Any HP DV6T owners around?

My current laptop (Toshiba p105) is dying and have been researching laptops. I've read reviews recommending HP and Dell laptops. I'm leaning toward the HP DV6T right now. I thought I would ask for Pros & Cons, any small problems, or recommendations for hardware when buying.

Use: School & Multimedia

Hope to get at least 3 yrs + out of it.

 

I don't own a DV6t. We've had a basic DV4t for about 10 months now though, and it has been flawless. If your uses are limited to school and multimedia and you don't game, then I would offer the following:

1. Where ever you make your purchase, be sure to get one of the newer units that come pre-installed with WIN 7 and that have DDR3. DDR3 will only provide a slight performance increase but it will help extend battery life because it uses less power than DDR2.

2. Seriously consider an Intel "P" series processor. It also will significantly improve battery life and reduce heat over the "T" series processors that are available. If you want or need VT then you also need to go up to an 8000 series "P" processor.

3. Consider an LED screen. Again... improved battery life and probably better long term durability.

4. Stay with integrated graphics if you don't game. It will play DVD's or Bluray fine and will also aid in reducing heat and extending battery life.

5. Last, put some serious thought into the Infinity Display option. While it may look nice, a large number of folks have issues with dirt or dust getting inside the display and I haven't seen any results posted where HP has fixed the problem. Added glare is also an issue for some users.

Read here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=306513

That's my 2 cents...... Happy Hunting

 

I have a dv6z, which is basically the same thing with an AMD processor instead of Intel, and I have to say that it has been great to me.

 

Thanks for the advice! Yea, the DV6T does come with DDR3.

I have setup a buying option already for the DV6T, but don't remember there being an Infinity Display option.

nice, I hear nothing but good things. How long have you had it?

 

A couple of months. The build quality is really good and I have not had any software or hardware problems.

 

Think I may go with these specs:

* Moonlight White
* Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
* Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor P7550 (2.26GHz, 3 MB L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
* FREE Upgrade to 4GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm) from 2GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)
* 320GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
* Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
* 15.6" diagonal High Definition LED HP Brightview Widescreen Display (1366x768)
* Blu-Ray ROM with SuperMulti DVD+/-R/RW Double Layer
* Webcam Only
* Wireless-G Card
* No TV Tuner w/remote control
* HP Color Matching Keyboard
* 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
* No Modem
* Microsoft(R) Works 9.0
* HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope


For $974. Is it worth upgrading to 2.5Ghz processor?

 

DDR3 is very new. If you do a CTO order then no problems, but if you purchase from a store it will depend on whether it is old or new stock. Just check.

Sorry, it looks as though the Infinity Display is only currently being offered with the DV7t. Some of the options come and go… like the DV4t currently has no LED or Infinity option. Who knows…. marketing?

Also, I don’t know the condition of your Toshiba, and I understand that you can never catch technology….. but I think if I could wait until next spring or summer I would. This is when the new Intel 32nm Arrandale processors & chipsets will be released and as always, they will offer significant improvements.

TIC TOC….. read here:
http://www.anandtech.com/mobile/showdoc.aspx?i=3647&p=1

All the best....

 

JMO, but only if you think you would use VT. For what you do even the 7450 would be fine. Also, before you pull the trigger, shop for discount codes. There was a 30% off offer just a few weeks ago. If you are a college student or K-12 teacher you can also get about 8% off by going through the HP Academic Purchase Plan (APP).

 

Honestly I wish I could. I've had this Toshiba for over 2 and 1/2 yrs and it has completely fallen apart. I have had on going issues with the charging port for about a year. It will barely charge now and it's affecting the speed and many other things. With school and all, it is very difficult for my to write papers, excel spreadsheets, etc. I need to get a new laptop now

oh nice, I didn't know that. I'll look into it.

 

Just as a comparison, we paid $729.00 for the DV4t we have (see sig).

 

yea, nice configuration and price. I considered the 14", but I do a lot of video streaming and work on my laptop. Coming from a 17", 14" may be to small for me. My friend has a 13" dell and my laptop now makes his look like a cell phone. How long is your battery life? Is the 12 cell worth getting? It seems like it sticks out too much and is too heavy.

