Buying a dv9500t... a few questions

Pardon me for butting in, but I think you meant to say that the NVidia 7950 GTX in the Sager 9260 does not support DirectX 10, not that it doesn't support DirectX at all. That card will support DirectX 9. The Clevo-based 7950 GTX in the Sager (Clevo is the actual manufacturer of the system sold by Sager) should also be upgradeable to a Clevo-based NVidia 8xxx series once they become available, so you do have some room for growth.

 

The fingerpront reader is cool, however, If I am correct, you lose USB port#1.

I decided against it, and I think I may have made a good decision, as the USB Ports on the right side of the machine show up to boot time utility software (like ghost), and the ones on the left side do not. while the chipset is supposed to support 10 USB ports, I think that the ports on the left are actully hubbed in some way. Also, it seems the performance of the left ports is much less than the ones on the right. I suppose all this only matters if you do a lot of boot time USB work, or you need max performance from several USB devices at the same time. It also seems that the webcam and the bluetooth extensions are also usb devices (a minus because USB actully uses some of the CPU to do its work, and a possible plus if you could get the webcam and bluetooth to work in a VM under VMWare 6 - it does not seem t work).

Also, the firewire port seems very slow, and also is not detected by boot time software, unlike the ZD7000's (perhaps due to old drivers in the boot time software). FWIW, I get better firewire thoughput using an express card.

Just my 2 cents.

 

I usually end up with most or ALL of my USB and Firewire ports filled on my Desktop, but don't anticipate that much use of them with the Laptop -- at any rate, those little 4-port hubs are like $10, each, and I have 2 of them sitting unused at the moment, so I don't see losing one of them for the fingerprint reader as an issue vs. having the fingerprint reader to simplify things for me AND to give me a greater (at least SENSE) of security...

As I'm now below T-minus 6 hours and counting on my Tax-Free Weekend (planning to call HP just after midnight, lol, with the system build up on the screen), my SOLE QUESTION at this point is SHOULD I GET THE HP SPORT BACKPACK???

It SAYS the 17" notebooks will fit in it on their website (albeit "a snug fit"), and the price is $49.95, which ain't bad considering comparable bags made to fit 17" notebooks I saw locally were like $70 or so (although maybe BIGGER AND BETTER)... My question is twofold:

1. Has anyone actually USED this bag with a 17" HP laptop and seen for him or herself how well it fits (and how much room there is for anything else) and, perhaps even more importantly;

2. While on the one hand it might be kinda "cool" to have an HP laptop in an "HP" bag, is that just BEGGING someone to steal the bag??? In other words, am I better off with a bag that doesn't ADVERTISE what it's for?
Jeff

 

I have the backpack. It's OK for $50 but doesn't provide a lot of protection for the laptop, but most bags under $100 don't. If you want a very well made backback that functions well both as a backpack and when carried by the handle I would suggest the Brenthaven pro 15/17. The protection is awesome. If you want to carry a little more stuff I would look at the Slappa Velocity.

I've got 7 backpacks from a variety of manufacturers for an upcoming review, including the HP sport backpack.

The HP pack is just another poorly designed Targus with the HP logo. It's better than nothing though.

 

Hmmmm, I JUST saw this post in my subscribed threads area... didn't get my usual email notification for some reason... I've looked at a couple Targus bags in stores locally, and also a couple, ummmm, "Swissgear???" says it's the same company that makes the Swiss Army Knife.

The Targus bag for the 15.4" laptop actually LOOKS like a 17"er will fit in it (we tried sliding the 9535 in it at Best Buy and it seemed like a REALLY SNUG FIT, but a FIT, nonetheless, although there was no way to completely test it because it had this locking device on one side of the laptop we couldn't remove)... The Targus bag for the 17" laptop was $20 more and I didn't really like the shape or design of it as well, otherwise... The "Swissgear," or whatever it's called -- both Circuit City and OfficeMax had those, were both $90, and appeared to be fairly sturdy, decent bags...

I'll take a look at your links, DeputyDave...

Now, I just HAVE to ask this... considering your website and all, did you get those 7 backpacks FOR FREE since you're testing them for "a review???" One of the perks of doing reviews... I know it's legitimate, if you did, but still a NICE perk.

