HP Elitebook 8540w or 8740w for college?

I saw both of them at HP store that met my price range (around $1750). The biggest reason I like about Elitebook is the quality of the laptop: magnesium case. I don't like the feeling of cheap plastic laptop (like the consumer's laptop).

However,my concern is the perfromance listing within my price range may be out of date:

8540w $1679
HP EliteBook 8540w Mobile Workstation (ENERGY STAR) (FN095UT) specifications - HP Small & Medium Business products

320 GB 7200 rpm SATA II <---- Is that okay for a desktop replacement? I am attending a 15 units semester and will graduate pretty soon. I don't know if that's enough. (I'm Chemical Engineer).

Intel® Core™ i7-620M <------ That's kind of out of date. It's a dual core, not a quad core. Will I regret that next year if I buy this now?

8740W
HP EliteBook 8740w Mobile Workstation (ENERGY STAR) (WH274UT) specifications - HP Small & Medium Business products

I really want to love this, because it's 17". However, here's the specification I am concerning:

Intel® Core™ i5-520M Processor <--------- Again, is it kind of out dated? Dual core processor.
2 GB 1333 MHz DDR3 SDRAM <-------- For a $2,000 laptop, why would it has to be 2gb? That's the miniumum requirement. I don't really see how it can be a serious business laptop with low 2 GB. Can you explain why it is still fine?
320 GB 7200 rpm 2.5-inch SATA II <---Same reason above.
ATI FirePro M7820 graphics with 1 GB dedicated GDDR5 video memory <---Really? I didn't know that you can do it with i5 processor and 2gb. Don't you think it's reeally absurd?


Please, make a good explaination why these specifications look funny for a business notebook. When I looked at Sony Vaio F series (all plastic) with i7 quadcore, 1920x1800 HD monitor, 650 gb hard drive, 8gb memory and blu ray drive for $1700, I almost decided to buy it immediately. However, I need to understand what are these two HP Elitebook models designed for first.

Note: My previous laptop was HP Omnibook 6000 (back in 2001). So, I know what it feels like to have a magnesium cover laptop.

 

That should be plenty -- you can always get an external hard drive if you want to store a lot of videos or soemthing.

Dual cores have lower power consumption than the quad cores and most things you do probably won't necessarily make use of a lot of cores. So unless you have specific needs for a quad core cpu or are running really cpu-intensive apps you should be fine.

The 8740w is pretty big, though, if portability is a concern.

Actually, you're better off buying minimal RAM from with the laptop and adding more yourself -- it's much cheaper to buy compatible RAM from a third party than from HP. The dual core models come with 2 memory slots so you can add up to 2 x 4 GB if you want (excluding the insanely expensive 8GB DIMMS that are starting to appear). You should be fine with a total of 4GB of RAM.

That's a nice gpu and there's nothing wrong pairing it with an i5.

 

Can you give me an example of the work to use full quad core performance?

 

Video rendering for example. Basically any cpu-intensive task that can be multi-threaded will benefit from a quad core if the software is able to take advantage of it.

You can see some comparison benchmarks here, for example:

Notebookcheck: Review Intel Core i3/i5/i7 Processors ?Arrandale?

Another significant difference is that the dual core models come with 2 memeory slots and the quad core models come with 4 memory slots.

 

3-D rendering is important for 3-D chemistry models. I don't know what kind of software or when will I use it, but I know within 2 years I will have to get that kind of software. My only background is AutoCAD and ProE, but I think I more likely will use ProE one day.

 

If you're going to do alot of 3D modeling and CAD, the elitebooks all use workstation graphics cards. nVidia has the Quadro line and ATI has the FirePro line. These differ from the usual GPUs you would find in consumer laptops because they are optimized with different drivers designed specifically for CAD and 3D modeling. The Sony Vaio F series is not a workstation and does not come with a workstation certified GPU.

So thats something to think about between purchasing a consumer laptop over a workstation laptop.

As for hard drive space, I would choose the lowest configuration and upgrade the hard drive manually. A 500 GB notebook hard drive goes for about $60-70 on newegg, far cheaper than what HP is charging. Same principle applies for RAM.

