Frik or Frak?

If I were to get an HP, it's really down to 2 options.

Either the HP Pavilion dv9500t equipped with:
17" WSXGA+ screen
T7500 at 2.2ghz
1gb DDR2 RAM
GeForce 8600M GS w/ 256mb DDR2
2x 120gb H-drives @ 5400RPM
Intel Wireless N
BlueTooth
Webcam + Microphone
DVD-/+RW w/ DL
2x Extra High Capacity 8-Cell Batteries
Price: $1,523.99
Price After 30% Off: $1,066.79

-or-

The HP Compaq 8510p equipped with:
15.4" WSXGA+ screen
T7300 at 2.0ghz
1gb DDR2 RAM
Radeon HD 2600 w/ 256 DDR3
160GB H-Drive @ 5400RPM
Intel Wireless a/b/g
Bluetooth
Microphone
DVD-/+RW w/ DL
1x 8-Cell Battery
Price: $1,479.00

 

I'd vote for the 8510p. Even though it isn't as good of a deal as the dv9500t, it has better build quality, a better warranty, and it is a smaller, more portable machine with similar performance. After all, both machines have WSXGA+ displays, which means you won't get any more room to work with on the 17" screen--just larger text and graphics (in other words, the 17" would be easier to read, but would give you no more screen area to work with)

 

See, everyone's on about build quality and all that. It's not like I'm bringing the damn laptops through Vietnam.

Essentially what's being said is: HP quality is crap unless you buy their best stuff. Makes me just not want to buy from HP.

 

Hp Vs Compaq, doesnt HP control Compaq's QA/QC?-not into business

wouldnt HP's be better than Compaq's Build Quality?

i would go with the Pavilion based on screen size and price xD cheap and big is my thing

 

Really, people will beg to differ with me, but there's only one company that I think makes rock-solid computers all across the spectrum, from entry level to high-class business professionals. I consider that company Dell.

Dells however, look a rectangular block of aluminum with some paint color sploshed over them. I don't consider them particularly attractive, and if you're not going to be doing intensive movement with your laptop, the HP quality is more than adequate. By adequate, I mean you'd have to be a literal pair of butterfingers to screw that up.

Hope this helps.

 

Dell currently has major problems involving audio and visual stability. AKA: Bad onboard audio and bad screens.

 

Yeah, actually, so I've heard. I thought it was just a mild storm that was needing to blow over after they've been overwhelmed with orders.

Are they STILL have quality control issues? That's ridiculous. If (Grimhound) is right, then, well, I dunno. HP has always worked for me. There are some people that swear by Thinkpads, but I believe that those are either hit-or-miss. Some rant, some rave. It's just luck, really.

If quality concern is a huge factor in your decision to purchase a laptop, I think it'd be best to buy from a retail store, so you always have that comfort if you need it.

 

I'm not trying to say that their consumer models (Pavilions) are crap. They are pretty decent in quality, probably better than Dell inspirons. At least, after playing with HP Pavilions at electronics stores, I can say that the quality is better than my mom's Inspiron e1505 (And they look better, too!). About the only thing I don't like about them is their keyboards SUCK. They have a very light feel and have far too much flex.

Even though the Pavilions are good enough in quality for everyday users, the HP Compaqs Business models will have higher quality. It's the same way with Dell Inspiron/Vostro vs. Dell Latitude. My suggestion is to play with some pavilions before you buy. Try out the keyboards. Adjust the screen and see how it responds (i.e., does it wobble when adjusted? How much resistance is there in the hinges?) Test for any week spots/flex in the case/chassis.

Of course, this is rather hard to do unless you borrow someone else's notebook. Also, electronics stores have the notebooks secured down, and sometimes even have the keyboards covered, so it'll be tricky to get a "feel" for the Pavilions. Also, I have yet to find a store that sells HP Compaq Business notebooks.

Bottom line: Pavilions should be fine for everyday use (if you can get past the awful keyboards), but the business models typically have higher build quality. And again, this is not exclusive to HP. The same thing applies to Dell, with Inspiron/Vostro vs. Latitude. The Latitudes are higher in quality, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the Inspirons/Vostros have lousy build quality.

With that said, it is a tough call now between the 2 models. The Pavilion is a better deal, but keep in mind a 17" is quite big and heavy (even though this particular one is one of the thinner and lighter 17" models). Also, even though you'll have a bigger display, you'll have no more screen area to work with than the 8510p, since they both have the same resolution. The 17" will be bigger and easier to read, however, so it would be a better option if your eyesight isn't very good.

P.S. Sorry for such a lengthy post.

 

I would choose the dv9500t.

 

I would go with the dv9500t

 

I would go with the dv9500t, honestly. Faster processor, more hard drive space, future-proof wireless card, an extra battery, and a larger screen (sure, the screen doesn't give you any more working area, but it's a lot easier on the eyes). All that, and it's $400 cheaper? You can't go wrong with that.

The ONLY advantage I can see with the 8510P is that it uses GDDR3 memory, and that's not enough to make up for the $400 price difference and the other advantages the DV9500T has over it.

 

Every day it'll be a different showdown between models, so I think I'm done looking for now. Really, I don't know where to put my money.