Final Decision: Sony SZ381 vs. HP9000t/HP6000t

In this dilemma for weeks now. Sony's carbon premium styling, weight and thickness are massively appealing. Fact that its made in Japan is a huge plus for me for their quality in unbeatable

vs.

HPs:
1.$1000 cheaper
2.Bigger screen (not necessarily better resolution).
3.HDMI output
4. Quick play of CDs etc.
5.China made.

Would be grateful for any help or advice

 

it all depends on how much you would like to spend, $1000 is MUCH difference.
i have mine dv2000t and i'm very pleased but with no doubt sony will be better one (in terms of quality)

in my opinion sony isn't worth this price, buy one of HP and you will be happy guy with $1000 in your pocket.

 

I agree with szzz

I have the dv6000t and the build quality is very good. As long as you don't abuse it the hp will be fine. So far I have been completely happy with my dv6000.

However if your going to be travelling constantly with your laptop then the sony might be worth it. But personally I would be happy to carry around a few extra pounds if I'm saving $1000.

Compared to the dv6000, the sony would probably have similar performance, having the same graphics card, a slightly better processor option(2.16Ghz vs. 2.00Ghz), and a larger hard drive. But your also getting a smaller screen, fewer connections/ports, and paying a lot more for it.
If you go with the dv9000t, then your getting a better graphics card, larger, higher resolution screen, more connections/ports including HDMI, optional HD DVD drive, and your still paying less than the sony.

So if I had to chose I would go HP because $3,200 is overpriced and you won't be disappointed by the HP.

 

You are comparing 3 very very different notebooks, and there may be many better solutions out there for you.
fill out the FAQ please....

 

i knew someone would say this! i realize they are different- well so am i! want a bit of everything!

 

1: When comparing machines... compare apples to apples. (same price range)

2: Consider this, Sony "markets" TV's set, boomboxes, cd players... HP focuses more so on PC's. Putting it another way if HP and Sony where making airplanes, I'd rather fly on the HP built machine over shark infested water...

3: Could be wrong, but I doubt that the internal components of the Sony are "Made in Japan" totally, or are even made by Sony. I would think it is a case of made in China components being assembled in Japan...

There are only a handful of mfg's thru out the world that make laptop components. HP, Dell for example do not "make" the laptops they sell.. they are the ODM, not the OEM.

4: Sony stuff is overpriced. You're paying for a marketing "name".

5: In a few months the next generation laptops will be out with "hybrid" hard drives... so keep that in mind on whatever you buy.

6: For the money the HP's are a much better deal.

7: If you're going to be traveling, using the laptop in a business mode... you may want to consider a "business" grade laptop... Looking for things such as :

Magnesium alloy frames and display enclosures
Spill-resistant keyboard
Biometric Fingerprint Sensor
TPM 1.2 Embedded Security Chip

8: On the screens... HP screens are fine.... 1680x1050 on the dv9000t is a good resolution. Going any higher than that makes everything too small, unless you have the eyesight of an eagle.

 

thanks.

have you tried streaming video via HDMI to a large screen? reviews on PCMag etc claim the resolution is NOT good.

On Point 5 what do you mean by a hybrid hard drive?

On Point 7 does HP hae all those four things you have mentioned?

many thanks!

 

athreya,

In the next few months there are going to be some big changes /improvements to laptops.

Hybrid hard drives = http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=hybrid+hard+drives

Point 7 = Yes on the business line of HP. As someone who was lusting for a dv9000t for many months to replace a dv8000t (dv8000t does NOT have HDMI out) I went with a business model as noted below to "tide me over" till the next generation of machines come out. While it can be said you'll always be waiting.. the next generation machines will use hybrid hard drives for increased battery life, there is talk of QUAD core cpu's... at some point... plus Direct x10 video cards and improved HDMI output video gpu's. (HDMI is new to laptops)

Business class machine with Magnesium alloy frame and display enclosure, Spill-resistant keyboard, Biometric Fingerprint Sensor, TPM 1.2 Embedded Security Chip : http://www.notebookforums.com/thread176205.html

If you're going to spend say $1,500 +/- dollars, I'd say go for a dv9000t. $3,200 is insane for the Sony at this point in time IMO just because of the improvements that are just over the horizon. BTW: The differance in CPU speed is not a big issue.. Use the money to buy more ram, external hard drive (external hard drive= a MUST HAVE!!!)