 

That comes to sound like there is no problem with the HP laptops I'm looking at. Wouldn't you so concern about the dual core processor for that high intense 3-D programs?

 

3-D graphics is much more about the gpu than the cpu. I really think you'll be fine with an i5. (Also note that the dual core i5's are actually newer cpus than the quad core i7's. The core i7's replaced the older core 2 duo/quad cpu's, which I wouldn't recommend at this point. Intel couldn't have made their cpu line up much more confusing if they'd tried.)

 

Yeah, it sounds like the core i7 targets to the consumers who "blind buy" the processor. The way I see the speed of processor for i5 and dual core i7 is not so much difference. I don't know, because I haven't used any one of these in a computer before. My knowledge is from Pentium I through III, I stopped being a computer expert after P3.

I am going to re-configure both of the laptops with i5 core processor. Also, I must have to include the Dreamcolor 2.

 

If you go for the 8540w model, you should ask a rep abouta free advanced docking station. They were offing that a while back, not sure if they still have it up on line, but a sales rep might be able to hook you up with that deal (other than that, the pre-configs are non-negotiable in price). Even if you don't want the docking station, you could easily sell here to someone like me.

But if your biggest need is GPU, the 8740w is the way to go if portability is not a concern. If I was back in college, I'd lean towards the 8540w due to size and weight.

 

That's nice about the advanced docking station. Honestly, I haven't tried it before so I'll see if I really like it (since it's free). Also, the 8540w has more discount than 8740w. I hope the rep will throw in additonal 10% for 8540w which will add up to 34% discount.

 

It never hurts to try, but from my dealings with HP, I got the strong impression that there was no leeway on price for the pre-configured systems. Of course that was several months ago, things change fast with laptops.

Also, be sure you note that the pre-configs come with Win7 32-bit. I've heard conflicting things about whether HP can get you 64-bit or not. The big difference is of course that Wn7 32-bit will not recognize over 4 GB RAM.

 

Alright, here's the latest configuration. I like to remind you that I have Vaio F series in my mind with quadro i7 processor, 8gb RAM and 256 gb SSD for much cheaper than the description below. Still, I need a workstation more than a flashy entertainment laptop. I am not a big gamer on PC, because I already have a PS3.

HP 8540w

i5 520m
1920x1080 DreamColor 2 display
FirePro M5800 (not sure if that's still better than Quadro FX 880M and Quadro FX 1800M)
250gb drive
2gb ram

$2618.00 (1989.68 w/ 24% discount)


HP 8740w
Same as above except the GPU is FirePro M7820. (I think this one is better than FX 3800 and 2800, suprisignly it's cheaper)

$2,902 ($2379.64 w/ 18% discount) [$2089.44 if I'm lucky to get 28% discount]

Honestly, I would opt to get the 8740w if I get 28% or more discount. So, what do you think of the set up with DreamColor 2 display? and would you suggest the GPU card I input? The 3-D software I use will be AutoCAD and ProE. There's a 3-D model software for chemistry, which I haven't discovered yet - but I know I will have to use it. Is FirePro the right answer?

 

You should be able to get 28% on the 8540w. But I'd recommend finding a 15.6" laptop in a store with 1920x1080 res and make sure you can handle it being that small. Sometimes I have a hard time on my 17".

 

The FirePro line is specifically modified for CAD and Engineering programs ESPECIALLY AutoCAD and ProE, and of course the industry standard, SolidWorks. As far as which GPU to get, the M5800 is cheaper than the FX 880M and 1800M yet on the benchmarks i've seen, it has outperformed them both. So I would definitely get the FirePro M5800.

DreamColor 2 is definitely nice but quite an expensive upgrade. If you have the money, sure. Usually only photographers or graphics artists have the higher gamut screens because their profession relies on it. So yeah, if you have the money to spare, its a satisfying upgrade.

 

So if i were to buy a configured-to-order (CTO) i could get a free advanced docking station if i called and asked about it?

 

No. His first post shows that he was looking at the i7-620 pre-config model. At one time, HP was offering it with a free advanced docking station. When I got a quote for one in mid May, my rep honored that deal if I went with the pre-config model. I ended up going with a CTO 8740w instead.