Afraid I'll lose what I've typed if I click your links before I post this, so I'm gonna go ahead and post, then click your links and I'll get back to ya... If they aren't TOO expensive and are as great as you say, I might get one of those, as even with paid accident protection, having to wait a month for a repaired or new computer and risking losing everything on your hard drive is STILL a royal pain in the butt... and YEAH, I DO want something I can comfortably carry like a CASE, as well as use as a backpack when and if I need to (I may NEVER need to, I just want the option).
Jeff

 

Man, Deputy, you just keep COMPLICATING my life, lol.

That Brenthaven bag doesn't really LOOK like that much on the outside... just sort of, ummmm, "classic elegance," maybe (or some might say "stuffy"), and then it IS named a Macbook Pro 15/17 bag, so that REALLY tells WHO it's being marketed to (and considering the Macbook Pro 17s go for about $1,000 MORE than most of us pay for these dv9500s, I imagine most of those owners REALLY CARE about protection)... Based on two of the letters they have posted on their website... well, when you forget your laptop bag is on the back of your car, drive off and RUN OVER THE BAG, then drag it down the road a ways until honking cars alert you to the fact, and although the BAG is a bit tattered, the laptop has not a scratch, I'd say that IS a testament to a well-built bag!

The Slappa, on the other hand, doesn't look like it claims quite THAT level of battle-worthiness, but then it's $107, not $180... Doesn't really look THAT MUCH BIGGER than the Brenthaven from the pics, though, although they DO show one picture where it appears to have TWO laptops in it... And while the Brenthaven appears to be aimed a bit at "snob appeal," the Slappa appears to be aimed at a more "ethnic audience," like maybe "bike-riding hip-hop mixers," or something, from the text on their website, lol... I don't really care for the look as much, and it doesn't look like it would stand up on its own as well (I want a bag that will stand up like a case when I set it down)... Then again, I'm not CRAZY about paying $180 for a bag, but I wasn't crazy about paying that kind of money for a Pelican hard case for camera equipment a few years back, either, and although I've yet to have any SERIOUS need to use it, when the day comes, it'll be worth it, as that stuff can survive drops from airplanes, or be floated down a river and keep watertight, and the foam inserts inside are about as shock-proof as the sort of cores they're talking about for these cases...

So I guess you're saying Targus is junk, huh? That "Swissgear" (still don't remember the EXACT NAME, unless that was it) looked better built, with a bit more padding, for the same money for the 17" bag, but if you know which bag I'm talking about, I'll take your word on it.

Any local dealers sell those you linked, or do you have to order them direct?
Jeff

 

I've been doing some research on computer backpacks (specifically for 17" laptops) and so far this has been the bag i like the most. The reason being is because of the way it opens and because it looks like it would do a good job of protecting the laptop itself.

Here's the link:
Pakuma Akara K1 Computer Backpack

At a price of $80 i think its pretty decent and not too overpriced as other backpacks are. Still, looks CAN be deceiving and maybe someone has seen this bag in person or has heard something about this brand.... I'd be more than happy to hear opinions before i make up my own... I would not like to spend more than $100 on a good bag so im open to new options!

Anyways.. if this is a good bag then i hope this helps people in giving cheaper choices

Alex

 

Wegener. It's much better than a targus.

Jeff, I have a problem (they say admitting it is the first step to a cure ). When I buy anything I have specific needs and requirements, so I usually research things to the hilt. The problem is many things are only available on the 'net. Descriptions and pictures aren't ever what they should be. As a result I usually end up buying several before I find the "right" one. An example is I bought a new cell phone last month. I bought 5 holsters based on descriptions and pictures. I use one.

The easy way would be to have them all in front of me and be able to use them, but this isn't possible most of the time.

I spent about 16hrs looking at every backpack reference on this site, ebags, and any others I could find. If it had features that stood out, or something appealing that struck me as interesting I added it to my list and contacted the manufacturer. I explained what my intentions were and asked if they would be willing to send me one to review.

I wasn't looking for a "perk" and would be very willing to send them all back. I looked at it as a way to find my "perfect pack" and share that info with my readers. My hope was to help my readers by providing info so they wouldn't have to buy multiple bags like I would have had to do.

