Getting DV 9500T

I'm looking to replace my old compaq R3140 with somting new. Below is the config I think is what I need. Questions:

1- what's battery life
2- Is 7200rpm drive really better than the 5400rpm
3- What's the good, bad, and ugly of this config?
4- Yep... I'm new here.
5- Price like this is about $1500 w/ NB1200 code.



Operating system Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)

Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processor T7500 (2.20 GHz, 4 MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)

Display 17.0" WXGA+ High-Definition Ultra HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1440 x 900)

Memory $50 Off upgrade from 1GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm) to 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)

Graphics Card 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS

Personalization HP Imprint (Radiance) + Fingerprint Reader + Webcam + Microphone

Networking Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection

Hard Drive 120GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive

Primary CD/DVD Drive FREE Upgrade to LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support!!

TV & Entertainment Experience No TV Tuner w/remote control

Primary Battery High Capacity 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery

Productivity Software Microsoft(R) Works 8.0

 

1. My battery life is almost 3 hours usually just surfing web and having outlook open.
2. Depends on what you are using the laptop for. I have the 7200 and has quick access all around. I had a 4200 in my old lappy so I was going for max performance this time around. Battery life doesn't seem to suffer.
3. I would go with with higher resolution screen rather than the ulta-brightview with the lower resolution. I enjoy having a higher resolution so I can have more real estate to display items. The ulta-brightview has an additional bulb for extra brightness but it isn't very necessary.
4. Haha everyone started here once upon a time.
5. Price looks good!

 

Well I've only had my dv9500 for about 2 weeks so I'm still sorting out some of the features. I pretty much have the same configuration that you listed above.

1- what's battery life
3 hours is about what I get out of it, maybe a bit longer depending on what you are doing.

2- Is 7500rpm drive really better than the 5400rpm
The main reason I went with the 7200 is the overall increase in system performance(from games, apps, and everything else). I've used slower drives in the past and I don't want to go there again, so stick with the 7200 or faster.

3- What's the good, bad, and ugly of this config?
Well when I ordered it was $1451 (but that included the 1 year warranty) with the 20% off coupon, but the day after I got my laptop delivered HP sent out the 30% coupon...so I called them and got $168.00 refunded (lol, I'm cheap I know.)

4- Yep... I'm new here.
Welcome to the forum.

5- Price like this is about $1500 w/ NB1200 code.
Based on my price a few weeks ago it should be more like $1350.00 without the 1yr warranty and with a 20% off coupon (and you can just hope they release another 30% off so you can get a refund too).

This is a great laptop! The only thing I don't like about my laptop is the Vista OS, but I'm a geek so I can fix that. Hopefully tonight I'll get my hard drive adapter and I can add my 2nd hard drive (another 120gb seagate drive).... Yum!

 

Looks like I have until Friday to get my config all sorted out. A few more questions
1- what the physical size of the screen height and width for the 17inch LCD
2- what's the difference between Vista home Premium and ultimate version
3- I'm not a gamer, but will be doing some home DV editing.

and... there has to be more users here to comment.

 

Hey Woodchuck,

I'm a few weeks into researching laptops too. So far this one has floated to the top for features and price. Here are some of my considerations:

1. Starting with Vista Home Premium. MS offers an online Anytime Upgrade plan, so if I need the features of Ultimate I can upgrade later. It's actually cheaper than starting with Ultimate. Also HP is not offering 32-bit Ultimate.

2. 2gb ram because 32-bit OS's don't support 4 GB and 64-bit Os's don't always have the latest drivers.

2½. 1680 x 1050 because that's what I use at work, and most the applications I work with have three column layouts.

3. Skipped the TV thing, but I am looking forward to running an HDMI cable to my HDTV. You need a dedicated video card to get that.

4. I'm not really a gamer either, but I do want to play occasionally even if I need to turn down the graphics settings.

5. If a better coupon comes out within 30 days you can call up and get the difference refunded.

6. I am a little worried about getting a 17" just because it's so big.

Jamison

 

First off when dealing with HP and most laptop manufacturers, never buy 4GB of RAM with the laptop. It is half the price to purchase it yourself from places like www.newegg.com and install it yourself (very easy to install, takes 2 minutes).

You have a nice configuration there, I bought one recently and I loved it. The only reason I returned it was because I play games and wanted a better video card. For what you'll be doing though you will absolutely love the laptop. The style is great, the screen quality and picture is amazing, and all the features that HP has in their pavilion lines are great.

1. Battery life is about 3 hours for just browsing the internet and doing medium intensive applications. I definitely recommend the high cell which you ordered, and I also recommend getting a second high capacity 8 cell with your purchase as well because it is cheaper to purchase it now rather than later.

2. Yes the 7200 is faster than the 5400RPM. I consider the HDD as a bottleneck for performance, because your computer can only go as fast as the information is provided to it. Your processor is fast enough and so is your RAM, so it comes down to how fast the information can be found and read off of the HDD. And remember, if the 120GB isn't enough for you, you can always add another HDD to your laptop because it has 2 HDD bays.

3. The only thing I could see that you might not like after you get the laptop is the resolution, but it all depends on your personal preference. I haven't personally seen the ultra brightview, but having seen the regular HD brightview, I can tell you its still an amazing picture and very bright. So its just something to think about before you purchase. If you have a BestBuy or a retail store near you go check out a 17" screen and look at the resolution. At BestBuy they only have the DV9500t with the 1440x900 unless they got some new models in.

All in All, you have yourself a good laptop, and this is definitely the place to get more information and people's opinions on laptops. Hope you enjoy your new lappy when you get it!

 

I just made the purchase, but made a few changes.

1-Display now is the 1680 x 1050, figured I go for better resolution and the added desktop space.

2-Added bluetooth, not sure what's it's all about, but everyone says for $25 you can't go wrong.

3- all for $1368 after the NB1200 $200 reduction.

Now the wait...

 

I got a DV9500t just recently and I really like it. Sometimes I wonder if I should have gone with the larger resolution, but since I like gaming and the video card will perform better at the lower resolution I just when with the 1440x900. I do however wish I had selected the bluetooth option, like you said how can you go wrong for only $25 more. But seeing as I don't currently have any bluetooth devices and won't likely get any anytime soon, it is fine by me.

It is a gorgeous laptop, for being a 17" I think the size is actually pretty good. The weight isn't too bad, no more than some of the textbooks I have to carry around. As far as gaming goes I think it works pretty good, if you want to play the newest games at the highest resolution then you should get a desktop computer... But for most games this laptop will workout just fine. I've been able to play all that I've wanted so far.

 

I have the Ultra bright view on my 2nd laptop now and my parents just bought the regular screen. I can tell you this once you have a bright view nothing compares, but higher resolution is also a great bonus. While setting up my parents laptop after an hour I didn't even notice it wasn't bright view anymore but I still think the brightview is the way to go unless you need the resolution.

 

I got the higher resolution screen because in my opinion, the most important thing is the amount of s77t you can fit on the screen. And higher #'s look nicer on paper.

And also, I considered bluetooth too - but consider this - if you want to utilize it.. you'll just have to buy a bluetooth capable device/mouse/keyboard and I'm not sure - but I'm expecting that they'll cost more. ...So in essence - it's more than $25. I was thinkin about getting it and getting a bluetooth mouse but figured that and also...it wouldn't be much more convenient.

 

Don't forget that you can connect your cell phone if it is bluetooth capable, which today almost every cell phone is.

 

stereo bluetooth headphones are amazing.