HP Pavilion dv6500t - Is it worth ?

I was looking out for a good laptop for home use/casual gaming. After a Dell disaster, I have come across this HP dv6500t. Please advise how good is this for home entertainment use, home video editing, software programming & occasional gaming....

And of course, the value for money -> $1220

- HP Pavilion dv6500t Special Edition CTO
- Upgrade to Genuine Windows Vista Ultimate (64-bit) for ONLY $99!!
- Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processor T7250 (2.00 GHz, 2 MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
- 15.4" WXGA High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1280 x 800)
- 75% OFF Upgrade to 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)!!
- 128MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS
- HP Imprint Finish (Influx) + Fingerprint Reader + Webcam + Microphone
- Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection and Bluetooth(TM)
- 250GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
- LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support
- $30 OFF HP ExpressCard Digital/Analog TV Tuner!!
- 12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
- Microsoft(R) Works 8.0
- HP Wireless Laser Mini Mouse (White) and Mobile Stereo Headset (1 pair, White)


If I dont give importance to gaming, I feel this is pretty good. Any suggestions ? Thanks!

 

i think its a pretty decent notebook for your price range, i'll probably buy either the hp 9500t or the dell xps 1530. currently dell has a better deal than hp, but maybe that will change.

why dont you want to buy a dell, why r u unhappy with dell notebooks?

 

make sure you use a coupon. do a web search for hp coupons. i recently used a $500 Off coupon on my dv6700t (replaces the dv6500t). i don't game, so i cannot speak about that aspect, but for everyday computing, email, surfing, music, etc., i like it. if you are patient, you can get a better deal with coupon.
the vostro you have has the 8600m gt which is best for gaming.

 

that coupon is not valid anymore.



I would go for the updated model the dv6700 special edition.

 

Thanks for your comments... I did use a coupon that brought it down by $477.90 !!!
I do not have a problem with Dell, it is just their laptops
Anyway, I am considering the Dell M1530 as well, as my Vostro is going back soon...!

 

I'm very happy with dv9500 + nvidia 8600 for home entertainment center and video editing. Optional TV/HDTV tuner is good. The built in speaker quality are good, clearly better than dell or acer which I've compared with. HP includes a little media remote control that you can store in the PCi-express slot. And there's karaoke support included with HP Quickplay media software... I've only tried a singing to a few .kar files. Man, my singing voice sucks, YMMV

I'm not a heavy gamer. But I do play half-life orange at full-res with no problem. Crysis demo runs decently 800x600 at medium.

I do have 2 Dell desktops, so I have nothing against Dell and giving them a serious look, but I'm just not as happy with Dell laptops designs and pricepoints as I am with HP for the past few years.

 

i was in the same shoes as you, i ordered a dv6500 that cost 800 but then i came across a coupon to get 25% off so i bought the dv9500t which cost 1400 but i got it for about 1000$. the main reason i changed and got the dv9500t is because i got the 8600m in it. on my dv9500t i can play bf2 on almost all high on 1200 by 720 and UT3 at medium on 800 by 600.