I will say that Booq would not send me a bag, but offered to give me a share of any bags I sold through my site. I simply explained I did not feel comfortable with that arrangement. I don't recommend anything I haven't used myself.

So, I guess you could call it a perk. I didn't pay for them. I did the same with my anti-spyware tests early this year. I didn't pay for any of the licenses, but I laid it out on the table and told everyone which was the best (in my opinion). I didn't paint a glossy picture because they were free.

 

It doesn't offer the "take the kitchen sink" storage, but it's built like a tank.

It's different, but the inside is completely lined in a suede/velour like material. Very soft to protect the apperence of your stuff.

Most won't "stand up" on their own, neither will a briefcase type with any reliability. The better ones don't crumble into a mound on the floor when emply. It's a save bet to lean them against something so they don't topple or get stepped on.

The Targus isn't junk. Everyone has their own price point. I'm saying the Targus is flimsy and doesn't protect the laptop as well as others.

 

I had the swissgear 17" bag. It looks great and the price is right, but it's TOO SMALL for the dv9500's. It needs to be 2" longer. As it is now, the corners are too close for comfort and it provides no protection against bumps against the corners.

 

That said, Orev, the Swissgear 17 is the nicest, sturdiest looking bag available LOCALLY, at $89.95 everywhere I've found it... The comparable Targus is the same price (although the Targus designed for 15.4" notebooks will actually (barely) hold a 9535, which I know because we took it over to where the 9535 is at Best Buy and tried sliding it in the bag... Couldn't completely close the bag, though, since there's a lock on one side of the 9535, BUT it APPEARED it fit and would be protected by the padding on the top edges of the bag (that bag actually looked a bit sturdier than the 17" bag, to me)...

Still, I have to take Deputy's word that Targus bags offer only minimal protection...

On the flipside, the Brenthaven bag DOES look like the true TANK of the laptop bag world and IS available from Amazon.com for $128 with free shipping and no tax... and they have 11 reviews -- 10 glowing ones and then THIS:

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
A large-capacity, comfortable backpack for Macs that doesn't provide as much protection as it should, February 4, 2007
By Karl Lehenbauer (Houston, TX USA) - See all my reviews


A 17" Mac Book Pro or Powerbook fits nicely in this backpack, and there's plenty of extra room for the power supply, spare batteries, cables, thumb drives, EVDO cards, etc.

Brenthaven changed the design a few months ago. My wife has an earlier one, which has a less comfortable handle but a removable inner sleeve that velcros closed.

The newer style does not have the internal velcro closure, and this was a very costly omission for me. My backpack, containing my 17" Powerbook, tipped over, fully zipped, and fell approximately two feet to the floor, with the top of the backpack striking pavement.

Fearing the worst but hoping for the best, I removed the computer and was horrified to discover that it had slid right through the internal flap and taken the full brunt of the impact, massively denting and dislocating the side of the computer and damaging the PCMCIA slot.

Applecare does not cover this sort of damage, so I ended up eating a multi-hundred dollar repair bill.

The backpack is comfortable and capacious, but the lack of protection for a top impact was a deep disappointment.

I thought I'd post that and get your thoughts on that review, Deputy, since you and just about everyone else who reviewed the bag on the Amazon site had GREAT things to say about it, but if what Karl Lehenbauer says is true, that IS one serious shortcoming, as dropping the bag upside-down is DEFINITELY one of the ways you might expect it to fall, when and if it falls.

That's also one thing I LIKE about the Swissgear bag, although if the dv9500 doesn't FIT, well, it doesn't matter -- is the fact that it has a strap that goes over the laptop compartment that doesn't just attach with Velcro, but with an actual plastic latch, which looks pretty secure and SHOULD hold any laptop in place if the bag falls upside-down, even if there's not much padding above it (although I think there's SOME)... I agree with Orev, however, that the rounded shape on the sides probably leaves the upper corners of the laptop somewhat unprotected.

