a 2GB stick for under $40.

 

RAM from the laptop manufacturer is usually overpriced by around $400.

 

Honestly I wouldn't know how to upgrade on my own.

For aznofazns: And the dell xps m1530 comes out to 1700 with those same parts. Its like 300 dollars more because of warranties and use of the Dell name.

 

RAM is unbelievably easy to change/replace. Unscrew one plate... remove old RAM, pop in new RAM. Save you a whole bunch of money. If you would rather throw money out the window, go for it!

 

Changing RAM doesn't even void your warranty.

 

Sorry, I think you're doing it wrong.

Try this link. http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&oc=DYCWHN3&s=dhs

I configured it for $1449 and it tops your HP configuration with a T7500 for 2.2ghz and 3 years of warranty. That's also not including the 8% EPP discount Dell gives for academic purchases.

You could also save some money by getting MS Office through your school for little to no cost. (Although this would depend on your college and sometimes your major, just Google MSDN Academic Alliance for your college).

If that doesn't work, there's always the ultimate steal!

---

But if you really want the HP, don't forget to take advantage of their coupons!

 

The graphics card for the HP is upgraded to 512 while the dell is 8600 is at 256. There's a money difference and also Dell only has i think 3 usb ports while HP creates 4. Better deal and less money. The processor is faster on the dell though.

I dont know which to choose.

 

Go on YouYube and see if there is a video that shows you how to replace the RAM on your laptop it really is easy you'll have no problems.

 

However, the graphics card on the HP is a 8600GS -- which has half the stream processors in comparison to the 8600GT found on the Dell. (16 vs. 32 stream processors). As a result, the extra 256mb of memory on the HP is useless as the Dell would still deliver better performance. See http://www.notebookcheck.net/Mobile-Graphics-Cards-Benchmark-List.844.0.html to compare the synthetic benchmark results of the two graphics cards.

$1449 with 8% EPP discount becomes $1333 + $60 for Office 2007 Ultimate Suite from the Ultimate Steal website.

And since you mentioned that you do want to carry this notebook around, a 15.4" notebook would be much portable than a 17" notebook.

The lack of USB ports could be also resolved with a $5 USB hub.

 

Yes, thats pretty good. It is a nice computer, ive seen it + buying a similar one soon.

 

LET ME ADD SOMETHING HERE TO THE COMPUTER---At least with the dv9700t and dv9500t this is, but it is similar.

With 2GB of Sys. Memory the 8600M will take 767MB from shared memory Giving it a total of almost 1GB VRAM

With 3 or 4GB, it will take 1767MB from shared giving the 8600M almost 2GB total VRAM. Giving it a huge advantage against the XPS despite the GT>GS

EDIT: Not saying it justifies it, i have no tests or anything, but I can imagine that a 1767MB 8600M GS is better than a 256 or 512MB 8600M GT unless it is GDDR3.
Not saying im sure, im not, opinions, but i can imagine the above is true

Hope I could Help

 

Sorry I do not know that much about what you just stated, so if you can put that in laments term that would help. Does anybody agree with the above quote?

 

No, just............no

Turbocache is STEALING main system memory to act as ghetto video memory.

The Dell XPS m1530 has an 8600m GT 256mb GDDR3. It'll positively smoke an 8600gs (half the stream processors) no matter HOW much turbocache it has.

I can run Crysis at 1280x800 with medium settings at ~35FPS, benchmarks put the 8600 GS at 6-8fps at the same settings.

Higher clocks for memory, core and twice the stream processors catapult the GT performance way beyond the GS.

Not to mention, if the GS is stealing main memory, its not available for your other apps.

 

Yes, As I said "unless it is GDDR3." the one in the XPS would be better. And yes, while it does rob your shared RAM, you can always upgrade for better proformance

 

You said you get 35FPS, and 6-8FPS on GS... what got the 35? a GDDR2 or GDDR3? I Get about 13FPS on my GS

 

I would say I agree PARTLY. I belive that what he says is true for GS vs. GT GDDR2, but for a GDDR3 GT, then as ahl395 said-no the DDR3 will be better

REMEMBER he did admit to not actually taking tests

 

Sorry, i should have clarified.


I have a Dell XPS M1530 with 256mb GDDR3 8600GT
2.2ghz Core 2 Duo
3gb DDR2-667 dual channel
160 gb 7200 RPM

I get 35ish FPS at medium settings in Crysis at 1280x800

My friend has an HP, 2ghz Core 2, 2 gb ram, with an 8600 GS and the game is unplayable at 8fps at medium settings at 1024x768(Screen is actually 1440x900 but the game wont even RUN at that resolution, so he interpolates it down)