You said something about the HDMI output not being good, haven't seen that info. Did read several weeks ago that all the mfg's with HDMI output are using the SAME gpu. Keep in mind that there's not allot of content of there isn't HD any ways... Most DVD's you watch are going to be regular dvds..

EDIT: You're talking about the 1440x900 INTERNAL screen resolution... Well you can CTO machine with the 1680x1050 screen. On Pcmag's comment about the HDMI output, They are correct in the 720p, via the built in 1440x900 screen, but from what I've read the HDMI output via the HDMI port itself is HDMI@ 1080....

I'd ask some OWNERS of the dv9000t about that as PCMag may be wrong in that respect.


Here's one if not the BEST place to buy a laptop... 180-day hassle free, return to any Costco store for a FULL refund of ALL your money http://www.costco.com/CTO/HPLanding.aspx?Prodid=10029570&whse=BC&topnav=&browse=

(Buying thru HP direct gives you a 21 day return window... Buy thru Costco and unit has a "problem" you have the choice to return, or have the mfg fix.)


Best Buy is going to be running a sale soon on the dv9000t

http://www.notebookforums.com/thread176964.html


reference links:

PC Mag dv9000t review: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,2021269,00.asp


Another dv9000t with pic's, video: http://www.neo-fight.tv/2006/09/unboxing_the_hp_dv9000t.html

 

thanks for that wonderful reply.

except on that link i dont see a sale on bestbuy..anycase dont you think its better to configure on HPs student discount website vs. buying through costco?

 

athreya,

Two things, I edited my post before you quoted me above with some more info... so you may want to read thru it again... http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=1619108&postcount=8

Best Buy, no linky, read thru the post.... and read my comments on buying thru HP, vs Costco.



Costco 180-day return window
HP 21-days


Costco is THE place to buy.... and NO I don't work for them, nor do I work for HP

Thru Costco you can CTO it (Custom to Order)... comes directly from the Hp factory in China...


One more thing...I can bet you if you've posted the same questions on the SONY side of the board, you'd have Sony owners jumping up and down saying the Sony is a better machine.... Keep in mind that most of us after spending $3,200 on something aren't going to say, Hey I could have gotten the same thing (or close) for 1/2 that... and we for sure don't what to tell the "wife" that!!!!

 

Dv9000t info:

http://www.notebookforums.com/thread175200.html

HP, vs Viao:
http://www.notebookforums.com/post2445301.html


http://www.notebookforums.com/post2445010-3.html


HDMI port info from a OWNER of a dv9000t

The display resolution passed when external only is 1920 x 1080 and audio signal is passed through as well

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=1585123&postcount=19

 

Oh, and one more thing, order any unit with the BASE ram and buy ram third party www.newegg.comas installing yourself is usually cheaper, PLUS you get to KEEP the base ram, which comes in VERY handy for testing purposes later !!!!!!

BTW: it's a 2 minute job to install ram, one or two screws, pop the old ram out and pop the new ram in. 5 year old kid could do it... VERY easy and worthwhile upgrade.

Keep in mind also when a mfg quotes you the upgrade price your paying the differance between say 512mb or 1 gig of the installed ram to the 2 gig, so your paying that price for the DIFFERANCE, not for 2 gig worth of ram.

 

thanks.you have almost convinced me to buy the 9000! but that post still doesnt mention that guys experience with streaming video on large screens thru HDMI. the pcmag review you posted criticizes the resolution.

2. can one use the discount coupons with the costco site and if so how?

3. i would rather buy the ram from HP...the difference on a 2gb will not be substantial, will it? and dont want to take chances with the warranty.

3. do you hae any thoughts on 17' regular vs. the other two screen options s. battery impact on choosing them (plg to buy one high capacity battery). is it worth going in for the $100 more screen option?


sadly costco doesnt show the 6000t option with core 2 duo.

thanks for your very generous help.

 

1: Streaming video on large screens thru HDMI.= You'll have to PM, get in contact with some owners of the dv9000t to confirm. I'd trust OWNERS of the unit over a review as "reviewers" sometimes screw up, miss things.

