Any 9500 updates in the offing?

My wife finally gave me the okay to replace my well worn zd7000's. Is it safe to buy a 9500t now or is an updated model coming out before Christmas?

 

Most likely a update model wil come out in Jan.

 

Is there likely to be an upgraded video option by then (something faster than the 8600GS)?

 

Doubtful, propably a 95% chance there won't be an upgraded option.

 

New HP Pavilion dv9600 will ship with:

Nvidia GeForce 8600M GS

Nvidia GeForce 8400M

Intel GMA X3100

Nvidia GeForce 7150M


http://notebookitalia.it/hp-i-nuovi-notebook-consumer-pavilion-sulla-rampa-di-lancio.html

Looks like 8600m is the top of the line for a while....

I would recommend getting something now... the 30% coupons really make a dent in that purchase. You can get a $1800 notebook for $1260 (plus taxes)...

 

Thanks. Actually, I ordered a few days ago. I figured there wouldn't be a graphics update until at least March/April (just a guess), but if there was an update in January I might have second thoughts. Of course, the new models probably won't be discounted right away. Considering the 30%, I hope my new machine will hold most of it's value in case I want to trade up next year.

 

darrow,

What are you looking to do with the laptop? If we know how you use it we will better be able to help you decide if the laptop is right for you or not. I actually just returned my DV9500t because the graphics weren't enough for me, other than that the laptop is great!

 

Well, it will be a replacement for an XPS Gen 2 with 6800 Ultra. As far as I can tell from benchmarks, the 8600GS will perform close to or possibly a bit slower than my 2 year old GPU.

I'd like to be able to play current and upcoming games (UT3, Crysis, Age of Conan, Hellgate) at medium/low settings. The XPS 2 was high-end when I got it, but I don't want to spend that much this time. Now I'm looking for an affordable, mid-range notebook, rather than a monster gaming notebook. If the 8600GS is too limiting, I might also build a new desktop for a more powerful and upgradeable gaming system to go along with my notebook.

I'm still happy with the XPS 2, so I hope the 8600GS will not be a significant downgrade. The main reason I'm looking at the dv9500t now is for the CPU upgrade for improved HD video encoding and playback and the added hard drive capacity.

 

How much are you looking to spend on a notebook darrow? Because there are a lot of notebooks out there that will offer the same features as the DV9500t, except with a better video card. I myself am saving up for a sager because I want a laptop that will last me for 3-5 years. Not only do sager laptops offer better cpu and video card options, but the video cards can be changed out. The new Sager NP9261 also offers the Quad Core processor, but it also has two slots for video cards. It currently offers the 7950GTX or the 8700GT, or you can spend a little more and get two of the 7950GTX or 8700GT with SLI support. I just wanted a laptop that will last me and can easily be upgradeable. If you want to check out the sager go to www.xoticpc.com. You can also look at the Asus G2S series, they offer everything the DV9500t has, but it has the 8600 GT.

 

How come people keep recommending sager only this forum (out of all the forums I visit)? Seems odd... they seem over-priced when compared with systems from dell and hp once you start putting on all the "little" stuff that they charge you for... thermal compound? Are you kidding?

I'd rather have an alienware...

Sager never did really "take off." I'm leery of sager all the way around.

 

Honestly, I'd like to spend under a grand. Without a dedicated video card, decent C2D notebooks can be had at around $700-$800. So, I'm willing to pay maybe $200-$300 more for an okay graphics card. With the 30% off, the dv9500t is very close to that.

I'm not willing to spend an extra $500+ for a better GPU that still won't compare to a desktop. I went through this decision 2 years ago and back then I decided it was worth it to me to pay the premium for a high-end GPU. This time, I want to save money with a cheaper "good enough" notebook GPU and put the difference into a desktop machine.

I have been reading all the threads about the GS vs. GT and other options from other brands (Asus, Sager, etc.), but everything I priced out with a GT or better is at least $200-$400+ more (close to the 30%, come to think of it) and that's just not worth it to me.

The only thing I'm really concerned about is if the 8600GS is much slower than the 6800 Ultra. (I would also reconsider if there was a much better mid-range mobile GPU coming out in the next 3-4 months, something like a Geforce 9600 or 9700.)

 

First off, thermal compound can help reduce CPU heat by allowing the heat to dissipate faster. Second, Dell's laptops are more expensive than Sager for the options it has. Third, Alienware is overpriced for what you get. Fourth, Sager is the only laptop that offers Quad Core (NP9261). Also, go to www.xoticpc.com they don't charge you for the thermal compound and it is cheaper than ordering directly from Sager.

Anyways, how can you even compare the Sager to the HP. Even with standard settings the Sager blows the HP out of the water because of the better video card and the availability to change out the video card, and SLI support. The dell XPS line is overpriced and the Sager will blow that out of the water as well.

Sager didn't take off because it is a laptop for people who know a lot about computers and want the ability to upgrade laptops. Go do some research on options and pricing before you make statements.

 

I've been into computer for 15 years now... degrees, business, etc. I know about sager, from back in the day...

If you go to this link you will see they charge for thermal... http://www.xoticpc.com/product_info.php?wconfigure=yes&products_id=2015

Had to go there since the sager is on back order until 15 Nov... sorry...

Back in the day and a couple of months ago (went to powernotebooks and another site), I dropped a sager... configed systems and it cost way more than HP (but the HP had a coupon, which I look for). The sager cost way more... after the final bill was provided.

Also, I like the total package provided by HP... as I said, sager makes me leery.

I guess it does not matter... everyone has a different experience, each his/her own.

 

What be these 30% coupons you speak off? I'm looking mostly at a new laptop to play games while at work. Mostly WOW, but occasionally a fps. Not sure if I can wait till Jan. Price really is no object within reason.

 

I correct myself, the NP9261 doesn't charge for Arctic Silver 5, but the other ones do. Anyways, unless you plan on doing it yourself, its nice that they offer the ability to put in the AS5. Yes the sager is a lot more expensive than the HP, but you get so much more, and a lot more flexibility.

HP laptops are nice, I'll be the first one to tell you that. The only reason I'm moving away from them is because they don't offer better video cards. I want to be able to play games at the highest graphics, and none of the multimedia HP laptops can handle that. HP has such a great line, but they don't offer a better video card. I wish they would come out with a gaming laptop, they would definitely catch my attention again.

 

Look inside of the root HP and Compaq thread and you will see a Coupons and Student Discounts thread and also a 30% coupon is back thread. You input the code on HP's website when you are about to checkout to pay for the laptop.

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=173944

Don't know if it is still working... I highly doubt it at this point.