I hope we can keep this discussion going... I'm pretty sure a lot of us are in need of a good bag, and it helps to compare notes... I'd really PREFER a case-type bag, BUT I just KNOW on this trip I'm taking there will be at least a TIME or TWO I'll WISH I had a backpack if I DON'T have one... and just a TIME or TWO is one TIME or TWO too many, yaknow??? Particularly if that happens to be at Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon, lol... Speaking of which -- in addition to EXCELLENT laptop protection (and plenty of room for other accessories), I REALLY THINK a very COMFORTABLE FIT on the back for long walks or hikes is equally important... If it protects the laptop well, but doesn't have good, COOL padding on the back, and YOU end up needing a chiropractor or worse, what good is it? I DO have to say that on THAT topic, the Wenger Swissgear appears to be VERY comfortable... Don't know about any of the others, though.
Jeff

 

There's an old saying that "every man has his price." I've never completely ascribed to that belief, as I think some folks can't be bought at any price.

When it comes to PRODUCTS, on the other hand, there definitely IS a point of diminishing returns, such as when I bought this Dell XPS 410 I'm using, and it was about another $100 to go from the E6400 chip to the E6600 (a jump from 2.16 Ghz to 2.4 Ghz), but another $400 or so to go to the E6700 chip and advance to 2.67 Ghz (as far as I know there's still that sort of price/performance HIT at the upper end)... Folks call the point where the best performance for the money ends the "sweet spot."

Similarly, when you're looking for a quality product of a certain TYPE (like with these laptop bags), and wanting the best bag possible, but also at the best price, and in MY CASE also knowing I'm NOT going to be using the backpack all that often (except for a few weeks coming up in September-October), well, I KNOW I'm doing this AHEAD OF ACTUALLY having the laptop to see how wrong I am (since you already said it won't fit, Orev), but I just CAN'T pass up such a bargain on the BEST backpack I've found LOCALLY...

Just on a whim, I decided to do the same websearch on the Swiss Gear bags as the Slappa and Brenthaven an hour or so ago just to see what kind of price I could find online vs. the $89.95 locally, and LO AND BEHOLD, as luck would have it, as of midnight, Circuit City put the bags on sale for $59.95 (and my local store is only a mile away)... Of course their website can't check the store's inventory at the moment, so I can't make the purchase and have it ready to pick up yet... probably not until they open in the morning (and they had only TWO in stock when I was there Friday -- I KNOW if either one is still there it won't be for LONG today)... GOTTA GET IT at this price... especially while there's no sales tax through the end of today, lol... Can take it back after the 9500 comes IF I can't figure out a way to fit it in better than you could, Orev (not doubting your word, but sometimes I can be, um, "innovative," and I really DO think those are pretty good-quality bags, overall -- lifetime warranty).

Maybe later I'll get a Brenthaven carry case, or something, for more everyday use... Or maybe I'll take this one back the day after my laptop arrives and order a Brenthaven or Slappa or something else -- That's one of the NICE THINGS about using credit cards, lol... they give you time to play with someone else's money, and then you can take things back and have the charge reversed -- often even before the bill is ever issued.

Thoughts (other than that my obsessions are running COMPLETELY WILD)???
Jeff

P.S. Once I FINALLY get my laptop and every accessory I want and need and everything running right, etc., you guys may never hear from me again... Is that cheers or jeers I'm hearing???

 

I just don't think Targus puts a lot of thought into their designs. OK, let's put padding in here. OH, and let's add some pockets here.

The liner is still removable (though I'm not sure why you would).

The Brenthaven has padding at the top that "folds" over the laptop when you close the zipper, so it's right against the laptop. Most don't have any on top, just a pocket with a strap and maybe some padding in the outer part of the enclosure. I would hate to see what would have happened to his laptop in a lower end bag.

It's just silly for anyone to expect anything to protect a laptop in every situation.

This makes it sound like the flap retains the laptop. The compartment's zipper retains the laptop and forces padding over the laptop when closed. There is no extra room.

Another thing to think about is when carrying a backpack... where are the straps attached? At the four corners of your laptop. Which in my opinion may put some stress or pressure on the case/lid, especially if you have books and other heavy things in the pack. The Brenthaven's sleeve actually has a plastic sleeve surrounding the padding as extra protection. This prevents objects from exerting pressure on the case/lid. (my zd7020 has marks on the screen from the lid being pressed into the keyboard during transport)

 

Excellent points, all, Deputy!