 

What is actually your hard time on 17"? If it's the weight of the laptop, it shouldn't be the problem with me. It's a great exercise equipment ;-).

Actually, I want to tell you my experience with 15.6." I once had the 15.6" HP Omnibook 6000 that weighs above 5lb. It was a pretty nice screen. The 5lb was considered a lightweight in my book. Right now, I feel like to have something new with a screen, which is why I like 17".

If I choose the 15.6" then it has to be the finacial reason. It's not bad, because I like the 15.6" from my previous experience. My friend has the 17" HP consumer laptop and I thought "Wow, that's awesome. My next laptop will be like this."

 

That's great, I'm glad to opt for the FirePro. I'm a big fan of a nice picture on the screen, so that is why I like to have DreamColor 2. I'll have to decide if it's really worth extra $500. Who has the DreamColor 2? Has anyone tried a Blu Ray movie with it? That'll be sick, lol.

 

That one is worth $300. Do you think I still can sell it for $300? If not, then it's probably not worth it.

HEWLETT HP 120W Advanced Docking Station - - Price only $300.49

 

I was talking about screen resolution. 1920x1080 will make text quite small on a 15.6" screen.

In terms of carrying around the 17" laptop, that is a personal choice. This 8740w weighs the same as my last laptop, a 15.4" Sony Vaio that is almost 6 yrs old now. So for me, the weight wasn't a big deal...but I don't have to carry a bunch of books in addition to my laptop and I also am not confined to a small student desk while using my laptop. But again, it's all about deciding what trade-offs you are willing to live with.

 

Good point. A 15" laptop will most likely be better for school.
The biggest question is whether or not you plan on carrying it to classes on a daily basis. If yes, then I suggest looking for smaller and lighter notebooks. If it stays at the dorms most of the time - 17" is fine, but then you can easily have a powerful desktop for half the price

 

The text size isn't the problem if I can zoom in. What happens to your Sony Vaio? Is it still good to run the recent programs that you have been running in your current Elitebook?

 

I have been thinking about that, too. My computer is probably almost 10 years old. It has the Pentium 3 with hyperthreads technology (it was WOW back in the old days ). It works fine for browsing and typing MS Office documents. I wouldn't use my PC with advanced software like what I will do at college.

The only problem is, what if one day I can't stay near on campus and I have to commute again? That is why I'd like to have a nice laptop workstation.

I already have a plan for an ultraportable laptop, so it shouldn't be a problem. If you're wondering, the ultraportable laptop will be a Macbook Air or Pro 13". My uncle works for Apple and he wants me to give me a Mac as a gift. Still, I'm not a fan of Apple I probably will sell it to get Alienware M11x or Sony Vaio Z.

 

My Vaio (Pentium 4) is now sitting in it's bag in my closet. It is not capable of running most modern software other than web browsers and word processors (but even Fire Fox pushes the limits sometimes between RAM bloat and animated advertising). My wife thought she might use it, but the noise, weight and need to be plugged in at all times quickly lost its charm and she went back to using our Dell XPS One all-in-one as her primary computer (and gets to use my 8740w occasionally).

 

Don't know if you've already seen it but Aikimox has an excellent review of the 8740w with dreamcolor display in the notebook review sub-forum.

 

Yeah, I just found out after I posted. It's one of the best reviews I've ever read. I like the real-life pictures he takes instead of the boring white background pictures like what you see at Laptop magazine.

 

I'm wondering if the DreamColor2 is worth it. Its definately more expensive. How come you're upgrading to the dreamcolor 2 Shin_Akuma? I'm not a graphic artist but i do look at my laptop screen ALOT, is it worth the upgrade if i'm not doing anything related to precise color?

 

That thing is irreplaceable and you don't know if one day you wish you got it. The opportunity is there, so take the advantage.

 

Do you know if the screen is going to be brighter? One of the reasons why i would probably choose not to get it is because it is $425 more and requires the bigger 150W power adapter.

 

DC2 brightness is around 210nits, at least for the 17" panels.
Is it sufficient for me? - yes, even after switching from a 300nits RGB LED TN screen. But I know, many would rather burn their retinas than settle for a screen with less than 300nits. BTW, even in a very brightly lit office I keep the DC brightness @120-150nits. It's perfect