HP Pavilion DV9500T Setup

For those of you who own the DV9000 or DV6000 series, I was wondering if you thought this was an ideal setup, and would go great. This is what I plan on doing with it, but I know some people who own the DV9000 and DV6000 series say do this or that, so I just want to make sure this would give me enough speed and room, for doing just about anything, besides gaming, not really a gamer.

Thanks

Components

• Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)
• Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processor T7500 (2.20 GHz, 4 MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
• 17.0" WXGA+ High-Definition Ultra HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1440 x 900)
• $50 Off upgrade from 1GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm) to 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
• 128MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS
• HP Imprint Finish (Radiance) + Webcam + Microphone
• Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection
• FREE Upgrade to 240GB 5400RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (120GB x 2) from 160GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive!!
• FREE Upgrade to LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support!!
• HP ExpressCard Digital/Analog TV Tuner
• 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
• System Recovery DVD with Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)
• Microsoft(R) Works 8.0

The price is 1,573.99 if that matters at all.

 

thats a pretty good system
if you havent ordered yet, check out your local costco..
i got the same lappy with an 8600m GS and a 2ghz c2d for $1280 at costco

 

Alright, I'll do that, I have a Costco about 20miles from me.

 

Thats basically the system I'm using now, but instead i have 200gb 2x100gb 7200 RPM drives (both seagate which i was shocked HP gave) as well as the 8600GS, Wireless card with bluetooth, and fingerprint reader (such a fun little gimmick).
A suggestions for the upgrade, go with the high capacity 8cell instead of the normal 8cell, not that big of a price diff and its well worth the little boost in battery life imo. Oh and the TV tuner's only usable for watchin TV basically, connecting any video game systems (incase u were thinkin bout it) is out of the question due to signal slowdown with the transfer.

 

My grandmother the other day was talking to me about wireless and mentioned something that there's a new kind of wireless signal coming out, if that's true, with the wireless card they come with work?

 

Looks pretty good but a few issues you might want to consider before buying:

1) Hard drives are 5400rpm and you may notice a slowdown in loading applications and files. I'd suggest a 7200rpm drive for best performance.

2) The 8400 card is not very good, I'd suggest the 8600. The 8400 only has 64mb dedicated memory vs the 8600 with 256mb dedicated memory (may not be an issue if you don't play games/watch movies).

3) For an extra $50.00 you can upgrade the display to 1600x1050, worth it imho. I didnt think I'd like the high resolution but man it is sweet once you get used to it, now my low res office pc hurts my eyes.

4) You can get this laptop cheaper if you use a coupon code and order it online. Below in my sig you'll see my system spec's and I got this system for $1281.00 and I then bought the 2nd hard drive caddy, 2nd hard drive, and I already owned a legal copy of XP Pro that I added. Just FYI I used a 30% off coupon to get this price and my price also included the 1yr warranty.

5) Ditch the system recovery cd's, you can burn your own or better yet buy a Vista anywhere cd for $5.00 and you can reinstall off it without the HP bloatware.

I think that about does it. These items may not be an issue for you but you can decide for yourself. Good luck!

-Reby

 

The 8400 has 128M, but I agree one should go for the 8600. I have the 8400, and it's a little laggy in Vista (just the desktop). I think it might be related to power saving though.

I was going to say that as well. Higher resolution is always better.

Yeah, make the recovery discs yourself. The ones you make are actually more likely to work than the ones you buy from HP.

 

Yeah, I was reading into the recovery disc, and it's basically a waste of money.

 

Now should I buy a Cooling fan with this, reason I ask is because the desk that the laptop will be sitting on, isn't 100% solid, it has real tiny holes, where the fan can breathe, and I will be using it most of the time there, occasionally I will be using it on 100% solid surfaces, but not a lot.

Here's what it looks like, sorry it can't be any clearer, I'm using my webcam to take pictures considering my digital camera is currently broken.

Far View:



Up Close View:




And that is on the entire desk.

 

my dv9500t has never overheated while on 100% solid surfaces
even while playing games
but i do recommend at least propping it up...

 

If the desk is perforated it will probably help cool it more. The air will be able to flow through the desk, so the fan probably will get more air through it. People say the desk should be "solid" as opposed to something the has fabric on it. You'd be amazed how many people put their systems on the bed in top of blankets, and then they overheat.

 

I can believe that about the blankets and stuff, I see that happen all the time.

So I should be fine then, which is good, save me some $$$.

Glad to hear it doesn't over heat much.

 

This is what I have chosen after using one today, I thought it was near perfect. I upped the size of the processor, figured a little more speed wouldn't be to bad. The screen is perfect, I honestly don't care about having a smaller resolution, I currently have a 15in 1024x768, and it's pretty good for me in size considering I don't play games, so I think the 1440x900 will be fine, or should I say perfect.

I know a lot of you said up the card, but I didn't see anything wrong with the 8400 when I used it, no lag, errors, or anything bad, actually runs a lot better and nicer than the one I own now.

I decided to go with the Recovery DVD with Vista on it, just incase I screw something up and Vista goes bye bye.

I think I'm going to enjoy this computer a lot, and I appreciate all the help.

Components

• Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)
• Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processor T7500 (2.20 GHz, 4 MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
• 17.0" WXGA+ High-Definition Ultra HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1440 x 900)
• $50 Off upgrade from 1GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm) to 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
• 128MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS
• HP Imprint Finish (Radiance) + Webcam + Microphone
• Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection
• FREE Upgrade to 240GB 5400RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (120GB x 2) from 160GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive!!
• FREE Upgrade to LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support!!
• HP ExpressCard Digital/Analog TV Tuner
• 8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
• System Recovery DVD with Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)

 

You might as well get the high-capacity battery and get a little more life out of your laptop on the go. Also just so you know, it is cheaper to purchase an extra battery when you purchase your laptop compared to buying it after the fact.

Enjoy your laptop though!

 

Thank you for pointing that out, it's about $100 difference, I guess I might as well do it, just in case I start doing something where I need it.