Consumer (dv6tse) vs. Business (8440p/w-8540p/w)

Ok, I was almost ready to pull the trigger on a custom dv6tse when I came across HPs Elitebook line and had some serious second thoughts.

I will be using my notebook for school, gaming (moderate), and all general purposes. I like the idea of having a more rugged laptop like the elitebook as I live in AZ and if I even have to make a quick stop into Jamba Juice and leave my notebook in the car it may get over 130F in the summer no problem also the constant packing up for school and returning to home. It seems that the dv6tse is fairly sturdy with the aluminum cover and metal frame, although it surely wont compare to the magnesium cover of the elitebook right?

The other main concern I have is the graphics card. the dv6tse has a 1GB ATI Switchable graphics card and I dont know how to compare that to the Nvidia graphics that the Elitebooks offer.

For the dv6tse configuration I have below it will be almost $1300 even with a 2yr warrenty Accidental Protection after tax. If you can look at the Elitebook line 8440 or 8540 p or w and make a comprable build (or find a pre configured similar to the build below) could you paste those stats and how much it would be? (the blu ray and touchscreen are not major factors in my decision) Also in general will it be worth paying a considerable amount more for the elitebook?

Here is where you can find the elitebook lineup: HP EliteBook Notebook PCs - comparison results Small & Medium Business - HP

dv6tse build:

Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-450M processor (2.40GHz, 3MB L3 Cache) with Turbo Boost up to 2.66 Hz
4GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm)
FREE Upgrade to 500GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
1GB ATI Mobility Radeon(TM) HD 5650 switchable graphics
15.6" diagonal High Definition LED HP Brightview Widescreen Display (1366x768)
TouchScreen with HP TouchSmart's intuitive multi-touch applications
FREE Upgrade to Blu-ray ROM with SuperMulti DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support
Intel Wireless-N Card with Bluetooth
Full-size island-style backlit keyboard with HP TrueVision Webcam + Fingerprint Reader
50% OFF! One 6 Cell (standard) and One 9 Cell (over-sized) Lithium Ion Battery

 

A good example of a comparison I am looking for is the setup listed below, which would run about $1600 out the door (possibly less if I called in and tried to haggle a little bit So how would this graphics card compare? Also would I even need a modem for the laptop? why?

Configurable - HP EliteBook 8440p Notebook PC
(ENERGY STAR)
NU546AV

HP EliteBook 8440p Notebook PC with NVIDIA NVS 3100 graphics with 512 MB dedicated memory

Genuine Windows® 7 Professional 64

Intel® Core™ i5-450M Processor (2.40 GHz, 3 MB L3 Cache, 1066 MHz FSB) 1 Up-to 2.93 GHz with Intel Turbo Boost Technology

Mobile Intel QM57 Chipset

14.0-inch diagonal LED-backlit HD+ anti-glare (1600 x 900 resolution) with 2 MP Webcam requires camera
2 MP Webcam with Business Card Reader Software & Skyroom Trial Version

NVIDIA NVS 3100, with 512 MB dedicated video memory

4GB 1333MHz DDR3 (2 DIMM)

250GB 7200rpm SATA Hard Drive

DVD+/-RW SuperMulti DL LightScribe Drive

Full-sized keyboard and enhanced dual pointing devices (touchpad and pointstick) with scroll zone

HP Integrated Module with Bluetooth® 2.1 Wireless Technology

Intel Centrino® Advanced-N 6200 (2x2)

56K v.92 high speed modem

No Fingerprint Sensor
90W AC Adapter
HP 6-cell 55WHr Li-Ion Primary Battery

Limited 3-year warranty
9x5 Pickup&Return Service for Notebook w/Accidental Damage Protection Service, 3 years

Windows 7 Driver DVD - Recovery Media Available with any OS Win7 localizations. Required with XP/Win 7 downgrade OS
Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64 OS Restore Media Available with any OS Win7 localizations.

 

I was under the impression that the business graphics cards (ones that aren't geforces or radeons) are really crappy, gaming wise and are more meant for stuff like CAD.

 

Well, you can install just plain Catalyst Mobile drivers on the ATI cards (I've done so on mine), and it works just fine. That way you aren't stuck with freakishly old "Mobility FireGL / FirePro" drivers from HP.

 

I would go for the business models, only because they're usually built better and are more reliable (even though there's less bang for the buck).

 

incorrect, they still posess the same abilities as their Radeon/Gforce cards in which they share their GPU processors with but have the added abilities and drivers for Open GL /Open CL that are disabled in their gaming and general use cards.

at one point in time it was easy to reflash the vidoe bios or mod drivers to make one act as the other. but now ati and Nvidia actually pysically disable part of the openGL accelleration on the dies.

although the 5650 will be faster than the Nvidia quadro card, as it is essentially an Nvidia 210m /310m card as it uses the GT218 core

 

Ah. I see.