I'd suggest you PM (contact), or post your concerns in some threads with some dv9xxxx series owners... and then POST BACK the results in this thread your findings so others in the market will have hard data.

dv9000 series OWNERS:

(Note the dv9000 goes by MANY names... )

http://www.notebookforums.com/thread176964.html
http://www.notebookforums.com/post2446371.html
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=78055
http://www.short-media.com/forum/showthread.php?t=50694

My main "turn-on" for this unit was being able to hook up to a big screen tv via HDMI as that's the type of input on my big screen HDTV.

2: Discount coupons = HP mail in rebates if any would /should apply.

3: Ram= 1: installing ram does NOT void your warranty, 2: It is cheaper, 3: a five year old could install the ram, 4, the ram dimms you take out and put to the side come in mighty handy later when testing for "bad ram" problems..

Trust me... Go for the 2 gig ram, buying aftermarket... You'll thank me later, Windows loves ram...

4: Screen, I'd go with the 1690x1050 screen, that's what screen was in my dv8000t.

5: Battery= I think high-cap batteries are an option thru Costco... (at least on the dv9000t) if you purchase on same order it's allot cheaper than buying later. Note for the record that ALL Li-ion batteries start to DEGRADE from the moment the are mfg'd!!!... So don't buy an extra battery just to have it sitting around.

 

thanks...

are you saying the dv9000t supports 4GB in which case it may make sense to buy them from outside?

2. I was refering to the ultra bright screen vs regular 17' and taking your opinion on that vs. the addl battery drain on it.

3. i was referring to the HP coupons from this site/techbargains..how do we apply that to a Costco cart?

thanks
do let me know.

 

dv9000t, dv8000t, dv6000t, dv2000t, etc " see " 2 gig max ram)

HP business models "see" 4 gig max ram.

(DELL-1705/1710 will "see" 4gig.. Dell having the 7900GS, 7900GTX which "smokes" the 7600 if your a "gamer"... but alas NO HDMI output (does have DVI)

On your comment about buying ram.... Even if the price differance was more, I'd buy the ram after the fact thru www.newegg.com ..... Pull the org ram out, store in a safe place and later have it for testing purposes, to sell, or to put in another machine.


Just checked the Costco site... 1 gig is inculded free now, price differance being only $125 (it was like $245 a few months ago, most machines coming with 512mb)

For $125 "more' you get (1) worth of ram "extra"... For about $160 or so you get 2 gig thru www.newegg.com.... So that's slightly more at this point in time, but you have those (2) 512mb modules to retain for testing, to sell, to put in another machine...

On the UltraBright, I got the 1680x1050 and was very happy with it. I like the "extra" screen real estate it gives you when using the computer as a "computer". Dual lamped machines are going to be thicker, use a panel with less resolution, use up the battery more so, and when it comes time to replace the lamp... you have (2) lamps to replace instead of (1)... also another consideration is when it does come time to "buy" a lamp, most units shipped are the single lamped versions, so that means the price will be cheaper third party.

On the coupons... you don't apply them to the Costco Cart... You'd have to mail them in.

BTW: Please post those coupons, the best deal you've found so others in the market can snag a deal, compare prices...


One thing on the Coupons, buying from HP direct instead of www.COSTCO.com Costco gives you a 180 day return window!!!

You'll have to fiqure in your mind how much that is worth for "Piece of mind".... You have to balance that with any "deal" you may find....

You get a unit with problems, and you'll thank me for buying from Costco.... That being said the unit is under warranty, and you can send it in to HP for repair. That 180 day period is mighty handy for cases in which HP gives you the run around, there is a problem that can't be "fixed"...

If HP decides to jerk you around on a repair, you just take it back to any Costco store, and say for example... "The keyboard is messing up...." as has been reported by many people on the dv8000t series, with no really definite fix known to the problem and you be kissing the ground I walk on for beating it into your head that Costco IS the place to buy.


PS: When taking something back to Costco:

1: Don't abuse the return policy
2: Don't return it if you can "fix" whatever problem yourself
3: Make SURE to state there IS a PROBLEM with the unit you have tried to fix... So COSTCO gets a full credit back on the machine from HP.
4: Don't return it 6 months later because you don't like the color... OR a new model has come out...

