Buy DV9700t or DV6700t?

I plan on buying either the dv9700t or dv6700t. I like the smaller size of dv6700t. But reviews say it's a very noisy notebook.

My question is how noisy is the dv9700t? Does it run very hot and loud too? I'm very concerned about the noise issue because my current Compaq notebook with P4 M processor is super loud (which is really annoying as most of the time I'm in a quiet room) .

I hope my new notebook will not have such problem. Owners of dv9700t or dv6700t, can you please shed some light on this? Thanks!

 

Of course, the DV9700 and DV6700 are not noisy at all, comparing to old Compaq's and HP's. I would say, DV6700 is not noisier than DV9700 these days. But choose the size, depending on what you want in a machine. DV9700 is faster, more durable, solid. On the other side - DV6700 is more compact, but the design is almost same. You won't regret if choose either. Good luck!

 

Should I choose the 50% off nVidia 8600GS instead of the 8400GS? It's a $50 difference. And what about the screen resolution? Will the 1680x1050 be better?

 

I have the 8400 in my 9500z, and it lags sometimes on games. If you plan on playing any kind of graphics-intensive games or running dual monitors, I'd get the 8600.

I also have the WSXGA+ screen. (1680x1050). I bought it without thinking because I love high res screens. It's not that much better than the stock screen, but for only 50 bucks, why not?

 

Ok. I don't play much games. To my knowledge, the main difference between the two cards is that the 8600GS has a 128 bit interface where as the 8400GS has a 64 bit one. I'm not sure if this has a big impact on the notebook's performance and what it means.

 

How much RAM were you thinking of getting? All these cards can share memory with the Ram. The more ram you get the more your GPU can use.

Running dual monitors (1680x1050 and 1920x1200) I've had pretty bad lagging while using the bigger one for a full screen movie and surfing the web on the laptop screen.

It's up to you, but i'd get the better one. 50 bucks isnt that much more and youre getting a much better card.

 

I would like to get 2G of Ram. I don't use dual displays like you do.
I'm concerned that the 1680x1050 resolution will produce tiny fonts and icons. My utmost concern is the noise issue. I really hope the dv9700 won't be too loud.

 

I have a ZX5280 and a DV9700T. The noise and heat on the ZX5280 running the Pentium M processor is so bad that I can't put the laptop on my legs without it making them red. I can't watch a DVD without cranking the sound because the fans are so noisy that you can't hear the sound at a normal level.

The DV9700T is a night and day comparison. I have put it on my lap for hours, you can barely tell that it's even on and I feel no heat at all. In fact, if you have something like the TV on or even a radio playing in the background, you don't hear this computer at all. -- Edited to add that I only hear this computer when I'm running intense programs like games or editing video.

I went for the 512 MB 8600 GS just because I wanted to have the better graphics card that they offer. Since you can't go back on that decision down the road, I didn't want to be sorry about that later.

I've never had a 6700T so I can't help you there but I can tell you the 9700T when running games, video editing, everything that I have done on my ZX5280 that causes it to sound like an airplane taking off hardly even makes a peep on the 9700T.

Hope this helps and good luck!

 

1. i got the dv9700t with all my friends telling me it would be too big and too heavy, and i've found that to be completely untrue. however, ymmv.

2. i have no noise problems with it, but i do think it's a little too warm. then again, i'm really sensitive to heat.

3. i got the 1680x1050, and it's not small at all. i was used to a 19" 1280x1024 desktop monitor before.

4. i got the geforce 8400m graphics card, and portal plays beautifully at the highest graphics setting with the resolution at 1680x1050. however, this was in xp (i got rid of vista asap) - i don't know how much slower it'll be in vista.

 

I'm not sensitive to heat but rather to noise. My current notebook really does sound like an airplane taking off even when it's only used for web surfing especially if the website has flash on it. And I don't think 7.7lbs is heavy for a notebook of this size. My current Compaq is perhaps bulkier. Yea, I hope 2G of Ram will result in smooth operation of Vista on the dv9700 as it has a dedicated graphics card.

 

hey, get the dv9700t by far. Looking at pics it looks huge but when its in your lap it fits perfect. After using my dv9700t, then using a 15 inch laptop it just doesn't feel right, no doubt get the dv9700t. Plus since your getting the higher res screen your gonna want the bigger 17" screen. If your a high res guy get it for $50 more you will regret it if you don't. The font wont be to small and if it is you can adjust it so its bigger. i got the 1440x900 and it looks good too thought. And to answer your last question get the 8600m gs, no doubt the 8400 is nice but just won't keep up with your res. ohh, also the dv9500t sounds like its not even running when just surfing the net and lising to music. The loudest part is when the CD drive spins or the hdd loads and its good on heat, dv9700t and dv9500t are pretty much the same.