Also, I found the discount. Is it stackable with the 8% student discount?

 

Also check Newegg. They have a few DV6's listed. For comparison, this one is way more than you need but is a screamer and is cheaper than one you have listed.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834157045

Battery life for the 12 Cell is 6 to 7 hours with wireless on and display at 60-70% and just surfing. It adds a bit of weight (.5lbs ?) but it also provides a little lift to the rear of the notebook which gives a little better ergo position of the keyboard and provides much improved ventilation for cooling. It's a trade off we have no problem with for either of our HP units.

 

Tooo funny......

 

After reading your FAQ, I think you might want a little more than the Intel 4500GMA. I used to play WoW on it without any expansions but with the expansions I could not get decent framerates (normally around 25 but way lower during big raids). The 4530 should be enough for you but if you want something that will play modern games easily, considering upgrading to the ATI 4650 if you have the money.

I just configured this for $888 with the student discount and I think it would fine for everything you want to do,

• Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor P7450 (2.13GHz, 3 MB L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
• FREE Upgrade to 4GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm) from 2GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)
• FREE Upgrade to 320GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
• 512MB ATI Radeon(TM) HD 4530 Graphics
• Intel Wireless-N Mini-card
• 50% OFF!! One 6 Cell and One 12 Cell Lithium Ion Batteries

The 6-cell would probably get you around 2.5-3 hours and the 12-cell would get around ~5.

 

haha I just tried to do the school discount, but it didn't list my college. I go to a major SEC college and the only school it lists is a community college in the same town. Oh well, thanks for looking it up for me.

Yea, I wrote that thinking that if price permits, I would like the option to maybe play WoW or something like that. 2.1Ghz isn't too slow to run a game like that? Dave found an awesome deal on newegg.

Nice find, I can't figure out the difference between the DV6 you found and the DV6T on HP's website. I forgot to check newegg. Wonder if they have the same config but in White. I'll check it out

 

What ever you choose.... shop, it can save you loads of cash. And.... don't give up on APP. Try calling Customer Service new orders and let them know you are a student shopping. I'm pretty certain they would hook you up if you decide to go that route. Sometimes they can even add a little something to sweeten the deal.

Last, not sure how you are effected by sales tax in your SEC state, but if your state has a sales tax... HP will add it to your order. Newegg does not. Sometimes that can make a big difference.

 

Alright, this may sound dumb but I'm kinda picky on the black version of the DV6. I think the circle designs look bad but the white looks fine. I picked out a configuration more like the one on Newegg from HP's website. All I did was sacrifice the blu ray and finger print security for a higher video card.

It comes out to $924:
# Moonlight White
# Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
# Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor P7550 (2.26GHz, 3 MB L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
# FREE Upgrade to 4GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm) from 2GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)
# 320GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
# 512MB ATI Radeon(TM) HD 4530 Graphics
# 15.6" diagonal High Definition LED HP Brightview Widescreen Display (1366x768)
# 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery

I go to school in Mississippi, but live in Louisiana. I think both states have a sales tax. I'll call tomorrow to get the student discount. Will shop around and post my final decision tomorrow.

 

Talked to HP today, they got me down to $839 with the 8% discount. These are the specs (same as above).
Specs:

# Moonlight White
# Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
# Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor P7550 (2.26GHz, 3 MB L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
# FREE Upgrade to 4GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm) from 2GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)
# 320GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
# 512MB ATI Radeon(TM) HD 4530 Graphics
# 15.6" diagonal High Definition LED HP Brightview Widescreen Display (1366x768)
# LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support
# Webcam Only
# 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery

I'm assuming the LED HP brightview Wide display is not the Infinity display? I definitely don't want to get the Infinity display.

 

That looks to be a very nice unit at a more reasonable price. Good luck with it if that's what you decide. .... if you call them back try to deal with them a bit and let them know you are going to buy if they can add a little something and they may throw in a bag or bluetooth or something. I did that when we bought an L2000 some years back. It works...

....and no, you are correct, the LED widescreen is not the Infinity display.