BTW: If you return it, and there is no problem stated with it, it's marked "resalable"... and in most Costco stores it's sold off to a wholesaler for like 30 cents on the dollar.... Which mean Costco loses BIG money on that transaction... (You pay $1,500, return get your $1,500 back... unit is sold off for $500, Costco loses the differance)

 

thanks.
these are not mailable cuopons...dont know how to apply them!

so on the screen whats your bottomline..which option is the best?

price difference on the RAMs seems minimal...besides im not a techie to pick from this assortment:

http://www.newegg.com/ProductSort/SubCategory.asp?SubCategory=381

 

Screen = I had the 1680x1050 screen on my dv8000t and I really liked it... Lets you display (2) spreadsheets, doc's, or webapges side by side, and gives you a little extra "height" over the base screen so you don't have to scroll up and down pages so much.

Yes the price differance on the ram is minimal, but if you do get a system in which you have to "pay' more buying third party ram lets you KEEP that 1 gig.


BTW: Just read this post about BestBUY:

dv9035nr on sale for $1,350

http://www.notebookforums.com/post2446436-17.html

Big Daddy it's on sale at best buy now for $1,350


http://www.notebookforums.com/thread176964.html

 

problem with the bestbuy options being:
1.media center edition doesnt support skype etc.
2. dont want the tv tuner
3. want the 7200rpm HDD not the 5400rpm
4. cant use the cuopon with bestbut also
5. want the 2.0ghz processor

if you add the price difference of these it addsup to about another $600!

 

Are you sure about that? MOST of sony's products are NOT made in Japan these days. Quality and Sony are things that died with the 90s.

I'd go with the HP

 

checked it myself. it says made in japan at the back of it..those still have quality., trust me.

 

Yep.. the label that says "Made in Japan" was "made" in Japan...

 

Well then CTO it.... Order it thru Hp or whatever for the coupon your talking about.

(BTW , I don't think you never posted the coupon you were talking about earlier, OR gave the details about it.... Not that I care since I'm not in the market... but I'm sure someone else who has read this far in this thread would be interested...)


Another option is to buy the Sony for $3,200....

 

These are the coupons he is talking about. It is a sticky at the top of the page of the HP forum:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=3766

 

Ah,,

Ok 7-12% for students?... and I bet that is thru HP directly right?...


On the unit I got thru Costco, HP's prices usually were running alittle more than thru Costco on each item on a line by line basis and the sales tax was 1/2 way I'd pay locally..or thru HP if memory serves me right, but the 180 day return window was the big thing for me over a few bucks saved.

(BTW: How much sales tax does HP charge? , the full normal sales tax in your area, or a percentage of that as seemed the case when a order placed thru Costco?)

Even if that is not the case I'd be willing to pay a few more dollars for 180 days of a no hassle, no need to box it back up and ship it off and wait for my check card to get credited back the money, OR shipping the unit back and then have to fight with them on "re-stocking" fees's, OR just have them flat out stonewall me on the money being credited back, over just walking into any Costco store and getting ALL my money back in minutes on the spot.


If the price differance is a huge one, I say go for it... but don't expect any pity when the unit has a problem, the mfg jerks you around, and you have to spend hour, upon hour getting a resolution to the problem.

.

 

Some info on the gpu's used:

http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=2760

Hardware
NVIDIA Announces HDCP-Aware PureVideo HD
Tuan Nguyen (Blog) - June 9, 2006 5:44 AM

---------------------------------------------------------------

Available on select GeForce 7-series

NVIDIA this week announced what it calls PureVideo HD, a HDCP variant of its current PureVideo video processing technology. This week at Computex, DailyTech reported that several NVIDIA board partners announced boards with full HDCP support. Manufacturers included ASUS, MSI and several others showed off HDMI equipped graphics cards and many of them included the necessary Silicon Image chip to support a full HDCP-HDMI or HDCP-DVI signal.