I figured you'd have good responses to what I copied from the disgruntled customer at Amazon.com, which is why I posted them (plus I really DID want to know MORE about that issue)...

All the same, for the amount of time I'll actually need the backpack a backpack and the other factors I mentioned, I got here just before CC opened locally (11 a.m. in this locale -- Sundays here, yaknow -- used to not be before 1:30 p.m., and only THEN in the last 15 years, or so, AFTER stores in MY PARTICULAR COUNTY just DEFIED the SC Blue Laws and the sheriff refused to enforce them and began opening Sunday afternoons in defiance of them... until the STATE finally changed them (only alcohol sales are still banned in most of SC on Sundays, now)... Stores in MY COUNTY made the defiant move because the county next door already had an exemption because the slightly larger county's annual tax revenue put it past a threshold that existed primarily to let "tourist Mecca" Myrtle Beach avoid Blue Law restrictions, and so Spartanburg County was losing lots of Sunday sales... But for a long time it was 1:30 p.m.... Then, a year or two ago during Christmas shopping season, with stores at neighboring Greenville County opening anywhere from 8-11 a.m. on Sundays, stores here started saying they wanted to do the same (but the law had changed to allow statewide stores to open only after 1:30, i.e., only AFTER church services were over), so stores REBELLED AGAIN, and rather than have more legal battles, the legislature just went along... About time SC comes into the 21st Century, lol!

So anyway, late last night, the CC website WOULDN'T let me set up my Swiss Gear Pegasus purchase for in-store pickup because it couldn't confirm store inventory... so I got here a few minutes before the store opened and tried again, and it's waiting for me... Even if they give me only the 2-week return time common with some products related to computers, I SHOULD have my 9500 by then, and be able to see if the fit is "adequate" to my needs...

Otherwise, I feel that's a pretty decent bag -- especially for $60 bucks with no tax! If there's ANY EXTRA ROOM, I can always put a bit of extra foam rubber over the top of the laptop or even get one of those oversized bubble-wrap shipping envelopes and put it in THAT before putting it in the bag as an extra level of protection (the kinds of "innovation" I talked about above).
Jeff

 

I use this...

Kensington Countour Pro
I've been using it to drag around my ZD8k for two years now and am totally satisfied with it. I've been all over the midwest with it - Its been thrown in the back of pickups... exposed to snow and rain.... I've never had any of the elements get through.

And it comes with a 17" sleeve so you don't have to take the whole bag with you. There is a generous amount of well-organized space as well. I was going to get the Swiss Gear bag but my girlfriend chose this one instead. I let her choose it because she was still kinda ticked off at me for buying the notebook

Edit: Just noticed you're looking for a backpack - They have a version of this in that style as well.

 

Looks like a GREAT carry bag, Mark -- and the same price I just paid for the Pegasus (which came in MINT condition -- was kinda afraid they'd get the last one off the rack and it'd be dogged out, but it looks GREAT).

If you have the link to the backpack version of that Kensington, I'd sure appreciate it... I have 30 days to return the Pegasus, which gives me time to "try out" 2 or more bags and keep the one I like the best -- particularly if the one I like the least was bought locally, lol.

I have to say I have one "little quirky" reason for buying the Swiss Gear, as well... the NAME of the bag... "a Galaxy far, far away," named after a mythical horse which ALSO happens to be the name of the galaxy Atlantis is located in "Stargate: Atlantis," and THUS the name of one of my external hard drives (well, actually, the name of the latest one to CRASH on me -- ack!)...

I got in the habit of naming my hard drives after Sci-Fi stuff way back in the mid-90s when I first named a hard drive "Enterprise..." Subsequent drives have included "Deep Space Nine," "Voyager," "Sagittarius," and "Sea of Tranquillity." My two, new, IDENTICAL Seagate externals I'm going to employ similar to a RAID array, except manually, by backing one up to the other every day, are: "Stargate Portal 1" and "Stargate Portal 2," lol... My internet connection I call "Wormhole..." Get the concept?

