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    Dv5z vs Dv5t vs Dv4t

    Discussion in 'HP' started by Animal1234, Nov 27, 2008.

  1. Animal1234

    Animal1234 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I've been looking at all three of those laptops for quite some time and I am not sure which one to really choose. I was wondering which one is perfect for a college student? I would be using it at home and sometimes taking it to school. I noticed the Dv5z and Dv5t are about $40-50 difference in price. Is the Dv5t worth the extra 40-50 dollars? Also is Dv4t the newer version?
     
  2. gauden44

    gauden44 Notebook Consultant

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    Dv4t is 14.1", the 5's are 15.4"
     
  3. Animal1234

    Animal1234 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I am aware of that but is the Dv4t worth the extra price?
     
  4. Harper2.0

    Harper2.0 Back from the dead?

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    The Dv5t has a better video card option(nVidia 9600m GT), and has an Intel processor vs the Dv5z which has an AMD processor.

    Generally Intel processors run cooler, and are faster, clock for clock. For example a 2.0ghz Intel processor would be more efficient than an AMD 2.0ghz processor.

    I'm not saying the AMD processors are weak, just that Intels are a bit faster. Though AMD versions are cheaper, and more "bang for the buck."

    That depends on if you want to have a smaller/lighter laptop.
     
  5. Animal1234

    Animal1234 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I am looking for a lighter laptop. Other than the size is their any difference between the Dv5 and Dv4?
     
  6. allfiredup

    allfiredup Notebook Virtuoso

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    The dimensions of the the dv4 and dv5 are as follows-

    dv4t- 13.15" Wide, 9.45" Deep, 1.34"-1.57" High, 5.18lbs
    dv5t- 14.05" Wide, 10.2" Deep, 1.37"-1.65" High, 5.83lbs

    That makes the dv5t 0.9" wider, 0.75" deeper and 0.65lbs heavier than the dv4t.

    Something unique that the dv4t offers is the option of an LED-backlit display. It is a $100 option over the standard display, but it will reduce the dv4t's weight slightly (possibly getting it under the 5lb mark). The real benefit is energy efficiency- at maximum brightness, an LED-backlit display uses 43% less power (battery) than a traditional CCFL-backlit unit (which is standard on the dv4t and dv5t). The LED will also provide a superior image compared to the standard display. It's well worth the $100 cost, given the benefits.

    It is also commonly reported that LED display are more reliable and will last much longer than the CCFL variety found on most laptops.
     
  7. brianstretch

    brianstretch Notebook Virtuoso

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    If you're buying a dv4 you should get the dv4z to get its ATI Radeon 3200 integrated graphics. Excellent power efficient chipset. Be sure to get the LED screen (which my retail model didn't offer, sigh), 802.11n and Bluetooth, 12 cell battery (aids cooling by propping up the back), Turion Ultra CPU and maybe Blu-ray. A dv4z with its HDMI port would make a very good portable Blu-ray player.

    For the dv5 series... HP has once again denied their AMD notebooks a midrange GPU, so if you're into gaming the dv5t with 9600 would be a better choice if you can put up with the GPU's heat. Otherwise I'd get a dv5z with Radeon 3450 upgrade (also gets you gigabit Ethernet).
     
  8. Animal1234

    Animal1234 Notebook Enthusiast

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    So the only difference between the Dv4z and Dv4t is the ATI Radeon 3200 integrated graphic?
     
  9. Pnanasnoic

    Pnanasnoic Notebook Enthusiast

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    The dv4t is an intel based system with x4500 integrated graphics, upgradeable with NVIDIA cards, whereas the Dv4z is an AMD based system with 3200 integrated graphics, upgradeablw with ATI cards. T=Intel, Z=AMD.
     
  10. Animal1234

    Animal1234 Notebook Enthusiast

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    from what I understand the Intel is better than the AMD. Am I correct?
     
  11. Pnanasnoic

    Pnanasnoic Notebook Enthusiast

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    I would say yes, especialy the 45nm stuff. Laptopmag has a pretty good comparison up, but I can't post any URLs unless I have 15 posts lol. Maybe someone will know what I'm talking about and post it for you, it's titled "Face-Off: AMD Puma vs. Intel Centrino 2".
     
  12. allfiredup

    allfiredup Notebook Virtuoso

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    This article has a lot of very useful information- http://www.laptopmag.com/features/mobile-life/face-off-amd-puma-vs-intel-centrino-2.aspx

    In a nutshell- AMD gaming/graphics performance is a great value, but the Intel platform is the better performer in all other categories. It comes down to deciding if the superior performance of the Intel models is worth the expense. Lately, though, HP has been pricing their "t" and "z" models very close to one another...in which case, the Intel with a dedicated nVIDIA graphics card is the best of both worlds!
     
  13. Oberkanone

    Oberkanone Notebook Evangelist

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    I have dv5z with 2.3 ghz ZM84 and HD 3450 512mb video card. It is nice machine.
    Problem with the dv5z line is that the dv5t line is that heat management, power management, and performance are better on the t line for everything except the integrated graphics version, where Puma is better for graphics.

    t is only slightly more expensive than z where HP is concerned so the only reason to buy the AMD version is if you hat Intel and want to support AMD.

    Intel is better, at least it is at this point in time.

    dv4 series is just the right size IMO.
     
  14. Animal1234

    Animal1234 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks for all your help everyone. I just purchased the dv4t using the 40% cashback from live.com. Took me over 4+ hours to finally get through but hopefully everything is right.

    Thanks again.