With PureVideo HD, NVIDIA touts that better quality video can be seen, but essentially, PureVideo HD is an HDCP-aware version of its current technology. NVIDIA says that while the technology will be available in its GeForce 7000 series of GPUs, not all cards and products will support it, as not all boards will include the necessary HDCP transmitter. The following products are on NVIDIA's list of PureVideo HD compliant products:

GeForce 7600 GT
GeForce Go 7600
GeForce Go 7600 GT

NVIDIA's press release also claims "Available on HD DVDs and Blu-ray discs, high-definition movies are bringing an exciting new video experience to PC users. NVIDIA PureVideo HD technology lets you enjoy cinematic-quality HD DVD and Blu-ray movies with low CPU utilization and power consumption, allowing higher quality movie playback and picture clarity."

Several laptops are also including the above GPUs as well as support for full HDCP output. Sony's VAIO AR notebook series and RC desktop series will be the first to let users experience PureVideo HD. Toshiba is also releasing its Qosmio G35-AV650 laptop with integrated HDCP-enabled GeForce Go 7600. NVIDIA says its PureVideo HD allows a computer to accelerate HD video (such as H.264, VC-1 and MPEG-2) with low CPU utilization and power consumption.

Currently it is unknown whether or not if PureVideo HD will be available to other NVIDIA graphics cards that do not use the above listed GPUs, but do come equipped with an HDCP-enabled DVI transmitter.

* * * * * * * *


So if I'm reading that right:

Sony's VAIO AR notebook series and RC desktop series will be the first to let users experience PureVideo HD (Price, what $3,200?)

Toshiba is also releasing its Qosmio G35-AV650 laptop with integrated HDCP-enabled GeForce Go 7600


No mention of it in the above due to the press date, but the HP dv9000t is using the 7600 go with HDCP/HDMI output and has if needed and has the optional HD DVD and Blu-ray disc drive. (Price, what $$$$$)


Let me put it another way:

What would the above units cost, spec'd out the same (or close)... I mean come on there's not a big differance you're going to see in video /movies /games from a 2.0 to a 2.16 cpu as the gpu is more important in video processing.


Regardless if one unit is $3,200? as noted by a previous poster and the other (the HP) $2,000? I don't see paying 50% more for a name, or a few mhz faster cpu.

.

 

dude the coupon is on this forum..goto the first posting which says student discount..nb9500- $200 off..nothing that one can post anywhere..just a discount code which needs to be applied at checkout

 

To me the main question is "do you want to go out with or without support at all?".
If it's this latter, then go with Sony. A mistake friends warned me first about when I bought my VAIO. Mistake corrected by then switching to HP, to which I'm loyal.
Sony tech support is non-existent, you will find no drivers on the web, you may get sometimes answers from their webboards, but will they be helpful?
Beautiful machines, but to me, HP wins ways over Sony regarding tech support... as well as quality.

 

dude? ... Some people take offense at being called "dude", especially after taking allot of time and effort to help someone. Also here's a point you need to take to heart when asking which system is "better", blah, blah, blah...

You need to state the intented "use" for the unit, and it would be helpful also not only to people trying to help you, but others who may run across this thread to post the PRICES of the units you are talking about, the SPECS your thinking about, and LINKS to them.

It also doesn't hurt to post the info on those coupons as a favor to say someone like yourself who is "looking" for a deal, and does not know "where" the coupons are posted.

Think two way street, instead of one way street with all the info flowing to you...

I've tried to be helpful to you at every turn.... and you call me dude...


PS: Was going to fill you in on some more info on the units you're asking about, but I'll let you find that on your own.



.

 

hey im sorry you took offence...is dude supposed to be derogatory? this is the first time im hearing it...im indeed grateful for your advice and information.

on the coupon i kept saying that its on this hp thread itself and couldnt quite understand what you wanted me to post, for it was already there!

 

To some calling someone "dude" would be offensive in the context you used it in, after repeated posts made by someone who's been trying to help you... Thanks for clarifying that you are indeed thankful for the info presented previously.


On the Coupon, what I was saying was to post the LINK, and or the details on such a coupon as Lappyhappy did for the benefit of those who may be "in the market" and would apperciate any discounts that could be had and do not know where to look on the site, or have overlooked a particular coupon that would help them.

Link Lappyhappy posted: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=3766

***

Looking at it from another perspective, you may find by posting the coupon you're talking about that someone knows of a better deal... so it can work in your favor...