So a backpack already OFFICIALLY NAMED Pegasus was a bit hard to resist when it ALSO was the best locally available option AND 33% off as of today, with no sales tax today...

But I'd STILL like to see that Kensington backpack link, if you have it, Mark.

And NO, I'm NOT a Geek, or a Nerd... but I'm probably just CLOSE ENOUGH where I'm not exactly sure how to tell the difference.
Jeff

 

Here's a link to the Backpack version
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=2425

I don't think its nearly as nice though.

I like your naming system and Pegasus does seem appropiate. Its that kind of thing that adds personality. My network at home is named after creatures from Greek mythology. (Chimera, Phoenix, and Medusa, (computers) Titan and Cyclops (our networked media drives) and the workgroup is called Mycenae

My girlfriend's daughter didn't like her computer being named Medusa... so her project for the summer was to research Greek mythology and come up with something better

 

Thanks for the link, Mark.

That looks like another FINE backpack, although its dimensions aren't quite as tall as the Swiss Gear (although it doesn't have the sharp curve at the top, so it might be a bit roomier in the laptop area)... Still the comment in the review area about what you have to do to access the laptop area sounds a bit cumbersome to me, although the bag looks CLASSY, sort of like the Brenthaven (if I could look at one in person, I certainly would).

I think since my dv9500t is due in less than 2 weeks and I have 30 days to return the Pegasus (which will sit with its receipt sealed inside it, in a secure indoor area, unused until the laptop arrives), if it doesn't suit me when the laptop gets here I'll still have time to order the Brenthaven or the Slappa or possibly the Kensington or another bag (although I'm thinking one of these three would be VERY HIGH on the list...

I think the lumbar support on the Kensington bag is the nicest feature, and something I really won't know how much I miss or need with any other bag until I've walked a couple miles with it on my back.

I guess my biggest concern is the few occasions I've had to lug a HEAVILY LADEN CAMERA BAG for SEVERAL MILES with only the shoulder strap... going from one shoulder to the other (and eventually putting it on my back with the strap going around my chest)... bad luck to get stuck in the Mall in Washington, D.C. on inaugural day, 1993, just as they blocked traffic and had to walk FOREVER before we got to where there was traffic and we could catch a cab again -- all on 3 hours sleep, too!

So I REALLY UNDERSTAND THE NEED for a comfortable backpack in the rare instance you REALLY NEED ONE. I'll be taking this backpack plus TWO (smaller-than-in-Washington, D.C.) CAMERA BAGS with me on vacation, BUT, when I go somewhere I know I'll be doing lots of walking, everything I think I'll need will be JUST in the backpack.
Jeff

 

I really think that velcro is much better. It's plenty strong enough to hold a laptop of any weight. A plastic latch can get jammed down into the laptop, if you have books or something else also in the bag, and cause distortions on the case and screen. Velcro lays flat and would not have this problem.

I really think the lack of corner padding is a show-stopper on that bag. It's not just a *little* too small... it's REALLY too small.

 

Orev, you're one of FOUR FOLKS on this forum I think REALLY KNOWS HIS STUFF, so I'm taking your word for it.

That said, the bag is still sitting in the dark at the other end of the basement until the laptop gets here and I see for myself how BAD things are... If I can find a solution for the problems you've pointed out, I'll fix them (and thank you for pointing them out). If not, it goes directly back to Circuit City (putting the laptop in a large bubblewrap envelope and inserting THAT into the laptop compartment is my FIRST thought).

I just couldn't pass up the bargain if there was a CHANCE I could "make it work." You have a very valid point about the plastic latch potentially making an imprint in the case of the laptop if a large amount of pressure was applied, and that's something I will explore extensively, perhaps by putting something like Styrofoam in that compartment, then filling the outer compartment with books and pressing it down hard on the floor, or something...

Assuming I DO take it back, what do you think I SHOULD get instead??? The Kensington/ The Slappa?? The Brenthaven???

