DM3 questions ?

So I am interested in a 13" laptop with great build quality.
After a little research, I found the DM4, which is BEAUTIFUL but 14", I almost got it, but now I see there are actually 13" laptops using the same build from HP.

Few problems:

1. All of those DM3's have 1.2ghz Dual core CPU's while the DM4 uses a proper I5. I don't get it ? Isn't 1.2ghz outdated ? Do they still sell these ?

2. Is there a DM3 with an i5 ? Costs ?

3. Is the size difference between closed DM4 and DM3 noticeable ?



My needs are build quality (the more metal the better),heavy internet surfing (lots of tabs), and PDF books.
I have a Q6600 with 8GB desktop, and I would like the same Windows 7 performance on my 13" laptop. Thanks !

 

1. Those are ultra-low voltage (ULV) CPUs. They run at a lower clock rate to conserve energy and reduce heat. In terms of performance, they're just fine for casual use, but suffer in processor intensive tasks. For your tasks, it'll be just fine.

2. Nope. Sorry.

3. Can't answer that one, I'm afraid.

Windows 7 will perform optimally even with a ULV processor. I doubt you'll really notice a huge difference in speed.

 

If you aren't going to be doing anything intensive, the processor is nothing really to worry about.

The difference between 14" and 13" is a lot for some people, and not a lot for others. For me it is too much.

I have the old, first generation DM3 and I love it.

 

If you really need a 13.3" laptop with more power than the ULV's in the current Dm3t check out the Asus U35JC

 

Thanks for the comments, I guess those CPU's will be fine for what I need. (Another reason to get the beautiful DM3)

I have looked at that Asus before - really nice specs and OK price, but the DM's are so much nicer the main turn-off was the black plastic IO panels.
Will think about it.

I'm watching some youtube reviews and I see that plastic keyboard on the DM4 is ultra cheap and flexing a lot. I HATE THAT with passion, cannot stand flexing parts.
I am not taking a look at this cute DM3:

http://www.amazon.com/HP-Pavilion-d...6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1289116874&sr=1-6

It looks to have a solid metal keyboard chasi, the hardware is good enough,there is that full-touch keypad which I like (better than buttons)- and the price is perfect.
It comes with an option for 3G and backlit keyboard which is great too.

I do like the design of the "simpler" DM3's with the black keyboard and screen frame, but how is the keyboard flex on these ?

 

Honestly some people are claiming zero flex on the keyboards and others are saying there is a little on the bottom ride side towards the arrow keys.

My DM3 has zero flex but the design of the keyboard has changed although the layout and key structure is the same.

 

I have a new DM3 and think it is great. I have the i3 version w/ 4 GB of RAM, no graphics card, and backlit keyboard. For web browsing and basic tasks you won't go wrong. The most intensive task I have thrown at it is to stream video from CBS online (full screen of one of their new shows) - did great.

I think the build quality is very good, if not close to excellent. There is no keyboard flex that I notice. The screen is very good in terms of brightness and viewing angles - particularly horizontal (vertical not quite as good). I should mention though that this is NOT a solid metal chassis like a unibody MacBook. It is skinned with aluminum on the keyboard area, which is fine by me. I think the MacBook unibody design is nice but really overkill. Not to mention, based on an iPad I've been using, the solid aluminum on the lap is cold when the machine starts up and is slippery so the iPad slides around on my lap in bed.

The weak points are battery life (getting around 3:45 with full brightness and wifi on, doing a mix of email, web browsing and some video streaming. I say "weak" because HP claims up to 7.5 hours. Laptop magazine tested it and got 5.5 which I could probably get if I really tried. Also the touchpad is just a bit small I think, making my left clicks a bit tricky. But am getting used to it.

It is really a beautiful machine I think. The only concern I have about the looks is around how well the top cover soft-touch paint will wear. Looks like it could be scratch prone like a Lenovo that I have.

 

I have the HP DM4 and I don't have any flex on my keyboard. All I can say is, it all depends on your luck. Sometimes, people get unlucky and get the defective keyboards. If you don't really need the portability and need more performance and battery life, I would get the DM3. Otherwise, go with the DM4.

 

I was debating between the DM3 and the DM4 and decided to go with the DM4. Screen size and looks isn't that much diffence. The DM4 screen doesn't flex as some people claim. Plus it has a better processor and a DVD drive to booth for a little bit more money. The weight wasn't that big a difference too. The downer recently on my DM4 was that the right speaker started crackling. Both systems the speaker is low volume.

 

I think the speaker volume on the DM3 is quite good.