8510P or DV6500T...

DV6500T
RM098AV
* – Upgrade to Genuine Windows Vista Business (32-bit)
* – Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processor T7500 (2.20 GHz, 4 MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
* – 15.4" WXGA High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1280 x 800)
* – 1GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
* – 128MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS
* – HP Imprint (Radiance) + Fingerprint Reader + Webcam + Microphone
* – Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection and Bluetooth(TM)
* – FREE Upgrade to 160GB 5400RPM from 120GB 5400RPM!!
* – SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support
* – No TV Tuner w/remote control
* – High Capacity 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
* – Microsoft(R) Works 8.0
* – HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope

$950.34 shipped



OR



8510P
RM269UT#ABA
* – Genuine Windows Vista Business (32-bit)
* – Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processor T7300 (2.0 GHz, 4 MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
* – 15.4" WSXGA+ High-Definition Widescreen Display (1680 x 1050)
* – 1GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
* – ATI HD 2600 512MB semi-shared
* – Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AG Network Connection and Bluetooth(TM)
* – 160GB 5400RPM from 120GB 5400RPM
* – DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support
* – 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery

$1400 shipped

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i need a laptop for video editing in Adobe Premiere CS3 while i travel and some gaming. i plan to upgrade to 4 GB of ram myself.

i know the choice is most likely the 8510P (which is at the top of my list), but the DV6500T price is very nice. although the DV6500T has a much weaker video card, it has components not found on the 8510P (ExpressCard slot, wireless N, etc)...so i'm wondering if those are really necessary in the near future...???

any thoughts and suggestions would be helpful.
thanks!

 

My only answer to this was to look at the dv9500t. Even at 17" it's still cheaper, and has the 8600M GS equipped. But yeah, I really wish HP would've offered a better video option in the 15.4" range. It's a shame.

 

You probably don't want to waste your money on 4GB of ram if you are just getting the normal 32 bit version of windows, because 4GB is only really useful for 64-bit systems.

 

I am typing this from my dv6500t so you can guess my opinion - but I do not use Photoshop at all so I'm not sure if the weaker graphics on the 6500t will have any impact. As far as wireless-N - my estimate is that it will be quite some time before we start seeing N-routers in airports/etc + wireless-G is capable of more throughput than I have seen anywhere anyway.

 

He said he wanted to travel with it, so a 17" is not ideal.

Since you're traveling with it, I would suggest the 8510p of course. I think PCMCIA will remain useful for a while, and wireless G should be plenty good for a few more years. It depends on what you plan to do with the laptop too. Right now there are not many external devices connected to an expresscard, but that might change in the near future. Nevertheless there's USB. So nothing to worry about there.

 

thanks for all the quick replies!!

- yes, 17" is out of the question for me since my job requires A LOT of travel. 15.4" is the largest i'll go...if the DV6500T offered a higher resolution, then i would be all over it.

- although i'll use photoshop now and then, it's a laptop more for Adobe Premiere CS3 (video editing software) and for some music editing and light gaming (Counterstrike and Bioshock if i can get it to run).

- i was also concerned about ExpressCard, wireless N, etc as i want to futureproof it as much as possible.

- is 4GB of ram not worth it on a 32-bit OS? I understand that it won't register ALL 4 GB, but more like 3.5 GB. but that's better than simply putting 2 or 3 GB isn't it?

 

There is no theoretical way I can see Bioshock running on the 8400M GS. Requires 256m dedicated, IIRC.

I'll admit, I've been through this entire tango already. It's give and take right to the bitter end, and I'm still struggling to find something to meet what I need.

 

- i feel ya Grimhound. it's a big give and take game...head hurts just thinking about all the different laptops, configurations and reviews i've went through. waiting around doesn't really help cause new technology is always around the corner and changes so fast.

- other question...is 4 GB of RAM on 32-bit OS not worth it? should i stick with 3 GB of ram? i was only considering 4 GB as i'd like as much as possible for video editing, but if there's no point in 4 GB, then...

 

8510p for more power/ better build quality/ better warranty.

 

BIOSHOCK should run on the 8400m GS at the lowest resolution and lowest settings. We had a forum member run that game with the x3100 and manage 10-15 FPS.

 

If the 8510p comes with the Intel 4965 card (as your first post states), then wireless n is not a difference, since the 4965 does abg and pre-n.
You are going to get a lighter laptop with the 8510p (I think anyway), and better battery life with the 8 cell.
All in all, if you can afford the extra $450 (or are happy with parting with that extra $450) then go for the 8510p. You also get a bonus of a 3yr warranty - pretty much worth $300 by itself?

 

32-bit operating systems will not recognize all 4 GB of RAM. Maybe about 2.5-3 GB RAM and the most, FYI.

 

thank you for all the replies.

i understand that 32-bit OS won't recognize the full 4 GB. it was my understanding (which may be wrong; please correct me if it is) that it would recognize around 3.5 GB AT MOST...? the remaining 512 MB reserved for video card (depending on dedicated RAM) and other components.

buuuuut if it won't even recognize UP to 3.5 GB, then maybe i should just stick a 2 GB stick into it to make it 3 GB of ram...??

like i said before, i'm just trying to use as much RAM as possible in a 32-bit OS for video editing purposes.

 

order the 8510p w/ 1 stick of 1gb if possible and add your own 2gb stick for a total of 3gb

 

yup! the configuration i have for the 8510P supposedly comes with 1 stick of 1 GB ram. so this would work out rather nicely...


i've done a little more research online and it seems like if i have 4 GB, utilizing up to 3.5 GB isn't even a guarantee. seems like 3 GB is the way to go...


thanks for everyone's help!!