Thanks much for your thoughts -- and your patience!
Jeff

P.S. If the following belongs to YOU, Orev:

Battlestar Galactica
Stargate Atlantis
Stargate SG-1
The Daily Show
The Colbert Report
Family Guy
The Simpsons
Boston Legal
Farscape (I know, it's been cancelled for a while. I won't let go)
My Name is Earl
Lost
ER
CSI
MythBusters
Good Eats
Nova
Iron Chef America
Party Line with the Hearty Boys
Doctor Who
Ebert & Roeper

We have pretty similar tastes

 

This thread appears DEAD, but I don't care, since this was where I first started posting questions about the dv9500t, this is where I'm announcing...

IT'S A TWISTER, AUNTY EM! IT'S A TWISTER!!!

Hello Jeff Hayes,

Your order from the HP Home & Home Office Store is on its way! Your chosen shipping method is standard 5-7 business days**. You can use the tracking numbers below to check your order status. Please retain packing lists for your records and mail-in rebates.

We have built your order number H100965325 to the following specifications:

-
- Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)
- Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processor T7500 (2.20 GHz, 4 MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
- 17.0" WSXGA+ High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1680 x 1050)
- $50 off Upgrade from 1GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm) to 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
- 511MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS
- HP Imprint (Radiance) + Fingerprint Reader + Webcam + Microphone
- FREE Upgrade to Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection and Bluetooth(TM)
- 160GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
- SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support
- $30 OFF HP Expresscard TV Tuner for Windows Vista Notebooks!
- Two High Capacity 8 Cell Lithium Ion Batteries
- Microsoft(R) Works 8.0
- Mobile Stereo Earbud Headphones (1 pair)

This is, I might note, QUITE UNLIKE WHAT THE DELL CUSTOMERS HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING, FIVE DAYS SOONER THAN THE DATE THEY PROMISED SHIPMENT -- AUG. 14!

Unfortunately, unlike their first shipment to me, which came from Mississippi, the SYSTEM is coming from SHANGHAI, CHINA, so I don't anticipate it getting here QUITE as fast... but I imagine it'll fly across the Pacific and hit Sacremento, and I had a ground shipment from ZipZoomFly leave San Francisco last Saturday, scheduled for delivery Friday, and IT was here yesterday, so I figure I'll have it before the end of next week -- at least I HOPE so.

Wish me luck!
Jeff

 

Well i just ordered a dv9575 from best buy suppose to be here monday cant wait. I cancelled my dell order. There sales are down so much that hp is now number one and all the other companies are catching.

 

What was the first system? All of the CTOs are shipped from Shanghai, unless it was a refurb or repair (or preconfigured unit).

Anyway, congrats!

 

Oh, the FIRST shipment was part of this same order R4000... I placed the order last Friday morning, first day of a Tax-Free weekend here in SC... HP gave me a ship date for my system of Aug. 14, but only a few hours later they "proudly" emailed me to let me know that all my "accessories" had shipped, which consisted of my extended warranty, my microfiber wipes, the auto charger/adapter and the little extra remote that fits in the PC-54 slot... like I REALLY had ANY USE for ANY of those things prior to getting the laptop, lol.

Anyway, they arrived Tuesday, but I haven't even opened the box yet, and I won't until the laptop gets here (more accurately, since I keep up with tracking online, I probably will open that box a day before the laptop is due, just to make sure nothing looks like it's damaged).

I didn't know WHERE the systems were assembled... had no idea it was Shanghai, though... My guess is it will fly to California and probably leave the Sacremento Fedex office via ground... Assuming the flight gets it there tomorrow, I should have it not later than Wednesday, since my ZipZoomFly order that left Sacremento on Saturday was here Wednesday...

Just guessing at this point, though -- tracking still says "in transit" at this point, so it hasn't gotten to America yet, for sure.
Jeff

 

does anyone know if the 8600M GS on the 9500s have GDDR3 memory or DDR2 memory?

 

Unfortunately, 8600M GS is downgraded to DDR2 memory. BUT graphics are still very impressive!

 

You might want to check this thread:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=2314715#post2314715

 

Orev, having had a chance to test my 9500 in the SwissGear Pegasus bag now, I have to agree with you on the corners issue (although the impression I got from your original post was that the laptop is a "tight fit," and it's really not, there's ample room above it)... The bag really DOESN'T provide much protection on the top -- particularly at the corners -- or on the sides, for that matter. I also agree that the back side of that buckle IS something of a HARD LUMP that really COULD create a permanent impression in the case of a laptop were a bag packed tightly and/or to drop the wrong way...

