BrightView Screens and 12-cell Battery?

Hello, I asked this in another thread but I figured it would reach a larger audience if I put it here. So, I am pretty much decided on a Compaq v5000z, but I want to know people's opinions on the BrightView (glossy) screens and the 12-cell batteries.

I heard somehwere that the glossy screens tend to scratch easier than the matte, and they attract dust particles easier than the matte finish as well. Can an owner confirm this, and is it worth it? Should I get one?

Also, I would like to get a 12-cell battery, but I found out that they stick out the back. To the owners, how annoying do you find this, or is it not annoying at all? Is it bothersome for lap use?

Thanks for your answers!

 

Glossy screens are great for movies, games, Internet...Some people get tired faster with glossy screens but that's not the case with me. I think the brightvew is worth it, besides it improves the viewing angle. I have l2000 and zv6000, both of those with Brightview. I've never had problems with the viewing angle; zv6000 (15'') has somewhat better viewing angle and I believe dv5000z/v5000z use the same screen.
The battery - it depends on what you pay more attention, is it battery time or weight. Even 0.5 pound, which the 12 cell add, is too much for me. I want portability so I would not take the 12 cell. Yet, I only get 2h and 30- 45min.
If you really want to use the laptop for "lap use" I think you'll be better off with 14'' notebook.

 

I think it also depends on what you are doing. If viewing DVDs or doing photo stuff is your primary interest, I think the glossy is worth it. If you are buring discs or typing in office, I think the matte is fine.

 

My battery preference:

Two 6-cell (if the 2nd is free)> one 12-cell > two 6-cell (if you have to pay) > one 6-cell

I missed the deal for free second battery by a few days and ended up getting a 12-cell battery with my DV4000. Don't forget the battery will wear over time the the running time getting shorter and shorter. A new 6-cell may run for a little bit less than 2.5 hour in V5000Z and may go below 2hour (20% wear) before its first birthday.

 

When I had my HP DV4000 with a Brightview screen, I'd end up wiping the screen many, many times with my hands to remove smudges, not the best method I know. I'd also sometimes use something abrasive like tissues, also not a good idea. The screen never had any scratches to my surprise.

 

Thanks for the replies, guys. So I take it that the protruding 12-cell really isn't a big problem for most people? And as getting 2 12-cells is only 40 bucks more expensive than 2 6-cells, I think I will go for that and get 2 12-cells. What to do with ~eight hours of battery life? There are instances I come across where that would be cool!

I'm not a "road warrior" or anything, so the added weight of a big battery isn't too much of a factor for me. The most portability I will need is to walk from parking garage to gate at the airport maybe two times a year, nearly all of the laptop's use will be in my house. I kinda want a desktop replacement, but not for my desk, I'll move it around from room to room.

And rahulnirmal, you say you had to wipe your screen frequently because of smudges? Did you think if you had a matte screen that you would have gotten less smudges? And did you specifically have any problem with dust on the screen? I keep bringing up the dust because I subscribe to the magazine Consumer Reports, and in their latest review of notebooks, they said while the glossy screens did do wonders to the picture quality, they attracted more dust than the matte screens. I just want to know what I'm getting myself into, and if I should get one of those LCD screen cleaning kits. I will use the notebook for games, so I think I will end up going for the BrightView option.

 

Smudges will show up much more easily on glossy screens than matte. I think it was actually me that caused the smudges, I have this weird habit of "highlighting" a particular paragraph or sentence I'm reading on the screen with my finger and so I'd cause smudges.
Dust was a minor issue but I think my room was dusty as well.
I recommend you buying a LCD cleaning kit, heck, I should be getting one but I'm flat broke right now but I can survive.

I wouldn't be scared off by glossy screens with their drawbacks, a majority of owners love their glossy screens as do I.

 

well i have brightview and a 12cell batt. on my dv4000 and i have to say both are good. first of all the bright view is good cause i think it makes things on the screen look sharper. this is great for video games. and the 12cell is good too. it feels a little wierd when you have it on your lap but you will forget about it when you do stuff on your lappy. i get 4+ hours when not on AC. i have it full brightness with wi-fi on and playing intensive games like DOD:S, CS:S and Half-Life 2. also you lappy wont get hot only warm if your using the 12 cell because it is slanted which i think it good. well hope this helps

 

I had it on my lap for over an hour in class today. I must say the form factor is great!

 

Here's my pics of the battery

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=1242399#post1242399

Its a little awkward if you use it on your lap, but I got an xpad, so I have a flat surface to put on my lap. I came from a matte laptop to the brightview and like it. I wouldn't give up the 12 cell batt or the brightview screen. The only complaint I have is low (imho) native resolution, but there's not much you can do about that.

 

The 12-cell battery isn't too uncomfortable, as it is almost even spead out (it doesn't cover the rear left of the laptop, where the CPU heatsink is), and it time, you'll learn to not notice it.

I personally don't see a purpose in having more than 1 battery if you aren't a "roadwarrior" as you put it, since batteries start degrading from their top performance as soon as they are shipped from the factory.

The battery lasts for a good amount of time on a single charge. With the Turion and min brightness, you might manage a good 4.5-5 hour charge out of a 12-cell. $40 for a second battery does seem pretty enticing, but I wouldn't get it unless you will often be using it. From what it sounds like, your laptop will be more of "mobile" desktop replacement, in which case, 5 hours is more than enough for most.

 

What about glare/reflections from lights on the screen? Any problems/dislikes with that?

 

I love my brightview screen on my Compaq v4000t.

I DO wish that the screen could go darker.. When I'm in my room and it is late at night with the lights off and my eyes are adjusted to the room lighting (no lighting).. The screen just seems a little too bright on the dimmest settings.. Its great for watching DVDs though, incredible colors and visual clarity... But I wish I could tone the brightness down.. I mean, I'm starting to become a bit sleepy and the screen is like a flashlight in my face..

Also the button lights for the power and the wireless on the top of the laptop are a bit too bright when using the laptop at night in complete darkness. Although.. The LED on my speaker set across the room is actually much brighter than the LEDs on the laptop buttons. I'm being very picky here I admit, but those LEDs often show up as a reflection on the screen whenever I have the laptop on my chest and I'm watching a DVD up close..

AND
I Do wish that the screen could go brighter...
When I'm sitting by the window, and the sun is shining on me.. I see my own reflection in the LCD screen (yes, glossy does that)... Increasing the brightness on the screen to the max (Using Fn button) reduces the amount of reflection by a lot.. BUT I wish it did more..

So I don't know what to say... I love it, but it could be better.

I wasn't sure if I needed a 12 cell or not either.. That's a tough decision because the price of the 12 cell is not much higher than the price of the 6 cell! Look at the price for the battery if you bought *JUST* the battery.. Its well over $120 I think.
In the end, I went with the 6 cell on my v4000t. And am (so far) very happy with it. My campus has lots of places to plug in (in the classroom, library, etc.) So actually getting the 6 cell was good for me. I do use it extra-heavily though.. Often 2 or so complete discharges every day.
I think the only way to figure out which is right for you is to use your imagination.. And imagine yourself with the 6 cell and 12 cell. Searching for an outlet every X hours or so. Don't forget the time it takes to charge the battery (are you going to sit at an outlet for X hours to charge fully?) That's what I did, and it worked out nicely.

 

My campus does not have much outlets. I rather have the extra weight with the 12 cell. Then years down the road I will just buy a new 12 cell.

Yeah I wouldn't like switching six 6 cells but everyone has there own preference...