However, I BELIEVE I've found a "solution" for a mere $2.29 at the local Post Office (I'm always one to look for innovative solutions, and I REALLY DIDN'T feel like spending twice the money for a Brenthaven bag as little as I plan to be using a backpack)... I bought a 12.5 x 17.75 (useable interior space) bubblewrap shipping envelope from the local Post Office today, which is JUST big enough for the laptop to slide inside and close the flap over it... That then just BARELY fits inside the laptop compartment and is a snug fit to zip closed, but it DOES zip closed, and I feel the bubble wrap mitigates the bit of missing padding in some areas, and also protects against the back side of that buckle, so I'm going to stick with the SwissGear bag, because I'm otherwise pretty happy with it.

Thoughts, anyone?
Jeff

 

As for the monitor question (don't know if it's been answered yet) there is no need for a docking station specifically, the notebook itself has a VGA out, Svideo out, And HDMI out (meaning you could output to a monitor, tv, or HDTV)

i believe that the dual view option only supports 2 monitors (the built in one, and one external one from the notebook) so i think that having Tri-Monitors would be out of the question, but having 2 is completely possible, without a docking station.

 

I'm glad the bag is working for you. Maybe they changed it a little since I last had it. For the one I tested, I really had to put a lot of force into the bag to get it to cover the corners, then get the zipper to go around it. It did technically fit, but it was just too close for me.

I'm glad you found a solution that works!

 

You sure you had the 17" bag, Orev? Of course they might have made the "Pegasus" bag a bit taller. Also, I tried putting the laptop in without first putting ANYTHING ELSE in the bag, so there was nothing else stretching it in any other directions.

It truly IS the tight fit you describe with that bubble-wrap envelope around it, but then I think that's just enough extra padding to mitigate the issues you pointed out (which I feel ARE valid issues). If I were younger and in better health and thought I'd be backpacking A LOT, I'd probably go ahead and order the "TANK" that is the Brenthaven, because I agree from Deputy's description and what I read at from all but ONE of their customer feedbacks that it likely DOES offer the best protection... But I just don't see really NEEDING a backpack AS a backpack more than maybe a half dozen times, and it's just not worth the extra expense for that little use -- not when I can figure another way to ensure it's protected inside the otherwise well-built SwissGear bag.

Oh, by the way, folks... Someone in either this thread or the OTHER dv9500t thread said they were looking forward to my battery life tests... I'm not done yet (my first couple of tries got interrupted and so I couldn't really count them). But yesterday, I took one of the longer movies I had on DVD -- "Syriana," which is 2:08, unplugged the laptop from power, set it up in the next room so I could do other things, started the stopwatch on my watch as I hit the power button and as soon as it finished booting, put in the movie and started it... As the movie was nearing completion, I had to leave the area for a few minutes to move some hoses outside in our drought-stricken area and turn over some chicken I was cooking for supper, and when I came back, the computer had turned off (I guess since Quickplay took over when I popped in the movie), but I'm guessing it was off no more than 5 minutes, as there was maybe 7 minutes of movie left, plus credits, when I left, and I know I wasn't gone much more than 10 minutes...

I immediately turned it back on, and the battery showed a slim line... started the movie again and it played just a few minutes before everything died. The time on my stopwatch was almost 2:20, so I'd say 2:15 is a fair estimate for running a DVD movie, full screen, with the volume at 100% with the extended life 8-cell battery (this is after 3 charges). I figured using the DVD and the screen full screen and sound was about as draining on the battery as I could be.

Next, I'll find something I have downloaded from the net, put it full-screen in Quicktime or Windows Media, set it for continuous play, and try the same test when it's NOT having to use the DVD but is doing continuous hard-drive access...

As for doing a full-charge-to-dead-battery test in just general usage, going online and whatnot, it might be A WHILE before I try THAT ONE because, frankly, I STILL have a difficult time with that little keyboard, vs. the full-size keyboard here on the desktop, and given the option, I kinda revert to the desktop, lol.
Jeff